Xie Chengsi lifted his eyes and glanced at him. Reaching out, he pulled Yang Lingyun to sit beside him. The two exchanged a look, and their gazes landed simultaneously on Xie Zongxu.
Xie Zongxu rubbed the corner of his forehead, feeling somewhat helpless. After going around in circles, it was still the same old issue.
He paced over and sat down again, leaning back against the sofa. His posture was even more relaxed than before, though his hands remained occupied.
Pouring tea.
His long, well-defined fingers held a celadon teacup. His movements were unhurried and steady. He first warmed the cup with hot water before slowly pouring away the first brew.
Seeing him so skillfully pouring tea for them, Xie Chengsi felt a wave of comfort rise in his heart.
His eldest son excelled in every aspect. Whether in dealing with people or handling affairs, he stood at the very top among his peers.
Whenever he attended banquets, he constantly heard others lavish praise upon his son. Though he always responded with a few modest words, inwardly he could not help feeling proud and pleased.
Not only that, but when he had sent him overseas to study for nearly three years, Xie Zongxu had never uttered a single complaint. Now, he managed the family business with impeccable order and was even more capable than his father.
In the end, he still felt sorry for the boy. He was nearly thirty years old and still alone. Xie Chengsi had no choice but to put aside his pride and make a decision on his son’s behalf.
Xie Zongxu had always been calm and reserved, neither anxious nor impatient. If his father did not speak, he would never take the initiative to ask.
Xie Chengsi clenched his fist and hesitated for a moment. While observing his son’s expression, he finally spoke.
“Zongxu, you’re already at the age to start a family. It’s time to think about marriage. Your Uncle Chen’s grandson can already run errands. Your mother and I are extremely envious. Since you don’t seem to have anyone you like, I made the decision myself and arranged a marriage for you.”
Xie Chengsi could not detect even the slightest sign of resistance on his son’s face.
Then again, Xie Zongxu had always hidden his thoughts deeply. Even as his father, there were times when he could not figure out what his son was thinking.
Xie Zongxu gently placed the filled teacups before his father and mother, every movement respectful and considerate.
Seeing this, Xie Chengsi continued.
“She is the granddaughter of your grandfather’s old comrade-in-arms. She’s currently studying at Jinghua University and has never been in a relationship before. She’s beautiful, comes from a respectable family, and has a gentle temperament. Her name is Li Yang.
“You should meet her and have a chat over the next few days. Get to know each other first. There’s no rush regarding marriage. Take your time and see how things go. I think it should work out.”
Leaning against the sofa, Xie Zongxu remained dressed in a white shirt and black trousers. One hand supported his chin as he listened quietly to his father’s words. His bearing remained noble and composed.
After speaking, Xie Chengsi took a sip of tea. Talking for so long had left his throat somewhat dry. As he drank, he continued observing his son’s expression.
When he set down the teacup, Xie Zongxu still said nothing.
Although Yang Lingyun’s eyes were fixed on the television, her attention had been entirely on the father and son.
Seeing that Xie Zongxu still refused to respond, even Xie Chengsi’s patience began to wear thin.
“Zongxu, what exactly are you thinking? You haven’t said a single word. If you think your father’s arrangements aren’t appropriate, just say so. What’s the point of keeping silent?”
Though Xie Chengsi was the father, there were times when he had to gauge his son’s mood.
Besides, he had arranged this marriage first and informed him afterward. Naturally, he lacked confidence.
Even if he wanted to scold his son, he felt somewhat guilty.
At this point, Yang Lingyun could no longer focus on the television.
“I’ve seen that girl’s photo. She’s absolutely beautiful, fair and delicate. How about you first—”
Xie Zongxu lightly tapped the armrest with his fingertips, cutting her off.
“Who said I don’t have someone I like?”
The moment the words fell, it was as though a massive stone had crashed into still water.
The two elders were stunned into silence.
Especially Yang Lingyun. At the instant he spoke, the half-peeled orange in her hand nearly rolled onto the floor.
Almost instinctively, she tossed the orange aside. Even the lively television drama became mere background noise as she stared directly at her usually taciturn son. Her voice carried unconcealable delight.
“Really? Zongxu, you’re not fooling me, are you? You really have a girl you like?”
The hand holding Xie Chengsi’s teacup paused slightly.
After decades in the business world, he still maintained a composed appearance, but the slight lean of his body forward betrayed his eagerness.
“Which family is she from? What does she do? How did you meet?”
After a pause, he cleared his throat and tried to sound less anxious.
“We’re not rushing you. We’re just… asking.”
Like?
Xie Zongxu lowered his gaze. His fingertips tapped lightly against his knee twice as he recalled the unexpected encounter from the previous night.
When she had stumbled into his arms, she had carried a sweet fruity fragrance.
Later, when she had been writhing beneath him, those eyes shimmering with moisture had resembled a startled fawn. Yet she had stubbornly bitten her lip and refused to make a sound.
The self-control he had always prided himself on had completely collapsed that night.
So much so that earlier today, during the Family Head meeting, when the Chief Financial Officer had been reporting the third-quarter financial statements, the image that surfaced in his mind had been her fingers clutching at him and her flushed little face.
Absurd.
Without revealing anything, he picked up his teacup, using the action to conceal the slight curve threatening to form at the corner of his lips.
That girl…
He did not even know her name.
He only knew that her skin was very fair, her waist was very slim, and when she cried, the tip of her nose would turn red, like a pitiful little rabbit that made people want to cherish her.
But he knew very clearly that this was not love.
It was merely… difficult to forget.
Setting down the teacup, Xie Zongxu looked at the two pairs of eyes filled with anticipation opposite him. His expression remained as calm and indifferent as ever.
“It’s inconvenient to tell you her name for now. As for how we met…”
He paused before continuing without the slightest change in expression.
“I’ll tell you when there’s an opportunity in the future. In any case, those meetings that were arranged before can be canceled. Please ask Mother to explain things to the other party.”
Yang Lingyun and Xie Chengsi immediately exchanged a glance.
As his mother, Yang Lingyun had always been direct.
“You won’t even tell us her name? Then at least tell us what kind of person she is. Is her personality good? Can she tolerate your stuffy temperament? I don’t believe any girl would actually fall for you—”
Before she could finish, Xie Chengsi coughed lightly, signaling her to give their son some face.
Hearing this, Xie Zongxu’s fingertips paused briefly before he casually adjusted his cuff.
“We’re not together yet.”
His tone remained flat, though a trace of warmth quietly crept into the tips of his ears.
“She… looks fairly good.”
As for her personality, after only one night together, he certainly could not say that she had cried for most of the night from his torment and had eventually lacked even the strength to glare at him.
Xie Chengsi had just raised his teacup and taken a sip when he nearly choked.
Yang Lingyun quickly patted his back while laughing uncontrollably herself.
After recovering, Xie Chengsi stared at the son who had been praised his entire life for being steady and mature, as though he had just heard the most unbelievable story in the world.
“You’re not even together yet?… Don’t tell me you’ve got a crush on her?”
Was there really a woman in this world whom Xie Chengsi’s son could not win over?
Did he actually have to secretly admire someone without daring to confess?
Yang Lingyun’s eyes reflected the same shock.
Looking at his parents’ identical expressions, Xie Zongxu knew there was no point saying anything further. Any explanation would only make things worse. It was better to let them misunderstand.
“Yes.”
He rose to his feet, straightened his clothes, and spoke with complete composure.
“So cancel all those arrangements. Once I’ve won her over, I’ll naturally bring her home to meet you.”
The moment he finished speaking, he strode toward the staircase with his long legs before either of them could react.
Xie Chengsi and Yang Lingyun watched the tall, composed figure disappear around the corner of the stairs.
The two stared at each other in silence for a long while.
Finally, Yang Lingyun muttered,
“Can he really pursue someone?”
Xie Chengsi picked up the tea that had already gone cold and said faintly,
“Doubtful.”