From what Lu Zhengting said, Xia Yan's memories of her childhood were very vague, mostly revolving around the time when Xu Guang passed away. He chose to hide the truth from her simply because he didn't want her to recall those painful things.
Xia Minghui had precisely exploited this, preemptively instilling in Xia Yan the idea that Lu Weiyuan was her father's murderer, which led to conflict between her and Lu Zhengting.
This was a completely different version from what he had heard from Xia Yan herself—or rather, it was diametrically opposed.
The two of them sat silently in the office until Old Master Xiao suddenly appeared, breaking the strange atmosphere.
Having lived most of his life, Old Master Xiao's greatest regret was his youngest daughter, Xiao Lanzhi. Especially after learning of her death, this sudden blow aged him overnight.
Xia Yan was Xiao Lanzhi's only child, so he transferred all his feelings of indebtedness and desire to make amends onto her.
Steward Zhou followed unhurriedly behind him. The old man walked slowly with his cane, yet his presence remained undiminished, as if he still carried the radiance and authority of his prime.
Lu Zhengting felt a probing gaze land on him. His expression remained calm as he looked back nonchalantly, meeting the old man's eyes.
"You're Lu Weiyuan's son?"
"Old Master."
"You're the Lu Zhengting who likes our Xia Yan?"
Lu Zhengting paused for a moment, then hummed in acknowledgment. The old man's words were direct, unlike Xiao Yusheng's more roundabout approach.
Xiao Yusheng helped the old man sit on the sofa in the lounge. Steward Zhou tactfully left the office, leaving only the three of them. Xiao Yusheng briefly relayed what he had just learned. The old man's brow was so furrowed it could have crushed a mosquito.
"I never expected our Xia Yan to be such a hot commodity," the old man said softly, then his tone turned cold and commanding. "Yusheng, make arrangements. Tomorrow I'm holding a press conference to announce Xia Yan's identity. Let's see who dares to have designs on her."
Hearing this, Lu Zhengting had no objections. Xiao Yusheng knew that once the old man made a decision, no one could change it, but he still hesitated to speak. "Xia Yan hasn't decided to accept it yet. Wouldn't this be too hasty?"
"She is Lanzhi's daughter, my own granddaughter—that's a fact. Whether she accepts it or not, it's an unchangeable truth. Announcing her identity early will at least let those with ill intentions know that behind her stands the Xiao family."
"Yes, Father. I'll have it arranged immediately."
As soon as the old man finished speaking, his gaze shifted sharply to Lu Zhengting, his expression extremely serious. "President Lu, until you're officially married to Xia Yan, you need to find an opportunity to clarify the rumors circulating outside."
"The wedding is being planned."
"Does Xia Yan know?"
"I plan to give her a surprise."
"Just hope it doesn't turn into a shock."
Lu Zhengting looked at the old man without backing down. "My bride will only be Xia Yan."
As if hearing what he wanted, the old man's tone softened slightly, and his attitude was no longer as resolute. After Xiao Yusheng arranged everything and returned to the office, the old man already looked somewhat weary.
"Getting old really drains your energy."
Steward Zhou, hearing the old man call for him, came in and stood by his side. "Master."
The old man's vitality was indeed not what it used to be. When he returned home from the company, he had the servants call Xia Yan to his study. When Xia Yan arrived, confused, she learned that the old man planned to publicly reveal her identity.
Xia Yan resisted and couldn't help but speak up. "I refuse."
"Xia Yan, you have to listen to your grandfather on this. I won't harm you. Besides, don't you want to return to the Xiao family?"
"I... don't."
"Nonsense. This isn't up to you."
Hearing the old man's somewhat angry voice, Xia Yan froze and asked softly, "Did you treat my mom this domineeringly too?"
Her careless remark instantly plunged the old man into memories. Seeing his slightly weathered face, she felt a pang of guilt. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to say that. I..."
"Alright, you can leave now." The old man closed his eyes, wearily waving toward the door, signaling Xia Yan to leave the study.
Xia Yan hesitated as she left the study, knowing she had said something she shouldn't have. But by the time she wanted to take it back, it was too late. She frantically ran her hands through her hair—what a mess!
The old man stayed alone in the study, forbidding anyone from entering, and remained there until dark. When Xiao Yusheng and Xiao Lanqing returned home and found Xia Yan sitting dazedly in the living room, they pressed her for what had happened.
Xiao Yusheng went to the study and saw the old man. On the desk lay an open photo album. He stepped forward—it was an album of their childhood photos, and it seemed to always stay open to the page with Xiao Lanzhi's picture.
After a pause, in the silence, the old man suddenly lowered his head and pointed to a photo of Xiao Lanzhi holding a book and smiling happily. "Yusheng, look how happily Lanzhi is smiling."
"Yes, I remember that book was the first one you gave Lanzhi."
"Back then, Lanzhi would come to the study every day with that book, asking me to tell her stories." The old man sighed, his voice tinged with sorrow.
"Father..."
"I know what you're going to say." The old man wiped a tear discreetly, his slightly hoarse voice cutting off Xiao Yusheng's unspoken words. After a pause, as if calming himself, he looked at his son and spoke casually, "Lu Zhengting is a man of deep schemes. It seems he's known about Xia Yan's connection to the Xiao family for a while."
"You're right, Father. Though Lu Zhengting is young, his cautious cunning and decisive methods make him a worthy opponent."
"You seem to have a good impression of him."
"Indeed." Xiao Yusheng didn't hide his admiration for Lu Zhengting.
"Xia Yan is naive at heart. Being with Lu Zhengting, I'm afraid..."
"Father, children have their own fortunes. Please don't interfere in their affairs anymore."
Hearing this, the old man glared at his son with a huff. "Do you think I'm that tactless?"
Xiao Yusheng could only laugh helplessly and retract his words, letting the old man's expression return to normal.
At dinner, Xia Yan realized that Zhan Meng hadn't been at the villa all day. Just as she was about to call her, she received a text message.
"Something came up. I'm safe. Don't worry."
Xia Yan wondered whether to ask what was so urgent, but when she looked up, she caught a glimpse of Xiao Yusheng helping the old man out of the study. She suddenly remembered her earlier remark and the old man's reaction, feeling deeply guilty.
Fortunately, no one brought it up during dinner, and the old man seemed to have recovered, so Xia Yan breathed a sigh of relief.
******
City Hospital.
Zhan Meng blinked her innocent eyes at the doctor examining her. Luckily, Ning Xi wasn't in the room, so she still had time to persuade the doctor not to tell Ning Xi about her pregnancy.
The doctor, probably exasperated by Zhan Meng's pleading gaze, asked, "The man who brought you to the hospital is your boyfriend, right? He seems very concerned. Why don't you want to tell him about the pregnancy?"
"Doctor, please do me a favor. Don't tell him. I..." Zhan Meng rolled her eyes, thinking of a decent excuse. Then an idea struck, and she quickly added, "I want to tell him myself—a surprise, you know."
"Oh, alright then."
The doctor reluctantly agreed to help. After checking her and finding nothing serious, he gave her some pregnancy precautions and left the room.
Alone in the hospital room, Zhan Meng felt bored. She recalled how, when her stomach first hurt, her immediate reaction was fear—fear of losing the baby. Luckily, her luck held, and the baby was tough; it was just a minor scare, and everything was fine.
After texting Xia Yan, she tilted her head, tracing circles around her belly with her finger. Her makeup-free face wore a gentle smile as she whispered to her stomach, "Baby, did you think your dad's fighting moves were as cool as I did? Is that why you got restless in there?"
Ning Xi pushed open the door and saw Zhan Meng talking to herself while touching her belly. Puzzled, he asked, "What are you doing?"
"Ah!" Zhan Meng screamed, startled by Ning Xi's sudden appearance. She instinctively patted her racing heart, as if caught doing something wrong, and snapped, "Can't you make any noise when you walk? Don't you know how scary it is to suddenly speak up like that?"
"Scared you? Doesn't seem like it. You've still got the energy to yell, so how scared could you be?"
"Ning Xi, you're such a jerk."
"Can we talk without resorting to personal attacks?"
"Am I wrong?"
"Don't forget who saved you."
"I didn't ask you to save me. You did it voluntarily—what am I supposed to do about it? I'm helpless too."
"Zhan Meng, can you act like a woman for once?"
"What does being a woman have to do with you? Why don't you try being one for a change?" Zhan Meng shot back without backing down, nearly making Ning Xi want to grab and shake her.
What kind of woman was Zhan Meng?!
"Are you mad?" Zhan Meng smiled at Ning Xi. When he didn't respond, she continued cheerfully, "Why are you so angry? Anyone would think I did something to you. But I didn't do anything."
"I must be out of my mind to care about a woman like you. I'm an idiot for even coming. Do whatever you want."