Xia Yan's face alternated between pale and flushed; she was worried her mother might overthink things, so she quickly said, "Right, CEO Lu has a child, already five years old. Actually, the reason I got to know CEO Lu was because of that little kid."
Xiao Lanzhi stared at Xia Yan with a grim expression.
"A few days ago, I ran into Xiaohan at school when he was lost... He liked the cake I ate, so I made it for him twice."
Xia Yan stopped hiding things and laid out the whole story of how she met Lu Zhengting, though she left out the forced blind date at the Xia family home that night—she didn't want her mother to worry.
The account was short, barely two minutes. Xia Siyue went from initial disbelief to half-belief, and seeing that Lu Zhengting never refuted a word, she finally accepted it.
"So, you and CEO Lu have only met twice?" Xia Siyue suddenly felt delighted.
So, a sparrow was still a sparrow—how could it turn into a phoenix in a day or two? She had to go back and tell Grandma. Wasn't the family trying to win over Yang Jinhui? He seemed to like Xia Yan that night too.
"Counting today's meeting, it's three times."
Xia Yan gave her a faint glance. She knew full well that once Xia Siyue learned the truth, the Xia family would know too. She'd just have to be on guard against the madam from now on.
"Mom, I have an appointment with a friend this afternoon, so I'll head back first." Xia Siyue was eager to go home; she just needed to confirm that Xia Yan had no real connection with Young Master Lu.
Xiao Lanzhi was preoccupied with other thoughts and casually hummed in agreement, letting her leave.
After Xia Siyue was gone, Xia Yan saw her mother's expression hadn't improved and felt a bit uneasy. She glanced at Lu Zhengting, hoping he'd say something.
But Lu Zhengting acted as if he hadn't noticed her hint, speaking lightly and earnestly, "I'm afraid I'll have to trouble Miss Xia more in the future." Xia Yan was puzzled, while Xiao Lanzhi's expression grew solemn.
Just then, hurried footsteps sounded from outside the door.
The door swung open, and a small figure darted in.
"You really are here." A clear, childish voice rang out.
Xia Yan froze, then widened her eyes. "You came out alone?"
She looked at pouting Xiaohan, then at Lu Zhengting, and when he showed no reaction, she added, "What if you get lost again?"
"Your cake isn't as good as the first time," Xiaohan said, looking displeased.
Xia Yan's head throbbed. She turned to her mother. "Mom, this is Mr. Lu's child, Xiaohan."
At that, Xiaohan greeted Xiao Lanzhi politely.
He seemed well-mannered, nothing like the mischievous, bossy kid from before. Xiao Lanzhi nodded with a smile.
"Did you come out without eating lunch?" Lu Zhengting suddenly asked.
Xiaohan pouted again. "I wanted to eat Sister Yan's cake."
Xia Yan was speechless. She looked at Lu Zhengting and noticed he seemed quite angry—veins might be bulging on his forehead.
If this man got mad, it would probably be terrifying, Xia Yan thought suddenly. She quickly said, "Then let's go have lunch first. I'll make you cake later. CEO Lu, haven't you eaten lunch either?"
Lu Zhengting gave Xiaohan a faint glance and hummed softly in agreement.
Xiaohan grabbed Xia Yan's hand, pulling her toward the door.
Xia Yan looked troubled; she didn't want to go eat with them.
"Then I'll trouble Miss Xia," Lu Zhengting said, very politely and courteously.
Xia Yan swallowed the words on the tip of her tongue, then turned to Xiao Lanzhi. "Mom, I'll go now. I'll come see you tomorrow."
Xiao Lanzhi nodded slightly, her expression odd as she looked at Lu Zhengting. "Mr. Lu..."
"Rest assured, Auntie," Lu Zhengting said abruptly, though what exactly he meant by "rest assured" remained unclear.
Xiao Lanzhi's expression didn't improve; it grew heavy and serious.
Xia Yan had already been pulled to the hospital room door by Xiaohan, missing her mother's look. She hurriedly said goodbye and left.
At that moment, at the Xia family villa.
Xia Siyue had returned and was telling the old Madam Xia about what she'd encountered in the hospital room.
"So, she has no real relationship with CEO Lu at all. I knew it—how could CEO Lu ever fancy her?" Xia Siyue concluded.
The old Madam Xia's face was expressionless, unreadable.
Xia Siyue wasn't surprised; her grandmother had always been like that, never showing her emotions.
She continued, "Grandma, doesn't that Yang Jinhui like her? Why don't we set them up again?"
The old Madam Xia's brow furrowed slightly. After a long pause, she said, "Didn't I tell you not to bring that up again?"
Xia Siyue's eyes widened in panic. "But now we know Xia Yan has nothing to do with CEO Lu! So on the Yang Jinhui front, we can..."
"What's the rush? Don't meddle in this anymore."
"Why not?! I told you, CEO Lu won't bother with her. We don't have to worry."
The old Madam Xia's face darkened, but she patiently instructed her granddaughter, "How can you be so sure? If something goes wrong, wouldn't the loss outweigh the gain?"
The living room fell silent.
Xia Siyue froze, then clenched her fists in frustration, her voice sharp. "No, I can prove that CEO Lu would never pay her any mind."