Chapter 55 - Subtle Emotions Surge

Xia Zhuozhuo sighed and decided not to discuss the topic of "emotional status" with Si Shenxing. She indicated that it was time to send him away in a manner that was almost polite but firm. "It's late at night. Mr. Si is busy and should not stay for long. Please." Si Shenxing seemed not to hear him. He raised a playful smile at the corner of his mouth: "The tea is still warm, why not drink it quickly and leave?" Xia Zhuozhuo secretly complained in her heart, but maintained a decent smile on her face. She tapped the table lightly with her fingers and urged: "Then please make a quick decision, Mr. Si." Every second of delay made her feel an inexplicable pressure, as if being in the same room with this man was putting herself on the cusp of the storm. The coldness and alienation when they first met now seemed to be replaced by an indescribable heaviness. She couldn't help but complain in her heart that if Si Shenxing's father really had foresight, he should have named him "Si Jinyan" instead of "Si Shenxing". After all, his behavior was far from the word "cautious". Si Shenxing adjusted his coat leisurely, his movements were elegant but not without strength, as if every subtle movement was silently showing his upbringing. He sat down slowly, took a sip of tea, and put down the teacup, his eyes flashing with a glimmer of inquiry. "Miss Xia, there is one thing I forgot to mention. A year ago, did you set foot in the private hot spring in Kyoto Huating?" His voice was low and magnetic, and every word was like a carefully crafted work of art, which made people imagine. Xia Zhuozhuo's eyebrows flashed with a trace of doubt, and he secretly calculated the intention of Si Shenxing's question. "A year ago? Why did Mr. Si suddenly bring this up?" Si Shen became more profound, as if he could see through people's hearts: "Miss Xia, you only need to answer, I will judge the rest. Otherwise, I am afraid that this tea will accompany me through the long night." Xia Zhuozhuo cursed "cunning" in his heart, but he had to respond positively: "Huating Private Hot Spring, I do go there often. Hot springs are good for the body, especially for those of us who practice martial arts. It is a rare place for cultivation." Her words were calm and her eyes were clear. It seemed that she was really just talking about something that was very ordinary. However, Si Shenxing keenly captured that there might be an unknown secret hidden under this calmness. He thought to himself, did he remember it wrong? Or was the figure that haunted him not Xia Zhuozhuo? But his intuition told him that the woman in front of him was inextricably linked to the "her" in his heart. Unwilling to give up, he decided to probe again: "Did you encounter anything unusual when you were taking a hot spring bath?" Xia Zhuozhuo's patience was almost at its limit. She got angry, but still suppressed her anger and asked: "Unusual? What does Mr. Si mean?" "Anything, just treat it as a casual chat." Si Shenxing's smile was a bit playful and serious. Finally, Xia Zhuozhuo's patience was completely exhausted. She suddenly picked up the teacup in front of Si Shenxing and slammed it heavily on the tea tray, with a bit of impoliteness in her tone: "Nothing unusual, Mr. Si, if you have nothing else to do, please go back." Just when the atmosphere was tense, Si Shenxing's cell phone rang abruptly, interrupting this silent contest. It was Ama calling. Si Shenxing answered the phone and replied briefly: "I'll be out right away." Then he hung up the phone. He stood up, straightened his clothes, and said to Xia Zhuozhuo: "I'm sorry for disturbing you today. I hope Miss Xia won't forget our agreement. I'll send a car to pick you up then." After that, he turned and left, leaving the room in silence and Xia Zhuozhuo's panting. When his back completely disappeared behind the door, Xia Zhuozhuo slumped in the chair with a sense of relief, thinking to herself: This big Buddha has finally left. She stood up and prepared to go upstairs to visit her mother. Mrs. Xia was overworked today and needed her acupuncture to soothe her body and mind. Downstairs, Xia Huaicheng had just sent off the last batch of guests and was about to go upstairs to take a bath, but he unexpectedly met Si Shenxing who came out of the tea room. Xia Huaicheng's heart trembled, but he went forward calmly to greet him: "Mr. Si hasn't left yet?" Si Shen, there seemed to be a deep meaning in his smile: "I chatted with Zhuozhuo for a while, and time flies." While speaking, he intentionally or unintentionally lowered his collar, revealing a piece of skin on his neck. Xia Huaicheng's eyes were attracted involuntarily, and he noticed that there was a button missing on Si Shenxing's shirt. With Si Shenxing's status, how could he wear such untidy clothes to attend the banquet? Unless... He looked up and happened to see Xia Zhuozhuo hurried upstairs, and his heart suddenly understood a little. It turned out that Zhuozhuo and Si Shenxing had already developed feelings beyond friendship? Xia Huaicheng felt mixed emotions, both surprised and worried. He was surprised that his sister might be able to climb up the ladder, and worried whether this relationship could really bring happiness to the Xia family. However, deep in his heart, he still hoped that his sister could have a good home. "Mr. Si?" Si Shenxing's voice pulled Xia Huaicheng back from his thoughts. Xia Huaicheng quickly came back to his senses and put on a smile: "What do you want, Mr. Si?" Si Shenxing gently patted his shoulder, with a bit of intimacy in his tone: "You and I are the same age, and we are all family, why be so polite? Call me." Xia Huaicheng was shocked, and this sudden closeness made him a little overwhelmed. He knew Si Shenxing's character very well, and he was not someone who would easily get close to others. So, what was his intention? Was it to show goodwill? Or for... Xia Zhuozhuo? Thinking of the scene where Si Shenxing and Xia Zhuozhuo appeared together at the dinner, Xia Huaicheng suddenly realized. It turned out that Si Shenxing had a clear goal from the beginning, and his getting lost was just a carefully planned encounter. Xia Huaicheng's mood suddenly became complicated. On the one hand, he was happy for his sister's possible happiness; on the other hand, he was worried that the current situation of the Xia family would become a stumbling block to this relationship. Especially when he thought of his father Xia Yunhai who was still on the sickbed, his mood was even heavier. However, no matter what the future holds, Xia Huaicheng understands that the Xia family has already stood at a new starting point. , perhaps it is the beginning of happiness. He secretly wondered in his heart whether his father would be lucky enough to taste the wine of Xiaoqi's wedding. Time flies, and it is already two days later. Xia Liuli deliberately arranged and frequently invited her girlfriends to go out to get together, either to immerse herself in the elegance of beauty or to enjoy the tranquility of afternoon tea. Her real intention was to capture some ridicule about the Xia family from their gossip - that grand banquet ended up being a laughing stock with few guests. However, two days have passed, and no one has mentioned this matter. Finally, she couldn't suppress her curiosity and anxiety. During an afternoon tea, she sighed softly, and her expression seemed to contain endless sorrow. The two famous ladies opposite her were full of concern and curiosity. "Liuli, you seem to be worried?" They asked softly. Xia Liuli shook her head slightly, with a bitter smile on her lips: "I just feel a little upset." "Why are you upset?" they asked. Xia Liuli sighed again, with a complex emotion flashing in her eyes: "It's all because of the Xia family... Although they kicked me out of the house because of Xia Zhuozhuo's incident, I never felt resentful. After all, they raised me, and I will never forget this kindness and love."