Zhou Wan felt her blood run cold, the autumn breeze cutting through her clothes despite not being bitter cold.
She quickly turned her head away, not wanting Guo Xiangling to see her.
But in such a situation, it was futile.
How could Guo Xiangling not notice her?
Though shock and confusion flashed across her face, she didn’t show it. Her acting was better than Zhou Wan’s, maintaining a fawning smile.
After a pause, she continued: “Xiao, tomorrow’s the weekend, come stay at home with me.”
Seeing him silent, Guo Xiangling added: “Though your father doesn’t say it, you’re his son, he must miss you. Come home for the weekend, Xiao.”
Playing the role of the caring stepmother.
Lu Xixiao stopped walking, head lowered, lightly stamping his foot in place, suddenly letting out a laugh.
Sarcastic and mocking.
“You think you’re my mother?”
He looked at Guo Xiangling, his gaze cold. “With all this energy, why don’t you think of ways to give Lu Zhongyue another son instead?”
The words were harsh, and Guo Xiangling’s expression changed slightly.
Though cruel, the words offered a practical solution.
How could Guo Xiangling not have thought of it? Though nominally she was Lu Zhongyue’s partner now, Lu Zhongyue wasn’t a fool. He had no intention of officially marrying her, always making excuses.
Guo Xiangling had considered having another child. Even though she was no longer at an ideal age for childbearing, one child could secure her future life of wealth and comfort.
She would have truly made it.
But Lu Zhongyue wouldn’t let her schemes succeed.
Lu Xixiao finished speaking and started walking.
Zhou Wan didn’t follow, still frozen in place.
He looked back, voice flat: “Zhou Wan.”
“Ah.” She responded absently.
Lu Xixiao watched her for a moment, noticed her uncomfortable expression, and without further words, stepped forward, his arm wrapping around her shoulders to bring her to his side.
He wore a loose jacket, open at the front. With this motion, Zhou Wan seemed to be pulled into his embrace, appearing especially intimate.
Guo Xiangling opened her mouth, but watching their retreating figures, her brow suddenly twitched, and she couldn’t say anything.
Zhou Wan let Lu Xixiao lead her quite a distance before thinking to look back.
The black car remained stationary for a moment before turning around and leaving.
“Not going to ask who that was?” Lu Xixiao’s voice suddenly came from above.
“What?”
He didn’t repeat himself.
Zhou Wan suppressed her uneven heartbeat and said slowly: “Your stepmother?”
Lu Xixiao sneered: “Stepmother? She’s not worthy.”
“…”
Lu Xixiao tapped her head lightly, saying carelessly, “If anyone else said that, they’d get beaten.”
Zhou Wan glanced at him: “Do you hate her?”
“She’s annoying.”
“Does your father like her very much?” Zhou Wan asked.
Lu Xixiao smiled slightly: “He just needs a beautiful, obedient woman he can control.”
Zhou Wan was stunned.
She had heard similar comments from neighbors’ gossip, but she couldn’t understand – if not for love, why do this? Guo Xiangling needed it, but Lu Zhongyue didn’t.
Her shoe tip kicked a small stone, which rolled away and fell into a drain cover’s gap.
“Then if—” Zhou Wan paused, “she does something your father doesn’t like?”
“Then he’ll dump her,” Lu Xixiao said indifferently.
Reaching the community entrance, Zhou Wan bid him goodbye, reminding him again to take his medicine.
She had thought Lu Xixiao would be impatient with such reminders, but he just tugged at the corner of his mouth: “Too bitter.”
Zhou Wan patiently said: “Good medicine is bitter but cures the illness.”
He laughed, leaning slightly forward, saying playfully: “If I take it, do I get a reward?”
Zhou Wan was startled, and confused: “What reward do you want?”
He smiled, lifted his chin, and opened his arms.
Lu Xixiao indeed had what it took to attract girls.