Chapter 69: Chapter 69
Zhuang Xiaoxi arrived at Jing Garden two hours later.
Actually, she mainly came to visit her. In the middle of their chat, Su Lingzhi suddenly grabbed her hand, "Xiaoxi, I want to sleep at your place tonight, is that convenient?"
"Convenient, of course, it’s convenient." Zhuang Xiaoxi replied readily, but she had some reservations, "It’s your partner’s big day today, aren’t you going to celebrate with him?"
Su Lingzhi slightly pulled at her lips, "So many people are celebrating with him today, one less me won’t matter."
Besides, he might not even tell her about taking over the Fu Group.
Upon hearing about his succession, she understood that his sudden tenderness this morning was not inexplicable.
If he wanted to share his joy with her, he had the chance to tell her in the morning.
She also realized that no matter what happened to him, happy or sad, he would never open his heart to her. Nᴇw ɴovel chaptᴇrs are published on Novᴇl_Fire(.)net
Perhaps this is the indifference and distance of a person in power, or perhaps in his eyes, she will always be the "child" who cannot be on the same wavelength with him.
Anyway, she already anticipated that he would not share with her when he returned tonight, so she wouldn’t let it bother her.
"You are his partner, no matter what, he would surely want to celebrate with you." Zhuang Xiaoxi said suspiciously, "You didn’t have a fight with him, did you?"
Su Lingzhi shook her head, "No."
Zhuang Xiaoxi didn’t think much further, "Alright then, I’ll head out now."
Saying so, she searched for the guide cane, and supported her as they headed out the door.
At this moment, Housekeeper Zhao came over concerned, "Miss, where are you two going?"
Zhuang Xiaoxi said, "I’m taking Zhizhi to my place to sleep."
"It’s getting dark, and it’s still raining outside, it might be inconvenient for Miss to go out at this time."
"No worries, I’ll take good care of her."
"But..." Housekeeper Zhao looked troubled.
Calling Mister now might not be appropriate.
After pondering for a while, he decided on his own, "Let me drive you there."
With that said, Housekeeper Zhao fetched the car from the garage, picked them up, and drove them to the luxury hotel where Zhuang Xiaoxi was currently staying.
When they arrived, it was already night. Housekeeper Zhao did not leave in a hurry. After settling them in, he left reassured.
The accommodation was a luxury suite with all sorts of facilities, and dining was available conveniently on the third floor downstairs.
Zhuang Xiaoxi supported her to the buffet restaurant, seated her safely, and then went to get the food.
After waiting for a moment, suddenly a small thing clung to her arm and leaned against her.
Su Lingzhi was somewhat at a loss, not knowing why he suddenly leaned toward her. Whether intentional or not, he clung to her for quite a while without leaving, quite daring for his age.
She couldn’t help but say, "Little one, are you lost from your family?"
"Seems like it." His voice was weak, and his soft little hand limply hugged her, his eyes half-closed as if he was extremely sleepy.
Su Lingzhi reached out to touch him and discovered his face was alarmingly hot.
Zhuang Xiaoxi, turning around with a plate of food, happened to witness this scene.
She walked over to the seat and asked, "Where did this child come from?"
Su Lingzhi frowned and said, "He seems to have gotten separated from his family, his body is scorching hot, please check what’s wrong with him."
Upon hearing this, Zhuang Xiaoxi hurriedly set the food down, stooped down, and held the child, "Child, where are your mom and dad?"
The little boy half-opened his eyes to look at her, "I don’t know."
"Tell me your parents’ phone number, I’ll help you find them."
His voice remained weak, sounding a bit like someone drunk.
At this time, Su Lingzhi said, "I smell alcohol on him, could he have accidentally drunk alcohol?"
Zhuang Xiaoxi’s eyebrows furrowed, and upon leaning closer, it was indeed so.
This child looked only about five or six years old, how could he have drunk alcohol?
The little boy, unable to stand steadily, turned to lean on Su Lingzhi.
Zhuang Xiaoxi, feeling helpless, looked around at the crowd and then said, "Zhizhi, you wait here with him for a moment, I’ll go find the hotel staff for help."
However, just as Zhuang Xiaoxi left, she heard the sound of somewhat urgent footsteps coming over. Slowly, the person came to stand in front of Su Lingzhi.
Shao Ming’s gaze moved from the little boy to Su Lingzhi’s face and he couldn’t help but chuckle lightly, "You don’t look that special, how did you even manage to abduct a child just starting elementary school?"
Upon hearing this voice, Su Lingzhi was slightly stunned, "Are you... Shao Ming?"
"Yes." Shao Ming casually squatted halfway down and pinched the little boy under the arm to lift him up, "Little guy, how did you end up here?"
The little boy drowsily opened his eyes and called out, "Daddy."
Upon hearing the word "Daddy," Shao Ming’s expression stiffened, "Who’s your dad? I’m your uncle. What did you get into to end up in this state?"
Su Lingzhi said, "He might have accidentally drunk alcohol and gotten drunk. Maybe you should take him to the hospital for a check-up."
Shao Ming furrowed his brows, picked him up, and was about to leave when he turned back to look at her, "Are you alone here?"
"The child got lost, Xiaoxi went to find someone to help and will be back soon."
"I’ll go first then." Saying this, he carried the child away while mumbling, "If I take my eyes off you for a moment, you cause trouble for me, just wait until you wake up to be dealt with..."
Their figures gradually faded away until they disappeared from the restaurant.
Zhuang Xiaoxi returned with the hotel staff and, seeing that the child was no longer there, asked in confusion, "Did the child’s parents find him?"
"He is Shao Ming’s nephew, and they have already gone to the hospital."
"Shao Ming?" Zhuang Xiaoxi was surprised.
The staff confirmed, "The child has already found his family member, right?"
Zhuang Xiaoxi quickly came back to her senses, "Yes, I’m sorry for troubling you."
"It’s alright, as long as the child is okay."
After the staff left, Zhuang Xiaoxi took the food again and sat down.
Su Lingzhi sipped some soup and suddenly asked, "You and Shao Ming...?"
Before she could finish her words, Zhuang Xiaoxi hurriedly interrupted, "There’s nothing between me and him; that’s just nonsense from your partner."
As her words fell, there was a two-second silence.
Su Lingzhi gently pursed her lips, smiled lightly, and said, "What’s with the panic?"
Zhuang Xiaoxi hesitated for a long time and finally admitted reluctantly, "Alright, I won’t hide it from you, I did have something with him."
Upon hearing this, Su Lingzhi’s expression froze, taking a while to react, "Was it that night after the banquet?"
"Well..." Su Lingzhi paused and asked, "Aren’t you mad at him?"
"A casual affair, mutually needed, we’re all adults, and it’s not like I was at a loss," Zhuang Xiaoxi said nonchalantly.
Su Lingzhi’s brows knitted tightly together, "I’m sorry, Xiaoxi, if it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t have returned home, and such things wouldn’t have happened."
"Don’t blame yourself, this is my destiny, and anyway I have nothing to lose, don’t take it to heart."