"How do you know I have a bad stomach?" Xia Xi didn't remember having mentioned it to her.

"You put pinaverium bromide tablets in your bag. They're for gastrointestinal pain." Huang Shiyu apologized. "I'm sorry, I saw it by chance."

Xia Xi was also afraid that she would get a stomachache, so she changed to the same cup as hers.

The two of them sat in the shop and slowly finished their coffee. It was only a few minutes past ten.

Entering Xu's headquarters, Xia Xi said to the receptionist, "I'm Xia Xi from Boya. I have an appointment with Mr. Xu at 10:30 this morning to discuss the design plan for Jingyu Garden."

Special Assistant Guan had explained in advance that Xia Xi was a distinguished guest and the front desk staff dared not be negligent in the slightest. They helped her swipe her card through the turnstile, sent her to the elevator, and pressed the corresponding floor button.

Xia Xi went into Xu Yanfeng's office alone, while Huang Shiyu stayed outside.

Guan He brought in two cups of coffee, but Xia Xi didn't drink them because she had already had them outside.

Xu Yanfeng signed a document slowly, walked out from behind the desk, and slowly went to the meeting area.

Xia Xi wore an olive-colored woolen suit, a white turtleneck underneath, a silver sweater chain folded twice and draped across his chest, and straight-leg jeans. He looked both casual and capable. As he got closer, he could smell a faint fragrance, the cool, green-peeled scent of mandarin oranges, fresh with a hint of bitterness.

Xia Xi went straight to the point and talked about the design plan, showing him the part she had modified, saying that if he was not satisfied, she would make further changes, and asked him if he had anything to add.

The design plan was flawless, and Xu Yanfeng quickly made the decision. Xia Xi hadn't expected it to go so smoothly, and she was prepared for a tug-of-war.

"Thank you for your trust, Mr. Xu. I'll be leaving first." Xia Xi stood up and said goodbye.

Before, Xu Yanfeng would get angry when he heard her call him "Mr. Xu", but after getting used to it, he felt like laughing and thought she was being so hypocritical.

"It's almost noon. I'll treat Mr. Xia to a meal."

"You're welcome. No need. I have something else to do at the company."

Xia Xi took a step forward, and Xu Yanfeng immediately stood up, stretching out his arm to block her. Even with her high heels, she was still no taller than him. He lowered his eyes, his tone imposing: "It's okay if you don't want to eat, let's talk about something else. Seven years ago, when we were still together, something big happened in your family. Why didn't you tell me?"

He still wanted to get to the bottom of it. Xia Xi sighed silently. Since he couldn't avoid it no matter what, he might as well face it head-on.

She didn't look at him and said lightly, "There's no special reason. I'm a strong-willed person and don't like to complain to outsiders."

Xu Yanfeng was stung by the word "outsider" she mentioned, and his heart was uncomfortable. When he thought they were inseparable, she still treated him as an outsider. He nodded, convinced by her: "Then why did you give birth to a child with me, an outsider?"

Xia Xi tightened her fingers, the metal chain of her bag digging into her palm: "I don't understand what you're saying."

"How long are you going to keep this secret from me?" Xu Yanfeng told her frankly, "Ziheng is my child."

He was so sure, without a hint of doubt in his tone.