Chapter 3 (Part 2) Merlin's Visit
Five minutes later, there was a knock on the door.
Before Xu Qi could speak, the door was pushed open, and the boy walked in. As soon as he saw Xu Qi, he ran over excitedly: "Mr. Xu! You really are here!"
Xu Qi narrowed his eyes and smiled subtly: "It's impressive that you were able to find this place."
The boy smiled slyly, revealing his adorable dimples: "Mr. Xu, I told you I would come looking for you."
Xu Qi curled the corners of his lips: "So, you wanted to see me about something?"
Upon hearing this, the boy immediately pouted and puffed out his soft cheeks: "Adults are so annoying! I was so looking forward to seeing Mr. Xu, and I begged my mother for ages to find you, but all Mr. Xu does is say cold, indifferent things!"
"Alright, my apologies." Xu Qi shrugged, stood up, walked to the sofa, and bowed politely. "Mr. Mei, please have a seat."
Merlin's fair face flushed crimson instantly, and he stammered, "Mr. Xu... just call me Merlin, that's fine!"
He sat down awkwardly, lowering his head, unable to look at the other person again. His heart was pounding, his ears were ringing, and he felt feverish all over. How could this be? The man had only made one casual gesture, uttered one sentence, and he had become so strange?
He recognized the man back in California, but couldn't resist seducing him anyway. After one night, the man wanted to go home, leaving him very disappointed. He'd decided then and there that he absolutely had to get this man! Before coming this time, he'd mentally prepared himself, not to be easily swayed, but to showcase his charm and gradually win him over. But now it seemed… this man was far too sophisticated, completely on a different level from the men he'd met before. Is this the true charm of a mature man?
Thinking of this, he was suddenly startled. He was a pampered young master who had always been the one to take the bait, how could he be so easily caught in the opposite direction?! How pathetic! He pinched his thigh hard, forcing himself to wake up from his dizziness.
Xu Qi noticed his little actions, but he smiled and didn't point it out. He simply sat down opposite the boy and waited for him to speak.
Merlin finally managed to lift his head, only to find the man staring at him, his deep black eyes holding a half-smile, clearly noticing his foolishness. His mind went blank; he stared at the other man, his pink lips slightly parted, gleaming alluringly.
A strange light flashed in Xu Qi's eyes. He'd seen that expression before. But eight years ago, on the face of 15-year-old Qiangwei. The two faces gradually overlapped, and he felt a momentary daze. If only Si Qiang were still Qiangwei. If only that child could stay by his side, showing him that endearing expression.
He lowered his eyes, concealing the strange light within them. The boy before him was not Rose, but a completely different person. He couldn't... arbitrarily impose his regret for Rose onto a completely unrelated child.
“Mr. Xu, I know you may have some doubts about me. But if I tell you who my father is, you will understand.” Merlin quickly came to his senses and said, “He is Mei Yuanzhi, the chief representative of the California branch of the Chang Le Association.”
He took out a letter and continued, "This is a letter from my father to you."
Xu Qi was taken aback, recalling that he had met Mei Yuanzhi once before due to a collaboration with the Chang Le Association. Looking at the boy before him, there was indeed a faint resemblance to Mei Yuanzhi. However, the child was exquisitely beautiful and probably resembled his mother more.
He took the letter, opened it, and saw that it was indeed the seal of the Chang Le Society. Besides a few lines written by Mei Yuanzhi himself, which roughly meant that he would be very grateful for the help in taking care of his son, there was also Mei Yuanzhi's personal seal at the end.
Xu Qi put away the envelope and nodded, saying, "Merlin, I believe in your father. Now, please go with my secretary to settle in, and then you can have him show you around."
Merlin stomped his foot in anger: "Mr. Xu! How could you do this! I... I hate you!" He stood up, stormed toward the door, then flung it open and rushed out.
Xu Qi could certainly understand the child's thoughts, but he couldn't respond. He was currently preoccupied with someone else, so how could he possibly care for this child? Although this child was actually closer to the 15-year-old Qiangwei and closer to his expectations, Qiangwei was unique, and no matter what the other person was like, her importance in his heart wouldn't diminish—it might even grow stronger.
He gave a wry smile, inwardly lamenting that he had brought this trouble upon himself. Instead of embracing the gentle, handsome young man, he insisted on touching that thorny rose.
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I had to go out this afternoon and evening and didn't get back until almost 10 pm, so I'm only updating now. I apologize for that!
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