C3 Chapter 3

Over the years, she had never given up searching for her other child. Since they were twins, she had sent photos of Xia Yanyou back home and hired private investigators to look into it, but they never found anything. Only later did she learn that even twins can be either identical or fraternal. If they were fraternal twins, the two children could look nothing alike.

Xia Bing felt sure the twins she had given birth to were fraternal. Otherwise, after all these years of searching with Xia Yanyou’s photo, there would have been some kind of lead. She didn’t even know whether her other child was a boy or a girl.

She had no idea whether that child was being raised well in the hands of that stranger.

“Xia Bing!” A clear, warm voice suddenly pulled her out of her thoughts. She looked up to see Xu Ang striding into the house in a well-tailored trench coat.

Once before, when Xia Yanyou had gotten sick, Xia Bing had been so busy she couldn’t get away, so she gave Xu Ang a key and asked him to look after him. Unexpectedly, ever since then, Xu Ang had made a copy of her key. Now he came and went like it was his own home, letting himself in without even bothering to knock.

Xia Bing couldn’t exactly say much about it, so she had no choice but to let it slide.

“Uncle Xu!” Xia Yanyou’s eyes lit up. He hopped down from the table and ran over, smiling with narrowed eyes. “You’re here!”

Xu Ang was holding a bouquet of blooming tulips. Then he brought out his other hand from behind his back and held it out in front of Xia Yanyou with a grin. “Look what I got for you.”

The moment he saw it, Xia Yanyou got even more excited. “A Switch!”

“Yep. Do you like it?”

“I do! Thank you, Uncle Xu!” Xia Yanyou eagerly took it, then turned and ran to the living room sofa to check out the game system.

Xia Bing sighed helplessly. “You’re going to spoil him like this.”

Xu Ang just smiled it off. “The kid’s got a real talent for gaming. Don’t be too hard on him.” As he spoke, he carried the tulips over to the dining table, took the white magnolias he had brought last time out of the vase, and smoothly replaced them with the bright, fresh tulips.

Seeing how at ease he was, like he was walking into his own home, Xia Bing couldn't help letting out another soft sigh. Changing the subject, she said, “I'm planning to go back the day after tomorrow.”

Xu Ang froze for a moment, and a faint trace of anger immediately touched his brow. “I already told you, I’m not approving your resignation!”

“But I’ve already made up my mind, and I’ve already booked my flight.”

“Xia Bing!” Xu Ang called out in a low voice, a chill settling into his eyes. “Do you really want to get away from me that badly?”

Xia Bing paused, then gave a bitter smile. “Xu Ang, you’re in the prime of your life, single, successful, and wealthy. There are plenty of young women who like you. Why are you so fixated on someone like me, a married woman?”

“But I like you! I like how thoughtful you are, I like your talent, and even more than that, I love the incredible maternal warmth you radiate when you’re taking care of Xia Yanyou!”

Maybe realizing his tone had gotten too intense, Xu Ang softened his voice and continued, “But since you’ve already booked your flight, I’ll just treat it as you going home for a vacation. Once you’ve had enough time to clear your head, come back and keep working.”

“Xu Ang…”

“If you stay away too long, I’ll personally come get you and bring you back!” Xu Ang cut her off, not giving her even the slightest chance to refuse.

Xia Bing let out a soft sigh and rubbed her temples. “Xu Ang, I’m grateful for the opportunity you gave me, but that’s all it is. Besides, I really do have some personal matters to take care of this time, so I honestly won’t be able to come back anytime soon.”

“I don’t care. If you won’t come back to London, then I’ll go find you myself.” It was rare to see such a childish side of Xu Ang.

Xia Bing shot him a helpless glance, sighing as she shook her head.