TMLFDN 48

"Father..." 

Xie Siqi's mouth blurted out before his mind could catch up. His thoughts raced as he tried to decipher Xie Li's intentions behind this move. Ultimately, he settled on "using a show of strength to intimidate."

His recent actions had surely displeased Xie Li, especially what happened tonight, practically handing the Xie family's dignity over to the Sun family for them to trample on. Xie Li, who always cared about face, would definitely not tolerate it.

Realizing this, Xie Siqi quickly apologized, "I know my recent behavior has disappointed you, but please give me a chance. I will definitely balance my feelings and work."

Upon hearing this, Xie Li was almost amused.

Xie Siqi was basically saying that he treated the incident with Wen Xin as a matter of work and would break ties with her while ensuring there was no harm to the Xie family's interests. In the original novel, he did indeed achieve this, but that didn't mean Xie Li would agree.

Xie Siqi callously hurt other women, yet Wen Xin always bore the blame. Eventually, he and Shen Xiyue lived happily ever after, leaving Wen Xin to carry the burden alone.

Xie Li didn't aim to absolve Wen Xin of her wrongdoings in the novel; from any perspective, what Wen Xin did was excessive. But without Xie Siqi's ambiguous behavior, Wen Xin would have left long ago.

Furthermore, liking another woman while engaged was already bad enough. Shouldn't he break off the engagement first before pursuing a relationship with Shen Xiyue?

Xie Li chuckled inwardly, but he suppressed it. He patted the armrest and stood up, adopting a languid posture on the sofa, resembling a cat. Yet, his eyes were chillingly sharp, and Xie Siqi felt like he was being looked at not as a son but as a ridiculous clown.

"Don't you think it's unnecessary for me to point out the obvious? You clearly like her," Xie Li remarked, and Xie Siqi was struck by lightning. 

He once again recalled every moment with Shen Xiyue, realizing that the girl had indeed nestled into his heart. Did he... show his feelings so clearly? Even his father could see through him, yet he remained oblivious?

From that moment on, Xie Siqi was certain of his feelings for Shen Xiyue. A smile, tinged with the scent of love, bloomed on his face. "You're right. I do... like her."

Xie Li wanted to roll his eyes, but he held back. 

He patted Xie Siqi's shoulder and said, "It's getting late. Go back to your room and get some rest. We have work tomorrow." 

With that, he left the study without looking back.

Not far away, he saw Jiang Yuying, already changed into her nightclothes, waiting in the hallway with an anxious look. 

"How did it go?" she asked nervously. 

Stepping forward, he naturally embraced her — a gesture he often made with his female friends when he was younger — and led her back to their room.

Seating the anxious Jiang Yuying on the bed, he took a stool and positioned himself in front of her vanity.

"Yuying, there's something I must tell you."

Seeing Xie Li's serious expression, Jiang Yuying nodded, "Yes?"

"I plan to annul Xie Siqi and Wen Xin's engagement."

"Ah...?"

Jiang Yuying didn't fully understand. 

In the past, she might have tossed and turned with this question because Xie Li never consulted her about such matters, especially something this significant. He always adhered to the principle of 'men handle external affairs, women handle internal affairs,' believing that 'what do women understand?'

But now, she trusted that Xie Li would explain his reasons.

"You may not know this, but the server from tonight that Xie Siqi defended was actually a friend he was interested in. I'm certain their relationship is more than just friends. If this continues, the Xie and Wen families won't be forming a bond through marriage; they'll be forming a grudge."