TMLFDN 61

"This is my own decision."

With just one sentence from Xie Li, both sides fell into silence.

Xie Siyun was immersed in a state of confussion.

"Huh? What's going on? The engagement is off? When did this happen? How should I face Sister Wenxin from now on?" 

Meanwhile, Shen Xiyue was even more confused.

"Wenxin is Siqi's fiancée? The engagement has been called off? When did this happen? Why are they comparing me to Wenxin?" This long string of questions flashed through Shen Xiyue's mind like bullet comments. She had been holding onto Xie Siqi's arm, but unconsciously tightened her grip.

"Dad..." 

There was a pleading tone in Xie Siqi's voice, but Xie Li remained unmoved. However, Jiang Yuying felt very sorry for him. That was her son, whom she had doted on since he was little. Unable to bear it, she tugged at Xie Li's sleeve. 

"Honey, let's go back first. It's not appropriate to talk here."

Xie Li glanced at Xie Siqi before turning to Jiang Yuying. Perhaps even he didn't notice, but when he looked at Jiang Yuying, the coldness in his eyes faded, and even his poker face softened slightly.

"Let's go."

Only Xie Siqi, who had been staring at Xie Li, noticed.

The family of three in front of him seemed to be a real family, while Xie Siqi felt like he was being excluded.

"Siqi..." 

Watching the family of three walk away, Shen Xiyue couldn't help but hold onto Xie Siqi's arm tighter. Xie Siqi took a deep breath to calm himself, then looked at Shen Xiyue with gentle eyes and spoke softly, "Xiyue, let's stroll for a while longer before I take you home. I'll go home later too."

Shen Xiyue wanted to ask him about Wenxin, but couldn't bring herself to speak at that moment. 

She could only say, "Okay."

By the time Xie Siqi sent Shen Xiyue home, it was already 8 o'clock in the evening. He asked the butler and learned that his parents were watching TV in the living room on the first floor, so he went straight there. He hadn't been paying much attention to his parents' activities at night, assuming they would be sitting separately, politely watching financial news.

But to his surprise, as soon as he entered the living room, he saw his parents cuddling together. His mom was holding a fruit plate and occasionally feeding his dad cherry tomatoes.

They weren't watching serious financial news but rather a melodramatic TV series that his mom favored.

Xie Siqi was a little shocked by this scene. He had no idea their relationship had warmed up recently, nor could he imagine his dad watching a romantic drama like this.

Xie Siqi stood at the door in a daze, not saying a word. It was Jiang Yuying who first noticed him. When Jiang Yuying saw Xie Siqi, she blushed subconsciously — shyly. As Xie Siqi's mother, she felt her current actions were not very dignified. So she cleared her throat, put the fruit plate on the coffee table, sat properly, and even nudged Xie Li.

At first, Xie Li didn't understand, until he saw Xie Siqi at the door. He straightened up slightly before speaking. "What's up?"

Xie Siqi's expression was somewhat complicated, but he still honestly said, "umm, there's something I want to talk to Dad about."

Xie Li pondered what it could be as he reluctantly tore his gaze away from the TV series. Then he stood up. Before leaving, he told Jiang Yuying, "Watch something else first. Don't watch ahead. Let's watch the rerun later."

Jiang Yuying pushed Xie Li with a hint of helplessness. 

"Go on, I'll stop watching. I'll go take a shower first." 

Their interaction was natural and intimate. In Xie Siqi's eyes, it was the action of an old married couple.

After adjusting his clothes, Xie Li walked out of the living room and headed to the study on the second floor. Xie Siqi followed his father upstairs.

Xie Li sat on the single sofa in the study's reception area, motioning for Xie Siqi to sit down as well. Once they were both seated, Xie Li asked him, "So, what's the matter?"