After Breaking Up, I Married the Dying Tycoon in a Flash-Chapter 372: Tender Trap (Part 14)

In many moments, An Jiayi even forgot that the relationship between her and Xie Zhang was illicit. Until, Xie Quan commanded someone to call Xie Zhang home.

The Xie family mansion was deathly still and silent.

Xie Quan sat on the sofa, reading a newspaper. He heard footsteps at the entrance, merely glanced sideways, and then casually returned his gaze to his reading.

"You know to come back. I thought you were having the time of your life and had completely forgotten home," Xie Quan’s voice dripped with sarcasm, coldly saying, "Are you aware of the rumors outside?"

Xie Zhang sat down opposite Xie Quan. Facing his father’s fury, he simply smiled, calmly saying, "Why are you so enraged? I haven’t done anything improper, have I?"

Xie Quan snorted and threw the newspaper onto the table.

"Not done anything? What else do you want to do? Do you want to step on my head?"

"Father, why must you speak like this?" Xie Zhang sighed softly, his face earnest, "I know what I am doing, and I assure you, my actions will not affect the Xie family."

The butler walked over from the side, pouring a cup of tea for Xie Zhang, "Young Master, this is the white tea you enjoy."

"I don’t drink this anymore; switch to Pu’er tea," Xie Zhang said indifferently.

The butler nodded and silently removed the cup in front of Xie Zhang.

Xie Quan looked at Xie Zhang, and after a long while, with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes, said, "When did I not realize you had stopped drinking white tea?"

"A long time ago," Xie Zhang smiled, softly speaking, "People’s tastes change, as do their mindsets."

"Your taste really has changed significantly. This An Jiayi is different from the women before," Xie Quan said expressionlessly, "What’s even more different is your attitude. Xie Zhang, you truly care about her."

Xie Zhang smiled gracefully, slightly raising his brows, his tone light, "Father, I admit that I really like An Jiayi, but you should also trust my judgment. I won’t let a woman interfere with my choices."

"Very well," Xie Quan scoffed, he said, "In that case, tomorrow, you will meet with the Lin family’s daughter. Once your marriage is set, I won’t meddle with your affair regarding her."

Xie Zhang’s expression chilled, his smile fading to a coolness, "I currently have no plans to find someone to marry."

"Then when will you have such a plan? When one of those unclear women outside bears you a child?" Xie Quan said coldly, "Of course, you can refuse me, and I’ll make sure An Jiayi won’t continue to stay by your side!"

Xie Zhang had anticipated this day would come, believing that when it did, he would be able to make a decision rationally.

But when truly faced with it, all that filled his mind was the visage of An Jiayi.

Dull and uncontrollably, he thought, if An Jiayi knew about this, she would be very upset, wouldn’t she?

Xie Zhang still didn’t want to see her distressed, and even less did he want the young lady to run away in a fit of pique.

That kind of outcome was something he couldn’t bear.

"Father, must you force me like this?"

"I’m not the one forcing you! Xie Zhang, it is indeed you who has been completely obtuse! I’ve hinted and reminded you time and time again, but you never learn!" Xie Quan’s face was stern as he growled, "Of course, you can refuse to listen, you can also choose not to meet Miss Lin, I have no way to force you! But you always have your Achilles’ heel!"

Achilles’ heel.

Is An Jiayi his Achilles’ heel?

Xie Zhang never wanted to create such an entity for himself.

But Xie Quan’s words pierced deeply into his mind like a needle.

He didn’t remember how he left the Xie family home, only that when he did, just as Xie Quan wanted, he agreed to all his demands.

The only condition was not to disturb An Jiayi.

Her presence could be an unspoken secret, but Xie Zhang would not allow anyone to cause trouble in front of An Jiayi.

An Jiayi just went to the film set today. It was not until Xie Zhang arrived at Bai Garden that he remembered she had sent him a message saying she would not be coming back tonight.

Young Master Xie walked into the bedroom and lay down on the side An Jiayi often slept on.

It still carried her scent, that serene, sweet fragrance.

He closed his eyes, with a hint of heat around his eye sockets, and his throat moved, accompanied by a sharp sting.

After a long time, Xie Zhang still couldn’t fall asleep.

He resignedly sat up and called An Jiayi.

An Jiayi was about to go to sleep when she received Xie Zhang’s call, which surprised her.

"Xie Zhang?"

Hearing her voice, Xie Zhang felt the day’s irritations vanish in an instant. His gaze softened without him even realizing, and his voice unconsciously softened as well, "Yeah, what are you doing?"

An Jiayi said she had just finished washing up and was getting ready to sleep. After a pause, she asked him, "What about you? What are you doing?"

Xie Zhang chuckled lightly, as if nonchalantly, "I am thinking of you."

An Jiayi did not believe him. She puffed her cheeks and said with a whiny voice, "Really? Are you really thinking of me?"

Her doubting response was cute, making Xie Zhang’s eyes soften; he repeated seriously, word by word, "Really, I am really thinking of you."

An Jiayi had been busy all day, and now hearing Xie Zhang’s voice, she felt a lot more relaxed. She laughed, her eyes softening, and said softly, "What’s gotten into you? You don’t usually say these things."

"It’s nothing, I just suddenly felt like saying it." After a pause, Xie Zhang then asked, "Jiayi, which film set are you at? The one in the southern part of the city?"

"Yeah, it’s quite cold here tonight and it just rained a while ago. Xie Zhang, I’ll be back in a few days."

"Okay." Xie Zhang sighed softly, hearing the tiredness in An Jiayi’s words, so he said gently, "Go to sleep."

An Jiayi replied in a groggy voice and let herself drift into dreamland.

She slept sweetly, unaware that Xie Zhang on the other end of the phone had not hung up.

Not until the even breathing from the phone reached him did Xie Zhang reluctantly press the end call button.

He looked outside the window, dawn was faintly breaking, it was almost daybreak.

Xie Zhang grabbed his coat from beside him, stood up, and strode out.

An Jiayi had a good sleep, comforted by an inexplicable warmth through the night.

Now, as she slowly opened her eyes, she saw the broad chest of a man.

An Jiayi was startled, lifted her face, and saw Xie Zhang.

"Why are you... here?" An Jiayi stared at Xie Zhang, her eyes instinctively reddened, and she hugged him, "Am I dreaming? I just dreamt of you."

Fundamentally, she still had a very emotional side, which was undoubtedly exposed in front of the person she deeply loved.

Xie Zhang hugged her tightly, softly patting her back, and said gently, "It’s not a dream, Jiayi. I came to see you."

"There’s nothing to see here." An Jiayi sniffled, kissing his neck, "I’m very happy you came to see me."

Xie Zhang knew she was very happy.

He thought of the promise he had made to Xie Quan, guilt spreading within him.