**Chapter 41**

Zhao Louxing quickly brought Zhao Jiusi out.

Immediately, all the eyes at the banquet shifted toward them. Everyone knew the real purpose of the event and had even come specifically for this reason.

Aside from Zhao Jiusi potentially being the future head of the Zhao family, the chance to see what Zhao Louqin’s long-hidden child was like was worth the visit.

In fact, many of the celebrities at the banquet had come along with their wealthy patrons just to see what Zhao Louqin’s child was like.

It should be known that Zhao Louqin had been tight-lipped about his child for many years. This led many to wonder if there was something wrong with his child, which made him reluctant to talk.

In reality, Zhao Louqin was afraid that if he started talking about his son’s brilliant achievements, others would criticize him. That’s why he had kept quiet, unable to fully show off his pride as a parent.

Your children are so mediocre!

My child is well-behaved, beautiful, and smart—everyone who sees him would love to take him home. How could your children, who only score eighty out of a hundred, possibly compare?

Although Zhao Louqin didn’t say much, he silently puffed out his chest, exuding confidence.

The young man following Zhao Louxing on stage was naturally Zhao Jiusi.

“This is my nephew, Zhao Jiusi. Today’s banquet is held in his honor, so I hope everyone will take good care of him in the future.” Zhao Louxing simply introduced Zhao Jiusi by name and said nothing more. Zhao Jiusi, in turn, bowed respectfully as introduced, showing no intention to say anything further.

It was truly just an opportunity for him to make an appearance.

Zhao Louxing and Zhao Louqin were very similar brothers. Although Zhao Jiusi currently had black hair and eyes, the similar contours and aura were unmistakable. If it weren’t known that Zhao Louxing had no children, some might believe Zhao Jiusi was Zhao Louxing’s illegitimate son.

Of course, neither Zhao Louqin nor Zheng Yixu noticed the guests’ reactions at the banquet.

These two proud fathers kept their eyes firmly on their son on stage, fearing they might miss any detail. This was Zhao Jiusi’s first true “departure” from them. They knew that from today onwards, their son would no longer be an ordinary teenager. He now bore a significant amount of responsibility, most of which they had placed upon him.

Thinking of this, Zhao Louqin couldn’t help but feel a bit sad.

Zheng Yixu, on the other hand, was more focused on how to smoothly take his son away. He needed to act quickly and precisely. Once Zhao Jiusi truly entered the “adult social sphere,” it would be harder to take the child away. Even if he did manage to take him, it wouldn’t be possible to live together with his son in a normal way.

Zheng Yixu slightly lowered his head, hiding the scheming look on his face.

“Look at how grown up he is,” Zhao Louqin said, his eyes slightly reddened. “Time really flies.”

“They all grow up eventually,” Zheng Yixu replied, somewhat dryly.

“Zhao Jiusi’s lifetime will not be spent with us, but with his future wife and children. However, Yixu, I will spend my whole life with you. When Jiusi is twenty-six, thirty-six, fifty-six, if we’re still alive by then, I’ll be with you,” Zhao Louqin said softly and earnestly, taking Zheng Yixu’s hand. He seemed deeply moved.

Zheng Yixu couldn’t deny that his heart wavered for a moment.

As expected of an acclaimed actor, Zhao Louqin’s words were incredibly heartfelt and touching. Zheng Yixu almost believed it, and for a moment, he thought it might be alright to spend his life with him.

“However, a man’s words of affection are not to be trusted.

Zheng Yixu, as a man himself, deeply despises this fact.

If he hadn’t witnessed the interactions between Zhao Louqin and Lin Ninghua, or understood the true nature of the situation, he might have already succumbed to Zhao Louqin’s relentless advances, even willing to betray his own conscience just to become ‘Zheng Yixu.’

But in this world, there are no ‘ifs.’

Even if Zhao Louqin were to speak sweetly at this moment, Zheng Yixu would not change his decision.”

Zheng Yixu is no longer sure whether his obsession is with “divorce” or “the child.” However, he does not want to continue in his current state. There are unclear relationships between Zhao Louqin and himself, and between Zhao Louqin and Lin Ninghua…

Not everyone is willing to play dumb and just make do.

“Yes, I understand.” Zheng Yixu nodded, acknowledging Zhao Louqin.

But he did not say what he would do, whether he was willing or not—only that he understood.

Just that he understood.

Who knows if, by the time his son’s next birthday arrives, Zhao Louqin might give him a “new dad” as a birthday gift?

Gu Yanqiu, Zhang Jianxin, and the others quickly found Zhao Louqin and Zheng Yixu. It was rare for everyone to gather together, so they had a pleasant chat.

Of course, discussions about Zhao Jiusi were inevitable.

They all knew how much this silly father had invested in Zhao Jiusi. However, it must be said that Zhao Jiusi, the main focus of today’s banquet, truly did not disappoint Zhao Louqin and Zheng Yixu’s efforts.

Zhao Louxing took Zhao Jiusi around the banquet, introducing him to numerous business associates and competitors. Zhao Jiusi listened to Zhao Louxing’s exchanges with others and, when faced with provocations or verbal traps, not only managed to handle them effortlessly but also occasionally offered subtle counterattacks. He remained composed and dignified, showing no sign of being just a sixteen-year-old.

Even when the conversation turned to complex topics clearly beyond high school level, Zhao Jiusi was able to keep up.

It was Impossible not to be impressed.

No wonder Zhao Jiusi, groomed from a young age to be the future leader of the Zhao family, matched up well against the outstanding heirs of other influential families they had seen before.

Many people thought this way.

Although Zhao Jiusi performed exceptionally, he wasn’t yet at a standout level. They wouldn’t underestimate him, but they also wouldn’t regard him with excessive concern. Moreover, they felt relieved that Zhao Jiusi wasn’t as “domineering” as Zhao Louxing.

What they didn’t know was that, until the banquet, Zhao Jiusi had never received even a single day of “heir education.”

“You’re still amazing,” Gu Yanqiu said, shaking his wine glass and sighing. “I’m not even married yet, and you’ve already found a partner. Now, I’m thinking about leaving singlehood, but your child is already an impressive young adult.” Gu Yanqiu spoke with a hint of envy.

A man at thirty Is still in his prime, and many people are in the midst of their career struggles at this age. Even if they have a family and children, it’s generally the case that a man in his thirties has children who are only in elementary or middle school.

With the rapid pace of social development, people are having children later and later.

Sigh, who knows, by the time his own child is born, Zhao Louqin might be close to becoming a grandfather.

They couldn’t help but feel that they had fallen short compared to Zhao Louqin in these areas.

Gu Yanqiu and the others thought to themselves.

“Of course,” Zhao Louqin shamelessly accepted his friends’ praise. “While you’re still single, I’m already enjoying retirement early. You single folks will never know the joys of every second of life.”

Damn, even though he’s a friend, they really wanted to punch him in the face.

At this moment, how many of the so-called “friends” were grinding their teeth in frustration, wishing they could put Zhao Louqin in a sack?

“Go ahead and laugh; you’ll soon become the lonely person you speak of.”

Zheng Yixu thought quietly to himself.

“I’m going to see Jiusi; you all continue chatting,” Zheng Yixu said before leaving. It didn’t seem strange to Gu Yanqiu and the others—if they had insisted on keeping him there instead of letting him find his son, that would have been odd.

Zheng Yixu had a phone in his pocket containing evidence, ready to show his son the video at any moment.

Just a few steps out, he saw a familiar beauty walking towards him.

This person, of course, was Lin Ninghua, who always knew how to make an entrance.

It was unclear what Zhao Louxing was thinking, but Lin Ninghua had been invited, although rather late.

However, Zhao Louxing, who typically had little social interaction, making the effort to invite Lin Ninghua to Zhao Jiusi’s birthday party made it clear that the Xu Cheng Group was indeed planning to collaborate with the Lin family business.

“Mr. Zheng, it’s been such a long time,” Lin Ninghua said with a smile, her gaze lingering on Zheng Yixu’s face with a hint of greed.

…Can’t she hide her intentions a bit more?

Zheng Yixu subtly avoided Lin Ninghua’s gaze, finding it hard to handle such an intense stare.

Although Lin Ninghua had often inquired about his and Zhao Louqin’s matters before, she had never been so direct. It seemed she couldn’t hold back anymore and wanted to expedite her efforts to make her move.

Zheng Yixu frowned slightly. Fortunately, he had already taken the initiative; otherwise, facing Lin Ninghua’s advances in the future might have been disastrous.

“Well, it hasn’t been that long,” Zheng Yixu said coldly, looking at Lin Ninghua. “If you’re looking for Zhao Louqin, he’s over there. I want to see my son, so I won’t chat with you any longer, Ms. Lin.”

Lin Ninghua could tell that Zheng Yixu was serious.

But she couldn’t understand why Zheng Yixu was avoiding her. Could it be that Zheng Yixu had regained his memory and was now showing his stance of being with Zhao Louqin by not speaking to her?

No, that’s Impossible.

She knew Zheng Yixu hadn’t regained his memory yet.

Before Lin Ninghua could figure it out, Zheng Yixu had already bypassed her and left.

Lin Ninghua thought it over and decided to follow Zheng Yixu’s suggestion and go find Zhao Louqin to see if she could get some information.

Zheng Yixu glanced back indifferently and saw Lin Ninghua chatting happily with Zhao Louqin.

Being so direct at Jiusi’s birthday banquet, ╭（╯^╰）╮, it was as if he wasn’t even part of the conversation.

He couldn’t tolerate It!

“Dad, are you coming to find me?” Zhao Jiusi, feeling a bit tired after walking around, leaned against the wall eating something. No one dared to bother him, as Zhao Louxing frequently cast sharp glances at anyone who tried to approach the “little prince,” making sure that anyone who dared to speak to him would face a “baptism.”

“Yes, Jiusi, come with me. Dad has something to discuss with you,” Zheng Yixu said, pulling on Zhao Jiusi’s sleeve.

Perhaps Zheng Yixu’s seriousness made Zhao Jiusi not ask any questions, and he followed Zheng Yixu out of the hall and into the backstage area.

Earlier, Zhao Jiusi had used this room for “changing outfits.” Now, the room was empty, and it had a clear view of the hall, so if anything happened, he could respond quickly.

This way, if his uncle needed to find him later, he wouldn’t be hard to locate.

“Dad, you look so serious. Is there something you need to tell me?” Zhao Jiusi asked, his eyelids flickering as if something bad was about to happen.

“Jiusi, you’re growing up, and there are things I need to tell you,” Zheng Yixu began with a very clichéd opening. In many TV shows and movies, this sort of introduction often leads to a plot twist.

For example, it might reveal that you’re not my biological child, that you’re not from the XX clan, or that there’s a treasure map or family heirloom.

Zheng Yixu couldn’t help but mentally criticize himself for drifting into such melodramatic thoughts.

“What?” Zhao Jiusi quickly responded, wondering if his father had regained his memory.

“I want to divorce your father,” Zheng Yixu said with immense sorrow.