Chapter 35

Chu Gui Yuan is located in a suburban estate and only opens for lunch every day, limited to ten tables. Once the reserved number of people is exceeded, no matter how much money is thrown, they still stubbornly ignore it.

When Feng Yan introduced it like this, Sheng Xia felt it was a bit exaggerated, but she honestly became more excited.

But when the dishes were served, she really did believe it was the best.

The charcoal-grilled matsutake mushrooms exuded an exquisite freshness on her tongue, the jade bamboo shoots were fresh and crisp, the pickled clam soup had a thick white sauce, and the rich salty fragrance wafted over.

Especially the boiled cabbage that came last was particularly to her taste.

Indeed, high-end ingredients often only need the simplest cooking methods. This is really good!

During this period, Sheng Xia had also eaten a lot of delicious food, especially the chefs at the Sheng family, who were among the best. But the food here still amazed her.

It’s no wonder Feng Yan specially reserved it and used it as a gimmick to entice her.

Feng Yan first used the public chopsticks to pick up a bite of food for each of them and looked at Feng Jingxu. “Xiaoxu, since you’re almost recovered, it’s time to go back to school. Can you keep up with your classes now?”

Feng Jingxu replied casually, “It’s okay, just the same as before.”

Facing his son’s perfunctory response, Feng Yan asked calmly, “When you say ‘just the same as before,’ do you mean being the last in junior high, or later, being ranked 25th in the class?”

Sheng Xia, who had just swallowed the delicious matsutake, looked up in surprise. “Xiaoxu once ranked last? I couldn’t tell.”

Originally indifferent, but being seen like this by Sheng Xia, Feng Jingxu’s face darkened, and he hurriedly explained, “I haven’t been last in a long time! Back then, it was—”

“It seems that this group of haters is not doing well. Clearly, they wanted to expose every detail of your life and even started fabricating scandals when there was nothing else to expose. Yet no one found out that the once underage top star had such a past!”

Sheng Xia subconsciously wanted to take out her phone, but suddenly stopped, showing a regretful expression. “Oh, I forgot, the groups I joined before have all disbanded. I don’t know where they’ve secretly moved their headquarters to now.”

Feng Jingxu: “…”

He smirked, “What, are you planning to expose them once you find their headquarters?”

Sheng Xia replied in a joking manner, “We’ve been through so much together, and they’ve exposed so much, while I’ve been tight-lipped and unable to contribute. I feel a bit embarrassed.”

Your good friends might just be thinking about eating your heart by now.

Feng Jingxu rolled his eyes at her, but the discomfort he had felt from her earlier comments seemed to fade away.

He felt a bit strange. He knew that many people knew about his past grades, and he had never cared before. But for some reason, he just didn’t want Sheng Xia to know—

It must be because he felt that if she knew, she would mock him mercilessly, just like now?!

As he thought about it carefully, a heavy expression appeared on his face.

Damn it, Sheng Xia really is his lifelong enemy!

Feng Yan chuckled and explained in a timely manner, “At that time, Xiaoxu had just started junior high and had just changed environments. He had just transferred schools and was about to take monthly exams. Maybe he wasn’t used to it, which led to that last-place result.”

“But later on, he did improve. Although in my impression, he has always been stuck at 25th place.”

Sheng Xia nodded, roughly understanding the period he was talking about, which should be when Feng Jingxu was first adopted.

Feng Jingxu’s face was still a bit sullen. When he heard Feng Yan’s explanation, he couldn’t help but frown. “You’ve seen my report cards every time?”

“Zhao Uncle has kept them. As a parent, it’s natural to pay attention to your grades.” Feng Yan said casually, “I just didn’t tell you because you were very resistant at the time.”

Feng Jingxu pursed his lips, his expression gradually becoming complex. He unconsciously clenched his hands. “So why are you suddenly bringing it up now?”

Feng Yan placed the grilled matsutake mushrooms into Sheng Xia’s bowl, then calmly put down his chopsticks. In the quiet moment that followed, he looked deeply into the young man’s eyes and said calmly, “Because after reflecting, I realized that there are some things that must be said.”

Feng Jingxu paused, suddenly finding it hard to eat.

He seemed to vaguely realize the reason why Feng Yan had specially brought them out to dinner, but he was inexplicably confused.

… Why did he suddenly bring these things up?

When Feng Jingxu was adopted by Feng Yan, he was only 13 years old.

He had been tossed around among several guardians since he was young, like a football that no one wanted to take over.

As a result, his personality became extreme and sensitive, like a hedgehog, always bristling at everyone he faced.

The only aunt who had been good to him unexpectedly passed away, and he was taken in by the Feng family without warning. Then, he was sent to a new school by Feng Yan. Feng Jingxu really couldn’t adapt. Later, thinking that no one would really care about him anyway, he simply gave up.

But unlike the disgust and rejection of other guardians, when Feng Yan received his report card, he did not get angry. Instead, he calmly video-called him and had an equal conversation with him, treating him like an adult.

Feng Jingxu could feel Feng Yan’s goodwill and knew that he was kindly adopting him, but that was all there was.

Just as Feng Yan did it because of his brother and sister-in-law’s sake, and felt sorry for him being alone, so he adopted him.

The twins were adopted together with him. His agreement to be taken away by Feng Yan was also because Feng’s family and the twins were the closest people left from his aunt’s life.

However, there was no emotional connection between him and the twins.

Feng Jingxu was particularly clear about this.

Coupled with the psychological shadow brought by Aunt Ye over the years, he knew very well that he was just a tag-along and naturally wouldn’t ask for anything.

He was grateful to Feng Yan for adopting him, giving him a place to live, and allowing him to continue his education. Therefore, even if he felt awkward and uncomfortable, and didn’t treat him as a real father, he would still calmly exchange a few words with him when Feng Yan called.

Feng Jingxu kept track of every penny Feng’s family spent on him over the years. It wasn’t until he just entered high school and was unintentionally noticed by a talent scout and entered the entertainment industry that he planned to double the amount of foster care money he used and return it.

In fact, he had always held onto this idea before driving Aunt Ye away in midsummer.

But he didn’t know when he had unconsciously integrated into the family. Feng’s family and he were no longer just temporary cohabitants.

Just like how he could inexplicably call out “uncle” and “aunt” smoothly, although he couldn’t do it so naturally to Feng Yan and could only awkwardly say “hey” instead, it seemed that he had already accepted this relationship in his heart.

Feng Jingxu belatedly realized that this was really a terrible thing.

And just when he was feeling restless and thinking about leaving, he suddenly heard Feng Yan’s voice: ‘When you first told me you wanted to enter the entertainment industry, I did say that I wouldn’t interfere with what you wanted to do.'”

Feng Yan keep his voice gentle and slow: “But that means, even if I am your father, I will not interfere with your hobbies, as long as it is something you want to do… you can do it.”

“You are still young and can try many things you want to do. Even if it doesn’t work out, you can still come back. After all, Feng’s family will always be your support.”

Feng Yan glanced at Sheng Xia’s head beside him. “But I didn’t expect that my promise would lead to a misunderstanding for you, nor did I notice the attitude of that nanny towards you. I’m sorry, Xiaoxu.”

“Even though Xiaxia had helped clear up this misunderstanding before, I think I still owe you a formal apology.”

Looking at Feng Yan’s particularly solemn expression, Feng Jingxu suddenly fell into silence.

He really understood the purpose of this meal now.

Because it seemed indifferent through video, Feng Yan had originally planned to come back and talk to Feng Jingxu in person. However, he didn’t expect that as soon as he returned, he would be greeted by a live variety show.

Feng Yan was worried that it would affect his mood, so he had been waiting until the first episode was recorded, taking advantage of the opportunity to accompany them for the re-examination, inviting the two of them here for dinner, and deliberately not bringing anyone else.

This man really knows how to hide his thoughts.

Feng Jingxu felt inexplicably restless, with a subtle sense of relief and joy, but more of an awkwardness and unnaturalness.

After a while, he seemed impatient and said, “It’s so annoying. Didn’t we already apologize before? Why suddenly bring this up while we’re eating? It’s all in the past, and I didn’t really care anyway.”

Knowing that his son was indirectly expressing forgiveness, Feng Yan nodded slightly: “In any case, a formal apology should be made.”

“So… can we eat now?”

And in this gradually easing atmosphere, Sheng Xia’s weak and innocent voice sounded. She looked up in grievance, saying, “All the joy belongs to you father and son. I, as the tool person squeezed in the middle, only have grilled matsutake mushrooms. I’m really pitiful.”

Feng Jingxu, who hadn’t eaten anything, said, “…Did I say anything when you finished that plate?”

“Since Xiaxia likes to eat, then eat more.” Feng Yan couldn’t help but smile, ordered another plate, and then took the initiative to grill matsutake slices for her. “Xiaxia is definitely not a tool person. I chose today not only to apologize to Xiaoxu but also to thank Xiaxia.”

“If it weren’t for Xiaxia, I might not have realized my own problems until now, and wouldn’t have been able to clear up these misunderstandings.”

Sheng Xia sincerely exclaimed, “Wow, then you’ve really made a profit.”

Already familiar with her unconventional behavior, Feng Yan remained unchanged. “Why does Xiaxia say that?”

“You’ve completed two tasks with just one meal. Your KPI must be on target.” Sheng Xia sounded envious. “Your boss must really appreciate you as an employee. How nice.”

“Oh, sorry, I forgot, you are the boss yourself.” Without waiting for the man to respond, she suddenly realized and muttered indignantly, “Damn, the capitalist is truly evil!”

“The capitalist is now grilling matsutake slices for you, right?” Feng Yan continued to serve her without being affected, “Think about it, Xiaxia, aren’t you the most amazing one? Aren’t you feeling happy?”

Feng Jingxu couldn’t stand it and shook his head, “Can you two speak normally? I can’t even eat my food.”

“Xiaoxu is right.” Sheng Xia continued, ignoring the bewildered expression of the eldest son, speaking in a melancholic tone, “Husband, let’s keep our distance in the future. I’m afraid if you get close to me again, I’ll, I’ll get sick.”

Knowing that she probably didn’t have anything good to say next, the evil capitalist naturally didn’t respond. However, Feng Jingxu couldn’t help but mock, “Red-eye disease?”

Sheng Xia glanced at him deeply and suddenly spoke dramatically, “Of course, it’s claustrophobia! I can’t handle men with a hidden agenda. It’s really scary!”

Feng Jingxu: cough

The young man choked unexpectedly, but before he could mock Feng Yan, he suddenly saw Sheng Xia looking at him with a satisfied expression. “So, I really love being with Xiaoxu. It’s so nice. Xiaoxu is still like this. Mom is really pleased.”

Feng Yan lowered his head and continued grilling the matsutake mushrooms, his lips slightly curled upwards.

Feng Jingxu: ?

Realizing what she meant, he suddenly couldn’t laugh anymore, gritting his teeth, “Sheng Xia, what do you mean?”

Sheng Xia blinked innocently at him, then suddenly made a gesture as if opening an umbrella.

Distracted by her inexplicable actions, Feng Jingxu subconsciously looked up at the ceiling, but there was nothing there. He couldn’t help but show a puzzled and unhappy expression, “What are you doing? Are you miming?”

“Oh, husband, you tell me.” Sheng Xia sighed as if there was no hope, looking worriedly at Feng Yan, “God has sprinkled wisdom all over the world, so why did he only give an umbrella to Xiaoxu?”

Feng Jingxu: “…Sheng Xia!!”

Just as Feng Yan was about to reply with a slight smile, the phone beside him suddenly rang.

Picking up the phone, and after hearing what was said on the other end, the curve of his lips gradually flattened, and his eyes became deeper.

“I see, Uncle Zhao, we’ll be back soon.” Feng Yan seemed somewhat displeased, his voice carrying a proud indifference. “It seems they haven’t learned their lesson. They actually dared to come over.”

“Tell Zhao, if they dare to cause trouble, just kick them out, no need to be polite to them.”

After hanging up the phone, he furrowed his brow slightly when he saw Sheng Xia and Feng Jingxu looking at him inquisitively, and said with a slight hesitation, “Sorry, Xiaoxu, I may have broken my promise to you earlier.”

Sheng Xia: ?

After a moment of silent, she said heavily, “You tell me, I can handle it. Are you going bankrupt, so you want to take back my island hot spring house?”

Let’s make it clear, whether you want money or life, I won’t give it to you!

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