In the afternoon, around five o’clock, He Qingmo came back to pick up Fan Xing, and they headed to the He family’s mansion together.
Ji Jin, who had initially acted casually but was secretly looking forward to the return of his younger son, met He Qingmo with a cold expression in the evening. However, when he turned to Fan Xing, he became particularly warm. Knowing that Fan Xing had gone through twenty days of military training, he went out of his way to prepare various nutritious dishes in the kitchen for him during dinner, continuously serving Fan Xing.
Even He Chengyi, who had barely exchanged more than three sentences with Fan Xing during their previous meetings, was unusually cordial this time. However, when he saw his own younger brother, he instantly put on a displeased expression, glaring at Fan Xing with clear disapproval.
Fan Xing was puzzled by the sudden change in He Chengyi’s attitude and quietly nudged He Qingmo, asking in a hushed tone, “Brother, did you do something behind our parents’ backs again?”
He Qingmo wore an innocent expression and replied, “I haven’t done anything wrong. They’re misunderstanding me.”
Fan Xing felt that there must be a reason behind it, but he didn’t want to ask directly. It wasn’t until after dinner when the He family father and son went to the study, and Ji Jin coaxed Xinxin to bed, that Lin Lin and Susan explained the situation to Fan Xing.
It turned out that it was because of the video between He Qingmo and Lu Chi from yesterday. The senior couple felt that their younger son had let Fan Xing down, which led to them not being in a good mood.
Fan Xing quickly explained, “This matter isn’t Brother’s fault. It was an accident. If it weren’t for me, Brother probably wouldn’t have attended that lecture, and this incident wouldn’t have happened. So, it’s really not his fault.”
Seeing Fan Xing anxiously defending He Qingmo, Lin Lin and Susan exchanged glances and couldn’t help but smile.
“You’re quite good at defending your family. Your third brother must have had some incredible luck to marry you,” Lin Lin teased.
Fan Xing suppressed a smile, not knowing what to say.
However, Susan suddenly took his hand and spoke earnestly, “Fan Xing, don’t let this matter weigh on your mind. That guy, Lu Chi, probably brought it upon himself. I bet he doesn’t even remember who he is right now. Let me be honest with you, I’ve been in this family for over ten years now. When I married into this family, your third brother was just in junior high school. I’ve watched him grow up. Do you think I don’t know what kind of person he is? Don’t be fooled by the image he presents to the outside world. Sometimes, he can be a bit childish and mischievous. Don’t hold grudges over these things.”
Fan Xing nodded gently, “I understand. I don’t mind.”
Fan Xing genuinely didn’t mind. First of all, it was true that he didn’t mind, and he also didn’t have the standing to mind. Secondly, what Susan said made sense.
After getting to know He Qingmo, Fan Xing had quickly realized that the man was nothing like the rumors portrayed him. So, when it came to the things Lu Chi had said yesterday, although he hadn’t asked He Qingmo for the details, he felt that it was probably a one-sided account, and the true story might be different.
But it was unexpected that Susan would speak to him in such a manner. Their personalities were different—Lin Lin was outgoing and approachable, not showing any reservations when they first met, while Susan appeared gentle and refined. She always had a smile on her face when speaking to others, and her temperament seemed graceful and virtuous, yet she also seemed to exude an aura that kept people at a distance, making them unconsciously stand about two meters away when talking to her, as if getting closer would be offensive.
So, Fan Xing had always been a little afraid to talk to her.
She had never taken the initiative to speak to him before today.
However, today, she spoke up for He Qingmo, which was quite unexpected.
When it was past nine o’clock, the He family father and son finally finished their conversation, and since Xinxin shouldn’t stay up too late, everyone said their goodbyes.
As Ji Jin saw them off, he suddenly remembered something and pulled Fan Xing and He Qingmo aside, saying, “Fan Xing’s mother and Mr. Gu have arranged for me to play basketball with them tomorrow. You two should join us if you’re free. Fan Xing, you haven’t seen your mother for a while, so it’s a good opportunity for you to catch up.”
Fan Xing glanced at He Qingmo and was about to seek his opinion, but He Qingmo had already decisively declined, saying, “We have plans tomorrow and can’t make it.”
Ji Jin seemed like he wanted to persuade them further, following them to the car and reprimanding He Qingmo, “Can’t you at least ask for Fan Xing’s opinion? He wants to see his own mother. Is getting married to you like being locked up?”
Fan Xing quickly lowered the car window and explained, “Mom, I really have something to do tomorrow, and I won’t be able to make it. You all have fun!”
Now Ji Jin had no choice but to let it go. He smiled and said, “Alright, next time we’ll plan another get-together. Drive safely and call me when you get home.”
“Okay, Mom, go back now,” Fan Xing obediently bid her farewell.
However, after closing the car window, he couldn’t help but feel somewhat disheartened.
Seeing Ji Jin’s attitude towards Fan Meixi and the Gu family, it seemed that their relationship was quite good.
And Fan Meixi seemed determined to use her marriage to He Qingmo to firmly bind herself to the Gu family.
Fan Xing couldn’t help but look at He Qingmo, feeling a bit guilty for some reason. Although he didn’t intend to gain anything from the He family or the Gu family, he had agreed to this marriage because of financial difficulties. This decision had given Fan Meixi and the Gu family an opportunity.
The man driving the car didn’t glance at him but knew what was on his mind. He casually tossed out a statement, “Students should act like students. Don’t worry about other things.”
Fan Xing thought about it and felt that it made sense. After all, what use was it for him to worry?
Moreover, he could see through things clearly. Did He Qingmo not understand the situation?
He indeed didn’t need to worry too much, so he stopped overthinking and decided to take this opportunity to learn some Chinese. However, at this moment, his phone rang.
He picked it up and saw an international long-distance number. Judging by the international code at the beginning, it was a call from the United States.
He was worried that it might be a call from his grandmother’s hospital, so he quickly answered, “Hello, who is…”
“Dana, it’s me.”
A voice, exhausted and hoarse yet familiar, interrupted him.
“Uh…” Fan Xing subconsciously wanted to call the person’s name but suddenly remembered something and glanced nervously at He Qingmo.
He Qingmo turned his head and gave him a sidelong look, a half-smile on his face. “An important friend, I presume?”
Fan Xing felt even more uneasy, hesitating between nodding and shaking his head.
On the other end of the phone, Eric suddenly became agitated. “Who are you with? I hear a man’s voice. It’s almost 10 PM in China now, and you’re still out with a man at this hour?”
“I…” Fan Xing wanted to explain but didn’t know how to put it, so he bypassed the question. “It’s still early morning over there, right? It’s only around 5 AM. Why are you up so early?”
“Who are you with?” Eric’s voice rose a few notches, his frustration evident, and his voice carried a more pronounced hoarseness.
Fan Xing felt worried. “Is your throat okay? Are you sick?”
“Stop changing the subject,” the other party was clearly fixated on this issue.
Fan Xing felt somewhat helpless, and his phone was taken away by He Qingmo.
Fan Xing thought he was going to talk to Eric directly and was frightened, but he saw the man hang up the call and then switch off the phone, tossing it to the back seat.
Fan Xing looked at his phone and then at the cold-faced man. Faced with the choice between apologizing and picking up the phone, he obediently chose the former.
“Brother, I’m sorry. I…”
Before he could finish his sentence, the man leaned over, pinched his chin, and locked eyes with him, his voice low. “What went wrong?”
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