13. HAVING A CHILD IS REALLY NOT EASY

Ning Xi went into her bedroom, and suddenly noticed the little creature on her bed, she felt intrigued.

Since last night, a lot of unexpected things had happened that were beyond her control.

"Quickly go to sleep." She knelt next to Little Treasure after turning off all the light except for the small one by the side of the bed.

Little Treasure kept his eyes open, indicating his intention to stay awake. Ning Xi started to have a headache.

It seemed like she would need to tell a bedtime story to coax this child to sleep.

Ning Xi helplessly threw up her hands. "I don't know how to tell stories, so how about I sing you a song?"

Little Treasure nodded his head, his face expectant.

And so, Ning Xi lightly patted Little Treasure's back and began to sing softly.

"On a somewhat cold and warm autumn day

Tranquilly by your side

Quietly watching the flickering light dance

The wind carries a few red leaves

Stirred up hearts go on and on

Between being half drunk and half awake

I laugh uncontrollably

Let me float like the snowflakes amongst the cloud

Using my frigid coldness to kiss other lightly

Bringing out waves of their emotions

Leaving behind who knows how much love in the world

While welcoming fleeting life and its many changes

..."

Ning Xi stop singing here because the next line was: "Doing joyous matters with your lover..."

How was this lyric appropriate for such a young child?

"Cough, Auntie won't sing the rest of this song so I'll sing a different one for you!"

Little Treasure was very cooperative and nodded his head in agreement.

Ning Xi searched her brain for the safest, most appropriate song for a child: "In a happy pond, there was a little frog. It jumped and danced like a prince had possessed its body. With its handsome gaze, no other frog was more beautiful. Then one day, it was awakened by a princess. I believe in miracles; I believe I will one day be your partner lalalalala..."

After singing the frog song three times, she finally heard the sweet sounds of breathing by her side.

Having a child is really not easy!

She suddenly felt great admiration towards Lu Tingxiao as a single father.

She didn't know who Little Treasure's mother was, but why did she give birth to him and not stay with Lu Tingxiao?

Was it because her status was too low and the Lu family wouldn't accept her?

Or had she and Lu Tingxiao quarreled over some unknown matter?

While thinking of all these possibilities, Ning Xi gradually succumbed to the dream realm.

Halfway through the night, Ning Xi was scared awake by a sound from the living room.

Little Treasure slept heavily as Ning Xi lightly got off the bed to find out what happened.

Opening her bedroom door, she saw Lu Tingxiao pouring himself a glass of water, one hand clutching his stomach and his face ghastly pale.

Ning Xi rushed over. "Mister Lu, are you alright?"

"It's nothing."

"Do you have a stomachache?"

Lu Tingxiao was silent.

Ning Xi knew she had guessed right.

Lu Tingxiao couldn't handle spicy food. But if he couldn't handle it, why had he still eaten it?

"Wait a second, I'll get you some medicine."

Luckily, her house was well-stocked with medical supplies.

Ning Xi hurriedly brought over the stomach medication. "You have to eat both pills."

"Thanks." Lu Tingxiao took the caplets from her palm, the coolness of his skin lightly grazing hers and giving her a shock, which engraved itself into her heart.

It was currently very late into the night, and with a beauty standing before her, in such a difficult, dangerous situation, it was very easy to light a fire!

Ning Xi silently recited math equations in her head to calm her heart. As she watched Lu Tingxiao take his medicine, she felt it wouldn't be appropriate to just leave, and decided to accompany him for a while.

"Is it better now? Do we need to go to the hospital? I'm sorry, I didn't know you couldn't eat spicy food..."

Originally, she was worried about Little Treasure eating too much spicy food, but in the end, Little Treasure was fine but Lu Tingxiao was not. What kind of situation was this...

"It's no big deal."

Both of them didn't say anything for a while before Lu Tingxiao finally opened his mouth: "Tonight we came to bother you because Little Treasure wanted to see you."

Ning Xi felt surprised. "Little Treasure wanted to see me?"

"Since you saved him after the scare he received in the bar storeroom, Little Treasure is now very reliant on you," Lu Tingxiao explained.

Ning Xi realized that if Little Treasure was nearby whenever the topic of Little Treasure came up, Lu Tingxiao's unfathomable cold demeanor would soften; he was not as frightening as he had been at the hospital during the day.

"So, it was like this..." Ning Xi nodded her head.

The atmosphere created from being up this late at night tended to make people lower their guards and confess their worries, so Ning Xi asked a question she'd been thinking about a lot. "That, if I may boldly ask, does Little Treasure not know how to speak?"

She had never heard Little Treasure utter a single word. The little guy only knew how to nod or shake his head.

"It's not that he doesn't know how, he just doesn't want to speak," Lu Tingxiao replied.

"So It's a psychological issue?" Ning Xi furrowed her brow.

"Yes." Lu Tingxiao didn't intend to hide anything.

"This..." It was almost as she had guessed.

As for the issue of what had happened to trigger the child's trauma like this, Ning Xi dared not ask further about such a secret.

"Miss Ning." Lu Tingxiao suddenly fixed his attention on her. His gaze was cold, yet it gave her a scorching hot feeling which excited and exhausted her.

"Yes?" Ning Xi froze under his gaze.

"Have we met somewhere before?" Lu Tingxiao asked.

If anyone else had asked this question, Ning Xi would assume that the other person was hitting on her using a completely worn out pick-up line. But the person speaking was Lu Tingxiao. Also, there was an entirely serious and honest expression in his eyes.

"I don't think we have. If I had seen a person like you before, Mister Lu, It's impossible that I would have no recollection of it whatsoever... that, is there a problem?" Ning Xi's tone was firm. Even if she was the eldest miss of the Ning family, there was absolutely no possibility of having met Lu Tingxiao, who was of a higher and different class.

"It's nothing." Lu Tingxiao directed his gaze, dark as the night outside, towards the window. He seemed forlorn.

If this kind if tête-à-tête continued, the atmosphere would not be good!

"Mister Lu, if you're alright now, I'm going to head back to bed," Ning Xi said carefully.

Lu Tingxiao saw through her and waved his hand. "No rush. Sit."

No rush! She was really rushed, okay!

12. STAYING OVERNIGHT

Ning Xi lifted her beer and clinked his glass lightly, and then she smiled from the heart. “Thank you!”

The moment she smiled; Lu Tingxiao felt blinded.

After Ning Xi said her thanks, she looked at Little Treasure. "This is also thanks to Little Treasure. If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't have been able to rush over for my audition. Come darling, let's have a drink too!"

Little Treasure looked at his glass of milk and then looked at Ning Xi and his father's beer. He felt unwilling, but ultimately, he clinked his cup against Ning Xi's beer and chugged all his milk.

Ning Xi found his serious demeanor amusing. Did he know about drinking away his sorrows like adults?

Halfway through dinner, Lu Tingxiao went to the patio to receive an incoming call.

Ning Xi nudged Little Treasure and handed her beer to him. "Hehe, are you curious about the taste? Quick, while your father isn't here, have a little bit! But only one sip!"

Little Treasure's eyes lit up like stars in the sky, and he lowered his head to drink a bit.

Although the taste wasn't good, he was extremely happy nonetheless.

After Lu Tingxiao finished his call and came back, Ning Xi was sitting properly and pretending nothing had happened.

Little Treasure was even more professional, slowly drinking his milk. Nothing out of the ordinary.

Lu Tingxiao sat down with his usual expression, only there was a hint of warmth concealed in his eyes.

The three of them had pretty good appetites. Ning Xi had bought a lot of groceries, but they still managed to finish everything.

Ning Xi saw the time and realized it was getting pretty late. Just as she thought about whether or not they should head back soon, lightning flashed outside the window, followed by loud booming sounds of thunder. It looked like the onset of a heavy storm.

"I watched the weather channel today, and they announced that tonight there was going to be a storm followed by a typhoon..."

Ning Xi felt a headache coming on as she looked at the rain outside her window. Little Treasure looked at Ning Xi, as did Lu Tingxiao...

Finally, after being stared at by the father and son pair for a while, she said, "It's late. The weather isn't looking good, so if Mister Lu were to bring Little Treasure home, it might be dangerous. How about... you two stay for the night here with me?"

She had said this out of courtesy, and she felt that Lu Tingxiao would definitely not agree to it.

In the end...

Lu Tingxiao: "Alright."

Little Treasure nodded his little head repeatedly.

What?! he agreed again...

Lu Tingxiao is too unreserved!

Why did she feel as though they both had been waiting for her to make the offer?

She was about to go crazy!

In the end, Lu Tingxiao and Little Treasure would stay the night.

The quarters that the company had arranged for her weren't too big, only one bedroom and a living room. Deciding where the three of them would sleep was going to be a problem.

"I'll sleep in the living room. Mister Lu, you and Little Treasure can sleep in my bedroom. I'm going to go change the bedsheets..."

"No need, I'll sleep in the living room. You can sleep with Little Treasure in the bedroom." Lu Tingxiao's tone allowed no further discussion.

Ning Xi felt that she had sinned; not only did she let the big CEO eat a cheap hot pot, she was making him sleep in the living room.

If it had only been Lu Tingxiao without his son tonight - even if it was hailing - she wouldn't have allowed him to stay, since a single man and a single woman under one roof would only be trouble, especially after what Lu Tingxiao had said to her during the day. But she had no choice, and there was also Little Treasure.

Ning Xi could only accept her fate. "I'll go see if I can find some clothes for you both so that you can wash and change..."

She looked through her drawers and really found something.

Ning Xi had some props from one of her part-time jobs, one of which was a pair of Pikachu costume pajamas for children. She had casually packed it away, but now it was perfect for Little Treasure to wear.

Finding clothes for Lu Tingxiao was even easier since her younger brother had left some of his clothes at her place.

After reuniting with her birth parents, Ning Xi had felt guilty towards her adoptive parents. She couldn't bring herself to face them properly, and so she slowly lost touch with them, only keeping in touch with her brother, Tang Luo.

After finding all the clothes, Ning Xi also found a blanket and pillow for Lu Tingxiao.

The sofa in the living room wasn't big enough, and could not accommodate Lu Tingxiao's long legs, so she could only add a chair to extend the length.

Little Treasure was really good at not letting others worry about him, as he had already showered by himself, put on the pajamas, and climbed into bed.

After Ning Xi finished showering, she put on some conservative sleepwear and confirmed she wasn't revealing any inappropriate parts of her body.

"Then... Mister Lu, I'm going to bed now. If you need anything, just call me."

"Alright." Seeing Ning Xi who had just showered, Lu Tingxiao was disoriented for a moment. Soon after, his gaze became focused, and his vision was filled with only her.

Her hair was tied into a simple bun and she was wearing the most basic design for two-piece pajamas. She was wearing any makeup, but her jade-like skin had a natural flush from the steam of her hot shower.

Seeing that Ning Xi had purposely dressed conservatively, there should be nothing inappropriate about her appearance.

In Lu Tingxiao's heart, however, there was a problem, because he noticed that a certain part of his lower body was slowly rousing itself.

11. BIG BUN AND LITTLE BUN

In the end, starvation proved to really work.

Lu Jingli was efficient and immediately sent Ning Xi’s address to his brother’s cellphone, followed by a bunch of questions trying to satisfy his gossipy nature, which Lu Tingxiao naturally ignored.

This time without needing Lu Tingxiao to say anything, the moment Little Treasure saw his father pick up his coat and car keys, he immediately followed suit.

Lu Tingxiao looked down at his son by his leg, and then helplessly carried him up. “No more next time.”

After Ning Xi returned from the audition, she freshened up before heading out to the supermarket to buy hot pot ingredients, some dishes, and beer.

After experiencing such an ordeal, she had to have a hot pot celebration at home!

A single person having hot pot by herself was really the ultimate level of loneliness.

However, she had always been by herself, so she was used to it.

Right after she had started heating up the pot and finished preparing the dishes, the doorbell rang.

Who could possibly visit at this hour?

Ning Xi opened the door curiously, and was shocked.

On her doorstep stood Lu Tingxiao in a neat suit under a large, black coat. In his arms, he carried Little Treasure, who was holding a colorful fruit basket.

This was an... odd pairing?

"Mister Lu?" Ning Xi felt so frightened. "Why did you come here? It's quite late. Is something the matter?"

"To check on your health," Lu Tingxiao replied curtly.

Check on my health?

Personally coming over to her place late at night, bringing Little Treasure with him?

She had only been hurt slightly, she could still run and jump around.

"Ah, Mister Lu, you're too kind. Please come in. I apologize since my home is a little messy." Ning Xi couldn't process the situation fast enough. She felt extremely flustered as she invited them in and then hurriedly tidied up what she could, shoving magazines under the sofa and her scattered clothes under the bed.

"Sit wherever you like. Would you like anything to drink? Will tea and milk do?" She tried to guess what Lu Tingxiao would want, but he has too much of a mystery for her to figure out.

"That's fine." Lu Tingxiao nodded his head, his expression making him seem like a soldier reporting to his superiors.

Ning Xi boiled some water for Lu Tingxiao's tea and poured a glass of milk for Little Treasure.

Lu Tingxiao's long and lanky figure made him appear a bit squished on the couch with Little Treasure beside him.

Not only did the father and son pair have cool, handsome features, even their expressions appeared the same.

They were both expressionless.

And wouldn't speak.

And created the same cold, silent atmosphere.

When Ning Xi saw this, she wanted to cry, but had no tears.

Really, what did these two come here for?

At this moment, the pot started to wheeze, and an enticing spicy smell filled the air.

To break the silence, Ning Xi casually asked, "Have you two eaten dinner yet? I prepared a hot pot, would you like to eat together?"

Lu Tingxiao: "Okay."

Little Treasure nodded his head.

She simply asked out of politeness, what were they implying by agreeing so readily?

One was a big CEO and the other was a young master. What treasures and delicacies had they not tried, and yet they would run over to her place to eat a commoner's spicy hot pot with her?

Ning Xi couldn't bear to bring out the food.

But since she had already offered, she could only be thick-skinned by leading them to the table and putting out another two sets of chopsticks and bowls.

"The soap base I bought is pretty spicy. Can you handle spicy food?" Ning Xi asked restlessly.

Lu Tingxiao: "That's fine."

Little Treasure nodded again.

Okay...

Ning Xi brought the prepared ingredients over.

Lu Tingxiao didn't eat much and for the most part, he cooked vegetables for them; however, Little Treasure loved spicy food as much as she did, and the two of them couldn't stop eating once they tasted the spiciness in their mouths.

After a while, Ning Xi felt a little worried. "Isn't it bad if children eat too much spicy food?"

If something happened to the little prince, she wouldn't be able to bear the responsibility.

"He's not that weak," Lu Tingxiao replied.

Hearing this, Ning Xi didn't say anything else.

"How was the audition?" The silent and cold machine Lu Tingxiao had finally taken the initiative to speak first.

Ning Xi was shocked, but recovered quickly and replied, "It was successful, that's why I prepared this hot pot celebration tonight!"

Lu Tingxiao raised his cup. "Congratulations."

Who knew the first one to congratulate her would be Lu Tingxiao?

10. LITTLE TRASURE RAMPAGES

"Brother, you came back. Your Little Treasure suddenly threw a tantrum."

"What happened?" Lu Tingxiao asked in a low voice.

“I don't know what happened. When he woke up, he started trying to find someone. I thought maybe he was searching for Ning Xi, so I told him that the pretty auntie had left. After saying that, he started going wild. Little Treasure really seems to like Ning Xi, he wouldn't listen to anyone and became like this!"

This was the first time in a while that Little Treasure was this emotionally unstable.

After hearing the whole story, Lu Tingxiao went to Little Treasure.

The kid became alarmed and shrank back after noticing his approach. His eyes were reserved and cautious. He wouldn't even acknowledge his own father.

Lu Tingxiao stopped three steps shy of Little Treasure and calmly said, "When your second uncle said Auntie left, that's exactly what he meant. She is well physically, and only left the hospital to go home. She did not die and leave this world, not like your grandmother who dies and never came back. Do you understand?"

Lu Tingxiao could only be this patient and speak so much with his son.

Lu Jingli was speechless. "Are you kidding me? I only said two words 'she left', and he imagined so much?"

Actually, it wasn't strange at all for Little Treasure to have an erratic state of mind, since he had been traumatized and frightened by seeing Ning Xi fall.

After hearing Lu Tingxiao's explanation, Little Treasure stopped screaming, and instead remained motionless on the windowsill.

Lu Tingxiao then took out a note. "She wanted me to give this to you. Do you want to look at it?"

Little Treasure paused, and like someone flicking on a switch, he raised his head and spread his arms, indicating for Lu Tingxiao to pick him up.

Lu Jingli. "..."

All the doctors and nurses present: "..."

Everyone had worked so hard to the point of near collapse, yet Lu Tingxiao had handled the situation with a single note?

Before, when Lu Tingxiao had asked Ning Xi to write a note, Lu Jingli had felt his brother's action was meaningless; however, he was now impressed.

Lu Tingxiao picked up his son and sat down on the sofa before he handed the note to him.

Little Treasure impatiently took the note. He had already long learned how to read and write.

"Darling, thanks for saving me, you're amazing..."

Seeing the words on the note and the little drawing of a heart on the back, his eyes glittered, his face flushed red and he couldn't help but smile, puffing his cheeks up. His face was undeniably adorable.

Lu Jingli looked like he had seen a ghost. "Bullshit, am I going blind, brother? Our Little Treasure actually smiled! I can't remember it has been since he last smiled! What did Ning Xi write in that note?"

Lu Jingli tried to take a peek, but Little Treasure hid the note away like it was treasure.

But Lu Jingli had already seen it. It was just a simple message, and yet it could bring such happiness to Little Treasure? This Ning Xi was really not simple!

Lu Tingxiao did not say anything, and only looked at his son with a gentle gaze.

Now that Little Treasure was awake, Lu Tingxiao brought him home after canceling all his business matters just so he could accompany his son.

...

Late at night, at the Platinum Residence No. 8.

In a large, cold and cheerless living room, two people - one big and one small - sat at a dining table facing each other, their expressions just as cold.

Lu Tingxiao: "Eat."

Little Treasure wouldn't listen.

Lu Tingxiao: "I'm saying it one last time."

Little Treasure remained unmoved.

Lu Tingxiao: "Do you think by refusing to eat, you can successfully threaten me?"

Little Treasure, like an old monk sitting in meditation, was completely immersed in his own little world, hardly reacting to anything from outside.

The father and son pair continued to face off against each other.

One hour later…

Lu Tingxiao dialed his brother Lu Jingli’s number. “Send Ning Xi’s address to me.”

9. THE GIRL WHO DIDN'T COME FOR THE AUDITION

It was currently rush hour, so there was a traffic jam. Although Ning Xi had rushed over, by the time she reached the building hosting the auditions, she was already late.

Chang Li walked out of the building with a very happy Ning Xueluo, who was surrounded by people congratulating her.

From a distance, seeing Ning Xi drenched in sweat as she came running, Ning Xueluo looked at her with the exact same expression from five years ago.

She looked at her as though she was looking at an ant.

Ning Xi watched Ning Xueluo get into her van and immediately depart. However, Ning Xi dis not leave, and instead rushed into the building.

It was still not too late!

About halfway to her intended destination, she ran into a group of people who were chatting happily. They were the casting judges for the drama 'The World'.

"I'm sorry I'm late!" Ning Xi bowed deeply.

Noticing Ning Xi unexpectedly blocking their path, a few of the judges began to frown, expressing their displeasure.

Was there anyone liked tardy people?

The assistant director grimaced. "The auditions are already over. What's the point in rushing over now? Youngster are getting worse and worse these days!"

"I'm not here to audition for the female lead!" Ning Xi replied.

"Eh? If you're not here to audition for the female lead, then what did you come here to audition for?" the screenwriter asked curiously.

"I want to audition for the second female lead, Meng Changge! From what I know, the last time there were auditions for the second female lead, you still weren't able to find someone suitable!" After she finished speaking, she lifted her head.

The moment Ning Xi lifted her head, there was a five-second silence, and the unpleasant expression cleared.

They could only notice the girl's red lips and white teeth, her black hair falling down to her waist. She wore a red, collared dress that was very showy; however, it did not overshadow her beauty, but instead complimented her.

She stood there quietly with an aura as deep as forest, like she was a thousand-year-old fox spirit, with bewitching eyes that could cause people to drown unwittingly in desire. She exuded a mature and seductive aura, yet seemed so innocent. Her eyes had a crystal-clear depth to them

"What's your name?" It wasn't until Director Guo Qisheng spoke that all the casting judges came back to their senses, as it from beguiling dream.

"Ning Xi."

Director Guo shared glances with his assistant director, the producer, and the screenwriter before saying, "That sound familiar. You're an artiste with Starlight Entertainment, correct? Go back and prepare, the role is yours! When we start filming, we'll contact you."

"Thank you, director! I will work hard to prepare!" Ning Xi bowed her thanks.

From the start, Ning Xi's goal had been to become the second female lead.

For this role, she had practiced for three months, working hard to understand Meng Changge's feelings and impression she gave, in order to impress the judges with just one glance.

Although she had endured a lot of hardships, it had been worth it. She had succeeded.

After Ning Xi left, Director Guo couldn't help but feel admiration. "We tried so hard to find an actress, but she found us instead! Even though this girl is signed with Starlight, she doesn't have enough work experience, and with such poor qualifications, I never once thought of her for the second female lead. Who knew in real life she would be so much more beautiful than in her photos!"

The screenwriter, Ye Ling Long, couldn't resist saying, "Her most admirable qualities were her temperament and manners. Her gaze was absolutely perfect. Meng Changge was a domineering female general before she became the disastrous beauty that she is, and this girl perfectly captured this. She can be seductive without being vulgar and can even maintain a sense of purity and detached intelligence. In the previous auditions for the role, all the actresses acted as though they were playing the queen of brothel. I almost died of anger!"

"Hahaha... don't be angry. Haven't you finally found your long awaited Changge?"

...

At the same time, in the First People's Republic Hospital in B City.

The VIP patient room which Little Treasure was staying in was in chaos.

The kid was crouched atop the windowsill, his emotions extremely volatile. No matter what the doctors and nurses said, he wouldn't come down.

Below Little Treasure, Lu Jingli tried to coax and calm him down, but the one being pleaded with didn't give in to his uncle's cajoling.
Left with no choice, Lu Jingli could only make a call to the company to ask Lu Tingxiao to come back.

8. DON'T YOU LIKE MEN?

Ning Xi felt like she was dreaming as she stared at the cold, expressionless face on the man before her.

She held her forehead weakly, "Doctor.... where's the doctor? I think I might have hit my head so hard that my brain is not working properly. I'm hallucinating..."

On the side, Lu Jingli's expression was guileless. "I didn't hit my head, did my brain break down too?"

At this very moment, Ning Xi simply could not accept the reality before her.

She had saves Little Treasure, so now his father wanted to repay her with his body?

If this was anyone else, that would have been fine. If it was someone just a bit handsome, then it could be considered a lucky romantic encounter.

But this person was Lu Tingxiao, Lu Tingxiao!

When it came to looks, she was not bad, but Lu Tingxiao was the kind of beauty even the most gorgeous of women might have never seen before.

If he just fancied her, she wouldn't be so surprised. If Lu Tingxiao only took her looks into consideration and wanted to play around with her, that was understandable. But he had said: "Marry me," which was the most frightening of all.

Most importantly...

"Don't you like man?" Ning Xi blurted out.

"Bahahaha..." Lu Jingli was laughing so hard, he fell over.

Lu Tingxiao's face became black like the bottom of the pot, instantly filling the whole ward with a dark atmosphere.

After a long time, Lu Jingli finally stopped laughing. "If my brother likes men, where did Little Treasure come from?"

"Hm, surrogate pregnancy and artificial insemination?"

"If my brother likes men, why would he offer you his body?"

"To cover up his true sexual orientation?"

"Hahahahaha... brother, I really can't help you anymore..."

"I also heard... heard that the two of you are together..." Ning Xi's meek gaze shifted between the two brothers.

"Cough cough cough..." Lu Jingli was so startled, he chocked. "Bullshit, those tastes are too heavy for me! Though, this young master is indeed very handsome, I could be both a lady-killer and a man-killer..."

At this time, a stormy person slowly rose from his chair. His long legs striding over towards Ning Xi. "Jingli, take Little Treasure out."

"Ah! Brother, what are you going to do?"

Lu Tingxiao fixed his sleeves languidly. "To prove my true sexual orientation to Miss Ning."

Seeing his expression darken, with a gaze which looked as though he wanted to devour her whole, Ning Xi was so scared, she fell off the bed. She hid behind Little Treasure, and almost wanted to hide under the bed.

"Mister Lu, it has nothing to do with me, it's what other people are saying. I'm just repeating it! Also, you really, really don't have to thank me, but if you really, really want me to request something from you, then my request is that you don't ask me for a request again... Ah, I'm sorry. I really have an important audition right now. So, I'll be living first! If fate shall have it, let us meet again then!"
Ning Xi hastily finished speaking and was about to escape.

But after having only taken a few steps, Lu Tingxiao said in a cold voice behind her, "Did I allow you to leave?"

Ning Xi was so scared, her legs began to tremble.

My life is over!

A few second later, under Ning Xi's ready-for-death gaze, Lu Tingxiao handed her a sheet of paper and pen. "Could I trouble Mis Ning to write a note for Little Treasure, to prevent him from worrying when he wakes up?"

That... that's it?

She had survived a disaster!

"Of course, of course, no problem at all! I can even write ten thousand words and that wouldn't be a problem!" Ning Xi breathed heavily with relief and picked up the pen to begin writing.

After she was writing, she immediately ran off in a frenzy.

Watching her back as she left, the man’s gaze turned contemplative, as though watching prey that had already been collared.

After Ning Xi left, Lu Jingli sidled over to his brother and bounced up and down. "Brother, am I dreaming? Do you really like Ning Xi? After all these years, even a dull piece of metal like you can be carves into a fine needle. You've never once fancied a girl. Even I, your own brother, was beginning to wonder if you were bent..."

The moment the word 'bent' came out, his older brother cut him off. "Shut up."

"En," Lu Jingli chocked.

His belly was filled with gossip, and not being able to ask for the truth was really killing him!

7. BIG BUN WANTS TO PAY WITH HIS BODY

Lu Tingxiao carefully sized up the woman in the hospital bed, scrutinizing her expression to see if it was real or fake?

After a long time, he finally believed that she had not known about Little Treasure's identity and circumstances. He calmly said, "State your request."

"Ah, what request?" Ning Xi did not understand at all what he meant by those three words.

"My brother means to thank you for saving Little Treasure, so he's asking if you have any requests!" Lu Jingli looked at her as though to say, you've hit the jackpot.

Ning Xi's brain started to turn, and she said seriously, "Actually, you don't have to thank me. I saved Little Treasure, and in return he also saved me. If it wasn't for Little Treasure going out to find someone, I would have still been trapped inside, so we're even."

Although, she had indeed saved the young master, how could she dare ask for a reward? The more money one had, the more likely they would become deluded into thinking others were out to get them, especially since this was the Lu family, one of the wealthiest and most prominent families around. It would be good enough they didn't think she had planned all this. Look at how wary Lu Tingxiao was when he watches her.

To avoid potential problems, it was best to end all relations with them here.

Ning Xi thought her reply was faultless, but Lu Tingxiao still looked dissatisfied. Seeing this, she felt fearful.

Did she say something wrong? Why was his face so scary?

"Brother, your expression is so scary, if I didn't know you were trying to repay her kindness, I would have thought that you were here for revenge!" Lu Jingli couldn't help saying, as he couldn't bear to see a beauty so frightened. He then turned to Ning Xi to say, "My brother doesn't like to owe favors, so please just ask for something! Don't be so courteous!"

Were there people who would actually for requests out of others?

Ning Xi curled her lips. "I'm not being courteous, but really, there's no need. I've only said the truth, if you don't believe me, you can check..."

"No need," Lu Tingxiao said succinctly; his expression became impatient.

Lu Jingli opened his mouth. "We've already checked the security camera in the bar storeroom. Little Treasure run in there himself, and as for you, the manager has already admitted to locking you in there, so don't worry. We don't suspect you of anything, and you did save Little Treasure, so just request something!"

Amazing, now we're back to where we started!

Finally, Ning Xi ran out of ideas, and under Lu Tingxiao chilling gaze, she gave in and said, "How about... you give me money?"

Don't rich people like to solve problems immediately with money?

Lu Tingxiao should also be the type to think the same way!

If she didn't ask for money, they might think she wanted one of the young masters instead.

Right when she believed she had made the right request, Lu Tingxiao's expression turned even uglier.

Ning Xi was about to cry. Why did he have to be so taciturn? Can't you just say what you want to say?
Would a few words kill you?

Lu Jingli rubbed his nose as he translated, "My brother believes that giving money insults the other person."

Ning Xi's heart was howling: No problem, just insult me!!!

The Lu family was to unique, she really couldn't think of a reasonable request at the moment. It was at this point in their stalemate that Lu Tingxiao opened his mouth-

"Marry me."

Ning Xi froze for a second, then began coughing heavily, almost chocking herself to death on her own saliva. "Cough cough cough... what did you say?"

After finally succeeding in stopping her coughs, she immediately looked at Lu Jingli.

Second Master, please translate!!!

But this time, it was not just Ning Xi who was stumped; even Lu Jingli was also dazed. "Brother, what did you mean? This time, I really cannot translate!"

Ning Xi suddenly had a light-bulb moment. She asked in a haltering tone, "Is it because I saved your son that you've decided to repay me with your body?"

Lu Tingxiao inclined his head slightly and thought about it before he nodded. "You could say that."

6. THE SPARKLING GOLDEN PRINCE

“President Lu, this…” The bar owner felt helpless; he didn’t understand at all how this situation had come about.

Lu Tingxiao glanced coldly at the female manager's guilty expression, then looked at the ladder, which was under the skylight in the ceiling, big enough to allow a child through. He could roughly deduce what had happened here.

He waves his hand to dismiss everyone, then walked over and directly picked the woman up in his arms.

In his embrace, the soft, cool scent from before returned, and was even more distinct.

Seeing Lu Tingxiao pick her up, Little Treasure did not stop him, but his expression showed his unwillingness. It appeared as though he was saying that if he wasn't so small, he'd pick her up himself.

...

In the First People's Republic Hospital in B City.

By the time Ning Xi woke up, it was already the next morning.

When she opened her eyes, she could see a man sitting on a chair by the window.

His long legs were casually crossed. He wore a slim-fitting tailored suit which emphasize his broad shoulders and slender waist. His white shirt was buttoned all the way up to the collar. He was bathed in sunlight, but his body appeared to be shrouded in an ancient frost. His cool and calm demeanour was like that of an olden day emperor.

The man noticed her observing him, and directed a gaze as deep as the ocean at her. His chilling stare seemed to pierce through her. The look he gave her felt intrusive, like a sharp surgery knife dissecting her piece by piece; it made her bones shudder.

Ning Xi decided to join the battle, unwilling to lose to this stranger and his uncomfortable gaze. She asked impatiently, "Mister, if I may ask, how did I end up here? Did you see a little boy? He's four to five years old, doesn't like to speak, appears white and soft but also q bit dull!"

Dull...

The man raised an eyebrow at her description, then glanced to her right, his voice as cold as his appearance. "Are you talking about Little Treasure?"

Ning Xi quickly followed his line of sight and saw a white, soft little bun lying asleep on the small bed by her side.

"Right! That's him! His name is Little Treasure?"

Ning Xi let out a sigh of relief and reached over to feel Little Treasure's forehead. His fever had already subsided.

Before, when she had helped the child escape, she had regretted it a bit. He was just a child, and with a fever, in such a rough place like that wine bar, what would she have done if something had happened to him?

Ning Xi then turned around to face the ice statue. "You're this child's...?"

As soon as these words left her mouth, Ning Xi realized she didn't even need to ask.

The man and the child seem to have come from the same mold. It was apparent that they were father and son.

Still, the ice statue replied, "Father."

"Hi beautiful, you're awake. I'm Little Treasure's Second Uncle!"

Abruptly, a large face rushed over towards her, causing her to retreat backward until she saw the man's face and stopped. "Lu... Lu Jingli?"

He was the Lu Corporation's second prince, Glory World Entertainment's boss, but leaving his stunning looks and titles aside, he was a playboy. He had made more scandalous appearances in the media than many celebrities and artistes.

She could never mistaken his face.

Of the ice statue was Little Treasure's father, and Lu Jingli was Little Treasure's Second Uncle...

Then wouldn't be the ice statue be Lu Jingli's older brother, Lu Tingxiao?

Lu Tingxiao was Jing City's famous God of Fortune. His existence was like a king san a crown!


Who would have thought the child she had saved was the mysterious illegitimate son of Lu Tingxiao, the sparkling golden prince...

5. THE YOUNG MASTER IS FOUND

Meanwhile, inside the guest room of the Eden Wine Bar, the atmosphere was very tense.

The bar owner, manager, security, and all related staff trembled together in a huddle, as if they were all about to face imminent disaster.

This was all because the Lu Corporation’s young heir, Lu Tingxiao’s precious son, had gone missing in their bar.

Sitting on the sofa, Lu Tingxiao’s expression was very cold. He was like an ice sculpture, without the slightest trace of emotion, but he exuded such tremendous pressure that everyone standing before him felt their legs shake, and their sweat fall like rain. No one dared to make a sound.

At his feet, a young man cried while wiping his snot and tears. “Brother, I’m sorry, this is all my fault! I shouldn’t have brought Little Treasure to a bar! If anything happens to him, I wouldn’t be able to live with myself anymore!”

After he stopped walking, a kick flew at his chest.

The sound of bone crunching caused goosebumps. Everyone who was present trembled a bit.

Lu Jingli clutched his chest and coughed, before climbing back up to resume groveling.

Right now, his parents were on vacation outside the country, and did not know that Little Treasure was missing. If they knew, they wouldn’t do something so simple as a kick like his brother – they would carve him alive.

Lu Jingli was feeling hopeless and pathetic, when suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

Standing the closest to the door, the bar owner opened it, and fount it odd when he saw no one. But he lowered his head, and wad stunned. “Young… Young Master!!!”

“Little Treasure…? My God! Little Treasure! My darling! Where have you been?” Lu JIngli rolled himself up and hugged him tightly. He was so emotional; he cried bitterly while his snot ran freely.

Everyone in the room was relieved and felt as though they’d survived a disaster.

Lu Tingxiao walked a few steps towards the door. He grabbed Lu Jingly by the collar and threw him aside. He then knelt down to speak to his son. “What is it?”

Finally, having escaped his second uncle’s monstrous grip, Little treasure seized Lu Tingxiao’s hand and hurriedly pulled him forward.

Lu Tingxiao drew closer to his son and could smell not only the scent of wine, but also a faint fragrance; it wasn’t heavy like perfume, but more like flowers growing out of glacier, emitting a light and cool scent. It gave him a sense of vague familiarity, but also a small dose of fear.

Noticing that Lu Tingxiao was not moving, Little Treasure pointed in a direction with his small finger with an extremely worried expression. Lu Tingxiao picked his son up in his arms and started in the direction his son wanted to go.

Behind him, the remaining people looked at each other helplessly before following.

Five minutes later, the group was standing before the door to the bar’s storeroom on the top floor.

Little Treasure twisted his body to get down from his father’s arm and started banging anxiously on the storeroom door.

“What is it, Little Treasure? What’s in there?” Lu Jungli’s forehead was covered in sweat.

Without expression, Lu Tingxiao ordered, “Open the door.”

“Yes, yes, yes!” the bar owner repeatedly nodded his head, then turned around to look at the female manager beside him. “Manager Ye, why are you still just standing around? Open the door quickly! Where are the keys?”

“Ah… open… open the door?” The female manager went rigid.

What bad luck! That woman Ning Xi was still in there! She had promised Chang Li that she would lock her up in there at least until the audition was over!

However, with the Lu family’s two masters and her boss waiting, she couldn’t say no. She could only tremble as she took out the keys to open the door.

Once, the door was opened, everyone saw a woman lying on the floor unconscious.

“What is this? Why is there a woman in here?” The owner flew into a rage.

“I… I don’t know! I checked this area earlier and there wasn’t anybody here!” The female manager hid her guilt as she defended herself.

“Quick! Let’s just save her first and then discuss it!”

Just then, someone ran over to Ning Xi. Little Treasure threw himself onto Ning Xi, his expression fierce, not letting anyone approach her.

4. SAVED A LITTLE BUN

The little bun was so scared of Ning Xi, his entire face went pale with fright.

Meanwhile, she sat down next to the little bun and didn’t do anything except close her eyes to sleep.

All night, Chang Li had dragged her around to drink with people; it would’ve been even more surprising if her head wasn’t hurting.

After waking up from the short nap, Ning Xi felt that her leg was warm. She looked down to see the little bun clinging to her, clutching the hem of what she was wearing.

Ning Xi couldn’t help but laugh.

When she had still been living in the countryside, she had raised a cat. It had been especially cowardly and was deeply afraid of people. The moment it saw anyone, the cat would run. However, if you didn’t pay the cat any attention, it would slowly lower its guard after understanding you didn’t mean it any harm, and the cat would then start to cling to you, and even climb onto your knee to sleep.

The little bun noticed her gaze and his small face went red with embarrassment, but he no longer showed any fear like before, and instead was filled with curiosity.

He really resembled that cat, so much so that even his facial expression was the same.

Ning Xi curled her lips and felt her hand itching until she couldn’t restrain herself, and tousled the little boy’s hair.

When she touched his, she frowned.

Why was his forehead so hot?

“So you have a fever?”

Chang Li was going to lock her up in here at least until tomorrow, after the audition was over, and maybe even longer after that.

If this child were to continue burning with fever, it could prove to be quite fatal.

In her moment of panic, she realized something wasn’t right. The light in the storeroom had obviously died earlier, so why was there still light inside this place?

Lifting her head, she realized there was a very small skylight overhead which was letting light in. Searching the storeroom, Ning Xi found a ladder, which she placed beneath the window,

“Little Bun, come here! I’ll help you escape!”

The little guy showed a reaction for the first time. He shook his little head, and seemed determined not to leave.

Looking at him, Ning Xi understood what he meant, and smiled while pinching his cheeks.

“Why do you speak of loyalty? Do you want to stay and suffer with me? Go up, the window’s too small for me, so I can’t leave with you. But you can head out and find someone to come save me.”

Seeing the kid’s hesitation, Ning Xi picked him up directly and put him on the ladder.

“Quick, be a man. Don’t waver. I’ll be down here guarding you!”

After finally delivering the child safely outside, Ning Xi went down the ladder, but started to feel dizzy. In that moment of sudden lightheadness, she slipped and fell.

Outside the window, the little bun’s originally expressionless face contorted in terror as he witnessed the scene.

Ning Xi forced a word out. “Leave…”

Under the starlight, her face was pale and fragile, but it did not overshadow her ethereal beauty. Her eyes, especially, held a sparkling and spirited elegance that mirrored an ocean brimming with a constellation of stars.

She was no longer the same country bumpkin and ungly duckling from the past.

However, what use was that?

Ning Xi smiled bitterly. She hadn’t gotten her revenge yet, and here she was, about to die from a fall.

At least before dying, she had accomplished good deed; she had saved the little bun.

If her child had not died that year, he would probably have been the same age.

Five years ago, after that car accident, the Ning family, ashamed of her, had sent her to M country, to a miscellaneous university for profligate, second-generation rich kids. They had left her to fend for herself.

She had withdrawn from that school to apply for Nanjia University, where she went crazy learning whatever she could.

Because she wanted to defeat Ning Xueluo. To reclaim all of what should have been hers!

Most importantly, acting was her untimate dream.

After returning to the country, she had used her looks and talent to gain Chang Li’s attention. She then successfully entered one of the biggest entertainment companies, Starlight Entertainment.

Originally, the path under Starlight should have been vast with possibilities. But then Ning Xueluo also entered the company, and then bribed Chang Li to constantly suppress Ning Xi…

3. THE LITTLE BOY IN THE BAR

5 years later. In Eden Wine Bar, in a corridor on the top floor.

Ning Xi had accompanied the investors in drinking all night. She was experiencing a splitting headache, and was trying to find a quite place to refresh herself. She didn’t think that Chang Li would follow her out, and she could only prepare herself mentally to deal with her.

“Sister Chang, do you have something to say?”

“Ning Xi, let me ask you: did you apply to audition for the female lead in ?”

“Yes, and?”

“You cannot go tomorrow!” Even though Chang Li was Ning Xi’s manager, here she was advising her not to go to an audition for such a huge role in the entertainment industry.

Ning Xi was unsurprised at her words and merely raised an eyebrow as she asked, “Reason?”

“First of all, you kept quiet about his and did not tell me, yet you still dare to ask me for a reason? Not to mention, don’t you know the company has already arranged for Ning Xueluo to audition for the role?”

“If audition for the role, that doesn’t clash with the company’s arrangements.” Ning Xi smiled at her. “Did Ning Xueluo ask you to speak to me about this? Is she scared a little unknown rookie like me might actually steal her role?”

“Do you even have the talent to compete with her for roles? You’re insane to even talk about such impossible dream! Let me tell you now, don’t waste your effort. The Ning family invested 30 million yuan into this drama, so the role will definitely go to Ning Xueluo!”

“Is that so? Then why do you need to be so nervous?”

“You’re my artiste! You have to listen to my arrangements for you!” Chang Li said as a matter of course.

“Oh, Sister Chang, you do know I am an artiste under you.”

“Ning Xi, I don’t have time to waste with you. Since you don’t accept my kindness and want things the hard way, don’t blame me for being merciless!”

As soon as she said the words, Ning Xi felt a force hit her, and caught off guard, she was push into the bar’s storeroom, her cellphone also stolen away.

BANG! The door slammed shut.

…

The footsteps outside the door gradually became quieter as they went further away.

Knowing that shouting would be useless, Ning Xi leaned against the door and slid down to sit on the floor without a word.

When Ning Xi, had just join the company, Ning Xueluo still knew how to restrain herself, and had ordered Chang Li to arrange various villain roles for her; lately, it was becoming too much even such underhanded tricks like locking her in a storeroom were being used.

If she couldn’t get the role she auditioned for this time, she definitely needed to find a way to leave Starlight Entertainment.

As she pondered this, she suddenly heard a small sound.

Don’t tell me there’s a rat?

Ning Xi glanced in the direction the sound had come from, and was shocked.

Behind a stack of boxes, she could see a little boy.

The kid appeared to be around four to five years old, with features like finely carved jade, and white and soft like a small bun. He was hiding in the corner shivering, his black eyes full of wariness and alarm.

Huh, why is there a kid in this bar;s storeroom?

No way some customer could be preposterous enough to bring a child to a bar, right?

“Hey, Little Bun, who are you? How did you get in here?”

“Did you sneak in?”

“Did someone lock you in here?”

“Do you eat candy?”

After asking for what felt like half a day, the child still did not speak, and his trembling only became worse, like frightened prey.

Ning Xi stopped talking. This didn’t have anything to do with her anyway.

Thus, an adult and a child each took a corner of their own as they continued to coexist idly.

At this time, the ceiling light started to flicker, and then went out.

In the darkness, Ning Xi could hear a chattering sound. After carefully analyzing the sound, she realized it was a noise made by chattering of teeth.

Ning Xi couldn’t help but laugh, and faced Little Bun. “Are you afraid of the dark?”

The chattering stopped for a second, and then began even louder than before.

Oh, how could he be such a coward?

Ning Xi patted her butt as she got up, and walked towards the kid.

2. THE STRANGER’S BASTARDS

“I’ll tell you the truth right now! That night you drank wine which I spiked. You were so lustful and unsatisfied that I found two good men for you. Who knew that you wouldn’t appreciate my kindness? You even barged into stranger’s room and took advantage of that man…” Ning Xueluo said disgustedly. “Bro Yan is far too gentle and kind for his own good because when you woke up, he was afraid you wouldn’t be able to accept the truth, so he told you that it was him that night!”

“You…” Ning Xi had started trembling as she heard this. She finally couldn’t hold it in any longer and grabbed Ning Xueluo by her arms. “Why do you treat me this way? Why?! Haven’t you screwed me over enough?”

Ning Xueluo furrowed her brow, and just as she was about to push Ning Xi away, she noticed Su Yan approaching them from behind Ning Xi. Her voice immediately softened and her expression turned pitiful, “Older Sister, I know I’m wrong. If you want to hit or yell, do it to me, please don’t blame Brother Yan…”

Ning Xi paused, and in the next second, Ning Xueluo fell to the ground as if Ning Xi had pushed her.

“Ning Xi! What are –“ Someone said accusingly behind her.

Ning Xi turned around and saw an unfriendly-looking Su Yan.

Su Yan brushed past her and helped Ning Xueluo up. “Xueluo, are you alright?”

Ning Xueluo pressed nearly her entire body against Su Yan. “Brother Yan, I didn’t mean it, I really know I’m wrong… this only happened because I wronged Older Sister…”

“That’s enough! Don’t blame yourself. No matter what happens, you have me!” Su Yan patted her shoulder and helped her into the car. “I’ll explain everything to Ning Xi.”

Ning Xi’s mind was blank as she watches Su Yan stride towards her and open his mouth.

He spoke for a long time.

He spoke of the past and their happy childhood. He spoke the struggle he went through when he fell in love with Ning Xueluo. He spoke of his fury and anger when he found out Ning Xueluo had schemed against Ning Xi. He spoke of the fright and regret and felt when he found out about Ning Xi’s pregnancy. He spoke about how he accepted Ning Xueluo’s apology…

In the end, he said, “Ning Xi, I’m sorry. I can’t marry you – not because of that night nor because of the child that I don’t want – but because I cannot wrong Xueluo and because I can’t lie to myself about my feelings.”

He and Ning Xueluo had been travelling outside the country in the past few months, and having been with her morning and night, it was harder to separate from her now more than ever. Although he had initially wanted to ease Ning Xi’s pain by pretending that he did indeed have intercourse with her, in his heart, he had already chosen Ning Xueluo.

That was why after finding out that Ning Xi was pregnant, he couldn’t stop himself from immediately going to the Ning family and explaining everything to the Second Master. Despite this, he had not told the truth to Ning Xi herself.

“You mean… Su Yan… from the start, you knew that it was Ning Xueluo who drugged me and ruined my innocence? Just because you wanted to protect her you told me the person that night, was you?” Ni Xi finally found her voice, but could only look numbly at Su Yan.

“Ning Xi, Xueluo didn’t mean it. She’s still young so she might be impulsive…”

“Then what about me?” Ning Xi looked up at Su Yan hopelessly. “Did you never once consider what it would be like for me?”

Su Yan did not speak, and there was a long moment of silence before he reached out for Ning Xi’s hand. “The sun is too hot, let’s return home…”

“Don’t touch me!”  Ning Xi immediately slapped his hand away and laughed aloud.

Ning Xi felt that her whole life until now had been a joke.

For Su Yan, she worked hard to get into B University to come to the city where he lived.

For Su Yan, she had abandoned her dream to become an actress.

So that their family statues would match, she had pushed aside her adoptive parent in order to return to the Ning family, and she had stupidly tried to please those so-called upper-class families.

And as a result of all her efforts, she only received: “I cannot wrong Xueluo.”

Ning Xueluo had not only stolen her identity and her birth parents, but today… she had even stolen the person she loved most. Ning Xueluo was young… but even so, how could she be forgiven? If she really did forgive her, then who could she blame for her life’s misfortune? She didn’t even know who the man from that night was!

Ning Xi covered her face, her body quivering, for she had reached the limit of her despair.

Su Yan watched as Ning Xi mindlessly started to cross the road, and was about to chase after her when from behind, Ning Xueluo tugged on his sleeve. “Brother Yan, where are you going?”

In Su Yan’s moment of hesitation, there was a loud band; Ning Xi was thrown back on the road and she hit the ground hard.

“Help! Help! A pregnant lady has been hit!”

In the piercing light, Ning Xi could make out two silhouettes and faces which made her went to throw up. She felt her stomach cramp, and she slowly started to lose consciousness from the intense pain. She blinked, and the blood trickling down her forehead flowed into her eyes… she entered a world of darkness.