Chapter 27: The Response

Xu Si'an spoke in a cold voice, "That’s no fun. Get the information checked and send it to me. Also, find the records regarding the surgery she had before marrying Xu Shiran—the one to fix her hymen—and send those over as well."

After hanging up, he drove home. As soon as he opened the door, Cherry bounded over, circling his feet and scampering toward the door with her short legs. A moment later, she returned to paw at Xu Si'an’s trouser leg.

"Stop pulling. Your mother has gone on a blind date."

Cherry barked a few times. Auntie Wang emerged from the kitchen, "Mr. Xu, you’re back. Will you be eating at home tonight?"

Xu Si'an ruffled the dog’s head, "No. I’m just going to take a shower and leave." He added, "Auntie Wang, I’m going away on a business trip for a few days. Please stay over to take care of Cherry."

Auntie Wang didn't usually live in; Xu Si'an disliked having anyone other than Qiao Xu in his personal space. However, he had hired her specifically for the dog.

"Oh, certainly. Don't you worry, sir."

Xu Si'an changed into casual clothes and made sure to bring the dog along before leaving. The little creature jumped around in the back seat, trying to climb into the front, only to be held back by Xu Si'an. "Stay still. If you fall, your mother will hunt me down. Sit tight; we’ll see her soon."

When he arrived at the restaurant, he could see through the glass the woman who, only hours ago, had been…

She had been all thorns when she was with him. Yet, toward others, she was all smiles, as if she were there to charm them. A bully at home.

He signaled to a waiter and then set Cherry down. "Go bring your mother out. If she won't come, bite that wild man. Got it?"

"Do it well, and there’s a reward."

Cherry licked his palm and ran off. Having been raised by Qiao Xu for four years, the dog could track her by scent.

"Woof! Woof! Woof!"

"Cherry? Why are you here?" Qiao Xu picked her up and placed her on her lap.

Chen Yuanming asked, "Xiao Qiao, is this dog..."

"It belongs to my boss. I'm sorry."

Qiao Xu knew exactly how this little rascal had ended up here. Cherry kept trying to jump off the table, so Qiao Xu patted her rear lightly, "Don't fidget, or I’ll throw you away."

"Xiao Qiao, what do you think about this matter..."

Qiao Xu smiled faintly. "I'm sorry, Brother Yuanming, but I don't plan on getting married for the time being."

Chen Yuanming chuckled. "Xiao Qiao, I suppose I’m not really your type, am I?"

She nodded, "I apologize."

"It’s alright. Besides, we’re neighbors from back home; we can at least be friends."

Chen Yuanming liked Qiao Xu; otherwise, he wouldn't have agreed to the meeting. He hadn't missed the very obvious marks beneath her hairline.

Furthermore, the car that had just dropped her off looked incredibly expensive.

"Of course we're friends. You and my cousin are childhood friends, aren't you? Let's have a meal together sometime."

Just as Xu Si'an was losing his patience and about to go in and snatch her, Qiao Xu walked out, scolding the dog. Seeing Xu Si'an, she threw the dog straight into his arms.

"The dog you raise is as shameless as you are."

Xu Si'an didn't get angry; he laughed instead, opened the car door, and tossed the dog into the back seat. "Darling, I'm wronged. I've only had her for a month; she’s clearly the one you raised."

Qiao Xu didn't bother bickering with him. He had a business trip tomorrow, and she had to go back and pack.

"Take me home, and then get lost with your dog."

Xu Si'an got into the car, leaned over to fasten her seatbelt, and coaxed her in a soft voice, "I have to leave for the airport at seven tomorrow. Why don't I stay at your place so we can leave together?"

"And I’ll sleep on the sofa?"

Qiao Xu smirked, "I don't believe a single word that comes out of an ex-boyfriend's mouth."

Xu Si'an rubbed his thumb against her lips, "I’ll be on my best behavior, darling."

"Shut up. I'm not your wife."

Xu Si'an gripped the back of her neck and kissed her, testing the waters with caution. When Qiao Xu responded by gently nibbling his lower lip, his emotions flared instantly.

Cherry, seeing Mom and Dad kissing, wanted in on the action and kept scratching at the center console. The leather was already showing claw marks.

When her top was pushed up slightly and the cold air hit her skin, Qiao Xu regained her senses.

"Hurry up, take me home."

Xu Si'an licked his own lips, looking as though he were savoring the memory. He reached out to wipe away the smeared lipstick from the corner of Qiao Xu’s mouth. "You responded to me. Does that prove you still love me?"

Qiao Xu took a wet wipe from her bag and cleaned off the smudged lipstick.

"Keep dreaming. I just thought I was drinking milk tea."

Xu Si'an started the car and gave a soft chuckle, "Fine. I’ll let you taste it next time."

Qiao Xu’s eyes widened in shock. He really was shameless to the core.

"Stop being such a pervert."

Xu Si'an laughed until his chest shook. The young woman had changed so much since leaving him; even her insults were adorable.

"What are you laughing at?"

Cherry was still scratching the console, so Qiao Xu reached into the back seat, grabbed the dog, and began to scold her. Cherry, being reprimanded by her mother, looked toward her father, who was driving.

Xu Si'an looked at her with an amused glint in his eyes, "Your mother is scolding you. Listen to her like a good girl."

Cherry: *You are bullying the dog.*

At the entrance of Qiao Xu’s apartment complex, Xu Si'an grabbed her wrist, "Are you really not letting me stay at your place?"

Qiao Xu swatted his hand away. "Go home, wash up, and go to sleep."

Xu Si'an watched her enter the complex before driving off. He wasn't in a rush; he had plenty of patience to seduce her. His precious Qiao Qiao was a sucker for good looks and loved abdominal muscles. He’d go back and work out for two hours.

While Xu Si'an was packing, Cherry kept jumping onto the suitcase, sticking dog hair all over his suit.

"Get off, do you want a spanking?"

After being scolded, Cherry lay down unhappily at Xu Si'an’s feet.

"Once I win your mother back, you won't be allowed in the bedroom anymore."

Whether or not Cherry understood, she barked at him a few times. As Xu Si'an closed the suitcase, he pulled open a drawer, grabbed a box, tossed it into the luggage, and snapped it shut.

The next morning, Qiao Xu double-checked her documents, personal items, and medication. Her period was due in a few days, and she was worried it might come early.

Just as she was about to make a cup of milk and a sandwich, the doorbell rang. It was only six in the morning; she knew exactly who it was without even thinking.

For a full minute, Qiao Xu didn't go to the door.

The next second, the sound of the smart lock unlocking echoed through the room. Qiao Xu stood there holding her milk, speechless. "I’m changing the passcode later."

What kind of nerve did he have, opening her door whenever he pleased?

Xu Si'an grabbed her hand and pressed it against the lock, then handed her breakfast. "Eat. We need to catch the flight."

He tapped on the lock a few times, and the system announced that the settings had been updated. Qiao Xu exploded.

"Hey, don't be so ridiculous!"

Having her passcode wasn't enough; he had to go and register his own fingerprint.

While Qiao Xu ate, he went into her room and brought out her suitcase. Perhaps due to a call from the Los Angeles office, Xu Si'an didn't even have time to eat his breakfast.

Qiao Xu ordered a black coffee for him.

Ten minutes later, he hung up the phone. "Full? Let's go."

Qiao Xu nodded and cleaned up the trash, intending to take it out. A large hand reached out and took the bag from her. "Go open the door."

As Qiao Xu opened the door, her food delivery arrived.

"Did you order this for me?"

Xu Si'an seized the opportunity to peck her on the cheek. Qiao Xu stepped hard on his leather shoe.

"Mr. Xu, you really should remember to bring your face with you when you go out."