Soon, Calix and Rowan returned to the dining room. Leslie also followed them. Her countenance was still a bit gloomy.
Vernon and Lucille were still entertaining Bianca and Irene. At the sight of the two men's reappearance, all four of them looked to be inwardly relieved.
It couldn't be helped. This was the first time they met each other. Furthermore, Bianca and Irene were generally quiet.
"Sorry for making you wait. I was too carried away talking with my father-in-law."
Calix's cheery demeanor hinted nothing over the serious conversation he had with Rowan earlier. The middle-aged man only smiled faintly at the others before singing to the same tune as Calix.
Calix and Vernon sent Rowan, Bianca and Irene to the door. Lucille needed to excuse herself because Amelia was sleepy. She went to put the little one to bed.
"I'll go to the Li family home tomorrow," Calix reminded Rowan and Bianca of what they had talked about during dinner, "For now, please send my regards to my grandmother-in-law."
"I will. Thank you for tonight, Calix and Mr. Vernon."
The Li family members returned home by themselves. All the gifts Calix gave them were put in the backseat.
Rowan drove his wife and youngest daughter himself instead of using the driver's service. Soon, the car disappeared behind the main gate. The red tail lights were drowned by the darkness.
Calix and Vernon remained standing in the courtyard. The cool spring breeze blew passing them, gently ruffling the former's hair. As for the former special forces captain, he always kept his crewcut hairstyle.
"You've really pulled such a great stunt this time, Calix. You surprised everyone."
Vernon's words made Calix laugh. Turning his head around, he looked at his elder brother.
"At least I've gotten married ah. Shouldn't Grandma be happy?"
Vernon shickered. Shaking his head in helplessness, he reminded Calix, "I know what's on your mind, brother. No need to pretend in front of me. But, I won't butt into your personal life. Deal with your own shit."
Because Vernon spent two decades of his life inside the military, his tone and choice of words were brazen most of the time. Yet, everyone in the Xu family was already familiar with it.
As the eldest among the three, Vernon always guided his younger siblings when needed. But, he wouldn't blatantly demand them to follow his ways. He also gave them the freedom to choose their own paths.
Both Calix and Evelyn were grown-ups. They should use their perfectly functional heads to weigh any decisions, whether those might alter the course of their lives or not.
Grinning like a Chesire cat, Calix nudged Vernon's brawny right arm. With just one look, the latter perceived nonsense coming from his younger brother.
"Big Brother, I've just gotten married. Where's my wedding money?"
Vernon scoffed. He lightly pushed Calix before turning around to head back inside, "I'm not a CEO like you. Don't expect anything from me, brat."
Calix puckered his lips. He yelled from behind, still standing in the same spot.
"You own a security company! You're a tycoon ah!"
Vernon shouted back. The loud voice of a former military captain blared in the air.
"My company's nothing compared to yours! Come inside! Don't make trouble!"
"Tsk, stingy."
Putting both hands inside the pocket of his hands, Calix kicked the stone lying near his shoes. It bounced against a huge pot of plants before landing back on the ground.
"You really have a good relationship with your brother."
With a slight turn of his head, Calix's gaze landed on Leslie. She was still looking in the direction where Vernon disappeared. Her voice was quiet, almost monotonous.
Thanks to the garden lampposts, Calix was able to see Leslie's face clearly. Her reddened eyes swelled a little but, she had stopped crying.
"He took care of me since I was young. We're six years apart. He's already matured when I was a naughty toddler."
Calix spoke while covering his mouth, pretending to cough. There was no one around but, he was still being careful.
"That's nice," Leslie's lips curled upward, "I can see that your family is harmonious. There's no foolish feud among siblings."
Even though Leslie was preoccupied with observing Rowan, Bianca and Irene earlier, she still watched the interaction of the Xu family members. Old Madam Xu's parting words also managed to touch a part of her heart.
"Charlene is the daughter-in-law of the Xu family. We have never treated our sons or daughters-in-law differently than our own children. So, don't worry about your daughter."
Old Madam Xu was displeased with this marriage but, the reason lie with how Calix rushed into it. She didn't have any problem with the bride, her.
Calix blinked a few times, unsure how should he respond to Leslie.
Bringing his hand away from his mouth, Calix randomly scratched the back of his neck. His gaze was thrown to the clear night sky.
"You and your sister... how about you?"
Calix's question inevitably reminded Leslie of Irene, her 'younger sister'. From the memories, it seemed like Charlene and Irene's relationship was good despite having a huge age gap.
Irene was born when Charlene was twelve years old. Right now, the former had just enrolled in the first year of high school.
Irene's birth brought joy to Charlene. She yearned for close companionship with her little sister ever since Bianca announced her second pregnancy.
Unfortunately, Irene had a weak constitution since birth. When she was a toddler, she was always hospitalized. She was healthier now but, her physique remained smaller than her peers.
"I love Irene," Leslie admitted, bringing up Charlene's genuine feelings toward her little sister, "She's so adorable. I remember her always following me around like a little chick. Thankfully, she's not as sick as before."
"...she was ill?"
Leslie nodded, "Her body was weak. She couldn't play as much as other children."
"Oh, then..."
Calix's words were cut off by a blasting shout.
"CALIX XU! GET INSIDE!"
"..."
Leslie froze. She stiffly looked at Calix, "That... isn't that your brother?"
What made Vernon yell so loud?
Was he reenacting the time he was a drill instructor?
Calix let out a deep sigh. He quietly replied, "I think..."
Once again his words were interrupted by Vernon's booming voice. It was so unbefitting the majestic courtyard house that exuded tranquility.
"YOU BRAT! GRANDMA'S CALLING!"
Calix winced, "...yikes."
Hahahaha will CEO Xu be punished next? XD
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It turned out that Old Madam Xu hadn't gone to bed yet. She simply took some rest to regain her energy. The sole purpose was to unleash her wrath on Calix.
"Hurry and go ah," Vernon pushed the sacrificial lamb Calix alone in a direction, "Come back alive."
"..."
Thus, a defeated-looking Calix headed to Old Madam Xu's bedroom. Seeing how slumped his shoulders were made Leslie feel sorry for him. She quietly tailed him from behind.
Old Madam Xu's bedroom was at the end of a hallway on the first floor. Right outside the room was her private garden, separated by the sliding wooden door. She loved being there from time to time.
The garden was enclosed by an inner stone wall where a few bodyguards were stationed outside. They were able to quickly jump over the high wall if an emergency happened.
Standing outside the room, Calix gestured at the closed door while raising his brows. His eyes fell on Leslie.
"Wanna come inside? If you wanna see your grandmother-in-law's prowess in disciplining me, you can tag along. Not like she can see you anyway."
Leslie stifled her laughter. Tilting her head, she asked jokingly, "And see your grandmother caning you for being naughty? CEO Xu, you've really amazed me ah."
This guy really didn't act his age. He was already thirty-two yet, his actions showed as if he aged backward. Even a high schooler wouldn't be as mischievous as him.
Well... how did he look like when he was in high school? Surely, many female students admired him, right?
Most probably, the group made up of Calix, Xander and their close friends was as popular as the one in a classic teen drama.
Realizing that her thinking had gone strayed, Leslie inwardly shook her head. The faint color of blush tinged her cheeks.
"Go inside alone ah. I don't wanna see such an undignified scene of you being punished."
Leslie almost stuttered, trying to hide the embarrassing thoughts from showing on her face
"Haa... you're right."
Calix let out a sigh, thinking what would happen once he faced his grandmother. He knocked on the door twice before immediately opening it.
"I'll wait here," Leslie chuckled, "Behave. Don't make her blood pressure high because of you."
"...thanks for your pep talk. It's really helpful."
In the next second, Calix's figure disappeared behind the door.
Shaking her head in helplessness, Leslie stood with her back to the wall. Her eyes were locked on the bedroom. A small smile tugged on her lips.
Hopefully, that guy wouldn't be too discouraged once he got out. She was still determined to tell him about the favor.
No matter what, she had to be truthful about finding Calliope tonight.
While Leslie was thinking about her daughter, Calix was already buttering up to Old Madam Xu. He was trying to escape the punishment waiting for him.
"Grandma ah~ Why aren't you happy? I've gotten married now. I'm a man with a wife, a pretty one too. I assure you, she's a benevolent and sensible woman."
Old Madam Xu threw a side eye at Calix who sat on the couch next to her.
Her silly second grandson was gently massaging her arms and shoulders. It was his usual action whenever he caused a mess worthy to be scolded.
"A wife you obtained through force? It's not like I don't know that weak Rowan got easily persuaded by you. The Charlene girl is so pitiful ah. She didn't know she got involved in you guys' plan."
Old Madam Xu was not blinded by Calix's real intention. He picked Charlene Li because she was in a comatose state. She wouldn't be able to interfere with his personal life unlike the young ladies lined up for the blind dates.
Calix laughed awkwardly. He held back from verbally replying to his grandmother.
'Haha... Grandma, if only you know that she's already aware. She's also there during the dinner. She...'
"Ouch!"
Calix's train of thought cracked when out of nowhere, Old Madam Xu smacked his right arm. Her bony hands also reached CEO Xu's back.
"Ow! Ow! Grandma, stop!"
Calix hunched down. Old Madam Xu's palms kept slapping his limbs and back.
"You naughty child! You dragged her as the victim ah! How could you?"
"Ouch! Grandma, stop, stop!"
"Hah!"
Old Madam Xu huffed out loud. She pinched the space between her temples. Her other hand roughly ruffled Calix's hair. The young man didn't dare to move even when she had ceased smacking him.
"Aiyo, my head..." Old Madam Xu shook her head, feeling her temple throbbing, "Huh! There's nothing we can do since you're already married."
"...yeah, yeah. Nothing we can do now."
Calix nodded like a chicken pecking grain.
"Still dare to talk back, you brat?" shouted Old Madam Xu.
"..."
Old Madam Xu had a small frame. Compared to the towering Calix, she could barely reach her grandson's chest. Yet, she seemed to be imposingly gigantic in front of him right now.
"Aiyaa... Forget it. It's my fault for pushing you to get married," Old Madam Xu kept pressing her temples, "Oh, poor girl. What should I do to make it up to her? She's just a victim."
Calix was speechless.
"...Grandma, don't make it sound like I abducted her."
"You dare to say that? Huh?"
Old Madam Xu glared at her grandson. Her fiery eyes shut Calix's mouth once again.
"Aiyo, forget it. Just forget it."
An exhausted Old Madam Xu waved her right hand. Calix sat quietly as he waited for the next words coming from her grandmother's mouth.
"But, I'm curious."
Old Madam Xu glanced at Calix. Her twisted eyebrows expressed the questions lingering in her mind. The young man still replied nothing.
"This old lady has known you from a young age ah. Calix, you won't randomly pick a lady just because she's in a coma. Is there something I don't know?"
Calix smiled, his gaze showed no fluctuations, "What? Are you guessing something, Grandma?"
Old Madam Xu squinted her eyes, trying to peer into her grandson's heart.
Even though Calix was always being playful, he was still capable of hiding his true feelings. If not, he wouldn't be suited to be the heir.
"Calix, do you actually have feelings for her? To Charlene?"
Calix continued smiling. He answered nothing to Old Madam Xu's question.
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