The two slept until the next day. Ling Shuangjiang prepared to go to film, while Xie Wang left alone.
Seeing Xie Wang's retreating figure, Li Man teased from the side, "You and your husband are really inseparable? You can't even be apart after just one day?"
Ling Shuangjiang: "He said that it was unlucky for him to sleep on the first day of living together, so he came to find me."
Li Man: "I didn't expect President Xie to be so particular about ceremony."
—
Five days passed in a flash. Xie Wang had basically figured out what was going on with Lin Yili and Shang Qi, and had also gradually obtained some recollections and testimonies from his classmates.
One of the students said that he had seen Atu visit the art exhibition during its preparation and was not completely unaware of it; he even chatted with someone for a long time.
So getting this surveillance footage might take some effort.
When Assistant Jin saw that he had been working overtime for five consecutive days, he advised him, "Mr. Xie, you should go home early today, otherwise your body won't be able to take it."
Xie Wang: "Whether I'm at the company or at home makes no difference since Frost's Descent isn't here."
Assistant Kim rolled his eyes inwardly.
You are no different, but he is!
My girlfriend is getting anxious after I've worked five extra days.
While casually browsing WeChat, I saw a message from Chen Siqi.
"I just got a new bottle of Bordeaux red wine. How about we have dinner together?"
Xie Wang: "I'm tired, I want to go home."
Chen Siqi: "It's not easy to have a chance, it's so boring to go home."
Xie Wang glanced at the time and said, "Why don't you come to my house for dinner? I'll let you pick out some wines from my cellar."
Chen Siqi: "No problem."
In the evening, the living room in Xie Wang's house, which had been dark for a long time, was brightly lit.
Xiang Ming said, "Old Xie's family has a lot of good stuff. This bottle of red wine is no longer for sale."
Xie Wang enjoys drinking and collecting wine. His family's wine cellar contains hundreds of bottles of wine from all over the world, many of which have been in his collection for a long time.
"By the way, who among you is familiar with British universities?" Xie Wang had no appetite and ate a few bites of vegetable salad.
Qi Hang: "My uncle is quite familiar with things. Are you thinking of sending Xie Lin to university?"
Xie Wang shook his head and told everyone about Ling Shuang's arrival in England.
"Holy crap, this is too much!" Xiang Ming slammed down his wine glass. "Who's this guy surnamed Shang?"
Xie Wang: "Back then, my family was doing quite well, but things aren't so good lately. But back when Shuangjiang was just a student, anyone with a bit of connections could bully him."
Chen Siqi scrutinized Xie Wang: "I've noticed you've lost weight recently, is it because of this?"
"Not entirely. It's mainly because Shuangjiang has been filming and we haven't seen each other for a long time."
Chen Siqi nodded: "I have acquaintances there. I'll ask them to inquire at the school over there to see if they can access the surveillance footage and find out some inside information. But if that designer doesn't cooperate, it won't be easy to overturn this case."
Qi Hang also said, "I'll ask for you too."
Xie Wang: "Yes, I'm counting on you guys."
Xiang Ming: "We're brothers, I'll definitely help you with this. My cousin is working in the UK, I'll ask her to help me out later."
Xie Wang raised his glass: "Thanks. I'll treat you to a meal separately after I marry Shuangjiang."
Chen Siqi laughed: "What? You're getting married?"
Mentioning Ling Shuangjiang gradually improved Xie Wang's mood.
"We're already living together."
Xiang Ming almost burst out laughing: "I was wondering why you were so obsessed with this place. Living together and then separating makes all the difference."
Xie Wang smiled faintly: "I'll let you hear something. It's Shuangjiang praising me."
Chen Siqi: "Aren't you being cheesy? We're not interested."
Xie Wang: "No, you're interested."
He did delete the recording initially, but he secretly restored the data and set it as his ringtone and alarm clock sound.
During the time Ling Shuangjiang was away, he relied on this to get through each day.
As Ling Shuangjiang's voice rang out, Xie Wang listened with rapt attention, a smile gradually spreading across his face.
The people at the dinner table exchanged knowing glances and clapped in unison.
Wow, you two are so loving.
"Excellent, excellent. I wish you both a long and happy marriage."
"In his heart, I've always had a perfect image. For someone as ethereal as Shuangjiang to say something like that, how much must he love me?"
Xie Wang crossed his legs and took a sip of wine.
"He'll be back tomorrow, we—"
Before he could finish speaking, the door to his house clicked open.
Ling Shuangjiang saw that the group was eating and smiled, saying, "Good evening."
Xie Wang had already run over: "Aren't you coming back tomorrow?"
Ling Shuangjiang: "I finished work early today, so I rushed back ahead of time."
Xie Wang helped him take off his coat. "Are you eager to see me?"
Ling Shuangjiang patted his head and walked into the restaurant to greet the others.
"Have you eaten?" Xiang Ming asked. "If not, come with us."
Ling Shuangjiang finished washing her hands: "Not yet."
Seeing this, Xie Wang quickly brought him a clean set of bowls and chopsticks.
Ling Shuangjiang was very hungry, so she picked up her chopsticks and started eating.
"Don't choke, baby."
"Eat slowly, I'll peel the shrimp for you."
The brothers put down their chopsticks and watched the two men quietly.
It's 8:55 PM now. Xie Wang has an alarm clock set for 9:00 PM to remind him to exercise.
Ling Shuangjiang is back now, Xie Wang must delete that ringtone quickly to avoid being discovered.
After wiping his hands clean, Xie Wang discovered that his phone was missing.
With time running out, he asked anxiously, "Where's my phone? Has anyone seen it?"
Xiang Ming: "Weren't you holding it just now? Where could it be going?"
Xie Wang glanced at the time guiltily; there were still three minutes until nine o'clock.
Ling Shuangjiang also helped him search.
"My husband is a good person with sound values, and he treats relationships well..."
A familiar voice rang out, and Ling Shuangjiang found the phone in the gap between the chairs, her cheeks instantly flushing a light pink.
Qi Hang, holding up his phone, said, "Are you guys stupid? Make a call!"
Xie Wang avoided eye contact, not daring to meet Ling Shuangjiang's gaze: "I deleted this recording, how come it's back suddenly? Did your phone get a virus?"
"When did you delete it? You were just showing off to us a moment ago!" Xiang Ming blurted out.
Chapter 62 Make Little Frost Wear Rabbit Ears
The restaurant suddenly fell silent.
Xie Wang gave Xiang Ming a cold glance, sending chills down Xiang Ming's spine. When he looked at Ling Shuangjiang, he smiled and said, "Ah Jiang, are you tired? Let me massage your shoulders."
Ling Shuangjiang's eyes still held a hint of embarrassment. With his brows lowered, he replied softly, "No need."
The sudden change in the atmosphere between the two caught Xiang Ming and the others off guard. Even now, Xiang Ming still doesn't know what he did to offend Xie Wang.
"During Frost's Descent, is Fanyin collaborating with your mother?" Xiang Ming asked.
Ling Shuangjiang: "Yes, my mother helped them design kesi (silk tapestry) products and was responsible for teaching and making them."
Xiang Ming nodded: "I see. I heard that Fanyin will be holding a show next week, and the theme is kesi (silk tapestry)."
"Yes, I heard it from Mom."
As soon as Ling Shuangjiang finished speaking, Xie Wang quickly put his arm around her shoulder and leaned closer, saying, "When is Mom coming? I'll go pick her up."
Ling Shuangjiang glanced at him lightly: "Monday."
Xie Wang took the opportunity to touch Ling Shuangjiang's hand, trying to make her forget about the recording incident.
"What does Mom like to eat? I'll prepare the ingredients in advance. Does Mom prefer to sleep on a soft or hard bed? It's cold here in winter, are Mom's coat and down jacket warm enough?"
The group exchanged glances, and Chen Siqi joked, "You've already called her 'Mom'? You've met her parents?"
Xie Wang: "I went to Suzhou a few days ago and met with Shuangjiang's mother."
Qi Hang: "Hurry up, Brother Xie. Shouldn't you start arranging your wedding with Shuangjiang too?"
Xie Wang glanced at Ling Shuangjiang, then threw himself onto Ling Shuangjiang and hugged him tightly: "I'll listen to my Shuangjiang."
"That's so cheesy."
The group simply couldn't bear to look.
As Xie Wang nuzzled against her, Ling Shuang chuckled, but her voice remained gentle: "My mother doesn't need much from us. We can just have her stay with me."
Xie Wang nodded: "I'll listen to you."
Around 10 p.m., the group prepared to say goodbye and leave.
Throughout, Xiang Ming always felt that Xie Wang's gaze was cold and somewhat unfriendly.