Lord Yan's fury was so intense that even through the phone, it sent shivers down everyone's spines.
But who was Miss Xu? She was the fearless heiress of a prominent family in Beijing. She was the first to recover and said, "Oh, I'm so sorry. I had to take the two kids out on sudden business today. I didn't have your number saved, so I couldn't inform Mr. Yin in advance."
"So, it's my fault then?" Lord Yan roared.
Hu Yuankang, standing nearby, was utterly shocked. Who on earth was this person who dared to yell at the young lady like that? Even he, a well - known local tough guy in Haicheng, wouldn't dare to raise his voice in front of her.
"But Mr. Yin, the kids and I haven't had a bite to eat since morning." Xu Zixi's voice dripped with self - pity. But at this moment, she was lounging in her chair, a half - smile on her face, looking as lazy and charming as ever. Her long, soft hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her eyes sparkled with an irresistible allure.
"I only want to know where you are and who you're with," demanded Yan Yincheng on the other end of the line, his voice cold with barely - contained rage.
His tone sounded more like a husband checking up on his wife. Xu Zixi frowned, clearly annoyed. "Mr. Yin, I'm just your hired cook, not your property. I don't think you have the right to pry into my personal life."
"You're being completely unreasonable!"
You're the unreasonable one! Xu Zixi rolled her eyes inwardly. She didn't feel like arguing with him any longer, so she cooed, "Alright, I'll go home and cook for you now. Just be a good boy and wait a little longer."
"Speak to me properly!" Yan Yincheng's anger flared even more.
Xu Zixi batted her eyelashes. "What did I do wrong? You're so bossy!"
The line went dead with a series of beeps. Xu Zixi couldn't help but burst out laughing.
"This Mr. Yin is so easy to tease!"
Hu Yuankang rubbed his hands eagerly. "Young lady, shall we go grab something to eat?"
Xu Zixi shook her head. "No, I need to take the kids home. Otherwise, my house might be blown up by that fire - breathing tyrannosaurus."
Mistaking Yan Yincheng for Xu Zixi's suitor, Hu Yuankang advised, "Young lady, you can't spoil men. Keep them at arm's length, and they'll start to value you."
"Don't get the wrong idea. He's just my client, and he pays me five million yuan a month for my cooking," Xu Zixi explained.
But Hu Yuankang wasn't convinced. No one in their right mind would pay that much just for a woman's cooking. There had to be more to it.
Xu Zixi found the two kids, who were having a great time in the play area. With Hu Yuankang's escort, they safely returned home. As soon as the car pulled into the neighborhood, Xu Zixi saw Yan Yincheng and Wei Shu waiting for them from afar through the car window.
Oh no, that blind man had come to settle the score.
She quickly pulled the kids close and whispered in their ears, "Kids, Mommy might have upset Uncle Grumpy just now. When we get out of the car, say hello to him with a big smile and invite him to our place for lunch. Okay?"
After Xu Zixi's description last time, the kids felt sorry for the blind Yan Yincheng. They nodded vigorously. "Okay, Mommy!"
She could tell that Mr. Yin seemed to like her kids. She was confident that with the kids' charm, he wouldn't be able to stay mad.
Little did Xu Zixi know what kind of storm was waiting for her.
Yan Yincheng had planned to show off his lunch to Chairman Pei, but when his men went to pick it up, they found the place empty. After investigating, he learned that Xu Zixi had spent the whole morning in a coffee shop with that flashy - looking man from last time, along with the two kids!
The whole morning! Who knew what they had been up to!
He couldn't possibly like this woman! He just couldn't!
At this moment, Yan Yincheng was radiating so much coldness that it could freeze anything within three meters.
Wei Shu silently mourned for Xu Zixi in his heart. Miss Yuan, Miss Yuan, just when the third master was starting to have a better impression of you because of your cooking and the kids, now... you're on your own.
The pink BMW came to a smooth stop. Hu Yuankang opened the door for Xu Zixi. Taking the opportunity, he stole a glance at Yan Yincheng and Wei Shu in the distance. A wave of hostility hit him like a brick wall.
"Uncle Grumpy!"
A small figure jumped out of the car and ran towards Yan Yincheng with a beaming smile. Yan Yincheng heard the child getting closer and was suddenly knocked back two steps. When he regained his composure, he felt a pair of small arms tightly wrapped around his leg.
"Uncle Grumpy, were you waiting for Xuxu and big brother?" Yuan Xiaoxu tilted her head and asked in her sweet, childish voice, her big eyes blinking innocently.
Yuan Xiaoxuan walked over and politely greeted Yan Yincheng.
"Uncle Grumpy, good noon!"
Yan Yincheng was stunned. All his anger melted away at the kids' warm welcome. He was at a loss, hardly believing what was happening. He reached out his trembling hand to touch Yuan Xiaoxu's head.
As if sensing his intention, Yuan Xiaoxu rubbed her head against his hand.
"Uncle Grumpy, Mommy said she's going to make fish balls for lunch. Do you want to come to our place?" Yuan Xiaoxu asked.
Yan Yincheng couldn't resist such an invitation. "Sure!"
Yuan Xiaoxu let out a sigh of relief. She turned around and waved at Xu Zixi. "Mommy! Uncle Grumpy said yes. He's not mad!"
Xu Zixi: "..." Yuan Xiaoxu, can't you be more like your brother and keep your mouth shut?
Sure enough, Lord Yan looked up, his voice so cold that even the fearless Miss Xu felt a twinge of guilt.
"Yuan Xi, you're really something. Not only did you stand me up, but you also used the kids against me..." He really shouldn't have had any hopes for her!
"Uncle Grumpy, don't be mad at Mommy. She went to hire a maid today!" Yuan Xiaoxuan tugged at Yan Yincheng's clothes and pleaded softly.
Xu Zixi cleared her throat. "Mr. Yin, I really did go to hire a maid, which is why I was late for lunch. Even the kids and I are starving. But you have to believe that I've been thinking about you. I even turned down my friend's invitation to lunch and rushed back home right away."
She gave Hu Yuankang a meaningful look.
Hu Yuankang quickly chimed in. "It's true. I swear on my life!"
But Yan Yincheng's expression didn't improve. Instead, he looked even angrier. Xu Zixi got irritated too and said bluntly,
"I'm going home to cook now. Do you still want to eat? If you do, come on up and wait."
With that, she led the kids upstairs. She thought that for the sake of his pride, he would skip this meal. But when she looked back, she saw that he was following them.
Tsk, tsk. Such a contradictory man.
Once they were home, Xu Zixi told the kids to go play on their own and headed into the kitchen to start cooking. She was so focused on planning the lunch menu that she didn't notice a tall figure following closely behind her.
She was completely off - guard when suddenly, her wrist was grabbed tightly. The next moment, she was pinned against the wall!