CHAPTER 164: CHAPTER 164 PLANS CAN’T KEEP UP WITH CHANGES, MASS RELEASE (10/10)

"You really went through a lot. If it weren’t for you, we would have had to let him get away today."

"It’s nothing."

Xia Liang patted Yun Bing’s shoulder, a faint smile on his face.

"You’re the ones who have it tough, having to deal with the series of things that follow. I just asked a question. Keep up the good work."

As he spoke, Xia Liang walked out of the Security Bureau’s lobby.

Watching Xia Liang’s retreating figure, Yun Bing felt a warmth spread through her heart, and her emotions were in disarray.

This man! He’s just too perfect. Could we become those legendary soulmates?

"Goodbye! Don’t be shy; we’re colleagues. Call me if you need anything else," Xia Liang called back.

Pulled from her reverie, Yun Bing finally waved her hand in farewell.

"Yes! Goodbye!"

He drove home. Opening the door, he found that Xi Yiqian and Luu Qi had both returned.

They were sitting on the sofa, watching a movie.

Luu Qi shot Xia Liang an annoyed glance.

"Oh? So you do know how to come home?"

Xia Liang ignored her and flopped down on the sofa.

"This is my home. Why shouldn’t I come back?"

As he spoke, he grabbed an apple from the table and started eating it.

"By the way, bro, the National Day holiday is almost here," Luu Qi said. "Where are you planning to take me and Sister Yiqian?"

Xia Liang mulled it over. What would be fun? A wilderness adventure, maybe? We could experience something different...

But as soon as the idea formed, he dismissed it.

It’s obvious we wouldn’t be able to get back quickly. Tong Dongnuan would definitely use this opportunity to come over, or to get me to go to her place. There’s also Su Yi’s PK competition. And even though Zhou Ruo is my lover, I have to consider her, too. Maybe one day for each of them.

With that in mind, Xia Liang said nonchalantly, "No problem. How about I take you guys sea fishing?"

"Sea fishing?" Luu Qi’s eyes lit up with excitement.

"Yeah." Xia Liang nodded, took a bite of his apple, and then explained, "I bought a yacht a while back but haven’t used it yet. We can take it out for some fishing."

"Yay!" Luu Qi jumped up excitedly, while Xi Yiqian remained quiet.

Noticing her silence, Luu Qi nudged her. "Sister Yiqian, don’t you want to go?"

"I... I’m fine with anything."

Obviously, she’s just used to going along with what others want, Xia Liang thought.

"Great! Then it’s happily decided!"

Just as Xia Liang made the final decision, his phone rang.

He looked at the caller ID—it was his mother.

He answered the call. "Hello? Mom, what’s up?"

"What kind of a way is that to talk, child? Can I not call you if there’s nothing specific I need?"

Hearing her voice rise sharply, Xia Liang quickly lowered his. "Of course not. You can always call."

Hearing Xia Liang back down, Mother Xia sounded satisfied. "That’s more like it. Oh, right..."

Hearing this, Xia Liang tensed up. He knew the real reason for the call was coming.

"Your older cousin is getting married during the National Day holiday. You need to come back for the wedding. Oh, and if you can, bring Qingxue back for me to see."

"Uh..."

Hearing his mother mention Qingxue, Xia Liang instinctively glanced at Xi Yiqian.

"What’s the matter?" Seeing him fall silent, Mother Xia grew displeased again. "If you’re too embarrassed to ask, I can talk to her myself."

"Don’t! She just told me... she thinks it’s too soon to meet the parents and feels shy about it."

Xia Liang hurriedly stopped her. With Xi Yiqian right there, he couldn’t just say Qingxue had gone traveling, so he had to use this excuse to deflect.

As expected, upon hearing this, Xi Yiqian subconsciously assumed he was talking about her.

Xia Liang’s mom wants to meet me? Her face flushed bright red, and she fidgeted, not knowing where to put her hands.

"Well... alright then," Mother Xia said, sounding a little disappointed. "If she’s shy, we’ll let it be. Just remember to come back. And by the way, bring Xiao Qi with you."

"Okay, no problem."

Xia Liang readily agreed.

He finally managed to hang up the phone and let out a sigh of relief. Spreading his hands helplessly, he said, "My older cousin is getting married on National Day, so we have to go back. Looks like the sea fishing trip will have to wait."

As he spoke, he turned to Xi Yiqian with a smile. "It’ll be boring for you here all by yourself. Do you want to come with us?"

"Ah?" Startled by the question, Xi Yiqian quickly waved her hands in a panic. "No... no... you don’t have to."

It’s clear she isn’t ready to meet my parents yet. Her reaction is exactly what I expected. Since I can’t take her this time, I’ll have to make it up to her when I get back and treat her to a fun day out.

Just as he was thinking this, Luu Qi piped up from the side. "Sister Yiqian, it’ll be boring for you here alone. Why don’t you come with us? Auntie is very kind. You and I get along so well, I’m sure you’ll get along even better with her."

Damn it... She’s totally setting me up! She knows Qingxue has already met Mom. If I bring Xi Yiqian back, everything will blow up!

However, he knew he couldn’t stop Luu Qi at a time like this. He could only give Xi Yiqian an encouraging look.

Fortunately, Xi Yiqian still shook her head in the end, her voice full of apology. "M-Maybe next time. I... I’m not ready yet."

"It’s okay." Relieved, Xia Liang pinched Xi Yiqian’s cheek. "Don’t feel guilty about it. Go if you want to, don’t if you don’t. I’ll never force you to do anything."

"Mm."

Listening to his gentle words, Xi Yiqian’s cheeks grew even redder. But she didn’t lower her head. Instead, she looked up at Xia Liang with her large, watery eyes, evoking a deep sense of tenderness.

Xia Liang laughed softly, letting go of her cheek and patting her head. "I’m going to make a quick call."

"Okay."

Xia Liang then walked to the balcony with his phone. He took it out and called Qingxue.

That call from my mother made it clear there was one more thing I hadn’t handled properly. I need to nip this in the bud.

The call connected quickly, and Qingxue’s playfully proud voice came through.

"Well, well. Look who it is. Our great busy man finally decided to grace me with his attention today?"

She was clearly still a little upset that he had ignored her and not replied to her messages all day yesterday. However, since he was the one to call her today, her anger had mostly faded, leaving just her usual proud and slightly contrary nature on display.

"Hehe." Xia Liang knew this, of course. "I’ve just been really busy lately, you know?"

Busy, yes, but not with anything important.

To prevent her from going on the offensive, Xia Liang went straight to the point. "So, my cousin is getting married on National Day, and Xiao Qi and I have to go back. My mom told me to ask you to come along."

"Huh?" Qingxue was clearly taken aback, her entire train of thought completely derailed.

Without waiting for her to respond, Xia Liang continued, "Don’t worry, I already told her no for you."

Hearing this, Qingxue was instantly displeased. "Why would you refuse for me?" she grumbled. "You didn’t even ask me first!"