Blinded chapter 53

Before dinner, Chang Guanshan had been discussing the demolition plan for an old district in Harbor City with Meng Zhitao. When it was time to eat, the two families began to chat.

Xie Li noticed that Chang Guanshan was holding hands with his wife, Ye Xinzhi, at the dinner table, appearing very intimate. This reminded him of what Han Yue had mentioned about Chang Xiaojia’s birth mother. Xie Li wondered if Chang Guanshan had treated Lu Liying the same way when she was alive.

In all likelihood, he thought, yes. Otherwise, Lu Liying wouldn’t have insisted on giving birth to a son for him despite knowing about Chang Guanshan’s affair and illegitimate child.

It was just unfortunate that she couldn’t be with her son as he grew up, leaving Chang Xiaojia alone in this household to endure so much suffering.

Xie Li felt a bit uneasy. He turned to look at Chang Xiaojia, who was absentmindedly sipping soup with a spoon.

The dinner was sumptuous, but Chang Xiaojia had no appetite. He sat quietly, eating very little. It seemed that he noticed Xie Li’s gaze, and when their eyes met, Chang Xiaojia looked back at him with a puzzled expression, as if wondering why Xie Li was staring at him.

Xie Li smiled at him.

Chang Xiaojia’s gaze lingered on him for a while before dropping to the plate in front of him. His hand reached under the table and touched Xie Li’s leg, waiting for Xie Li to hold his hand.

At that moment, Meng Haili was listening to Ye Xinzhi talking about Chang Xiaojia, who was only twenty one years old but had stopped attending school. Curious, Meng Haili looked at Chang Xiaojia and saw him looking down at his plate with a docile expression. She didn’t know that under the table, Xie Li was holding Chang Xiaojia’s hand, gently rubbing his thumb over the back of it. Meng Haili then asked Chang Xiaojia, “Why didn’t you go to college, Xiaojia?”

Chang Xiaojia suddenly looked up at her, his eyes cold and somewhat intimidating.

Meng Haili was taken aback, thinking she might have said something wrong.

Before Chang Xiaojia could speak, Ye Shaoyin smiled and said, “Miss Meng has been abroad and might not know. Xiaojia is innocent; he was framed and imprisoned.”

Meng Zhitao, sitting next to Chang Guanshan, gave his daughter a meaningful look.

Meng Haili quickly said, “Oh, I see. It’s my fault for not knowing anything. I’m really sorry.” She looked apologetic, as if feeling very guilty.

Chang Xiaojia smiled gently at her. “It’s okay.”

Ye Xinzhi immediately changed the topic.

As soon as the meal was over, Chang Xiaojia put down his chopsticks and stood up. He pushed his chair back with a loud scraping sound, drawing everyone’s attention.

He walked towards Chang Guanshan until he stood in front of him and said, “Dad, can I go back now?”

Chang Guanshan smiled at him, reaching out to hold his hand. “No, Xiaojia, be good. The guests haven’t left yet, so you can’t leave either.” Then, he looked at Xie Li. “Xie Li.”

Xie Li stood up and walked over to Chang Guanshan.

Chang Guanshan said to him, “Take care of Xiaojia.”

Xie Li nodded, grabbing onto Chang Xiaojia’s wrist. He knew that everyone in the dining room was paying attention to them. If Chang Xiaojia’s temper caused any displeasure to Chang Guanshan, he would be the one to suffer in the end. So, he leaned close to Chang Xiaojia’s ear and whispered, “Behave.”

Chang Xiaojia finally gave in.

After dinner, everyone sat in the living room, drinking tea and chatting.

Chang Xiaojia sat in the corner of the sofa, right next to Xie Li. Before long, he started to feel drowsy and eventually slumped onto Xie Li’s leg.

Chang Guanshan, who was initially talking to Meng Zhitao, stopped and looked at Chang Xiaojia.

The couple Meng Zhitao and his wife seemed experienced and didn’t show any curiosity. They advised Chang Guanshan, “If Xiaojia is tired, let him go and rest.”

Meng Haili couldn’t help but be surprised. She looked at Chang Xiaojia, then at Xie Li, her eyes carrying a hint of inquiry.

Xie Li gently pushed Chang Xiaojia. “Xiaojia.”

Chang Xiaojia didn’t move, keeping his eyes closed.

Ye Xinzhi, sitting next to Chang Guanshan, reached out to hold her husband’s arm. She said, “Xiaojia is still young. If he’s tired, let him rest. Don’t force him to stay because of the guests.”

Chang Guanshan didn’t say anything more.

After a while, Xie Li saw Ye Shaoyin get up and walk to Chang Xin. He bent down and whispered something in his ear. Chang Xin then stood up and left the living room with Ye Shaoyin, heading to the courtyard outside.

From Xie Li’s perspective, he could see the two talking in the courtyard.

Ye Shaoyin said something, and Chang Xin furrowed his brows. After a while, Chang Xin exchanged a few more words with Ye Shaoyin, and Ye Shaoyin nodded.

“Hongji…”

Xie Li suddenly heard Chang Xiaojia say softly. He lowered his head and saw that Chang Xiaojia had opened his eyes. Following his gaze outside, Xie Li was a bit puzzled. He asked Chang Xiaojia, “What did you say?”

Chang Xiaojia shook his head, turned over on the sofa, and found a more comfortable position.

When the Meng Zhitao family left, Chang Guanshan, with his wife and two sons, saw them off and watched the car slowly drive away.

Chang Xiaojia stood beside Xie Li, grabbing the sleeve of his shirt.

Ye Shaoyin turned around and suddenly walked towards Xie Li. He saw Chang Xiaojia holding Xie Li’s hand, smiled, and said to Xie Li, “Can we go to your place and chat for a bit?”

Before Xie Li could respond, Chang Xiaojia coldly said, “No.”

Chang Guanshan spoke at this moment, “Chang Xiaojia.”

Xie Li felt Chang Xiaojia tremble slightly. Then he saw him let go of his hand and walk to Chang Guanshan. He stood in front of him, hands behind his back, head lowered.

Chang Guanshan spoke calmly, “You didn’t behave today.”

Chang Xiaojia said, “Dad, I’m sorry.”

Chang Xin stood on the side, hands in his pockets, and said with a smirk, “You know you’re wrong now?”

Chang Xiaojia reached out and grabbed Chang Guanshan’s hand, pleading, “Dad, please don’t lock me up again.”

Xie Li stood still, tapping his toes.

Chang Guanshan reached out and touched his head. “Did I say I would lock you up? Since you know you’re wrong, why don’t you listen?”

Chang Xiaojia remained silent.

Chang Guanshan continued, “If Haili and your brother get closer and start coming to our house often, if you don’t behave, I won’t forgive you so easily.”

Chang Xiaojia nodded.

Chang Guanshan finally said, “Go and rest.”

Chang Xiaojia immediately turned around and walked towards Xie Li. He reached for Xie Li’s arm and said, “Xie Li, let’s go back.”

Relieved that Chang Guanshan didn’t punish him, Xie Li held Chang Xiaojia’s hand and asked Ye Shaoyin, “What did you want to talk about?”

Chang Xiaojia urged, “Let’s go.”

Ye Shaoyin smiled at them and said, “The Second Young Master is not in a good mood. How about you leave me your phone number? I’ll call you later, and we can talk.”

Xie Li held onto Chang Xiaojia and nodded, “Alright.”