TMWTGD CH8

When Xie Jianwei woke up, Lu Li had already left.

This was normal. Ever since the two had fallen out six months ago, Lu Li would turn and leave immediately after they finished, never staying the night. After all, his Big Li was a man of strong backbone.

Pitiably, even after all this time, Xie Jianwei still was not used to waking up with no one beside him. In reality, the split-personality Lord Marshal would demand kisses three or four times in the morning, and the final round would likely involve exploring every inch of him. Even though Xie Jianwei always warned that morning intimacy was bad for productivity, growing accustomed to it and suddenly having no one step on the gas left him feeling completely unsettled.

With a sigh, Xie Jianwei got out of bed, took a shower, had breakfast, and plunged into work.

Toppling the deeply entrenched and labyrinthine Xie family in a short span would take serious, ruthless effort.

After a busy day, he had a dinner engagement in the evening.

It was not for business, but family.

In this world, Xie Jianwei’s parents had passed away early, leaving him to be raised by his grandmother.

Grandma Xie was no ordinary woman. With a sickly husband and a deceased son, she had managed to hold up the sprawling Xie clan on her own and smoothly hand the reins over to her grandson.

Xie Jianwei felt a deep fondness for Grandma Xie because he could see who her prototype was.

Though Lu Li had grown up on a desolate planet from childhood, an infant had no way of surviving such a perilous wasteland alone, meaning someone had raised him.

She was an exceptionally kind woman, yet formidable beyond measure.

Advanced in years, she possessed the strength to battle star beasts. Stricken by grave illness, she wielded an iron will, stubbornly enduring the reaper’s summons until she had equipped young Lu Li with the skills to survive the barren planet on his own.

By the time Xie Jianwei arrived on the barren planet, this woman had long passed away, so he had never met her.

Yet after growing close to Lu Li, he learned of her existence.

Xie Jianwei was profoundly grateful to her, thanking her for keeping Lu Li alive, for raising Lu Li so well, and for leaving a lifeline that allowed him to meet Lu Li.

Because of this, the first time Xie Jianwei met Grandma Xie, he felt she was the grandmother etched in Lu Li’s memories.

Lu Li always wanted to give him the best, and in his subconscious, the best person was likely Grandmother, which explained why Xie Jianwei had a Grandma Xie here.

Whenever he thought of this, Xie Jianwei held immense reverence for her.

Tonight’s dinner, however, was not to accompany Grandma Xie at home, but to dine with someone else.

The person was Grandma Xie’s grand-niece from her maternal family, a girl named Jiang Mingming.

Jiang Mingming was the same age as Xie Jianwei, having spent years traveling and studying abroad. Years ago, Grandma Xie had tried to play matchmaker, hoping to bring the two together.

Yet before Xie Jianwei could voice his stance, Jiang Mingming had spoken up first, stating, “What I want is a partner who can wander the ends of the earth with me. Jianwei, you have a family empire to inherit, don’t you?”

That had spared Xie Jianwei a world of trouble.

Grandma Xie had never truly given up, though. Not because Jiang Mingming was family, but simply because she adored the girl. She was pretty, sharp, capable, and refreshingly candid, a rare gem to find.

With her heart set on her grandson’s happiness, Grandma Xie wanted only the best for Xie Jianwei, which was why she constantly tried to match them.

Xie Jianwei knew she meant well, and Jiang Mingming held deep respect for her grand-aunt. While both knew full well they were unsuited for each other, out of consideration for the elderly woman’s wishes, whenever she set up an arrangement, they still met for a meal.

Because neither harbored romantic interest in the other, their meals were relaxed and harmonious.

What Xie Jianwei never anticipated was how eventful this particular dinner would turn out to be.

Though Jiang Mingming came from a wealthy background, running wild abroad had left her without an ounce of refined, demure ladylikeness. Poking her fork into the steak before her, she joked, “This cut of beef could feed half a country’s children.”

Having traveled through Niger recently, she could not stomach excessive luxury upon her return.

Xie Jianwei glanced at her. “Then don’t eat it.”

Jiang Mingming sighed dramatically. “It’s already cooked; letting it go to waste is even worse.” Cutting a piece and popping it into her mouth, she grinned, “Whatever this meal costs, I’ll donate the equivalent on your behalf later.”

Xie Jianwei laughed in amusement. “No need to bother.”

As the two chatted and laughed, Xie Jianwei looked up and caught sight of Lu Li.

Lu Li had apparently arrived for dinner as well. Stepping into the restaurant, his gaze swept across the floor, locking onto Xie Jianwei with pinpoint accuracy.

The sprawling venue had only three seating areas and was a revolving restaurant. When Lu Li walked in, Xie Jianwei’s table happened to rotate into that exact angle.

Their eyes met, and Lu Li remained completely impassive.

Xie Jianwei’s heart gave a sudden thud.

This was purely an accident.

Yet what Lu Li would deduce was anyone’s guess.

Xie Jianwei instinctively wanted to explain, but Lu Li didn’t spare him another glance, turning away to take a seat with his companion.

Xie Jianwei thought to himself that smelling jealousy from miles away had to be his imagination.

Before Lu Li could stir up trouble, Jiang Mingming called out in surprise, “Chen Qing?” She was addressing the man beside Lu Li, seemingly an old acquaintance.

Chen Qing was quite surprised as well. “Mingming? You’re back from Niger?”

Jiang Mingming smiled. “Yes, I haven’t had time to let you guys know yet.”

They were likely former classmates who had not met in a long while, quickly falling into lively chatter.

With a shift in thought, Xie Jianwei took the initiative to say, “Since you know each other, why don’t we sit together?”

Jiang Mingming liked the idea, but hesitated since Xie Jianwei didn’t know Chen Qing, while Chen Qing glanced uncertainly at Lu Li beside him.

Curling his lips into a smile, Lu Li said, “If President Xie doesn’t mind, I have no objections.”

Xie Jianwei thought, Mind, my foot. Sitting together is the only way to prove my innocence.

There was already more than enough jealousy to go around; saving unnecessary drama was best.

Xie Jianwei and Jiang Mingming were completely innocent, and sitting together would allow Jiang Mingming and Chen Qing’s conversation to clear everything up naturally.

Xie Jianwei watched Lu Li’s expression with care, but saw no sign of clearing skies on his face.

What was he angry about now? Hadn’t the mood last night been wonderful? Why turn cold the moment he woke up?

Xie Jianwei ate with utmost caution.

Yet before one wave could subside, another surged forward. The real spectacle always arrived at the very end.

Just as Xie Jianwei was contemplating how to lift Lu Li’s mood, the third party of patrons arrived right on schedule at the revolving restaurant.

Spotting Xie Jianwei, Xu Li’s eyes widened in genuine astonishment, calling out, “Jianwei!”

Xie Jianwei stood frozen.

Xu Li strode over, his eyes radiant with delight. “I never expected to run into you here. I’m so happy, truly thrilled.”

Military Advisor Xie remained expressionless. Earthlings worked with abysmal efficiency. A whole night had already passed, so why hadn’t this man suffered an unfortunate accident yet?