“Xixi, it’s Saturday. You don’t have any classes today, right?” Xu Wantang asked over the line.

“No, I’m free today,” Lin Xi replied, her entire posture tensing up instinctively. “Is there something you need me to do, Madam Song?”

“I’d like to invite you over to the Song estate for a bit,” Xu Wantang said, her voice laced with a gentle, inviting warmth. “I’ve been craving that milk tea you make. I was hoping you could come over, whip up a cup for me, and we could have a nice little chat.”

Lin Xi glanced back at Song Xu. She knew perfectly well this wasn’t just about a cup of milk tea; Madam Song undoubtedly wanted to discuss her relationship with Song Xu. “Alright, I’ll head over right away.”

The moment Lin Xi hung up the phone, Song Xu leaned closer and rested his head heavily against her shoulder. “What did my mom want?”

“She wants me to go to your family’s house,” Lin Xi said calmly.

“To my house?” Song Xu’s sleep-fogged brain cleared instantly. He couldn’t understand why his mother had summoned Lin Xi without giving him a heads-up first.

He turned around to grab his phone from the nightstand. “Let me call her and ask what she’s planning.”

Lin Xi quickly snatched the device out of his reach. “Don’t bother asking. I’ll find out the moment I get there anyway.”

“Just send me the location of your house,” Lin Xi added, realizing she still had no idea where the Song family estate actually was.

“I’m going back with you,” Song Xu said, stealing another quick kiss from her cheek. “Just wait for me to take a quick shower and we’ll head out.”

Lin Xi wiped her cheek with her sleeve, letting out a helpless sigh. This man was truly impossible—kissing her whenever and wherever he pleased.

She was still wearing her casual loungewear, so she hurried back to her bedroom to change into proper clothes.

Staring into the vanity mirror, she noticed the faint marks on her neck hadn’t completely faded yet. It looked like she would have to opt for a high-collared outfit again today.

She twisted her long hair up into a neat, high bun, slipped into a vibrant yellow maxi dress, and paired it with simple white canvas shoes. Combined with her sweet, delicate features, the look practically radiated youthful, bright energy.

Lin Xi stood by the front door, patiently waiting for Song Xu.

When he finally stepped out of his room and saw her bright yellow dress, he paused, spun right back around, and retreated into his bedroom.

Lin Xi: “…”

Not even two minutes later, Song Xu reemerged. He had completely changed his top, swapping his original crisp white button-down for a yellow graphic tee that perfectly matched her dress, paired with clean white denim trousers.

Lin Xi rolled her eyes at him. How childish!

“Did you just roll your eyes at me?” Song Xu strode over in a few quick steps and delivered a playful swat to her backside. “Be careful, or I’ll bruise that stubborn little behind of yours.”

Lin Xi frowned slightly, shoving a neatly wrapped sandwich into his hands. “Eat this on the way. You completely skipped breakfast.”

Song Xu demolished the entire sandwich in three massive bites. “Ah, life is infinitely better when you have a wife.”

“Who is your wife? Stop throwing that word around, we are strictly in an employer-employee relationship right now,” Lin Xi warned him sternly. “And once we cross the threshold into your family’s house, you are absolutely forbidden from touching, kissing, or calling me weird names.”

“Understood!” Song Xu replied cheerfully.

He understood perfectly—it wasn’t allowed at his parents’ house, which meant it was perfectly fine here. Naturally, he managed to steal one last kiss before they stepped out the door.

Song Xu drove them straight back to the old Song ancestral estate.

The estate was a completely detached, private compound. The perimeter walls were weathered and beautifully overgrown with thick, twisting green vines, giving the entire place an elegant, historic charm.

As the car rolled through the massive iron gates, Lin Xi felt as though she had suddenly crossed into an imperial garden. Her eyes were met with an absolute abundance of lush trees, vibrant flowers, a well-kept koi pond, and a sprawling lotus pavilion. The sweet scent of flora saturated the morning air.

Even with her limited exposure to luxury, Lin Xi could instantly tell these plants were rare, highly prized specimens. Maintaining a courtyard like this cost an absolute fortune.

Song Xu steered the car into the garage, killed the engine, and firmly grasped Lin Xi’s hand as they walked toward the entrance.

The exact moment they stepped inside the house, Lin Xi subtly but firmly wrenched her fingers free from his grip. It was better to maintain a professional distance.

Xu Wantang was already waiting for them in the first-floor living room.

Seeing Lin Xi arrive with Song Xu trailing right behind her, she didn’t look the least bit surprised. However, as her gaze lingered on the two of them standing side-by-side, perfectly coordinated, a brief look of stunned realization flashed across her face.

“Xixi, you’re here!” Xu Wantang recovered her composure quickly, stepping forward with a warm smile to take Lin Xi’s hands in hers. She then threw a pointed, sideways look at her son. “I knew the moment I called her, you would trail along like a shadow. It seems if I ever want you to come home in the future, I’ll have to dial Xixi’s number instead.”

Hearing this, Song Xu beamed with delight. Had his mother truly come around this quickly? He slid an affectionate arm around Xu Wantang’s shoulders. “Mom, you are incredibly sharp. From now on, wherever Xixi goes, I follow.”

Xu Wantang gave him a light, playful glare. “Your father is waiting for you upstairs in the study. Run along now, and stop interrupting my quality time with Xixi.”

“Right away, Captain!” Before walking away, Song Xu shot Lin Xi a reassuring look, silently telling her not to worry.

Without Song Xu standing beside her, a wave of nervous tension inevitably washed over Lin Xi.

“Madam Song,” Lin Xi began, remembering the explicit reason she had been summoned. “Where is the kitchen? I’ll go ahead and prepare the milk tea for you.”

“Don’t call me Madam Song anymore, just call me Auntie Xu,” Xu Wantang corrected gently. “I have my own surname, and I prefer not to be lumped in with the rest of the Song men.”

“Auntie Xu,” Lin Xi called out obediently.

“Good girl,” Xu Wantang murmured, reaching up to fondly pat Lin Xi’s cheek. “The very first time I saw you, I took a real liking to you. Seeing you again today, I find myself liking you even more.”

“Thank you, Auntie Xu.” Lin Xi found herself slightly overwhelmed by Xu Wantang’s intense warmth. She suddenly realized exactly where Song Xu had inherited his vibrant personality.

Xu Wantang guided Lin Xi directly into the massive kitchen. “Just let me know whatever ingredients you need. The pantry should be fully stocked, but if we’re missing anything at all, I’ll have someone deliver it immediately.”

Lin Xi listed out the necessary ingredients, and within moments, a domestic helper located everything and placed it neatly before her.

Instead of leaving the room, Xu Wantang stayed right by Lin Xi’s side, watching with immense curiosity as they began rolling out the tapioca pearls together.

“So this is how the pearls are actually made from scratch? How fascinating.”

Lin Xi made a large batch, boiling down a small basin full of them. “Auntie Xu, these pearls can actually be portioned out and frozen. The next time you want a cup, you just need to reheat them slightly.”

“Perfect. The pearls are my absolute favorite part,” Xu Wantang said, instructing a helper to find several small containers to portion them out for the freezer. “Xixi, do you know how to make any other types of beverages?”

Lin Xi nodded with a soft smile. “I can manage a few simple ones.”

“Wonderful. We actually have a guest arriving later today,” Xu Wantang said, a trace of apology entering her voice. “I’ll have to trouble you to whip up two more drinks when they arrive.”

“It’s no trouble at all,” Lin Xi replied smoothly. “It’s a very simple process. I’ll prepare the base ingredients now, and then I can assemble them fresh the moment the guest arrives.”

“Alright, I’ll stay here and keep you company.” Xu Wantang quietly observed Lin Xi from the sidelines, growing more thoroughly impressed by the minute.

She had to admit her son possessed excellent judgment. Aside from her disadvantaged family background, Lin Xi didn’t possess a single flaw.

However, to truly secure a place within the Song family, the absolute most critical requirement was intelligence. Years ago, Xu Wantang had managed to marry Song Qingshi precisely because her high IQ allowed her to pass the old patriarch’s strict scrutiny.

A man should marry a woman of character and wisdom; only an intelligent, virtuous wife could ensure a family thrived across three generations. To Xu Wantang, “virtue” didn’t simply mean being submissive or domestic—it required a woman to possess capability, strong principles, and profound wisdom.

With such a woman steering the household, a family would never fracture, and prosperity would naturally accumulate.

Lin Xi possessed exactly those qualities. Not only was her mind incredibly sharp, but her moral character and psychological resilience were exceptional.

Her attitude toward Xu Wantang remained exactly the same as their very first meeting; it hadn’t shifted or become arrogant simply because she was now dating Song Xu. There was no desperate flattery or sycophancy. Even when asked to step into the kitchen to prepare drinks, she hadn’t displayed a single hint of resentment or dissatisfaction.

“Xixi,” Xu Wantang spoke up suddenly, her tone shifting. “Do you know who today’s guest is?”

Lin Xi shook her head. How could she possibly know?

“I’m not sure if you’ve crossed paths with her yet,” Xu Wantang continued, a shadow of distaste darkening her features. “It’s Lu Yunqi—Song Xu’s childhood playmate.”