Chapter 124 - Talk Between Men

After some time they already started the dinner that everyone in the house busied themselves with and it is shows on the sumptuous meal on the table. Lim Yi Sheng even saw some the dishes that Xi Ana like.

The dinner went as normal as it could possibly be. At some point, all the men were casually exchanging opinions about business since it is the common denominator they all have except for their connection to Xi Ana.

His wife on the other hand never spoke more than two sentences the entire time. She would only answer a word or two whenever her opinion's were demanded but it is completely obvious that she's only doing this out of respect.

They are now only sitting for a while to give time for the food to settle down on their stomach. Everyone is being completely quiet when Xi Shendong suddenly spoke, "Xiao Sheng, do you want to drink a little with me and your father-in-law?"

Lim Yi Sheng could clearly see from the look of the old man that he wanted him to say yes because it is indeed a very rare opportunity but there is one problem though, he's not sure whether his wife would want to stay a bit longer.

Judging from her attitude from a while ago, one could easily infer hat she really does not have a warm relationship with her father.

"I'd love to but I'm not sure if my wife would allow me to." with this the decision will be up to Xi Ana. He turned to his wife to see what facial expression she has now but what he saw was her usual stoic face. Seeing this he nearly felt that he made the wrong decision to suddenly make a bold statement like this to his wife.

Xi Ana kept her silence for at least a few seconds which made not only his anticipation build up but as well as the others.

"It's fine if it's only a little. We are still going home." Xi Ana met her husband's eyes with a little bit of a warning look.

"Since it is already a little bit late, why don't the two of you stay for tonight and just leave early tomorrow?." Shen Feng suggested in the hopes that Xi Ana will really stay, he might not show t but he really missed his daughter very much.

Unfortunately, Xi Ana politely declined the invitation of her father.

"It's fine, there is no need. I still have important documents to review at home which I also have to prepare a presentation for it so going home is the best decision there is for now."

Her reason is really that of a workaholic person like her but they already knew that if its about work, no one would be able to refute Xi Ana and he knew that she is not just making excuses to avoid going home.

"Alright if you say so then Yi Sheng would only drink a little just to be on the safe side."

Since Xi Ana already said so that they can't stay the night no one dared to insist.

"Uhm.." it's clear that she is really not in the mood for anything right now.

After sitting for a while they finally decided to finish the dinner and Xi Ana being the the only woman present she is already ready to excuse herself.

"Excuse me for while, I'll just stay at my room to finish some of my works. You can drink but please be moderate." She didn't specify for it to be Lim Yi Sheng alone as it was addressed for all of them.

"Don't worry, Ana Jie I'll take care of them." Xi Chen said with all smiles. Certainly, the youngest person in the group could make the atmosphere lighter. 

"Alright then, please excuse me." she returned the warm smile to her younger brother before she politely stood, prepared to leave.

Unexpectedly, Lim Yi Sheng grabbed the sleeves of her inner shirt. She had long removed her coat. "It wont take long, I promise."

Lim Yi Sheng wasn't sure why but he just felt like saying it to her for no reason. Unknown to him, this action was indeed very endearing.

"Umh.. just ask someone to call me from my room once you're done." Seeing the smile directed at him Lim Yi Sheng felt at ease.

In this world no one could make him feel at ease like this other than Xi Ana. 

"Okay, I will."

The moment he removed his hand from grabbing her sleeves, Xi Ana left the dining hall but it didn't even take a minute before the four men also went out of the dining hall.

As they are walking Shen Feng suddenly spoke, "Father, don't you think the scenery is much better in the balcony in the dsecond floor when youre drinking." Shen Feng suggested to Xi Shendong.

The balcony on the second floor is overlooking the lake at the back of the mansion, at night the light of the moon reflects on the water which is a feast to the eyes.

"I think so, then we should just stay there as to not waste the scenery, right? Furthermore, Yi Sheng has not yet seen that. Are you both okay with that?" Xi Shendong asked both Lim Yi Sheng and Xi Chen.

"I don't see any problem with that, Grandfather." Lim Yi Sheng as he was also curious what the lake at the back of the Xi Mansion looks like at night.

"same."

Since there are no objections from everyone, they went upstairs after instructing the servants to prepare the balcony as well as the things that they might possibly need.

When they reached upstairs the balcony there are already a few servants arranging everything. The preparation didn't even take ten minutes before they could settle down. 

Just as the wine bottle was opened, Xi Shendong suddenly said that he already felt sleepy, "This is very rare opportunity but it looks like I really felt sleepy after all, please forgive this old man for ditching you."

Lim Yi Sheng was observing the old man and there is one thing that he can say for sure, this grandfather isn't really sleepy and just pretending to be!

Although he knew this, it would be rude to expose him right? "You should rest then, grandfather. We can drink some other time."

"No! It's fine toh can continue without me you know. Ah, Xiao Chen I'm afraid I might fall down when I back to my room alone. Can you accompany grandfather all the way back?"

Xi Chen on the other hand also felt odd about the whole situbut just followed suit, "Alright."

"We'll go for now. You two can take your time to get to know each other." Xi Shendong even had a silly grin on his face which doesn't look like someone who's sleepy at all!

"Father,  Older Brother, I'll just take grandfather back to his room, I'll try to go back as soon as I can."

"Take your time, son." Shen Feng smiled at his son as two made their way towards Xi Shendong's room.

When the two finally left, Shen Feng really felt embarrassed,  "I'm sorry you had to witness that farce, Yi Sheng."

Lim Yi Sheng obviously knew what his fther-inlaw meant.

Actually, it is very obviosu that Xi Shendong pretended to be sleepy rather he is very energetic. He ven dragged Xi Chen out with him, he's really doing his best just to create an opportunity for them to talk.

"Rather than a farce, I actually find it very amusing to see this side of grandfather since I only ever see the doting grandfather. Furthermore, you don't have to apologize for something like this, father."

"I'm embarrassed that father even has to go to this length for me even at this age. But, on the contrary, I am indeed thankful that grandfather created such an opportunity for me to be able to talk to you."

Naturally, Lim Yi Sheng can't accept such polite words when he's only a son-in-law, "It should be me who should be thankful really, I didn't even greet you before I married Xi Ana."

"You are boh of age so literally speaking it should be fine to make decisions like that for yourselves." He smiled and poured wone for Lim Yi Sheng's and his cup.

"You must already know that I'm not really close with Ana, right? It is pretty obvious after all."

"It is."

"In front of Ana I actually don't know how to react like a father, all these years I have only been a father in name only and suddenly having the real deal in front of me,  I'm flustered."

What his father-in-law might be feeling right now is the same with an employee who hasn't presented in front of the boss for a long time but then suddely being called in the middle of a meeting to present is insights and ideas on the thing being protected. That would  be the same.