Chapter 166 - You Miss Me?

"XI MATTHEW!!" Grinding her teeth, Zoey's voice echoed through the parking ground. "I am not sneaking out, alright? I called because..." Zoey still denied the fact that she was in the parking space and snuck out of her hospital room. Alas, Matthew Xi could hear the echoes which made him smile.

After all, why would she allow him to read her easily? Not that she has lost all control... she's still the dominant one in this relationship; or so, that's what she wanted to believe. 

"Because...?" Arching his right brow, the corner of his lips involuntarily tilted up into a smirk. "You miss me? The feeling is mutual." Since Zoey was taking her precious time cooking up an excuse, Matthew Xi took the opportunity to insert Zoey's usual lines. 

Upon hearing his reply, Zoey let out a series of coughs as she had a taste of her own medicine. 'Damn it! Did he silently learn all this from me?!' She grumbled internally, sucking her teeth as she inhaled sharply. 

"Anyway, I'll be back earlier than expected. I had a bit of good and bad news." Pleased that Zoey seemed she was at a loss of words by the bittersweet taste of her shamelessness, Matthew Xi massaged his eyelids. 

"Oh god... leave the bad news at work and only bring back the good news with you." Helpless, Zoey sighed heavily as she scanned the parking space bearing conflicted eyes. 

"I don't have a choice." Shrugging his shoulders, Matthew Xi heard her sigh once again before she hung up on him. 

"That's a first," He muttered, glancing at his phone as he was the one who often hung up on her — not the other way around. 

Well, since they had a sudden change of roles, Matthew Xi wasn't surprised if Zoey was astounded by his actions. After all, he understood how she felt as he was in the same shoes just last night. 

"Xi Matthew, are toying with your mother's frail heart?! How can you make me misunderstand that my daughter-in-law is dying?!" Bringing Matthew Xi's mind back to reality, Vivian Xi slammed her palm against his desk after processing his words. 

"Also, my daughter-in-law is right — I raised you wrongly! How can you hide your identity from your future wife?!" She grumbled, glaring daggers at her son who was nonchalant about it. 

"I didn't. She misunderstood." 

"Then why didn't you clarify?!" Vivian Xi might hate to admit it, but Matthew Xi sometimes was too preoccupied to bother to clear up things. 

For example, the rumors regarding his sexual orientation. Matthew Xi never tried to clarify that despite how it tainted his image. 

Fortunately, his achievements overwhelmed that nonsense rumor. If not, that rumor would bring more problems than it should be. 

"Too bothersome." Matthew Xi cast Vivian Xi a brief glance as he shrugged his shoulder. "Also, isn't it better that she will like me for me? Not Matthew Xi and his wealth? People can be a little greedy sometimes." He added, as he opened the thin rectangular box — revealing a thin necklace that had a small rare jade stone. 

"Gosh..." Seeing how he eyed the necklace he bought in an auction while he was abroad last week, Vivian Xi huffed. "When do you plan on telling her?" She asked, casting him a side eye. 

"No idea." Speaking out his mind, Matthew Xi remained his eyes glued on the necklace. "To be honest, I now fear the idea of telling her." Matthew Xi added, a faint sigh slipped past his lips. 

"Huh?"

"Mother, do you think having a child will guarantee a marriage?" Ignoring his mother's puzzlement, Matthew Xi slowly averted his gaze from the necklace to the instant gleam in his mother's eyes. 

"A child?! You want a child?! A baby?!" Excited for a moment, Vivian Xi repeated as she giddily clasped her hands together. 

However, her brief excitement immediately dissipated upon further realization. Instead, she slapped his shoulder as she peered him in disdain. "My son, I indeed raised you wrong. How can you give my grandson a job even before he was born?! How cruel, ha!" Vivian Xi scoffed in mockery as she could not believe her son's plan. 

Sure, the thought of having a grandson soon excited her. However, that didn't mean she approved of this means. 

"Hear me, my foolish son. Didn't you always say a child is not a guarantee for a long lasting marriage? Also, they should be born out of mutual love — how dare you think of employing my grandson in his young age?!" Vivian Xi added, throwing shades at him whenever she could. 

"Right," Nodding his head in understanding, Matthew Xi slowly rose from his seat. "Mother, I thank you in advance for kicking me out of my place." He said, picking up a few essential things like: keys, phone, laptop, and the necklace. 

"Wait —" recalling one of the main reasons Vivian Xi was there, she turned to him as her right brow arched. "Where are you going to stay?" She asked, already concluding some obvious answers in her mind.

"I'm not sure. But, I now have a reason to work from home." He shrugged his shoulders as a smug smirk formed on his lips. 

"Anyway, I have to go back before she starts thinking of silly ideas." Slightly bowing his head, Matthew Xi gestured for his mother to leave with him. 

"Gosh..." Figuring out what he meant, Vivian Xi glanced at her left as she shook her head. Her son completely lost it.

He's too in love — a lost cause. Vivian Xi somehow wondered if he was truly her son. "My son, please refrain yourself from being too bold and obvious... you're calling for my meddling. Also, little Alice's birthday is coming, it's actually a good event to announce... important things." As they walked away from his office, Vivian Xi hinted as she giggled. 

*****

Meanwhile...

"That Xi Matthew, did he really think I can't go anywhere without my car?! Hah! How foolish!" Zoey scoffed, glaring at her phone as if swearing at Matthew Xi. 

Did he think she couldn't use buses or taxis if she wanted to sneak out? How naive of him to think like that!

Alas, just as Zoey decided to use public transportation, a sudden pain struck her head which made her sway but managed to keep her balance. "Urgh… that drug, it's still in my system." She mumbled internally, hating the fact that an unwelcome substance was coursing through her system freely.

"Damn it!" Zoey gritted her teeth as she massaged her temples. "My head is literally aching from that cursed drug and from that guy.." Mumbling, Zoey sighed as she had to decide whether to push her plans or let it go for today.