Be Careful, Scum Dad! Mommy Is Back!
Chapter 378: Secret

Chapter 378: Chapter 378: Secret

Xining asked three consecutive questions, directly tearing away all of Shang Lvxing’s pretenses.

That unwavering and pressing demeanor, coupled with an unyielding aura that refused to allow others to avert their gaze, vaguely reminded him of Shang Qing’s presence at the negotiation table.

Who said inheritance doesn’t exist?

At least in this moment, Xining’s gaze at Shang Lvxing was almost identical to the one Shang Qing had during deliberations.

A light chuckle escaped his throat, like pearls dropping into water with a muffled sound, more pleasing than the deliberate gentleness he feigned earlier.

"Since you’ve already figured it out, I won’t bother hiding anymore."

In that instant when his real emotions emerged, those deep and captivating eyes revealed an added ambition for power and profit.

Shang Lvxing’s eyes slightly narrowed as he admitted, "Yes, I’m the one who took him away."

"What’s your relationship to Haozi?"

Xining’s voice carried a barely perceptible tension, and the hand resting to her side clenched tightly into a fist.

"Xining, you don’t need to be so nervous. Whether you accept me or not, you will never become my enemy."

"I’ve seen the way you get along with that Jing Family boy, and with that Fu Family boy—it’s casual and natural, just like family. It makes me look forward to it. If you’re willing, we can also become family. Aunt Chu Yan has always been the elder I admire most."

Shang Lvxing didn’t directly answer her question about his relationship with Haozi.

If their connection were merely a typical partnership, he wouldn’t act so ambiguously or intentionally shift the topic.

Unless their relationship went far deeper than Xining had anticipated.

Xining asked, "Is Haozi alright?"

Knowing her genuine concern for Haozi, that she truly regarded him as family and cared for him, Shang Lvxing’s voice softened, smiling as he replied, "He’s fine, doing very well, in a very safe place. No one can hurt him."

Because he wouldn’t allow anyone to hurt him again.

Hearing that Haozi was safe, Xining finally relaxed her tense heart.

Among the people surrounding her—Fu Junhang, Jing Zheng—Haozi was the most mysterious. Even they didn’t know anything about his past.

Not even his real name.

They weren’t in the habit of prying into his privacy, but given the current situation, it seemed that Haozi and Shang Lvxing were either familial or closely connected in some other significant way.

"I’m curious—exactly what gave away your relationship with Haozi?"

Faced with men whose secrets seemed endless, like a hive full of honeycombs, Xining didn’t directly answer his question, choosing instead to keep her own secrets close, ensuring they’d continue to tread cautiously around her.

Learning from his moves, Xining replied, "Your abilities are so exceptional, I trust you’ll be able to find out easily enough."

Shang Lvxing raised an eyebrow. "Giving me a compliment?"

"How would I dare?" She smirked lightly, giving him a smile in return.

Perhaps because of Haozi, knowing the man was either a relative or a close friend to Shang Lvxing, their connection was unquestionably special.

The atmosphere between them became noticeably warmer than before.

Xining and Shang Lvxing, each excelling in their respective domains, had developed their own understanding of human nature and strategic thinking. Faint smiles lingered on both their faces.

Her tightly pursed lips relaxed before she spoke proactively, "Since we are allies rather than enemies, may I ask you something?"

"With your capabilities, obtaining the ’Deep Sea Heart’ shouldn’t be difficult. Why do you insist on having me board the ship? I don’t think I play such a key role in all this."

Xining was speaking frankly.

Under the current circumstances, it was clear Shang Lvxing knew far more than she did, and being in a passive position wasn’t comforting.

She wanted to extract more information from the man—whether he was willing to provide it was another matter.

Shang Lvxing’s smile faded as he looked at her seriously and said, "Because the safe that holds the ’Deep Sea Heart’ can only be unlocked by someone from the Chu Family."

The Royal Cruise’s banquet had been successfully held for many years, consistently attracting various global elites who revered it as the highest standard for social gatherings. One crucial reason for its prestige was the globally renowned ’Deep Sea Heart.’

Only Chu Family members could open it? Xining’s heart quietly filled with astonishment.

Years ago, after Chu Zhan’s incident, many Chu Family members fled. Some younger side-line descendants were also sent away.

Now, among the surviving members of the Chu Family, it was unlikely she was the only one.

If the ’Deep Sea Heart’ was truly that significant, with the temptation of money and power, surviving Chu Family members wouldn’t easily resist.

Shang Lvxing seemed to read her mind and directly confirmed her unspoken suspicions.

"That’s right. Only direct descendants of the Chu Family—more precisely, only Chu Zhan’s heirs—can unlock the mechanism."

"There’s a rumor that the ’Deep Sea Heart’ cannot leave the Royal Cruise, so to acquire it, you have to board. But rest assured, I don’t have the ability to command the loyalists of the Chu Family’s old guard. For now, our relationship is strictly cooperative."

Shang Lvxing and the remnants of the Chu Family’s loyalists had come to an agreement: to help Xining retrieve the ’Deep Sea Heart.’

Sensing something amiss, Xining narrowed her eyes at the man across from her and continued to press him for answers. "Since we’re now tied together on the same rope, can you tell me what makes the ’Deep Sea Heart’ so important?"

"Don’t tell me it’s just a priceless jewel. If it were only that, it wouldn’t have countless wealthy people pursuing it with such fervor."

Jokingly, Xining said, "For all the talk of a gemstone, one might think the jewel contained some miraculous elixir capable of bringing people back to life."

As soon as she finished speaking, an awkward silence filled the room.

Shang Lvxing didn’t deny the truth of her words, which only confirmed Xining’s inner suspicions.

"There’s really something inside that revives people?!"

"I wouldn’t call it a medicine, but the ’Deep Sea Heart’ does contain something else. I won’t hide that from you. But honestly, I don’t know exactly what’s inside it. Not just me—nobody does. The priority now is unlocking the safe and retrieving the ’Deep Sea Heart.’"

Shang Lvxing’s gaze was exceptionally genuine and candid, making Xining believe he wasn’t lying.

Desiring power and wealth wasn’t shameful.

By laying everything bare before her, Shang Lvxing’s gaze toward Xining held not only admiration but also a distinct sense of possessiveness.

Xining was astonishingly intelligent.

Many things that others couldn’t comprehend in a lifetime, she could see through with a single glance. This heightened Shang Lvxing’s curiosity and attention toward her.

This time, Shang Lvxing extended his hand voluntarily and said, "Pleasure working with you."

Staring at the slender and fair hand before her, Xining’s gaze flickered with an indecipherable expression.

Just as she reached out her hand slowly, a rhythmic knock echoed from the door.