Be Careful, Scum Dad! Mommy Is Back!
Chapter 433 Old Fox vs Little Fox

Chapter 433: Chapter 433 Old Fox vs Little Fox

The plane landed at Yun City Airport.

Wu Shi and Cheng Cang were already waiting at the airport to pick up Lu Xining and the three children, taking them back to the ZN Research Base.

Gazing at the massive research base, with its facilities rivaling those of international institutes, Wu Shi gained a newfound respect for Lu Xining’s capabilities.

He had previously heard from Cheng Cang that Lu Xining was far from as amiable as she appeared on the surface. When it came to throwing punches, she could be as relentless as any man. Her modes of operation and temperament were also strikingly similar to those of Chu Zhan, whom Cheng Cang’s adoptive father often mentioned.

Lu Xining instructed her female assistant to escort the three children back to rest and then got straight to the point with Wu Shi and Cheng Cang about the matters that needed addressing.

"We still don’t know if they’re allies or enemies. I need to prepare for the worst."

Since Xi Juan had personally reached out to her, regardless of whether things escalated later, she needed to ensure she was thoroughly prepared.

If it turned out to be a standard cooperation, that would be fine. If not, she had to make arrangements in advance.

Especially since the three children were now staying by her side—one mistake, and the consequences were unthinkable.

"As long as the children are in Fuxian, you can rest assured a hundredfold—nothing will happen to them."

Yun City County was, after all, the base of operations for Cheng Cang’s adoptive father.

Though those forces had since transformed into less conspicuous factions on the surface, the moment Lu Xining needed them, they could quickly regroup and await her orders.

Wu Shi pondered for a moment before saying, "The remnants of the Chu Family’s forces are mainly concentrated in the northern region. Back then, your grandfather had to deal with figures like Xi Juan, so he stationed many of his people in Beicheng. Now, they’ve dispersed into various positions."

Cheng Cang nodded, clearly agreeing with Wu Shi’s words.

"Exactly. Xi Juan holds a very high position, but it’s not the highest. As long as someone remains above him, he won’t be able to dominate entirely, and we’ll have more flexibility in crafting our strategies."

Lu Xining listened quietly to their conversation. She raised her gaze to the two and said, "In the coming days, I’ll have to trouble you both."

"Cheng Cang, there’s one more thing I need your help with."

After concluding the discussion, Lu Xining sent a message to Xi Juan’s assistant, setting up a meeting time.

Over the next two days, she threw herself into advancing the follow-up research for the "Artificial Uterus" biological project, along with numerous derived tasks that required further precise refinement.

Time passed swiftly.

Xi Juan personally appeared at the ZN Research Base, catching Lu Xining by surprise.

The refined and elegant man stepped out from the rear seat of an understated black car, leaning on a cane. His assistant immediately approached to help him, but he pushed the help away.

"I’m not so feeble as to need that."

His gaze toward Lu Xining carried the warmth of a senior addressing a junior, filled with care and affection. "Xiao Lu, it’s been quite some time."

"Old Xi." Lu Xining responded with a smile, greeting him.

The low-profile black vehicle seemed entirely mismatched with the refined aura that Xi Juan exuded.

At this moment, parked in front of the main building, it looked exceptionally modest.

The ZN Research Base was divided into inner and outer zones. Lu Xining’s office was located in the main building of the outer zone, set at some distance from the experimental buildings and safeguarded by high-security measures.

"Xiao Lu, you’ve exceeded my expectations. In such a short time, you’ve established an experimental base of this scale here."

His voice was full of praise, and his gaze toward Lu Xining brimmed with admiration.

Lu Xining smiled faintly. "You flatter me, Old Xi."

Although Yun City was warm year-round, Fuxian, located in the mountains, had a lower temperature than other areas. Moreover, the ZN Research Base was surrounded by mountains, and the wind at this moment brought a noticeable chill.

She said with straightforward candor, "It’s cold out here. Let’s head inside to talk."

The spacious and bright reception room.

Only Xi Juan and Lu Xining sat face-to-face.

Even his assistant, who usually stuck by his side, was waiting at the door rather than staying with him this time.

Lu Xining understood that he had come to discuss something important.

The old fox against the little fox—neither willing to yield in patience.

From the comparative climates of Beicheng and Yun City to Lu Xining’s changing expressions, several cups of tea were drunk without touching upon the main topic.

Throughout, Lu Xining maintained a courteous and polite smile, offering genuine answers to every question he raised.

Until his oblique segue:

"Before coming here, I had a brief chat with your father. People often say a son inherits his father’s abilities, but you’ve shown us that sometimes a daughter resembles her father just as much."

Xi Juan’s words were sharp, yet his tone was as gentle as a spring breeze, like an elder casually chatting with a younger family member.

"You’re too kind, Old Xi. My father’s been in his eternal rest for over a decade. Being able to converse with you is indeed a fortune for us Lu Family descendants."

She did not take the bait of drawing her father into being associated with the identity of Shang Qing.

Lu Xining deliberately brought up her sole acknowledged father—the one who had died unexpectedly—Father Lu. As her words fell, the surrounding atmosphere grew silent.

The refined and warm eyes opposite her remained fixed on her, scrutinizing every shift in her expression.

A sense of formless pressure emanated from Xi Juan.

Lu Xining, however, showed no panic. She smiled as she refilled his tea, smoothly transitioning the topic to the tea’s flavor and character.

"Xiao Lu, people are often like tea—they change."

"Even if taken from the same tin, variations in temperature and brewing time can result in entirely different flavors. Striving for unchanging consistency is not only hard but an unnecessary burden. Your father, too, had his unspeakable regrets."

Xi Juan’s words seemed to defend Shang Qing.

Listening to his insinuations, she didn’t play dumb but locked eyes with him directly.

"Old Xi, whether the flavor of tea changes or not doesn’t matter much. Not everyone gets a second chance to taste the same batch of tea."

Lu Xining’s tone was calm as she said this, her words seeming genuinely about tea.

Her eyes, though smiling, abruptly darkened. In the next instant, her tone shifted.

"But people are different. Love is different."

"When a person’s nature changes, they rot. When love sours, it ceases to be pure."

"That heart... decays bit by bit until it reeks of foulness."

If he wanted to talk to her about Shang Qing, then she would talk—just to see who would convince whom in the end.

However, as far as she knew, Shang Qing had not extended any favors to Xi Juan in certain matters. In fact, to some extent, the two belonged to opposing factions.

His sudden arrival to chat about "fathers" baffled her. Unable to guess his motives, Lu Xining could only adapt as the conversation unfolded.

The man’s dark eyes were as deep and dense as the black sofa he sat on. Not only did he not frown at her blunt rebuttal, but he even laughed softly.

"That temper of yours is really something..."

The wry remark was laced with approval of her character, yet the invisible pressure surrounding him only intensified.

"Xiao Lu, you’re a smart child. Some things don’t need to be spelled out for you to understand."

His gaze briefly turned icy, a faint chill fleeting across his features before he resumed his congenial smile like putting on a mask.

With a thoughtful look, Xi Juan stared at Lu Xining and said, "Why don’t you take a guess—what’s my purpose in coming to see you this time?"