Han XiGuang proofed himself to be a gentleman who respected her wishes. Although his grin put her on edge, his attitude was always on the polite side. To add, Wu SuYi couldn't bring herself to refuse Rui's request at all. Not when the little boy's large eyes was filled with the pure eagerness that would break her heart if she refused his harmless request.
"I would like to," she replied, bringing smile on Rui's face, "But I still has some report which I have to do. If it is alright with you, Rui, we can meet up on a different time."
Rui's disappointment and sadness was clear on his face. His lips turned upside down and he stared at his father as if asking for help. Han XiGuang was also troubled. He knew there was a tall wall between them that stopped him from getting more acquainted with Wu SuYi. It was because she avoided him bluntly.
He didn't think that her dislike toward him would be much more than he had anticipated.
"If it is not that important, I can take care of it," said Mei LiLi who had been watching from the start.
Wu SuYi blinked and looked at her junior who had given her a thumbs up as if he was supporting on something.
What is she doing?!
"No, I," Wu SuYi tried to make up an excuse but Mei LiLi saw this as a cue for her to leave and escape before she managed to do the same thing.
Slowly, her eyes moved to meet Han XiGuang's who smiled joyfully, "I am glad to see you have a junior who is very hardworking. If this is the case, you don't mind coming with us now, don't you?"
First, it was Han XiGuang's smiling eyes and followed by Rui pleading gaze. Wu SuYi who had no more room to escape eventually agreed. "Alright," she faintly responded.
"It won't take long and I promise I will bring you back home," Han XiGuang offered, "And don't worry, I am a man of my words."
The sky had turned dark by the time they arrived in the restaurant which was located in the private floor of a hotel. During the car ride, they barely exchanged any words. Wu SuYi continued to keep her watch on Han XiGuang. Deep down, she still doubted Han XiGuang deeper meaning in offering her a dinner.
But instead of finding anything suspicious from the man, she only noticed more of Han XiGuang's gentlemanly and calm attitude. He prioritize Rui's comfort as the boy sat alone on the back seat and at time questioned if she felt comfortable.
He didn't feel like the fearsome man whom everyone rumored to be and turns out to be only a father. A handsome, father if she has to add considering how once they entered the hotel, everyone's eyes both men and women couldn't stay away from him.
There was some girls who didn't mind the fact he was holding to a baby and a woman on his side, coming to ask for his number which Han XiGuang declined firmly.
"I'm sorry," Han XiGuang said with a smile as they ride the elevator.
"Are you apologizing for the girls earlier?" Wu SuYi questioned and saw him nodding his head, "Don't worry, it often happens to me too. Although today, I got outshined by you," she laughed and noticed how Han XiGuang chuckled at the same time as her.
"Of course, you are a charming woman, I doubted anyone would be able to stay away from you. A shame that I had outshined your chance to find a boyfriend, or maybe you have one already?" Han XiGuang's question come smoothly from his lips that only Rui could see of the hidden intention behind his father's question.
Wu SuYi without noticing this, chuckled, "No. I don't have a boyfriend. I am committed to my work as of now. While many people around me says I will find happiness if I get a boyfriend, I don't see the difference of being alone when I can make myself happy."
Han XiGuang nodded his head. The door to the elevator opened at the same time he whispered, "But sometimes, there are certain happiness that only a pair of lover could feel."
Wu SuYi who was puzzled by his words belatedly walk out of the elevator after him. Her cheeks had turned bright red even without her noticing the heat that spread all over her cheeks and nape.
They took a seat near the open window which allow them to have the best night view from the highest place.
"You can order whatever you like," Han XiGuang said while offering the menu to her hands.
Wu SuYi stared at the menu before her eyes moving toward the price. She didn't lack of money per se, and even consider herself living with enough luxury but the price of the dishes in the particular restaurant was much higher compared to the most luxurious restaurant she would go to.
Wu SuYi couldn't bring herself to pay for such expensive price of food and in the end, settled for a light serving of pasta.
"Are you sure that's enough?" Han XiGuang then questioned her. "I remembered the serving of pasta you ordered is lesser compared to the usual serving quantity."
"It's alright, I'm not particularly hungry as well," she responded. She couldn't bring herself to say that the dishes was too expensive for her.
"Well there would be a cake after, it would be better to eat less if you like sweets," Han XiGuang looked to her face, finding a bright sparkle brightened her eyes after he mentioned the cake and unable to hold his chuckle.
Wu SuYi quickly realize her childish expression and pulled a straight face. Deep down, she hoped the ground would swallow her whole!
"How long have you worked as a lawyer, Miss Wu?" Han XiGuang asked.
She was grateful he had veered the conversation and began counting in her mind, "Four or maybe five years."
"Being a lawyer is a job that needs both strength mentally and physically. You have a very amazing job. I can't help but think that you are a very hardworking person." While Han XiGuang spoke, Rui praised his father from the side, supporting his father's smooth interaction.
"I am?" She tilted her head.
"I was late to save Rui when danger came to him," Han XiGuang reflected. His eyes sunken in a chilling anger that tensed the air. "Usually he would be with his bodyguards. I don't want to make him stifled with the amount of protection needed around him, but my job requires me to be vigilant at all time. Usually I would be protecting the queens, kings of other countries, or anyone who are important. Many people who failed to get rid of my client would then come to me out of anger. As my child, Rui suffered the burden."
His voice was still as he spoke but softened when he mentioned Rui in his words. She noticed how difficult his work must have been. While being the head of a bodyguard company seemed easy to others' eyes, Han XiGuang's company was much bigger and wider compared to the others, allowing him to have the best client and also the worse enemy.
"I thought I was late when the incident yesterday happened. Rui was with his bodyguards but they had somehow managed to find a space to kidnapped him. Rui isn't a bad child but he did threw a small tantrum as I wasn't able to follow my promise to him," Han XiGuang who had been looking at his son then moved his gaze back to her, "It was my fault in the end. If something were to happen to him, I will never be able to face his mother in Heaven."
Wu SuYi's heart thump when she heard him mention his wife. For a moment there was silence between them, Wu SuYi couldn't help but ask, "I don't want to be intrusive and you can decline to answer my question—"
"You want to know about his mother?" Han XiGuang saved her breaths. She nodded her head and heard him chuckling, "Don't he look so much like me?"
Wu SuYi agreed as she found so many similarities in Rui's appearance and Han XiGuang's.
"Can you imagine that he is only my nephew?"
His words echoed in her head. Wu SuYi took a lot of time to progress his words and stared at his face blankly. "Rui is your nephew?"
"He is," he confirmed, "But some people thought of him as my son. I don't see how Rui being a nephew is any different from being my son. He as precious to me as if I would ever have a son; therefore, I never fixed other's assumption about us."
"His mother…" she whispered.
"She was my closest friend and his father is my younger brother. She died on an accident while my brother is gone." Han XiGuang didn't explain what he meant by gone but Wu SuYi thought it would be more intrusive if she had asked for anything deeper.
"I see," perhaps Rui had called Han XiGuang his father because he sees him as one.
Through the small conversation, Wu SuYi felt sympathy to both Han XiGuang and Rui. Even though Rui is his nephew, Han XiGuang was still young and at the prime of his age. But instead of enjoying his youth, he prioritized his nephew that shine a bright light to her view.
"Now that I answer that, can you also tell me why do you always look so fearful of me?" Han XiGuang placed his elbow on the table, crossing his fingers one over the other. "I don't bite nor will I claw you, but you always look so scared of me? Did I do anything that scares you or did I, hurt you in any way?"