Aloof by Nature

"Second Master Xu, are you inviting Master Xiao to dinner tonight?"

Wang Tong suddenly asked.

"...Yeah."

Xu Qingzhu answered hesitantly. He had a bad feeling about this.

Sure enough, as soon as he spoke, Wang Tong's eyes narrowed into cheerful crescents. "Can I come along, too?"

Xu Qingzhu: ...

He didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

Seeing Xu Qingzhu fall silent, Wang Tong pressed on. "I'm serious. I'll sit outside."

"Just call me in when you're done talking."

"How about it, Second Master Xu?"

"Looks like you turned him down."

Hearing this, Xiao Xiao couldn't help the slight curve of his lips.

Evidently, he hadn't seen the potbellied Manager Wang when he arrived.

Xu Qingzhu nodded, confirming Xiao Xiao's guess, then said, "But I promised him I'd give this to Master Xiao in person."

He pulled a business card from the holder he carried with him and handed it to Xiao Xiao.

Xiao Xiao took it and looked it over. It was a very simple card, with only a name and a phone number.

"Old Wang really hopes you won't refuse his call the next time he phones you, Master Xiao."

Xu Qingzhu spoke languidly. Remembering Old Wang's repeated reminders at lunchtime, a hint of amusement crept into the corners of his eyes.

Xiao Xiao couldn't help smiling, either. He glanced at the number on the card, then put it away.

"Of course. I think he'll be able to get through to me next time."

"Haha!"

Xu Qingzhu laughed heartily.

Compared to when they'd first met, he seemed much more cheerful, and the faint shadows between his brows had disappeared.

"Master Xiao."

His smile faded, and Xu Qingzhu's expression grew solemn. "The other children were there yesterday, so it