It turned out that Old Madam Xu hadn't gone to bed yet. She simply took some rest to regain her energy. The sole purpose was to unleash her wrath on Calix.
"Hurry and go ah," Vernon pushed the sacrificial lamb Calix alone in a direction, "Come back alive."
"..."
Thus, a defeated-looking Calix headed to Old Madam Xu's bedroom. Seeing how slumped his shoulders were made Leslie feel sorry for him. She quietly tailed him from behind.
Old Madam Xu's bedroom was at the end of a hallway on the first floor. Right outside the room was her private garden, separated by the sliding wooden door. She loved being there from time to time.
The garden was enclosed by an inner stone wall where a few bodyguards were stationed outside. They were able to quickly jump over the high wall if an emergency happened.
Standing outside the room, Calix gestured at the closed door while raising his brows. His eyes fell on Leslie.
"Wanna come inside? If you wanna see your grandmother-in-law's prowess in disciplining me, you can tag along. Not like she can see you anyway."
Leslie stifled her laughter. Tilting her head, she asked jokingly, "And see your grandmother caning you for being naughty? CEO Xu, you've really amazed me ah."
This guy really didn't act his age. He was already thirty-two yet, his actions showed as if he aged backward. Even a high schooler wouldn't be as mischievous as him.
Well... how did he look like when he was in high school? Surely, many female students admired him, right?
Most probably, the group made up of Calix, Xander and their close friends was as popular as the one in a classic teen drama.
Realizing that her thinking had gone strayed, Leslie inwardly shook her head. The faint color of blush tinged her cheeks.
"Go inside alone ah. I don't wanna see such an undignified scene of you being punished."
Leslie almost stuttered, trying to hide the embarrassing thoughts from showing on her face
"Haa... you're right."
Calix let out a sigh, thinking what would happen once he faced his grandmother. He knocked on the door twice before immediately opening it.
"I'll wait here," Leslie chuckled, "Behave. Don't make her blood pressure high because of you."
"...thanks for your pep talk. It's really helpful."
In the next second, Calix's figure disappeared behind the door.
Shaking her head in helplessness, Leslie stood with her back to the wall. Her eyes were locked on the bedroom. A small smile tugged on her lips.
Hopefully, that guy wouldn't be too discouraged once he got out. She was still determined to tell him about the favor.
No matter what, she had to be truthful about finding Calliope tonight.
While Leslie was thinking about her daughter, Calix was already buttering up to Old Madam Xu. He was trying to escape the punishment waiting for him.
"Grandma ah~ Why aren't you happy? I've gotten married now. I'm a man with a wife, a pretty one too. I assure you, she's a benevolent and sensible woman."
Old Madam Xu threw a side eye at Calix who sat on the couch next to her.
Her silly second grandson was gently massaging her arms and shoulders. It was his usual action whenever he caused a mess worthy to be scolded.
"A wife you obtained through force? It's not like I don't know that weak Rowan got easily persuaded by you. The Charlene girl is so pitiful ah. She didn't know she got involved in you guys' plan."
Old Madam Xu was not blinded by Calix's real intention. He picked Charlene Li because she was in a comatose state. She wouldn't be able to interfere with his personal life unlike the young ladies lined up for the blind dates.
Calix laughed awkwardly. He held back from verbally replying to his grandmother.
'Haha... Grandma, if only you know that she's already aware. She's also there during the dinner. She...'
"Ouch!"
Calix's train of thought cracked when out of nowhere, Old Madam Xu smacked his right arm. Her bony hands also reached CEO Xu's back.
"Ow! Ow! Grandma, stop!"
Calix hunched down. Old Madam Xu's palms kept slapping his limbs and back.
"You naughty child! You dragged her as the victim ah! How could you?"
"Ouch! Grandma, stop, stop!"
"Hah!"
Old Madam Xu huffed out loud. She pinched the space between her temples. Her other hand roughly ruffled Calix's hair. The young man didn't dare to move even when she had ceased smacking him.
"Aiyo, my head..." Old Madam Xu shook her head, feeling her temple throbbing, "Huh! There's nothing we can do since you're already married."
"...yeah, yeah. Nothing we can do now."
Calix nodded like a chicken pecking grain.
"Still dare to talk back, you brat?" shouted Old Madam Xu.
"..."
Old Madam Xu had a small frame. Compared to the towering Calix, she could barely reach her grandson's chest. Yet, she seemed to be imposingly gigantic in front of him right now.
"Aiyaa... Forget it. It's my fault for pushing you to get married," Old Madam Xu kept pressing her temples, "Oh, poor girl. What should I do to make it up to her? She's just a victim."
Calix was speechless.
"...Grandma, don't make it sound like I abducted her."
"You dare to say that? Huh?"
Old Madam Xu glared at her grandson. Her fiery eyes shut Calix's mouth once again.
"Aiyo, forget it. Just forget it."
An exhausted Old Madam Xu waved her right hand. Calix sat quietly as he waited for the next words coming from her grandmother's mouth.
"But, I'm curious."
Old Madam Xu glanced at Calix. Her twisted eyebrows expressed the questions lingering in her mind. The young man still replied nothing.
"This old lady has known you from a young age ah. Calix, you won't randomly pick a lady just because she's in a coma. Is there something I don't know?"
Calix smiled, his gaze showed no fluctuations, "What? Are you guessing something, Grandma?"
Old Madam Xu squinted her eyes, trying to peer into her grandson's heart.
Even though Calix was always being playful, he was still capable of hiding his true feelings. If not, he wouldn't be suited to be the heir.
"Calix, do you actually have feelings for her? To Charlene?"
Calix continued smiling. He answered nothing to Old Madam Xu's question.