Calix had expected such a reaction from Leslie. Her widened eyes expressed the shock that was overwhelming her right now.
"Why so surprised?" asked Calix teasingly. Wriggling his brows, he said, "Doesn't it make us the same? Tho I'm sure I had none out-of-body experience like you."
Leslie was utterly speechless, replying nothing to Calix's friendly joke.
What was this?
Did the author really leave out this kind of shocking detail?
Even if Calix was not the male lead, usually stuff like this was hinted at from the beginning. Readers would be hooked to follow the supporting character's stories as well thus, ensuring their full attention on the novel.
'Wait... No, no. I shouldn't be surprised. I haven't finished reading the book yet.'
Leslie inwardly shook her head, telling herself not to be carried away by the revelation.
Perhaps the author had already mentioned it but, she missed the hint. There was another possibility. This matter might be first brought up in the chapters she hadn't read.
"That accident..." Leslie's brows were slightly furrowed. She didn't notice how her voice trembled, "Was it pure accident, or... was it pre-meditated?"
Calix was the heir of the prominent Xu family. Even though many people supported him, enemies still lurked in the shadows. It was impossible to uproot them all at the same time.
What if he became the vicious group's target?
Calix sprang up and jumped to his feet. Mischief glinted in his eyes as he grinned at Leslie, "It's no fun if I tell you everything now. Let's continue it later."
Calix sensed that Leslie was still uncomfortable with him. Perhaps it was due to their conversation last night. He should stall some time to raise her curiosity.
Leslie was perplexed by Calix's sudden action but, she should have expected that he wouldn't tell her easily. Little did she know that the man's intention was due to something else.
"Okay, up to you," Leslie also rose. While smoothening the skirt, she threw her eyes around the area, "What time is it now? This place is so quiet."
The sun had chased away the remaining darkness of the night. The sunbeam weaved through the gaps, showering its lights over everything on Earth.
"It's 7:20," Calix briefly looked at his smartwatch, "Let's go. I'll have breakfast with my family before going to work."
"Does it mean I'll follow you to work?" asked Leslie. Her eyes sparkled once she thought of the possibility.
Calix snickered, "Why? Are you that happy to visit my office? Yeah, yeah, you've to follow me to the office. I don't wanna do a detour to my house."
Leslie chuckled. She forgot about Calix's unfinished story regarding the accident, including the unpleasantness hovering over her heart because of last night's conversation.
"Hehe, it'll be my first time visiting a huge company. So, CEO Xu, can I wander to each floor? I promise I won't peek into anything top secret."
How couldn't she be excited? This was her chance to experience the majesty of a mega-corporation office building!
All this time, Leslie only read the descriptions inside the novels. Aside from that, she also looked at the office sets in the domineering CEO dramas.
Even though this world was a novel, everything resembled real life!
Calix was amused by how cheerful Leslie was right now. She was so giddy as if she was bestowed with some kind of rare experience.
"..."
Calix refrained from smacking his forehead. He didn't want to accidentally hurt himself so hard like the silly slapping incident.
Well, this really should be a rare experience for her.
Not everyone could wander inside a huge company without being seen by other people. Even the cutting-edge surveillance system couldn't detect her presence.
"Up to you. If something happens to the company, I'll hold you accountable."
Turning around, Calix put both hands inside the pocket of his pants. Leslie's cheerful laughter echoed from behind.
"Hehe, thanks, Calix."
Humming softly to a tune, Leslie walked with springs on her steps. Somehow, she felt like Calix would accept her request to look for Calliope. The way he treated her this morning showed no hints of alienation.
How good would it be?
The human and soul pair headed back to the main building. Along the way, they refrained from talking. They simply enjoyed the tranquility offered by the early morning.
"Oh? That's Second Uncle!"
The familiar childlike voice echoed loudly in the air, quickly catching Leslie and Calix's attention. Looking in the direction where the sound came, they saw little Amelia and her father Vernon.
"Second Uncle! Here, here!"
The excited Amelia waved one hand at Calix. She was sitting on the back of Vernon as the man did his routine push-ups.
The little one was not scared at all. She grabbed her father's shirt with her other hand. Her relaxed posture indicated that she was used to this.
"Morning, Mia. Did you dream of candies last night?"
Calix returned Amelia's hand-waving. He briefly glanced at Leslie who had a smile on her lips.
Unlike how sorrowful she looked last night, her countenance right now expressed her peace.
"Second Uncle! Last night ah! Mia dreamed of skipping on the clouds! They were so colorful! Many, many colors!"
"Oh? Tell me more ah. Did the clouds become cotton candy?"
Calix half-ran to reach the father and daughter. Leslie still followed him yet, she maintained a little distance. Her eyes remained on the little turnip head dressed in a white T-shirt and blue suspender pants.
"No ah! No cotton candy! Daddy woke Mia before Mia ate the clouds!"
Vernon stifled his laughter as he lowered his body to the ground. Turning to look at his cheeky daughter, he said, "Mia, go down now."
Amelia obediently did as she was told. She swooshed, sliding down from Vernon's back. Her tiny feet touched the ground before she stood up straight.
"You'll go straight to the office after this, en?" Vernon jumped a few times while stretching up. His round-collared black shirt was thoroughly damp by his sweat.
"Yeah. I won't go back to my house until my dinner at the Li's."
Calix still remembered the important agenda today. Even without the physical presence of the bride, he would visit Leslie's maiden home and bring gifts along.
Rowan's request faintly resonated in Calix's mind. He couldn't help but wonder how Old Madam Li and the others would welcome him tonight.
Vernon sneered. Mirth glinted in his sharp eyes as they kept looking at Calix.
"What now?" Calix pretended to frown. He nudged his elder brother's muscular arm, "Have something to say to me, huh?"
"Hahaha! Be careful when you're there. Who knows, your wife might change to someone else."
Calix was perplexed. He understood nothing of Vernon's words now.
"...huh? What do you mean? Why my wife might change ah?"
Vernon shrugged, too lazy to answer Calix's curiosity. He picked Amelia up and turned around, not paying attention to his younger brother anymore.
While Calix was left baffled by his brother, a realization dawned upon Leslie. She almost laughed as she understood what Vernon meant by that.
Well, well, well.
Wasn't this a dog-blood romance novel?
Of course, Calix might be targeted by someone tonight.