Chapter 169: Chapter 169: 169 "Don't touch her.

The cruise ship’s buffet was laid out with many tempting foods.

Lin Xu walked around, her plate piled high with food when she returned.

Back at the table, Xie Changyan and Ji Tingyang were still engaged in an inexplicable standoff.

Xie Changyan slouched casually, one leg crossed over the other, with a relaxed palm resting on the table, occasionally tapping his fingertips on the surface.

Meanwhile, Ji Tingyang sat upright, his eyes slightly narrowed as he looked at Xie Changyan, exuding a sharp aura all around him.

Although they were silent, Lin Xu could feel the tension and animosity between them.

...

The moment Lin Xu approached, Xie Changyan reached out to her, gesturing for her to sit beside him.

The next instant, Ji Tingyang also grasped her arm, his voice cold as if leaving no room for argument, “She can only sit by my side!”

Xie Changyan raised an eyebrow and glanced at Lin Xu with a light look, “Where do you want to sit?”

Ji Tingyang looked over as well.

With their intense stares, Lin Xu felt so pressured she began to sweat and became flustered.

“I—I’ll sit here,” Lin Xu chose a separate spot to sit down.

Ji Tingyang pursed his lips, clearly dissatisfied with this third-party choice. Just as he was about to speak, his mouth was stuffed with a lobster.

“Stop talking and eat some food, be good,” Lin Xu said, sharing half of the food she had brought back with Ji Tingyang.

His cold expression gradually softened as he accepted the small lobster in his mouth, satisfied.

He knew it.

In his mother’s heart, he was much more important than Xie Changyan.

She would worry about him being hungry and had specifically brought back so much food to share with him.

But Xie Changyan had nothing.

However, Ji Tingyang couldn’t smile the next second.

He saw Xie Changyan grab Lin Xu’s hand and place a piece of crab meat she had just peeled into his mouth, his teeth inadvertently grazing over her fingertips, sending a tingle through her.

His hand gripping her wrist tightened slightly, his long, beautiful eyes curved, and his gaze seemed to hold twinkling peach blossoms, tantalizing and seductive.

“Not bad at all, quite delicious,” he whispered with a low laugh, his words seemingly loaded with double meaning.

Lin Xu’s ears suddenly grew hot, and her heartbeat involuntarily quickened.

Ji Tingyang: “…”

He hadn’t expected this man to be so frivolous, daring to flirt with his mother in front of him.

The color had just returned to Ji Tingyang’s face, but now it became frosty again.

A chill permeated the air, making Lin Xu’s hair stand on end, and she shivered.

She immediately glared at Xie Changyan, her voice fierce, “Sit properly; don’t steal my food, and don’t lean in!”

“Alright,” Xie Changyan’s eyes almost overflowed with amusement.

“Let’s ignore him,” Lin Xu whispered soothingly to Ji Tingyang and placed a slice of well-cut steak on his plate, “This steak is delicious, try it.”

The chill dissipated, and Ji Tingyang’s mood finally improved.

Throughout the meal, Xie Changyan seemed to have found his conscience, sitting properly in his chair without causing Ji Tingyang any more trouble.

After the meal, Ji Tingyang had eaten quite a lot.

“Let’s ignore him, ignore him…” Lin Xu tilted her head, her cheeks flushed and slightly inebriated, mumbling something indistinctly.

Coming to his senses, Ji Tingyang realized she had drunk quite a bit of red wine during the meal and was likely on the edge of drunkenness now.

Seeing Ji Tingyang put down his knife and fork, Lin Xu opened her bleary eyes and pushed the food on her plate towards him, “Why aren’t you eating anymore? Eat more, don’t starve.”

“I’m already full. I’ll take you back to your room to rest.” Ji Tingyang frowned and reached out to drape an arm over her shoulder.

“No, I don’t want to go back. I want to go there and play on the water slide…” Lin Xu looked around and pushed his hand away, staggering towards the front.

She hadn’t gone two steps before her legs gave way, and she started to fall to the side.

It was Xie Changyan who caught her.

“Which room are you staying in, I’ll take her back.” Xie Changyan, having been quiet for so long, finally made a move.

“No need, I can handle it myself…” Ji Tingyang said coldly, but before he could finish, the urgent ring of a phone call came from his pocket.

He glanced at it; it was Ji Yuqiao calling.

“Big brother, guess where I am, hehehe…” Ji Yuqiao’s giggles came through the phone, “I’m going to be a mermaid in the sea…”

“Nonsense,” Ji Tingyang said harshly.

“Wuwuwu, why doesn’t he like me, why…” Ji Yuqiao suddenly cried loudly, her sobbing intensifying.

Ji Tingyang’s brows nearly twisted into a “Sichuan” character. “Where are you right now?”

The pitiful sobs suddenly moved away from the microphone, and then the frantic voice of Zhao Jiayan followed.

“President Ji, this is Zhao Jiayan. Ji Yuqiao is drunk. Don’t worry; I’ll take good care of her.”@@novelbin@@

As their game wore on, each question became sharper and sharper. Ji Yuqiao found herself unable to answer at times and had to drink as a penalty.

Upon hearing this, how could Ji Tingyang not worry?

There were quite a few male voices in the background. Who could predict what might happen next? He didn’t dare to leave a drunk Ji Yuqiao over there.

His stern voice carried a trace of anger, “Where are you now, I’ll come to pick her up right away.”

He hung up the phone and was just about to rush over when he belatedly remembered Lin Xu beside him, who was also drunk.

How could he cope with two drunkards by himself?

He suddenly regretted it.

Why hadn’t he dragged Ji Zeqiu along to look after Ji Yuqiao? That would’ve been perfect.

As Ji Tingyang was struggling with what to do, Xie Changyan seemed to see his predicament and spoke up with a light laugh, “How about I take her back to her room for you?”

“No need,” Ji Tingyang refused coldly.

He would send his mother back to her room first and then hurry over.

“Don’t worry, I won’t do anything to her. But if you’re a few minutes late getting to your sister, it’s a mixed crowd over there, and I can’t guarantee nothing will happen,” Xie Changyan raised an eyebrow.

Ji Tingyang: “…”

He clenched the hand by his side, struggling internally for two or three seconds before begrudgingly handing Lin Xu over to Xie Changyan.

Although Ji Tingyang disliked Xie Changyan, to some extent, he was indeed more reliable than others.

“Don’t touch her,” Ji Tingyang’s gaze was as sharp as a knife as he glared at him.

“That touch, it shouldn’t include kissing, right?” Xie Changyan said with a smirk.

“You!” Anger surged within Ji Tingyang.

Xie Changyan reminded him, “If you don’t go now, it’ll be too late.”

“If you dare to touch her, I’ll kill you!” Ji Tingyang left those fierce words behind and turned to leave.

Xie Changyan’s chest vibrated lightly with a few chuckles.

“Ah Yan, why do you always like to provoke your son? What if he gets angry again?” Lin Xu snuggled up against his chest and mumbled.