chapter 9 Change your mind ===

The reason Alexander Xu listened so obediently to his cousin was rooted in a childhood incident where he accidentally fell into a pond. At that time, he was only eight years old. While they were playing secretly, Alexander fell into the pond, and ten-year-old Hannah Lin, who also couldn't swim, desperately saved him, nearly drowning herself. From that moment on, Alexander became utterly compliant with his cousin.
Although Alexander indulged in all kinds of vices and almost forced himself on Chloe Song, he never did anything utterly reprehensible, largely thanks to his cousin's guidance.
"Really?" Hannah Lin asked, half in doubt.
Alexander nodded and sat down in front of Hannah.
Hannah observed Alexander carefully for a while, and after confirming he wasn't lying, she relaxed slightly and said with a hint of indulgence, "Alright, don't be so aggrieved, I wronged you!"
From childhood, this cousin of hers, regardless of how badly others spoke of him, rarely lied in front of her, and she could always tell when he did.
Seeing Hannah reaching to ruffle his hair, Alexander quickly dodged, "Sis, I'm already an adult…"
"An adult?" Hannah scoffed, her beautiful eyes glaring, "Which adult lazes around like you? Uncle is already fifty-six. It's one thing you don’t help with the company's affairs, but you keep the family worried about you. Look at yourself, where's the semblance of an adult?"
"Okay, you two stop quarreling. Alexander, you haven't eaten yet, right? I'll make you something delicious," Grace Fang said with a smile, relieved that her son was unharmed. Remembering he hadn't eaten, Alexander's stomach growled.
While Grace was cooking, Alexander chatted with Hannah in the living room, "Why didn't you bring Little Evelyn?"
Little Evelyn, Hannah Lin's daughter, and Alexander's beloved niece, was truly adored by him.
Despite his past misdeeds, if she were ever in danger, he would rush to her rescue without hesitation. No matter how bad his mood was, he always had a doting smile for her.
Hannah, looking tired and rubbing her forehead, replied, "I was on a business trip abroad. Hearing about your accident, I came back immediately, even leaving some matters unfinished. I haven't even been home yet!"
"So that's why there's an unfamiliar car outside," Alexander realized, guessing the car must have been rented from the airport.
Hannah poked Alexander's head with her slender finger, somewhat annoyed, "You, always messing around outside, and what you did to Chloe Song! You've learned your lesson now, haven't you?"
While scolding Alexander, she also blamed herself internally, thinking if she hadn’t been abroad, maybe Alexander wouldn’t have done what he did to Chloe.
"Sis, let's not talk about that," Alexander, rubbing his head in frustration, cursed inwardly at the man he had to clean up after. That man died, but Alexander was left with a heavy burden to bear.
Hannah was about to slap him, but remembering he had just left the hospital, she withdrew her hand and glared at him, "If you're so capable, then pursue Chloe Song openly, make her fall in love with you! You have the looks, the money, and the brains. Why stoop to such low tactics? If only you changed your ways, who knows how many girls you could charm!"
Alexander Xu, inheriting the fine genes of Grace Fang and William Xu, was indeed quite handsome. Add to that his height of 1.8 meters, he was no less attractive than the legendary Pan An. If not for his notorious reputation in Tianhai City, he would surely have attracted many excellent women.
Many might say he was uneducated, but Hannah knew this boy was actually quite knowledgeable. With the Xu family’s resources, he received a fine education, was fluent in eight languages, graduated from Tianhai University with excellent grades, and even played the piano well.
A person with such qualities could have been a lady-killer, but he became a despised wastrel instead!
"Don't worry, I won't mess around like before!" Alexander said seriously. He indeed planned to clear his deceased relative's name. He couldn't continue living like that man, could he? To avoid suspicion, perhaps reforming was a good excuse!
"Really?" Hannah's eyes shone with happiness, "Don't think about deceiving me!"
"Really!" Alexander nodded, "This incident made me decide to reform and start anew. The old Alexander Xu is dead! You'll see a different Alexander Xu!"
Yes, the old Alexander Xu was indeed dead. From now on, the world would see a reborn Alexander Xu!
Seeing Alexander's serious expression, Hannah was moved to tears, "I believe in you! There's nothing you can't do if you set your heart to it!"
After so many years, he had finally seen the light! Chloe Song, thank you. Without you, he might not have been reborn. Hannah silently thought to herself.
"By the way, sis, why don't you come work at Prosperous World Group? I'll give up my position as vice president," he said. He wouldn't pursue Chloe or work at Prosperous World Group anymore. Holding such a position seemed inappropriate.
Hannah's eyes widened in surprise, "You just said you were reforming, didn't you?"
"Yes! But reforming doesn't necessarily mean I have to work at Prosperous World Group, right? You know I'm not interested in that stuff," Alexander said helplessly, genuinely uninterested in business.
"If not Prosperous World Group, what else can you do?" Hannah asked, frowning.
"Don't underestimate me. There's a lot I can do. You'll see!" Alexander chuckled, "How about my suggestion? You're always traveling, and your brother-in-law is busy with the police force, leaving Little Evelyn often unattended. You don't want her growing up like me, do you?"
To persuade Hannah to work at Prosperous World Group, Alexander had to use himself as a bad example.
Andrew Yang's family was well-off, and Hannah had just been promoted to vice president of a medium-sized company, with a decent income. She had previously declined offers to work at Prosperous World Group to avoid being labeled a beneficiary of nepotism. But now, with her company expanding abroad and frequent travel, she spent little time with her daughter.
Alexander's words deeply struck her. She didn't want her daughter to grow up like Alexander used to be.
"Hmm, I'll think about it," Hannah replied, unable to give an immediate answer.
As they talked, Grace had finished cooking two dishes, specially prepared for her son. She could have had the servants do it, but preferred to cook herself, a mother's love.
"Auntie, stop for a moment! I have great news," Hannah beckoned Grace, who was about to serve the food, and said with a grin.
"What good news?" Grace asked affectionately, then suddenly gasped, "You're not pregnant again, are you?"
Alexander laughed at his mother's wild imagination. Hannah blushed, elbowed him, and then turned to Grace, "Auntie, what are you thinking? The good news is, your precious son has decided to reform!"
"Really?" Grace trembled with excitement, "Alexander, you've really decided to reform?"
She had dreamt of this day, but the happiness came so suddenly, it felt like a dream.
Seeing his mother's excitement, Alexander felt fortunate for the deceased man he represented. Despite his faults, many still loved him. He was about to nod when a police siren sounded. A police car drove into the Xu family's courtyard.
Seeing the police car, both Grace's and Hannah's faces changed.
"Didn't the Song family release you? Did they change their minds?" Grace asked anxiously, almost crying. She had had enough scares for one day; she couldn't bear to see her son in trouble again.
"Don't worry, it's nothing. Let's go out and see," Alexander comforted her, standing up and patting her back.
"Son, you mustn't be in trouble!" Grace clung to Alexander's hand, following him outside.
A young police officer stood in the yard, appearing somewhat uneasy.
"Young Master Xu, please... accompany me to the police station," the young officer said hesitantly, clearly a bit afraid.
"Officer, what's the matter?" Grace asked cautiously, fearing the Song family had reneged on their agreement.
The officer quickly reassured, "Madam Xu, don't worry. We're just taking Young Master Xu to the police station for a routine statement."
"A statement?" Alexander looked puzzled, "I don't recall doing anything wrong."