But this excitement was only temporary, especially when he saw Xiao Yi’s gaze, unconcerned with anyone else, heading directly towards Xiao Deye. "Grandpa."
Lin Guanyan smiled. "Yunyu is back, I'll have dinner prepared again immediately."
Xiao Yi: "No need."
Xiao Deye glanced at him. "What brings you back so suddenly?"
As soon as he spoke, Xiao Yi knew what he was going to say, so he didn't waste any time. "I've come back to say a few words, and then I'll leave. As for Xia Weiliang and me, no one is allowed to interfere, not even you."
Lin Suixiang's face instantly turned pale, and Lin Youyou looked incredulous.
Seeing Xiao Deye's eyes narrow, he continued calmly, "As for what will happen between her and me, to be honest, I can't give an answer right away. However, I just know that she has a special attraction for me, making me unable to resist getting closer to her."
Lin Youyou smiled insincerely. "Has this woman cast a spell on Brother Yi? Otherwise, how could a man as resolute as Brother Yi be so infatuated with a woman?"
This was naturally said for Xiao Chengye to hear. She knew that the elderly were sensitive to such matters, especially in large families where talk of divine intervention was common.
As expected, after hearing her words, Xiao Deye's face darkened, and his brows furrowed.
Xiao Yi slowly turned his gloomy gaze and looked at her coldly. "Are you ignoring what I said?"
Lin Guanyan faltered and immediately pulled his younger daughter aside. "Yunyu, don't mind her. It's my fault for spoiling this child; I will discipline her properly."
He said it so sincerely that Xiao Yi naturally gave him face.
Lin Youyou's face turned red, and she whispered, "Brother Yi, you've never been so fierce with me. I only said one thing about Xia Weiliang... and that you weren't bewitched by her..."
Xiao Yi's expression gradually changed, and his gaze towards her became chillingly menacing.
"Youyou!"
It was Lin Suixiang who spoke to stop her. She quickly said, "Xiao Yi already said this is his own business, haven't you understood? If you keep talking nonsense here, I'll get angry!"
"Sister~"
"Shut up!"
Lin Youyou was wronged but obediently closed her mouth.
Lin Deye raised his head, his bright eyes fixed on his grandson. "Hmph, you've got a lot of nerve! What, being called a film emperor outside made you think you're an actual emperor? You're putting on airs at home!"
"Grandpa, for years I've listened to you and haven't completely abandoned the family business. I've been acting while looking after the business. What more do you want from me?"
"Your surname is Xiao! As a member of the Xiao family, this is your responsibility!"
Xiao Yi looked at him, his tone tinged with helplessness. "We brothers hear the same thing countless times a year. Whose responsibility is it? You should really clarify that, lest we mistakenly think our Xiao family has an imperial throne, as if neglecting it would cause the empire to fall."
"You—"
"Hahahaha... As expected of Fourth Brother!"
After a hearty laugh, two people entered.
Lin Guanyan quickly said, "Sir, it's Qichi and Ziqin who are back."
The two young men were both tall and handsome, and while not strikingly alike, they shared a certain resemblance in their demeanor.
The one laughing so carefree was the Xiao family's sixth son, Xiao Yu, courtesy name Ziqin.
The Xiao family members were accustomed to calling each other by their courtesy names, just as Xiao Yi's courtesy name was Yunyu, taken from "Stone holds jade and the mountain shines, water cradles pearls and the stream is beautiful."
The seventh son, Xiao Lan, courtesy name Qichi, was named after "Beneath the humble gate, one can reside at ease." To distance himself from the Xiao family, he used his courtesy name instead of his given name for both his studies and work.
Xiao Yu had a kind face and naturally smiling eyes, always amiable to everyone. Even the Xiao family patriarch, with his notoriously foul temper, would soften in his presence.
Therefore, Lian Jun was also wise to have Qichi call for this sixth young master.
Qichi glanced at his fourth brother, then sat down as if nothing had happened, asking for a cup of tea and specifically requesting the patriarch's new tea.
With Xiao Yu's arrival, the atmosphere seemed to lighten, becoming less tense than before.
He smiled and approached his grandfather, leaning in to whisper, "Grandpa, you're just overthinking. We brothers are all still single. Your friends all have children and grandchildren, aren't you anxious?"
Xiao Deye was startled. This… this hit the mark!
"Hehe, the pressing matter is to have grandchildren quickly. Moreover, Xia Weiliang is a renowned beauty! And look at my Fourth Brother's face; can the children they have be ordinary? It's said that the entire entertainment industry is anticipating their offspring! Imagine how proud you'd be to show them off!"
Xiao Deye's expression gradually softened, and a flicker of light even appeared in his eyes.
That scene…
He would truly wake up smiling in his dreams!
"So, why bother with yourself? You're even upsetting my Fourth Brother! You know his temperament; if he clashes with you again, he might not even get married. Where will you find such a handsome golden grandson then?"
Xiao Deye's eyebrows twitched slightly, as if the coveted golden grandson was truly slipping away!
He wasn't foolish. Having been in the business world for so many years, a merchant's instinct was to avoid disadvantages and seek benefits. He naturally understood the logic.
Of the seven grandsons in the Xiao family, not one had married yet, let alone produced grandchildren!
By this standard, only Xiao Yi currently showed some promise.
Interestingly, Xiao Deye had been most worried about Xiao Yi before this. He was in the entertainment industry but hadn't caused any scandals. While Xiao Deye was relieved, he couldn't help but feel a little concerned.
Were the beauties in the entertainment industry not beautiful enough?
So, the sixth son was right. Who cares if it's Xia Weiliang or Autumn Weiliang? As long as she could keep his grandson focused and have a golden grandson, why should he interfere so much? If he wanted a suitable granddaughter-in-law, there were still the other six grandsons!
Xiao Deye's expression finally improved. "You're the only one who knows how to talk."
Though he said this, he looked at the sixth son with a bit more amusement.
Qichi leisurely sipped his tea, nodded in satisfaction.
Xiao Yi also raised an eyebrow, knowing that with the sixth son's arrival, there would be no more problems. He then sat down and sipped tea with Qichi.
Lin Guanyan, seeing this, exchanged glances with his two daughters, signaling them to follow him out. He then instructed the kitchen to prepare dinner again, so that these three grandsons of the Xiao family could dine with Xiao Deye.
"Why should we come out?"
Lin Youyou was still unhappy. "They don't visit often, and aren't we the ones keeping Grandpa Xiao company?"
Lin Suixiang's expression was obscure. "What's the use of that? No matter how good we are, we're not as good as his biological grandchildren."
Even though Xiao Deye treated the sisters well usually, he would never consider letting his grandson marry them.
Because they were, after all, the butler's daughters.
Their status was even lower than Xia Weiliang's.
—
After re-reading the synopsis, I remembered that Xiao Yi is actually the fourth brother. Forgive my confusion between fourth, fifth, and sixth!