"Dong dong—"
Before Xia Weiliang could even walk out, she heard two sharp thuds of a cane striking the ground behind her.
Without turning her head, she sensed a killing intent.
This was a master!
She slowly turned to the side, then looked back, seeing an elderly, gaunt man being supported by Lin Suixiang and Lin Youyou on either side.
The old man appeared spirited and his imposing aura remained undiminished. His sharp, discerning eyes fixed intently on Xia Weiliang.
With just one glance, Xia Weiliang understood: he looked down on her a hundred times over!
Coincidentally, she also looked down on this old man!
What era was this, that your grandson had a throne to inherit, and you all were unworthy?
Xia Weiliang cast a glance back, then calmly withdrew her gaze.
"Grandfather."
Xiao Yi stared directly at the old man, his gaze outwardly respectful but subtly conveying a warning.
Xiao Deye slowly shifted his gaze to Xiao Yi. "Since you've brought a friend, why are you leaving so soon? Is our Xiao family's hospitality not good enough?"
Anyone else would have politely replied, "No, no, not at all!"
But who was Xia Weiliang?
Anyone who could make her feel wronged was still in the state of frozen embryos!
She turned around to face Xiao Deye, smiling faintly. "It's not a matter of hospitality. At most, you've given me a few rounds of intimidation, implicitly and explicitly telling me I shouldn't be here, that I'm not family."
"Oh?"
Xiao Deye's expression seemed indifferent, but the subtle upward curve of his lips betrayed his good mood.
Xia Weiliang smiled again. "Actually, what everyone said isn't wrong. We're not family at all."
In front of the old man, she reached out and linked arms with Xiao Yi. "Because, you're not worthy."
Turning around, she waved goodbye with a flourish. "No need to see us off, everyone!"
Xiao Yi chuckled, put his arm around her, and walked out.
He hadn't spoken another word to his grandfather from start to finish.
Ignoring his grandfather's darkening expression, Xi Chi also stood up with a smile. "Since Grandfather has so many family members to keep him company, he doesn't need me. I need to hurry back to have dinner with my grandmother."
Xiao Deye glanced at him coldly and, drawing in a breath, said in a low voice, "What a good grandson you are!"
"No, no, Grandfather, please don't praise me like that! I have six older brothers ahead of me, so it's not my turn to carry the banner!"
"Hmph!"
Xi Chi didn't delay, stuffing his hands into his pockets and strolling leisurely out.
"Xiao Lan..."
Lin Youyou was a little anxious. She had finally returned to the country, and they hadn't even had a proper chat yet, so why was he leaving again!
Lin Suixiang shot her sister a look, signaling her not to be too presumptuous in front of Grandpa Xiao.
After all, in his eyes, they were equally unworthy of his grandson.
Lin Youyou bit her lip and fell silent.
It wasn't until they were outside the Xiao family's gate that Xia Weiliang let out a relieved, deep breath. She then turned to pat Xiao Yi's shoulder. "It must have been difficult for you in such a stifling environment."
Xiao Yi took her hand. "So... are you going to retreat at the last minute?"
"Absolutely not!" Xia Weiliang stated firmly. "Your grandfather didn't try to bribe me with a huge sum of money, so how could I possibly retreat so easily!"
He laughed, amused, and raised his hand to pinch her cheek. "You have principles. I admire that."
As they were talking, he heard footsteps behind them and turned his head, seeing Xi Chi approaching.
Xia Weiliang was very curious about him. "Xi Chi, Xi Chi, you've been hiding yourself quite well!"
Xi Chi appeared quite innocent. "Neither my fourth brother nor I have intentionally hidden anything. Many details could have been observed. If you really want to scrutinize it, it's because you haven't paid enough attention to me."
"..."
Xia Weiliang stared at him blankly. "So, in the end, it's our fault?"
Xi Chi nodded obediently. "Especially Chu Qiao. She goes back on her word about things and never felt valued."
Xia Weiliang looked at Xiao Yi in confusion. What had been agreed upon?
Xiao Yi didn't give her a chance to talk to this cunning little fellow anymore. He put his arm around her and headed towards the car. "Don't talk to bad people, you'll be led astray."
Xi Chi: "...It's not like that, Fourth Brother. When you begged me to return to the Xiao family back then, you didn't say this. You said I was the last glimmer of pure land in the Xiao family..."
Xia Weiliang found this rather amusing and asked him softly, "Did you really say that?"
Xiao Yi replied without turning his head, "Kids back then loved to hear these things. If you don't present it as saving the world and rescuing the ignorant masses, he wouldn't be willing to come back with us!"
"Tsk tsk tsk, you adults are going too far, tricking a child!"
"It doesn't count. It's just having one more person to deal with Grandfather..."
Xi Chi stood there, shaking his head with a laugh. Men's words are indeed deceitful ghosts!
After dropping Xia Weiliang back at her apartment, she tugged his hand before he got out of the car. "Why don't you come up with me?"
"No need." He raised his hand to caress her cheek. "I need to go back and appease my grandfather. I'm afraid he might have a breakdown and come to bother you."
"Oh my gosh! He's that willful?"
Xia Weiliang's eyes widened. She never expected Grandpa Xiao, at his age, to be so immature!
She didn't dare linger any longer and quickly got out of the car, waving goodbye. "Hurry back."
After watching him leave, Xia Weiliang breathed a sigh of relief, feeling a sense of lingering fear, and walked back.
Upstairs, Liu Yaozong was just taking the last dish of fish out of the pot. "Sister! You're back, quickly wash your hands and get ready to eat! I'm telling you, the fish stew I made today is of expert level! I think if I keep stewing it, this fish will start talking!"
Little Jinzi was also happy to see her return. She ran over and neatly placed her slippers at her feet.
"Woo~ Thank you, my little cutie~"
It was good to be home!
Xia Weiliang changed her clothes, washed her hands, and sat at the dining table. "You guys have no idea how magnificent I was just now, debating with everyone! Leaving no quarter!"
Liu Yaozong and Little Jinzi sat opposite her, smiling. Liu Yaozong peeled shrimp shells for Little Jinzi as he asked, "So, according to you, that person named Lin Suixiang has feelings for Brother Yi!"
"Isn't that the obvious outcome!" Xia Weiliang took a defiant bite of a peanut and said, "You want to embarrass me in public? You should see if this sister is willing to give you the chance!"
Little Jinzi, whether she understood or not, nodded vigorously at this point. "Mm!"
"Oh~ my little darling~"
Xia Weiliang was truly touched by the little one, hugging her and planting a kiss on her little face.
"Sister, your mouth is all oily!!"
Liu Yaozong said with disgust and quickly used a tissue to wipe the little girl's face clean.
Little Jinzi sat there and giggled.
Just then, Liu Yaozong's phone rang.
He turned sideways, picked up his phone without looking at the caller ID, and answered, "Hello?"
Hearing the voice on the other end, his expression changed slightly. "Is there something you need?"