"..." Xiao Yi said.
Was this unavoidable topic of the awards ceremony?
But judging by the situation, he had no intention of participating.
He glanced back at Da Yang. "Pick me up in an hour."
"Yes."
Da Yang happily went to video chat with his girlfriend.
He looked at Qi Chi again, a hint of schadenfreude in his eyes. "Qi Chi's assistant, since you're busy, you should go ahead." Su Dan Fiction Network
He then gave a slight nod to Lin Zhuonan and strode into the old mansion.
Hearing Xiao Yi's words, Chu Qiao suddenly realized something. "Qi Chi, did you come with Yi Shen?"
Qi Chi was just a university graduate. How could he know Yi Shen?
Although she had suspected that Qi Chi's family background was unusual, which was evident from many everyday details, she never imagined that he would be so close to Yi Shen as to ride in his car to attend a banquet.
Lin Zhuonan stood aside with his arms crossed, looking amused. The Lin and Xiao families were acquainted. He hadn't interacted much with Qi Chi but knew who he was.
The Xiao family's runaway grandson.
He was just quite surprised that he was working as a personal assistant for Chu Qiao.
Meeting his gaze, Qi Chi merely glanced at him before focusing his attention on Chu Qiao.
"Our parents happen to know each other."
Lin Zhuonan found this reason amusing.
Makes sense!
If they were siblings, wouldn't their parents know each other?
"So that's how it is."
Chu Qiao obviously accepted this flimsy excuse. "Then let's go in together!"
She naturally stepped forward and linked her arm with Qi Chi's.
In her opinion, those who weren't born into wealth or accustomed to the spotlight of the entertainment industry would feel somewhat uncomfortable in such an occasion. Therefore, she felt it was natural for her to look out for her little assistant.
Seeing her arm linked with his, Qi Chi's lips curved upwards uncontrollably.
As they passed Lin Zhuonan, his expression conveyed a sense of smugness that only men could understand.
Lin Zhuonan found it amusing.
This kid... on Chu Qiao...
He looked at Chu Qiao again, who was still naively oblivious.
Alas~
What could he do?
He would just have to keep an eye on this silly girl.
Lin Zhuonan finally moved, slowly following behind the two.
He was truly a worried old father!
It was Chu Qiao's first time at the Xiao family's old mansion, a place she had only heard of in legends.
If there was one place in Jiang City that was both a historical relic and a private residence, it was the Xiao family's old mansion.
From the outside, the mansion was grand and magnificent, with a Hui-style architectural aesthetic. The strings of large red lanterns hanging under the black tiles and the flickering candlelight seemed to illuminate the river of history.
The courtyard gate appeared ordinary, but upon entering, it revealed a hidden world.
Even though it was nearing the end of the year and the temperature outside was only a few degrees, here, various exotic flowers and plants were in full bloom, competing for beauty.
Not only was the gardening impressive, but there were also all sorts of flying and wild beasts kept in cages!
Any guest invited to the Xiao residence was a supreme honor!
Not to mention anything else, just appreciating these flowers, plants, birds, and beasts was enough to broaden one's horizons.
Chu Qiao, for instance, exclaimed "Wow, wow, wow!" at everything she saw, her surprise unreserved.
Qi Chi stayed by her side the entire time, smiling as he watched her genuine and unpretentious demeanor.
He had seen too many so-called socialites and superstars who, after being invited to the Xiao residence, would pretend to be unimpressed despite never having seen it before. Yet, when showing off to their friends afterward, they would exaggerate more than each other.
"Is this a white peacock?"
Chu Qiao pressed her hands against the cage, staring at the almost dazzlingly beautiful peacock inside, and suddenly asked, "Qi Chi, is the Xiao family very rich?"
Qi Chi thought for a moment. "Just okay, I guess."
Chu Qiao withdrew her gaze and concluded, "The Xiao family must be very rich, very, very, very rich! But also particularly, particularly, particularly boring!"
Qi Chi found it amusing. "Why do you say that?"
Chu Qiao gestured expansively with her hand. "Look at this, it's decorated like a botanical and zoological garden. They keep inviting people over for no reason, constantly inviting people..." As she spoke, she leaned closer and whispered, "So, the owner of this house must be very bored, so bored that all they have left is money. Nothing in the world seems to pique their interest anymore! Except for constantly sharing their wealth for others to admire."
After hearing this, Qi Chi pursed his lips and chuckled softly. "Your analysis... is actually quite accurate."
Grandpa was the kind of person his grandfather often spoke of, someone "so poor they only had money left." With so much wealth, he wouldn't be able to sleep if he didn't let others admire it.
After her analysis, Chu Qiao furrowed her brows and said seriously, "I suppose the food here should be good!"
Qi Chi, with a smile still on his lips, took her hand. "I'm familiar with this place. I'll take you to find something to eat."
Chu Qiao was always open to delicious food, and moreover, she had a metabolism that allowed her to eat without gaining weight. This was something even Xia Weiliang found annoying.
They were all beautiful women, so why was it fair that she could eat as much as she wanted without gaining weight?
Chu Qiao: It's fair.
"Wait a moment!" Chu Qiao quickly pulled him back, afraid he might offend someone. "Don't walk around randomly. I'm telling you, these wealthy families have so many rules! Don't you see that the people here tonight are all regulars in the news? It's the most troublesome to offend them! So... just stick close to Sister Qiao!"
Chu Qiao stood opposite him, looking up at him, and patted him heavily on the shoulder.
Qi Chi smiled.
"Okay," he said.
The old mansion had a corridor that circled back. Across the corridor, Lin Youyou stared wide-eyed at them.
"Nan Ge! Who is that woman next to Xiao Lan?!"
Lin Zhuonan, holding an apple, took a large bite and replied without turning his head, "Chu Qiao, his boss."
"What boss? Is Xiao Lan working? But with so many industries in the Xiao family, he could just do anything! Why would he work for someone else? And it's a woman?!"
Actually, Lin Youyou wanted to say, and such a beautiful woman!!
Even though she wasn't dressed too formally, she was captivating!
Like... like a siren!
"He's working as Chu Qiao's assistant." Lin Zhuonan remembered something and said, "Oh, I almost forgot. You just returned to the country and aren't very familiar with the domestic entertainment industry. That girl is a celebrity, a decent actress, and the top star of her company."
Upon hearing she was a celebrity, her status seemed to immediately become inferior. Lin Youyou said disdainfully, "Just an actress!"
Hearing her words, Lin Zhuonan's eating paused. He slowly looked up at her, a half-smile on his face. "The Qing Dynasty has been gone for so many years, yet there are still people so fixated on the word 'actress.' I thought people who lived abroad would at least have a broader perspective."
Realizing Lin Zhuonan was also a singer, Lin Youyou was annoyed and wanted to explain, "Nan Ge, I..."
Lin Zhuonan took another bite of the apple, stood up, and walked away. "It seems that I, an 'actress,' am not qualified to sit and talk with our Miss Lin."
Lin Youyou stamped her foot in anger. "Cousin!"