“It’s so late, why haven’t you rested yet?” Zhou Kanghe walked into the room and casually greeted Sun Miaoyin.
“Miaomiao sent me a message today. Xiao Jingting and Xiao Qingyan’s sons got into a fight,” Sun Miaoyin said.
“I heard about it.” The four great families had spies among each other – whenever one family had an incident, the other three would know immediately.
“The most outstanding person in the Xiao family’s second branch is Xiao Qingyan. However, both Xiao Jinfeng and Xiao Jingting have advanced to the fifth layer of Qi Refining. Xiao Qingyan’s cultivation and age don’t give him an advantage anymore. With Xiao Jingting and Xiao Jinfeng seeming to join forces, Xiao Qingyan’s position is in jeopardy!” Zhou Kanghe smiled.
“This time when Xiao Jingting returned, he seems like a completely different person,” Sun Miaoyin said.
Originally, Xiao Jingting would obey Sun Miaomiao’s every word. Now according to Miaomiao, not only was he very cold toward her, he seemed to harbor resentment.
“Indeed. Previously, we couldn’t tell that this Third Young Master Xiao was such a character. We really can’t underestimate him in the future. When Xiao Jinfeng was in trouble, Xiao Jingting helped him. Xiao Jinfeng is straightforward, so now he’s extremely close to Xiao Jingting.”
Hearing Zhou Kanghe mention Xiao Jinfeng, Sun Miaoyin’s mood became somewhat complicated. The engagement between Sun Miaoyin and Xiao Jinfeng had been arranged very early. After Sun Miaoyin grew up, she was very dissatisfied with this marriage arrangement. Because of Sun Miaoyin’s excellent cultivation talent, the Sun family also somewhat regretted hastily arranging this marriage back then.
After Xiao Jinfeng’s parents “died,” the Sun family took the opportunity to break off the engagement.
After the engagement was broken, Sun Miaoyin breathed a great sigh of relief. Sun Miaoyin had originally thought that Xiao Jinfeng would be depressed for a while after breaking off their engagement. However, the news she inquired about was that even before breaking off the engagement with her, Xiao Jinfeng had already gotten involved with a ger called Mu Shuyu, and Mu Shuyu had already been carrying Xiao Jinfeng’s child at that time.
Learning about Xiao Jinfeng and Mu Shuyu’s affair made Sun Miaoyin very uncomfortable.
She heard that Mu Shuyu had good attributes and cultivation equal to hers – both at the fifth layer of Qi Refining. This made Sun Miaoyin even more uncomfortable.
–
Early the next morning, Xiao Jingting’s family went out early.
Xiao Jingting also invited Xiao Jinfeng and Mu Shuyu. Although Xiao Jinfeng felt it wasn’t good to go out wandering right after Xiao Xiaofan had hit Xiao Yuerong, he couldn’t resist the expectant looks from Xiao Xiaofan and Xiao Xiaodong and agreed.
Xiao Xiaofan had never properly gone shopping in his life. Seeing the bustling streets, he was immediately dazzled by the various things on the street. Xiao Xiaodong was also curiously looking around.
When Xiao Jingting returned to Mo City, he had sold off all the fields and houses in Tuqiu Village. He still had some savings left from before, so his funds were quite abundant. Whatever Xiao Xiaofan took a fancy to, Xiao Jingting bought.
Xu Mu’an watched Xiao Jingting spending money like water and said helplessly, “Don’t indulge his willful behavior – you’ll spoil him.”
Xiao Jingting smiled, “Xiaofan is still young – it’s just the age for playing and having fun.”
Xu Mu’an smiled and didn’t continue to dissuade him. After Xiao Xiaofan was born, he had suffered quite a bit. Xu Mu’an always felt he owed Xiao Xiaofan something.
Xiao Xiaodong wore a sullen expression, disdaining the toys Xiao Xiaofan fancied, though deep in his eyes there was a hint of envy.
Xiao Jingting looked at Xiao Xiaodong and said, “Xiaodong, is there anything you want?”
Xiao Xiaodong clasped his hands behind his back, kept a stern face, held his head high, and said proudly, “I don’t play with toys anymore.”
Xiao Xiaofan looked at Xiao Xiaodong with a surprised expression, “Big brother, did you have toys before? How come I don’t know – were you hiding them and playing secretly?”
Xiao Xiaodong glared at Xiao Xiaofan like an angry cat, “Idiot!”
“Big brother, stop calling me names. I’m not stupid, but you’re calling me stupid,” Xiao Xiaofan said gloomily.
Xiao Xiaodong: “…”
When Xiao Qingyan got up the next day, he was still unwilling to let it go. Originally, he wanted to demand an explanation from Xiao Jingting, but when he heard that Xiao Jingting had taken his whole family out shopping, he nearly fainted from anger.
–
Xiao Jingting and Xiao Jinfeng found a restaurant and sat down.
Sitting in a Mo City restaurant again, Xiao Jinfeng felt like he was in another lifetime.
Xiao Xiaofan looked at the menu and ordered dish after dish.
Xu Mu’an looked at Xiao Jingting, “Ordering so much – we won’t be able to finish it.”
Xiao Jingting said dismissively, “What does it matter? It’s rare to live extravagantly. Our son is coming to this kind of place for the first time – naturally we need to let him eat his fill.”
Xu Mu’an smiled, “Alright!”
Mu Shuyu said casually, “I haven’t been to a big restaurant for a long time. Last time I remember was when the mercenary team…” completed a big job and celebrated. Mu Shuyu stopped halfway and looked at Xiao Jinfeng somewhat apologetically.
Xiao Jinfeng held Mu Shuyu’s hand, “You’ve gotten much thinner. When the food comes, you must eat more.”
Mu Shuyu said helplessly, “Where have I gotten thin? You’re just talking nonsense.”
Xiao Xiaofu in Mu Shuyu’s arms yawned boredly.
After finishing ordering, Xiao Xiaofan excitedly looked around.
The restaurant served food very quickly. Soon, various dishes filled the table.
Mu Shuyu held a spoon, feeding Xiao Xiaofu egg custard. Seeing that Mu Shuyu was only busy taking care of the child and had no time to eat, Xiao Jinfeng picked up a dumpling and put it to Mu Shuyu’s mouth. “Try this dumpling – it’s quite good.”
Mu Shuyu’s face flushed red, feeling somewhat embarrassed, but she didn’t refuse.
–
“Young Master Zhou, Madam Zhou, this way please.” A waiter led two guests upstairs.
Xiao Jingting looked at the two people who came, a flash of interest in his eyes. The arrivals were two acquaintances: Zhou Kanghe and Sun Miaoyin.
Xiao Jinfeng glanced indifferently at the two arrivals, maintaining his composure as he held a bowl of glutinous rice balls and brought it to Mu Shuyu’s mouth, “Shuyu, these glutinous rice balls taste good – try them.”
Mu Shuyu smiled awkwardly and swallowed one.
Seeing Xiao Jinfeng and Mu Shuyu’s intimate behavior, Sun Miaoyin felt like she had swallowed a fly.
Zhou Kanghe looked at Xiao Jingting and Xiao Jinfeng, “Brothers Xiao, long time no see.”
“Young Master Zhou, long time no see.”
“Brother Xiao, is this your wife?” Zhou Kanghe looked at Mu Shuyu beside Xiao Jinfeng.
Xiao Jinfeng nodded, “Yes.”
“Is this your son? So cute – he’s already this big.” Zhou Kanghe looked at the child in Mu Shuyu’s arms.
“Almost three months old.” Knowing Zhou Kanghe was probing, Xiao Jinfeng was very frank about it.
“Second Young Master Xiao and his wife have known each other for a long time, haven’t you?” Zhou Kanghe asked.
Xiao Jinfeng nodded, looking at Mu Shuyu with complete adoration, “Yes! We met in the mercenary team. I saved Shuyu’s life, and Shuyu also saved mine. We’re truly a couple who’ve shared hardships.”
Sun Miaoyin’s face turned red from being blocked. When Xiao Jinfeng was rejected before, some people thought Xiao Jinfeng was pitiful – losing a charming and beautiful fiancée for a lowly dancing girl. Some people speculated that the rejected Xiao Jinfeng must be melancholy and lonely.
Who would have known that in less than a year, Xiao Jinfeng would return not only with a wife but also with a child.
Now some people were saying that Xiao Jinfeng was no good – having an engagement with Miss Sun yet fooling around everywhere, even having a child, which was really too much.
Those who enjoyed others’ misfortune said that Sun Miaoyin wasn’t anything special either. Xiao Jinfeng simply didn’t fancy her, and the broken engagement suited Xiao Jinfeng perfectly. No matter how stunning and talented Miss Sun was, in Xiao Jinfeng’s eyes, she couldn’t compare to a ger.
“Young Master Zhou, bringing your wife to eat? The food here is delicious,” Xiao Jingting said lazily.
Xiao Xiaofan looked at Xiao Jingting, “Daddy, you ate all the glutinous rice balls – save me two!”
Xiao Jingting tapped Xiao Xiaofan’s head, “Don’t be picky – there are so many other dishes.”
Xiao Xiaofan glared at Xiao Jingting dissatisfiedly. Though unhappy, he still accepted Xiao Jingting’s suggestion.
Zhou Kanghe said to Xiao Jingting, “Indeed, one should look at someone with new eyes after three days apart. Third Young Master Xiao has changed quite a bit! I didn’t expect Third Young Master to reach the fifth layer of Qi Refining so quickly. At your age, your big brother was only at the fourth layer. With Third Young Master’s talent, if you wanted to enter Bifeng Academy, it would probably be possible.”
Xiao Jingting smiled, “I just had good luck. How could I compare to Young Master Zhou? Your steady sixth layer of Qi Refining – I’m already past the age for entering Bifeng Academy, so I wouldn’t dare hope for that.”
“What a pity. If Young Master Xiao had participated in Bifeng Academy’s examinations earlier, with the academy’s cultivation, you might also be at the sixth layer of Qi Refining now,” Zhou Kanghe said.
Xiao Jingting smiled, “Young Master Zhou is joking. If reaching the sixth layer of Qi Refining were so easy, the streets would be full of them.”
Zhou Kanghe left with Sun Miaoyin. Xiao Jingting watched Zhou Kanghe’s departing figure, a glimmer passing through his eyes.
Sun Miaoyin turned back and took another look at Xiao Jinfeng.
–
“Cousin Qingyan, not going out?”
Xiao Qingyan glanced at Xiao Muhong, “Going out? Where to?”
Xiao Muhong said as if unintentionally, “Jinfeng and Jingting seemed to go out shopping early this morning. Didn’t they invite you? I thought when Jinfeng and Jingting returned, you three brothers would have a good reunion.”
Xiao Qingyan coldly glanced at Xiao Muhong, “You’re quite well-informed about our family’s affairs.”
Xiao Muhong smiled, “I just happened to see them. How is Yuerong doing?”
“He’s fine now,” Xiao Qingyan said.
Xiao Muhong seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, “Good that he’s fine. When will cousin return to the academy? Once you’re back at the academy, sister-in-law and the children will be isolated at home – their days might be difficult.”
“That’s my business. You’re quite the busybody. You should manage your own wife properly. I see she seems to still have feelings for my third brother. My third brother isn’t like before now. Last night I saw the two of them in the corridor in the dark – who knows what they were talking about,” Xiao Qingyan said sarcastically.
Xiao Muhong’s expression immediately darkened. Xiao Qingyan smiled mockingly. When the news of his parents’ death spread, Xiao Muhong had given him quite a bit of trouble! Now he was acting all brotherly – truly disgusting.
Xiao Qingyan turned and walked toward his villa.
Xiao Qingyan took a deep breath. He naturally knew Xiao Muhong was saying this to drive a wedge between him and his two brothers, but Xiao Qingyan still couldn’t control his anger. Xiao Jingting and Xiao Jinfeng were united now – these two didn’t regard him as their big brother at all.
Xiao Muhong watched Xiao Qingyan’s departing figure and couldn’t help clenching his fists.
After Sun Miaomiao married him, she had become much more understanding, but deep down, Sun Miaomiao was still a woman who was both strong-willed and worshipped the powerful.
Xiao Jingting’s transformation had given Sun Miaomiao quite a shock. Although when facing him, Sun Miaomiao was still as understanding as before, whenever Xiao Jingting was mentioned, Sun Miaomiao would often drift off in thought.
Xiao Muhong thought: Both men and women are the same – they’re cheap. What they can’t get is always the best.
