CHAPTER 329: CHAPTER 302: YOU’RE QUITE UNIQUE

Afternoon, after work.

Gu Yanjing took Qiao Yuxian to look at the dresses.

The dresses for the Xi Mei Media anniversary celebration had been chosen early on.

But there were some issues with the fit, so they had them altered a bit.

Today, they went to try them on.

After trying on the dresses, Qiao Yuxian casually browsed the shops, and by the time they returned to the old house, it was just in time for dinner.

Gu Linhai and his wife, Gu Yicheng, Ji Xiaoxiao, and a few relatives were there.

Qiao Zhiang was sitting obediently by the Old Sir, and everyone was waiting for them to return.

The two went to wash their hands and sat down.

Qiao Yuxian glanced at Ji Xiaoxiao.

Their gazes met across the table, and Ji Xiaoxiao subtly drooped her mouth, not saying anything.

Qiao Yuxian didn’t ask anything either.

Everyone waited for the Old Sir to start eating, then began their meal.

After dinner, everyone chatted in the living room for a while.

The Old Sir’s health had been improving in recent days.

Gu Linhai and Meng Qian planned to return to Jin City for a few days.

The Old Sir didn’t hold them back.

He knew his own body, saying he wouldn’t have any major issues for the time being, encouraging them to go as needed and not requiring everyone to stay and accompany him.

"Facing an old man like me all day long, aren’t you tired of it?" the Old Sir grumbled.

Meng Qian said, "Dad, what are you talking about?"

"When you raised the two of us brothers back then, you never got tired. Now that we’re grown, with so many people taking care of just you, if you find it bothersome, then we’re good-for-nothings," Gu Linhai said.

The Old Sir laughed.

Qiao Zhiang, sitting beside him, looked up and said, "Not bothersome. I like Grandpa."

"Grandpa likes our Zhi Ang too," the Old Sir said, caressing Qiao Zhiang’s little face, "Come and play with Grandpa more often."

"Okay."

The Old Sir patted his little face again.

Thinking to himself: At my age, it’s surprising how fond I am of Qiao Huaisong’s grandson.

Truly, I like him from the bottom of my heart.

If Qiao Huaisong were alive, I wonder what he’d think about this.

Not staying too long in the living room, everyone went back to their rooms.

Gu Yanjing accompanied the Old Sir back to his room.

Qiao Yuxian took Qiao Zhiang to the East Courtyard, telling him to do his homework.

The two walked slowly, the last to leave the living room. Outside, they noticed Ji Xiaoxiao waiting for them.

Gu Yicheng was standing under the eaves on the other side of the doorway, watching her but not approaching.

Qiao Yuxian and Qiao Zhiang looked at the two of them, then Qiao Zhiang said, "Sister Ji, are you coming to the East Courtyard with us tonight?"

Ji Xiaoxiao smiled at him, then looked over at Qiao Yuxian.

Qiao Yuxian glanced at Gu Yicheng’s sullen, frustrated face, then looked at Ji Xiaoxiao.

Before she could speak, Ji Xiaoxiao said, "My parents won’t let me go home."

Qiao Yuxian was slightly taken aback.

"I originally thought of staying at a hotel," Ji Xiaoxiao sighed, "but he was waiting for me at the East Courtyard entrance, then his mother came looking for me there, so I just..."

Then, when guests came to the old house, she went with Meng Qian to entertain them.

Qiao Yuxian hadn’t expected it was for such a reason that she couldn’t leave.

Why wouldn’t her parents let her go home?

"I..." Ji Xiaoxiao, usually so proud, suddenly found it hard to speak, "I don’t want to go back to the North Courtyard for now."

"Let’s go," Qiao Yuxian said, "We’ll all be at the old house these days."

Ji Xiaoxiao’s lips moved slightly, and finally, she whispered, "Thank you."

"Just pay the room fee when the time comes," Qiao Yuxian said, holding Qiao Zhiang’s hand.

"How can you say that," Ji Xiaoxiao frowned, "I’m in such a situation, and you’re still thinking about money. No sympathy at all."

"What else?" Qiao Yuxian said, "Between us, money takes precedence, no talk of feelings."

Ji Xiaoxiao gave a light hmph, just as she was about to walk with them to the East Courtyard.

Gu Yicheng suddenly came over and called to her, "Xiao Xiao, let’s talk."

"I don’t want to talk," Ji Xiaoxiao bluntly refused, "And stop going to my parents. It’s useless."

"Xiao Xiao," Gu Yicheng blocked her, not letting her pass, "You have to listen to my explanation."

Ji Xiaoxiao utterly ignored him.

Qiao Zhiang looked up at them, his big eyes blinking.

Seeing Gu Yicheng not moving aside, Qiao Yuxian squeezed Qiao Zhiang’s hand and said, "Go call your brother-in-law over."

"Okay," Qiao Zhiang replied, about to run to the living room.

Qiao Yuxian didn’t loosen her grip on his hand, and Gu Yicheng quickly backed off two steps, "Zhi Ang, Zhi Ang. Don’t go, don’t go. I’m leaving right now, right now."

Qiao Zhiang stopped and looked at him.

Gu Yicheng retreated further, clearing the way, "Sister-in-law, sorry for the trouble."

Qiao Yuxian smiled gently and said, "Giving each other some space to calm down is not a bad thing."

"Mm," Gu Yicheng said.

Qiao Yuxian looked at Ji Xiaoxiao.

Ji Xiaoxiao, not sparing a glance at Gu Yicheng, walked straight ahead.

Gu Yicheng watched them walking away, then, after a moment, kicked the nearby railing, rubbed his hair in frustration, and left the front courtyard.

Qiao Yuxian and Ji Xiaoxiao headed back to the East Courtyard, walking slowly along the path.

Ji Xiaoxiao said, "In the morning, your father and the others came to see the Old Sir."

"Hmm?" Qiao Yuxian looked at her, "My dad and my aunt?"

Ji Xiaoxiao nodded, "Does your grandfather know the Old Sir?"

Qiao Yuxian remained silent.

Ji Xiaoxiao glanced at her and didn’t ask more.

If it were other families, being able to connect with the Gu Family, they’d be eager to cling and boast everywhere.

But the Qiao Family never mentioned it; otherwise, all these years, they wouldn’t have always been in such an unnoticed position in the Capital City.

The Old Sir merely mentioned it in passing, without elaborating.

But Ji Xiaoxiao always felt that if not for Qiao Yuxian marrying Gu Yanjing, the Qiao Family didn’t seem too keen on having too many entanglements with the Gu Family.

"Your father and aunt treat you well," Ji Xiaoxiao said.

Qiao Yuxian looked down at Qiao Zhiang and exchanged a smile, "Mm."

"Unlike me," Ji Xiaoxiao looked into the distance, "My parents seem to be selling their daughter. This daughter sold for a good price, and they’re quite satisfied."

"Is there any misunderstanding?" Qiao Yuxian asked.

Ji Xiaoxiao shook her head, "It’s always been like this since I was a child. In their eyes, there’s only my brother. Before I make any decision, they have to consider first how it affects my brother, never me."

"And your brother?" Qiao Yuxian asked.

"With that kind of upbringing, what can he turn out like? Naturally becoming a vampire. Hiding behind family as a coward, achieving nothing," Ji Xiaoxiao said.

"Are you sure there’s no problem sharing all this with me?" Qiao Yuxian asked again.

"What could it matter?" Ji Xiaoxiao replied, "You see how poorly I’m doing. You’ve laughed at my jokes enough; do these trivial issues still matter?"

"I wasn’t laughing at you," Qiao Yuxian said, "Besides, what’s there to laugh about? Whose life is always smooth sailing?"

Ji Xiaoxiao chuckled, "Anyway, if this gets out, I’m blaming it on you."

"That’s going too far," Qiao Yuxian said, "Is that how you wrong a good person?"

"Can’t I?" Ji Xiaoxiao asked.

"Of course not."

Ji Xiaoxiao smiled lightly, "I’m just too bottled up. If I had someone to talk to, I wouldn’t be telling you this."

"Then you should reflect on why you can only talk to me," Qiao Yuxian said.

"You’re beautiful," Ji Xiaoxiao said, "As beautiful as me."

Qiao Yuxian: "...You’re quite a unique person."

...