Xiao Zimo usually gave others a very gentle impression and rarely spoke with such harshness. Towards his cousins, under the guidance of Ning Zhou and Xiao Huimin’s teachings, he had mostly been protective. From childhood to adulthood, he had almost never quarreled with them.
But now, he was lecturing Xiao Zilu with a dark expression, without any euphemism. “Is this how second uncle and second auntie taught you?”
“I… I just…”
Tears of grievance and helplessness welled up in Xiao Zilu’s eyes, but before she could speak, Xiao Zimo cut her off again.
His voice was lower than before, but even colder. “Do you think I don’t know what’s on your mind? Forget whether Yan Sui would even be tempted by you—dare to lay a hand on Nuo Nuo’s man, and see what happens.”
Neither Xiao Huimin nor Ning Zhou would let her off, and neither would he or Xiao Zi’ang. She could remain their cousin, protected under their wing, but only if she didn’t cross their boundaries.
“I, I didn’t.” Xiao Zilu’s face was flushed with shame and embarrassment. How could Xiao Zimo use a word like ‘tempt’ to describe her?
She was just attracted, involuntarily and without conscious thought. No matter what she might have thought in her heart, she hadn’t harmed Meng Ting in the slightest, had she? Why was Xiao Zimo lecturing her so severely?
“Whether you did or not, you know the truth. Go downstairs. Don’t make me throw you out of the old house.”
Xiao Zimo’s tone and expression made it clear he wasn’t joking. Xiao Zilu felt even more wronged but didn’t dare say another word. She turned around and went down to the second floor. Her gaze met Ning Zhou, who was just coming upstairs. Tears immediately spilled over.
Ning Zhou frowned slightly. She didn’t understand what was happening, so she didn’t say anything to her.
“What’s going on? Is Nuo Nuo asleep? Is he not coming down for dinner?”
Ning Zhou asked Xiao Zimo. She hesitated and didn’t dare to knock on the door either—she was afraid of waking Meng Ting.
Xiao Zimo saw no reason to hide anything from Ning Zhou. He pulled Ning Zhou aside and told her about Xiao Zilu barging into Meng Ting’s room. Ning Zhou’s expression darkened instantly.
“Hmph, she still has the nerve to cry in front of me.”
Never mind that today was her birthday—just having Meng Ting and Yan Sui back was a joyous occasion. What was the meaning of Xiao Zilu’s crying?
“I and Huimin are still in charge of the Xiao family’s main residence. It seems my temper is too good.”
With that, Ning Zhou didn’t linger on the third floor. She turned and went downstairs, giving Xiao Zilu a stern dressing-down before having her escorted out of the old house—along with her sister Xiao Ziyue. Even the servant who had been sent to call Yan Sui and Meng Ting earlier was dealt with.
If she and Xiao Huimin, as the matriarch and patriarch of the household, couldn’t provide Meng Ting with the sense of security he deserved, then they would have failed as parents.
***
While Ning Zhou was handling the situation, Meng Ting also wriggled out from under the covers. He stared at Yan Sui for a long moment before clinging to him again. “I knew it. They were coveting you. You’re mine.”
Every time he attended gatherings with Yan Sui, he would picked up many dangerous signals. Even though he and Yan Sui were married and their relationship was very good, some people still couldn’t get Yan Sui out of their minds. He really wanted to hide him away.
He glared at Yan Sui, growing even more displeased. “Did she look at you somewhere too? Hmph…”
Meng Ting rested his chin on Yan Sui’s shoulder, his cheeks slightly puffed out in frustration. The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. Others were one thing, but now even his cousin had set her sights on Yan Sui, leaving Meng Ting feeling both frustrated and depressed.
Yan Sui had initially been quite angry himself, but seeing Meng Ting upset made him reluctant to let the him suffer further. “It’s fine. We’ll return to Haicheng tomorrow.” As for the messy relatives on the Xiao family’s side, they would avoid contact as much as possible.
“Mm,” Meng Ting nodded in agreement, also feeling that Haicheng was a safer place. He wrapped his arms around Yan Sui’s waist and spoke earnestly, “Let’s not separate until we get home.”
“Alright,” Yan Sui agreed. After Xiao Zilu’s intrusion, Yan Sui wasn’t at ease either. Even though Meng Ting’s parents and brothers were here, this place still didn’t feel secure.
“Let’s go downstairs for a meal. Afterward, I’ll take a nap with you.”
When Yan Sui and Meng Ting stepped out of the room, Xiao Zimo was still waiting outside the door, looking somewhat guilty. “Yan Sui, Nuo Nuo, it’s our fault for not teaching her well. Mom has already arranged for them to be sent away.”
“Oh,” Meng Ting nodded, acknowledging it. Besides that, he didn’t know what else to say.
After taking a few steps, Meng Ting turned back to look at Xiao Zimo. “Second Brother, have you eaten yet?”
“Not yet,” Xiao Zimo replied. Since Meng Ting and Yan Sui hadn’t started eating, he naturally wouldn’t have gone ahead by himself. But he also understood the implication behind Meng Ting’s question—even though Xiao Zilu’s actions had made him unhappy, Meng Ting hadn’t taken his anger out on him.
Realizing this, Xiao Zimo felt both touched and guilty. He quickened his pace to catch up with them and said something that left Meng Ting utterly baffled: “Nuo Nuo, being this soft-hearted isn’t good…”
“Is it also not good to be soft-hearted towards Second Brother?” Meng Ting immediately asked, his eyes very serious. If he wanted to be angry, he certainly could, but he didn’t want to ruin Ning Zhou’s birthday, nor did he want to take his anger out on Xiao Zimo, who had been relatively good to him.
Meng Ting’s eyes were too pure and too serious. Xiao Zimo suddenly froze when he met his gaze. A slight struggle appeared in his eyes. He didn’t know how to answer Meng Ting’s question, or rather, he couldn’t bear to answer it.
Yan Sui turned and gently guided Meng Ting forward, answering for Xiao Zimo.
“It’s not about good or bad; it’s about whether you’re willing.” It was actually not easy to make Meng Ting voluntarily soften his heart.
“Mm,” Meng Ting nodded upon hearing this, the seriousness and confusion on his face fading. He then added, “I’m willing to be like this toward Mom and Second Brother.”
He and Yan Sui continued walking ahead, while Xiao Zimo, trailing two steps behind, was deeply moved. He remembered how, during his first visit to the Yan Residence to meet Meng Ting, Meng Ting wouldn’t even let him eat a piece of cake.
***
Downstairs, Ning Zhou had been in a furious rage, and even Xiao Huimin had trouble appeasing her. But the moment Meng Ting came down and called out, ‘Mom’, Ning Zhou’s anger melted away like spring breeze and rain, her demeanor turning gentle in an instant.
Old Master Xiao also came out of the study, seeing them in such a harmonious state.
They sat down to eat, and it wasn’t until they were nearly finished that Old Master Xiao noticed two people missing from the table. “Where are those two girls[mfn]丫頭 (yā tou): (literary, literally) (people with) fork-shaped bun; servant girl; maid; young female slave; (colloquial, deprecating or endearing) girl; (colloquial, endearing) daughter. 丫頭 (yā tou) is usually used by the elder to address little girls. In ancient times, girls aged 15 were old enough to get married. At this age, they would wear two topknots on their heads. These two topknots, standing symmetrically, looked like the outline of the Chinese character “丫(yā)”, so those girls were called “丫頭 (yā tou)”. In fact, “丫頭 (yā tóu)” can also be used as an intimate address for the female juniors. In addition, the maidservants were also called “丫頭 (yā tou)” in ancient times as they often wore two topknots on their heads. From then on, “丫頭 (yā tou)” has been widely used. Now, “丫頭 (yā tou)” is a nickname for a girl usually used by her parents or boyfriend. Girls who are called “丫頭 (yā tou)” are generally young, clever and lovely. 
[/mfn]?”
Meng Ting’s mouth was still full of food, so he couldn’t answer. Ning Zhou, meanwhile, placed two more meat dishes in Meng Ting’s bowl before replying to Old Master Xiao, “I sent them back to Second Brother’s house.”
Ning Zhou met Old Master Xiao’s gaze without a trace of fear. No matter how puzzled Old Master Xiao was, he didn’t say anything else. Ning Zhou had grown increasingly assertive lately, embodying the dignified air of a matriarch more and more. But since it didn’t harm the family’s interests, Old Master Xiao didn’t think it was bad.
After lunch, Meng Ting and Yan Sui decided to take a short walk downstairs before their afternoon nap. It was very cold outside, with snow reportedly on the way, so they didn’t go outside.
Old Master Xiao hadn’t left either. After learning what had happened from the butler, he called his second son, Xiao Xuanmin, and scolded him thoroughly, spitting as he spoke, looking quite intimidating.
Everyone else wisely steered clear of Old Master Xiao—except for Meng Ting, who just stood there, staring intently at Old Master Xiao.
When Old Master Xiao hung up the phone, he turned and his gaze immediately met Meng Ting’s The lingering fierce aura in his gaze not yet fully reined in.
“Grandpa, you were really loud on the phone…” Meng Ting remarked, then added earnestly, “You shouldn’t get angry so often at your age. It’s not good for your health.”
As Old Master Xiao held Meng Ting’s gaze, the sharpness in his eyes gradually softened. He suddenly realized that Meng Ting speaking to him like this was even harder to handle than outright defiance. With a gruff ‘Mm’, he acknowledged the advice—but Meng Ting wasn’t done yet.
“You should smile more too. When you’re in a good mood, your body will be healthy.”
“Mm,” Old Master Xiao grunted again, then forced a rather terrifying smile.
Meng Ting didn’t find it very frightening. Seeing that Old Master Xiao was relatively obedient, he was happy. He nodded, “Grandpa is good like this.”
Having dispensed his ‘education’, he promptly turned to find Yan Sui. He took two steps to reach Yan Sui’s side, then took Yan Sui’s hand. “I’m sleepy. Let’s go take a nap.”
“Alright,” Yan Sui agreed, nodding politely to Old Master Xiao and Ning Zhou before leading Meng Ting upstairs.
With a strange mix of emotions, Old Master Xiao retreated to his own room—for an afternoon nap of his own. Perhaps he was beginning to understand why Yan Sui doted on Meng Ting, and why Xiao Huimin and Ning Zhou did too.
***
Around six in the evening, nearly all the direct and collateral branches of the Xiao family in Beicheng had gathered—except for Xiao Zilu and her sister, whom Ning Zhou had sent away. Besides them, most of Beicheng’s aristocratic family patriarchs, along with their wives and daughters, were also present. The grand hall buzzed with lively chatter, clinking glasses, and warm light.
However, one strange thing was that they had been there for a while but hadn’t seen Xiao Huimin and Ning Zhou. By all accounts, they should have already come down to greet and speak with everyone, but the banquet had been going on for a while, and only their two sons were receiving guests.
“I heard that the Xiao family patriarch’s youngest son has been found. Maybe they’ll bring him out soon…”
Before the murmurs could finish, Ning Zhou appeared at the top of the staircase, arm in arm with Meng Ting. Behind them followed Xiao Huimin and Yan Sui. They paused a few steps above the ground floor, and Xiao Huimin addressed the crowd.
“Thank you all for coming to celebrate my wife’s birthday. At the same time, we have wonderful news to share—this is my and my wife’s third son, Xiao Zinuo, and this is Nuo Nuo’s partner, Yan Sui.”
As Xiao Huimin finished speaking, Xiao Zi’ang and Xiao Zimo led the applause. Then, after a brief pause, everyone else joined in, offering their congratulations.
They hadn’t seen Old Master Xiao come out with them and were still a bit confused, but as soon as they turned around, they saw Old Master Xiao already in the center of the living room. He then added to Xiao Huimin’s statement.
“If Zinuo and Yan Sui ever have any conflicts in the future, I ask everyone to be more tolerant.”
With both Xiao Huimin and Old Master Xiao speaking up, Meng Ting’s recognition into the Xiao family was now set in stone. They continued to make their rounds, offering toasts and exchanging pleasantries. Xiao Huimin and Ning Zhou led Meng Ting and Yan Sui around, introducing them to a host of relatives and ensuring the patriarchs and matriarchs of Beicheng’s elite circles became familiar with Meng Ting and Yan Sui.
Meng Ting walked arm-in-arm with Ning Zhou but kept turning back to look at Yan Sui every now and then. Ning Zhou was helpless, and by the latter half, she could only let go of Meng Ting, allowing him to return to Yan Sui’s side.
Meng Ting’s expression remained very serious. He only felt at ease in such social settings when he was by Yan Sui’s side.
After completing the rounds, Yan Sui said to Xiao Huimin and Ning Zhou, “I’ll take Ting Ting to get something to eat.”
“Go ahead,” Ning Zhou replied. That part of the banquet concerning Meng Ting and Yan Sui was now over, and it was time to give them some free time.
Meng Ting and Yan Sui hadn’t been eating for long when a servant came again to invite them to Old Master Xiao’s study.
As they entered the door, Xiao Xuanmin was just coming out, looking humiliated from being scolded by Old Master Xiao again. Seeing Yan Sui and Meng Ting, his expression worsened. After some forced smiles and pleasantries, he left, and Yan Sui and Meng Ting entered Old Master Xiao’s study.
“It’s nothing else—Yan Zhengbo has finally replied to me.”
The matter of reinvestigating the kidnapping case from back then certainly couldn’t be hidden from Old Master Xiao. Once he learned that Yu Meixuan had sent Meng Ting to the orphanage, Old Master Xiao insisted on contacting Yan Zhengbo himself, demanding an explanation.
A considerable amount of time had passed, and Yan Zhengbo had finally replied. Old Master Xiao remembered that Yan Sui was also present, so he had him called over. Of course, it was no surprise that Meng Ting came along as well; as the person directly involved, he had the right to know what had happened back then.
Yan Sui and Meng Ting sat down, waiting for Old Master Xiao to speak, but Old Master Xiao didn’t plan to talk just yet. “Wait a little longer.”
He had not only called Yan Sui and Meng Ting, but also Ning Zhou, Xiao Huimin, as well as Xiao Xuanmin, who had just left and then re-entered along with his wife, Wei Xiaoyu after Old Master Xiao instructed him to fetch his wife.
“Dad, you already scolded me over the phone because of Lu Lu, then again just now, and now you’re making me and Xiaoyu come in here… you—”
He didn’t understand why he was being reprimanded so severely just because Xiao Zilu had acted thoughtlessly and shortsightedly, provoking the precious darling of the main house. Now he had to endure another scolding in front of his wife, his elder brother, sister-in-law, and even the younger generation.
“Who said this was about that matter…” Old Master Xiao narrowed his eyes. Even if Xiao Xuanmin was still dissatisfied in his heart, he dared not say anything more.
“Xiaoyu, for the sake of all the years you’ve called me ‘Dad’, I’m giving you a chance to confess on your own. Speak for yourself!”
Wei Xiaoyu appeared to be around the same age as Ning Zhou. In fact, when she had just entered earlier, she was still holding Ning Zhou’s arm, and the two looked quite close. Even as Old Master Xiao spoke, her hand remained linked with Ning Zhou’s.
Ning Zhou was indeed angry that Xiao Zilu had designs on Yan Sui, but she had only taken it out on Xiao Xuanmin and never intended to direct her anger toward Wei Xiaoyu. Having given birth to only two daughters over the years, Wei Xiaoyu had endured no small amount of grievances. Few dared to slight her to her face, but gossip and mockery behind her back were unavoidable. Unable to overcome this psychological hurdle, she appeared somewhat gloomy and timid.
Ning Zhou possessed an inherent sense of righteousness. In her early years, when she frequently attended social gatherings, she would often speak up for Wei Xiaoyu. Wei Xiaoyu was also very grateful to her. Though their relationship as sisters-in-law wasn’t particularly close, Ning Zhou had never felt there was any problem with it.
But at this moment, as Old Master Xiao asked that question, Ning Zhou trembled all over. She looked at her own hand, then at Wei Xiaoyu, her body shaking slightly beyond her control.
Wei Xiaoyu kept her head lowered, the gentle smile at the corners of her lips fading bit by bit. “Dad, what are you talking about? Xiaoyu doesn’t understand. Both Lu Lu and Yue Yue know they were wrong.”
Seeing that she still showed no sign of repentance, Old Master Xiao decided not to give her another chance. He slammed his hand heavily on the table. Wei Xiaoyu’s expression immediately darkened even more, but she still refused to speak up, clinging stubbornly to that one-in-a-million hope.
[dropdown title=”List of Idiom in Chapter 84″]
念念不忘 (niàn niàn bù wàng): to keep in mind constantly (idiom); to never forget; bear in mind constantly; be obsessively concerned with.春風化雨 (chūn fēng huà yǔ): lit. spring wind and rain (idiom); fig. the long-term influence of a solid education; (figurative) benefits of education; positive influence of a teacher; life-giving spring breeze and rain—salutary influence of education; beneficial influence of good teachers; the spring breeze is warm and the summer rain is moist, which is enough to nourish all things. It is often used to describe giving people timely advice and help.
鐵板釘釘 (tiě bǎn dìng dīng): decided; that clinches it; that’s final; no two ways about it; firm; unyielding; resolute; used to refer to being resolute and decisive in speaking and doing things. It is also used to refer to a conclusion that has been made.
灰頭土臉 (huī tóu tǔ liǎn): lit. to have one’s entire head a face covered in dirt; head and face filthy with grime (idiom); dejected and depressed; to look despondent; to look dejected.
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