Chapter 189 His Inner Demon

“It’s like…living inside a cultural relic.”

Xiao Xuanjin was amused by her, "What are you talking about."

Su Mi still looked outside and asked curiously, "How many years has this yard been around?"

This place can't be built just by spending money.

"Probably starting from my great-grandfather's grandfather."

"So long?"

"Well, let's go, I'll take you inside to have a look."

After getting out of the car, the guards outside were very respectful, "Master, Madam."

Xiao Xuanjin pulled Su Mi and strode inside.

As soon as you enter the door, you will see a huge screen wall with exquisite dragon patterns carved on it, which is magnificent.

Passing the screen wall, there is a spacious courtyard with a bluestone brick floor. The courtyard is surrounded by corridors, and the columns are carved with cloud patterns and auspicious beasts. The top of the corridor is painted with colorful paintings. Although it has been eroded by time, it still makes people feel the splendor of a treasure.

From afar, you can see the rockery in the backyard, with its jagged rocks, the rippling pond, and the exotic flowers and plants competing for beauty. It is winter, but it is a rare sight to see such a scene.

Walking into the main room, the interior decoration is very elegant. The glazed palace lanterns are as transparent as crystal, and the walls are hung with landscape paintings and calligraphy, some of which are from famous artists. Exquisite porcelain and antiques are displayed on the shelves, which dazzles the eyes.

Seeing this, Su Mi sighed, if the Su Mansion was ostentatious and extravagant, then the Xiao family's old house was low-key and grand.

At this time, Xiao Heng and Xu Ke came down from upstairs.

"Xiao Jin, Qing Qing, you're back."

Su Mi looked over and called out obediently, "Mom and Dad, I'm sorry for keeping you waiting for so long."

"No." Xu Ke came over and held her hand affectionately. "Qingqing, are you used to living outside with Xiao Jin? Does he bully you?"

Su Mi glanced at Xiao Xuanjin, her eyes filled with sweetness that could not be hidden, "No, Mom, he treats me very well."

Xiao Xuanjin stood aside and looked at her gentle and beautiful profile, his thick eyebrows and eyes becoming even more gentle.

Xu Ke took in the expressions of the two people and felt extremely satisfied. She looked at her husband Xiao Heng, and they both felt much more relieved.

"You must be hungry, come on, the meal is ready."

Xu Ke pulled Su Mi in front, while Xiao Xuanjin and Xiao Heng followed behind.

It was a rare opportunity for the father and son to chat. "Xiao Jin, after dinner, play a few games with Dad."

"good."

Xiao Heng patted his son's shoulder, his words filled with the concern of an elder, "Seeing how loving you two are, your mother and I are relieved. We're planning to go on a trip in a few days."

"travel?"

"Well, you've been running the consortium better and better these past few years, and Dad is relieved. Thinking back to how I've been busy with work for so many years and haven't had much time to spend with your mom, I think now's the time."

Xiao Xuanjin understood and supported his father's decision. "That's great. You should have done this a long time ago. Don't worry. I'll take good care of this place. You and Mom can go and have fun without worry."

When we arrived at the restaurant, the table was already filled with delicious food.

Su Mi and Xu Ke sat together, while Xiao Xuanjin and Xiao Heng sat side by side opposite them.

As soon as Su Mi raised her eyes, she could see Xiao Xuanjin opposite her.

During the meal, the family was in a happy atmosphere.

Xu Ke used the serving chopsticks to pick up food for Su Mi. "Qingqing, are you used to the weather in Huacheng?"

"It's okay. Although it's a bit cold, I can still get used to it."

"If there's anything you're not used to, just tell me. I can arrange accommodation for you. The treatment you received in Jiangcheng is the same here."

Su Mi truly felt that she had met a wonderful mother-in-law. After hearing her mother-in-law's words, her heart warmed. "Thank you, Mom."

"You're welcome, come and eat more."

Xiao Xuanjin looked at her mother's enthusiastic expression, and then looked at the mountain of food in Susu's bowl. If this continued, her mouth would definitely not be able to keep up with her mother's speed in picking up the food.

"Mom, I can't reach the food over there, please help me."

Xu Ke glared at him and said, "I'm busy. Just do your own thing. Your arm isn't broken."

Xiao Xuanjin felt that Ms. Xu was too hypocritical. She was only busy with her wife but never had time for her son.

"Forget it, I'll do it myself."

Then he directly took some food from Su Mi's bowl. Seeing this, Xu Ke scolded him, "There are so many on the plate, why are you taking Qingqing's?"

Xiao Xuanjin had already put it in his mouth and said casually, "The one in her bowl tastes better."

Su Mi understood that Xiao Xuanjin was helping her out, and smiled with pursed lips.

Xu Ke realized something, looked at his son and daughter-in-law meaningfully, and smiled secretly.

It's her fault. She was so busy picking up food for Qingqing that she forgot that young girls nowadays have smaller appetites.

Xiao Heng's usually serious expression relaxed a little.

…

After dinner, Xiao Xuanjin and Xiao Heng, father and son, played chess in the living room.

Su Mi and Xu Ke came to the ancestral hall.

Yes, it’s an ancestral hall.

The tablets enshrined inside are all for the ancestors of the Xiao family.

Xu Ke accompanied Su Mi to burn incense, and told her a lot of things in the past.

"When his father and I were young, we rarely disciplined Xiao Jin. It was his grandfather who single-handedly raised him."

In fact, Su Mi has always known about this, but she knows very little about what happened later.

She was not very clear why Xiao Xuanjin became like that because of his grandfather's death.

"I've also heard about Grandpa Xiao's character and I admire him very much."

"Yes, Dad made great achievements in his youth and had great accomplishments. In his later years, he had only one wish, which was to train Xiao Jin to be his successor."

"Mom, Xiao Xuanjin is also very capable. He fulfilled Grandpa Xiao's last wish."

I believe that if Mr. Xiao knew about this, he would rest in peace.

"Yes, he lived up to his grandfather's trust."

Xu Ke sighed, "Qingqing, you must be very curious about why Xiao Jin couldn't get over his grandfather's death."

Su Mi was indeed curious, but it was not necessary for her to know.

But Xu Ke obviously wanted to tell her today.

"When Xiao Jin was in the third year of junior high school, he was still studying at Shengguo, and Dad was always there with him. Until one day, Xiao Jin didn't come home from school. Dad was very worried. After checking, he found out that Xiao Jin had been kidnapped."

"Kidnap?"

"Well, I used all my connections to look for it, and it took me three days to find it." When Xu Ke said this, a hint of pain flashed in his eyes.

Su Mi knew that this matter must be very heavy, so she went over and gently put her arm around her shoulders, "Mom, if you feel uncomfortable, don't say it."

Xu Ke patted the back of her hand, shook his head, and continued, "Later, I heard from Dad that when he saw Xiao Jin, he was already dying, hanging by chains in an abandoned warehouse. Beneath him was a pool of highly concentrated sulfuric acid used to make drugs. Those people were ready to kill him at any time."

Su Mi felt cold all over and a flash of horror in his eyes after hearing this. He had never expected such a thing to happen. Xiao Xuanjin was only a teenager at that time. How could those people have the heart to do that to him...