Jiang Yanxin booked an entire five-star hotel as the venue for her birthday party.

When the two arrived on the third floor, a spacious and bright hall came into view. Just as Jiang Zhixing had said, the third floor was a place for entertainment and relaxation.

As soon as they stepped out of the elevator, the two ran into a group of girls, led by Qiao Hanshuang, dressed as if they were little princesses.

They were all about the same age, but apart from Qiao Hanshuang, Shen Linyue didn't know the others very well.

Qiao Hanshuang's eyes lit up several degrees the moment she saw He Xiao.

She immediately abandoned her girlfriends and walked towards them, greeting He Xiao.

"I didn't expect to run into He Xiao here. What a coincidence!" Qiao Hanshuang's cheeks flushed as she faced He Xiao.

Especially after learning about He Xiao's relationship with Lin Yue, she pursued He Xiao even more intensely. She tried to corner him several times without success, but she was not discouraged. Instead, she became more determined to win him over.

He Xiao glanced at Qiao Hanshuang indifferently, his eyes showing no emotion whatsoever.

"What's so coincidental about it? It's normal for people from the same circle to come here." He said sarcastically, then added, "If you have nothing else to do, move aside. We have other things to do."

Qiao Hanshuang never expected that he would not give her any face in front of so many people, even though she was one of his suitors.

Her face was a little pale, and she forced a smile: "Where are you guys going? We're going to karaoke, do you want to come?"

"I'm not going," He Xiao replied coldly.

Qiao Hanshuang: ...

She then looked at Shen Linyue, "Linyue, can we play together?"

Shen Linyue looked at Qiao Hanshuang, who had only just noticed her, and politely shook her head: "I'm afraid that's not possible for now."

They're not here to have fun, and what if they run into someone they know while wandering around?

Qiao Hanshuang pursed her lips, looking somewhat hurt: "Then I'll play with you?"

Shen Linyue glanced at the group of whispering girls still waiting not far away and smiled faintly: "But your friends are still waiting for you."

"It's okay, I'll just tell them." Qiao Hanshuang smiled.

As Shen Linyue pondered, He Xiao, standing in front of her, was the first to become impatient, "How much longer are we going to talk?"

Seeing He Xiao's completely clueless and clueless appearance, Shen Linyue felt helpless and amused. This was the female supporting character in the original story who was madly in love with him, yet he couldn't even be bothered to give her a second glance.

I'm not sure whether I should be happy that my son is completely clueless when it comes to relationships.

"Let's go." Shen Linyue smiled apologetically at Qiao Hanshuang and followed He Xiao away from where they were.

Qiao Hanshuang watched the two figures as they walked away, her eyes reddening slightly, until a hand was placed on her shoulder and patted her reassuringly.

"Is this the girl you told me was good friends with Su Xiao?"

Qiao Hanshuang looked at her best friend and nodded: "It's her. The two of them are very close and can talk about anything."

The girl frowned: "Su Xiao doesn't deserve it? Ha."

Qiao Hanshuang remained silent on the matter. She didn't know whether Su Xiao was a good match for her, but she certainly wasn't even worthy of Lin Yue's attention, let alone He Xiao.

...

Following He Xiao into one of the billiard rooms, Shen Linyue saw Gu Yi'an inside.

Gu Yi'an was pleasantly surprised to see the two of them and went up to greet them warmly.

"Brother Xiao, Sister Yue, I didn't expect you two to actually come."

He Xiao nodded: "Go and make a cup of hot water for your sister Yue."

After saying that, he looked at the table again, his eyes narrowing slightly: "The battle is quite intense."

Gu Yi'an nodded and smiled, "Not bad. If Brother Xiao were to make a move, he could clear the table in two shots."

He Xiao smiled without saying a word to his underling's flattery, and then said to the little tail following behind him, "Go sit on the sofa, I'll find you a blanket."

His brows furrowed as he looked at Shen Linyue's two slender, white legs exposed outside.

Sure enough, he was right not to let her wear short skirts, but his aunt was very rebellious and wouldn't listen to his advice at all.

Shen Linyue was still listening attentively to what Gu Yi'an and He Xiao were saying when she met Hao Da'er's displeased gaze. She blinked innocently and nodded.

"Sure, but you can also play billiards?" Shen Linyue asked.

He Xiao gently curled his lips: "There are many things you don't know."

Shen Linyue's long eyelashes trembled slightly, and her eyes narrowed into crescent moons: "Wow, Ah Xiao is really amazing."

He Xiao, inexplicably embarrassed: ...

He looked away, coughed lightly, handed the water Gu Yi'an had brought to her, and then turned and walked to the table.

Shen Linyue didn't understand it, but she knew a little about it. She stood not far away and watched He Xiao perform attentively.

...

Shen Linyue almost cried out in surprise when He Xiao finished a game of billiards in six minutes.

"Ah Xiao, you're amazing." She praised him without reservation.

The goal-scoring action never stopped, and Shen Linyue's praise was genuine.

He Xiao coughed lightly: "It's been a long time since I've played, so this was just a normal performance."

Is it said that "having not played for a long time" and "playing normally"?

Shen Linyue blinked her big eyes and stared at him without moving. He Xiao couldn't stand her enthusiastic gaze and said, "I'll go out and see if my grandfather has arrived."

Shen Linyue froze, then looked away and nodded: "Go and take a look. By the way, your grandfather came here, didn't you call back to ask?"

"Of course we called, but Grandpa insisted on coming to see, and we couldn't persuade him otherwise." As she said this, a hint of displeasure appeared between her brows: "I don't know what kind of bewitching potion that Jiang woman gave my grandpa, that he actually got involved with her."

Shen Linyue couldn't help but think of the past. Jiang Yanxin was close to her and often came to visit her, staying for the whole day.

Perhaps it's a case of loving someone because of their loved one; her father also quite liked Jiang Yanxin. As for when Jiang Yanxin recognized her father as her godfather, she didn't know; it was probably something that happened later.

"Never mind, you go and take a look first," Shen Linyue said, pulling herself out of her thoughts.

He Xiao nodded, greeted the others, instructed Gu Yi'an to keep an eye on him, and then strode out the door.

Even without He Xiao in the private room, the boys' spirits remained high. Gu Yi'an even cautiously asked her, "Sister Yue, why don't you give it a try?"

Shen Linyue hesitated, her eyes shining as she was about to give it a try, when He Xiao, who had just walked out the door, quickly returned.

This time, his eyes shone brightly with eager joy: "I saw my grandfather! Come on, I'll take you to see him."

Shen Linyue's figure suddenly stiffened, her heart pounded, and her hand gripping the paper cup tightened involuntarily.

"Um... I'll go to the restroom first. You go and keep your grandpa company." She really wanted to see her dad too.

He Xiao frowned in displeasure: "Why do you suddenly need to go to the toilet? Go ahead, but don't wander off. I'll wait for you on the first floor."

Shen Linyue smiled awkwardly: "I probably drank too much water just now. I'll come find you in a bit."

Having no other choice, and remembering Old He's earlier instructions, He Xiao said a few more words before hurriedly leaving.

Only after He Xiao's figure disappeared did Shen Linyue feel somewhat exhausted from being too tense.

Oh my god, her dad's here! He's downstairs, but it's such a shame she can't go and meet him yet.