Although his two older sisters disliked this eldest sister, Du Wei quite liked her. At least she was willing to help Jia Ying and didn't secretly call her a sickly little brat.

When Xu Keke saw Xi Bao again, it was already dinnertime at the Du family's usual time.

Xi Bao was unhappy, pouting her chubby little face, "Xiu Xiu got beaten up today."

"She said that she didn't ruin the cheongsam at all. It's because that day when she came to comb your hair, even though it was the third concubine who told her to come and take a look in front of the master. But the third concubine scolded her, saying that she was trying to climb the social ladder."

Xu Keke hadn't expected this to affect innocent people. "And you, has anyone made things difficult for you?"

Xi Bao didn't mind. "I'm fine. It's just that you're always running around outside and never home, and I'm idle with nothing to do, so you asked me to help in the kitchen. I'd rather go to the kitchen. We eat earlier than other places. I can eat as much as I want."

It's good that she can come to terms with it. Xu Keke took out some money and said, "You should break up with Xiuxiu."

Xi Bao was a practical girl; once she received the money, her eyes and brows lit up with joy, and she became cheerful again. Even so, she still couldn't help but ask Xu Keke a concerned question.

"Where did you get the money? You haven't been given any pocket money since you came back. Maybe you should just forget about it."

Xu Keke was amused by her conflicted little expression. "Take it. My grandmother gave me some money before I came here. I'm definitely better off than you are."

Hearing her words, Xibao couldn't wait any longer. Knowing that she was alright, she ran out to find Xiuxiu.

During dinner, Lin Meijuan and the third concubine both felt unwell and ate in their own rooms. The second concubine sat next to Du Bingtian, helping with the arrangements. Previously, this was something the first wife, Lin Meijuan, had done.

Du Shan felt a little uncomfortable. She knew that her father hadn't gone to her mother's room to see her since he left in the morning and returned in the evening.

Her mother told her not to worry about it, but she could tell that her mother was a little disappointed.

Du Shan looked around. Du Rui, who was usually timid, kept her eyes fixed on the second concubine, occasionally interjecting a sentence between the second concubine and her father's conversation. Her father would then look at her affectionately. They looked just like a happy family of three.

Du Wei was whispering with that annoying older woman about how much he disliked cilantro. The two of them would occasionally glance at the dishes on the table and exchange knowing smiles.

Du Shan felt a loneliness she had never experienced before. She looked at Du Yuan, wanting to talk to her, even if it was just to exchange a glance. But Du Yuan remained impatient and cold, seemingly lost in thought, and had no intention of paying her any attention.

This made Dusan feel even worse. Her mother had been away before, but she had never felt so helpless and alone as she did now.

All the dishes were laid out on the table, even the soup was served, before Du Jue rushed back from outside. He washed his hands and tossed his suit jacket to Ji Xiang, who was following him.

As soon as he sat down, he told Du Bingtian and everyone else that he and Li Dakang had made arrangements. Li Dakang, Fu Kai, and Jin Yan, along with Mr. Jin, would be visiting their home the next afternoon.

Du Yuan, who had been smiling, became angry upon hearing the last name. She snapped, "Why did you invite Jin Yan? What's the purpose of inviting him? Who told you to invite him?"

Du Yuan's tone was very unfriendly, which made Du Jue somewhat unhappy.

“I don’t like Mr. Jin either. He always has to drag other people into talking about current events. It’s so boring.” Du Shan quickly stood up for Du Yuan.

Du Jue sighed helplessly, put the napkin aside, leaned back in his chair, and braced himself against the table. He was a little tired today, and having to explain this matter again made him feel exhausted.

"It was my father who asked me to invite Mr. Jin, and Mr. Jin has mentioned more than once since he returned from Beiping that he wants to visit our home. If we keep delaying like this, it will be too impolite."

I also thought it would be awkward if no one listened to him talk, so I invited them all over.

After it was revealed that it was Du Bingtian's idea, the two sisters fell silent.

Du Bingtian was eating the shrimp that his second concubine had peeled for him. He didn't want to say anything, but because of his eldest daughter's lack of understanding, he felt that he still had to say some things.

"Don't underestimate the Jin family just because they're not among the top three in the city. They have good relationships with the garrison and Nanjing. At least in the whole city, only their goods can be retrieved from the cargo dock. Even the Sun family can't do that."

Jin Yan is one of the better-looking and younger members of their family, both in terms of age.

Du Bingtian glanced at Xu Keke. If it weren't for Lin Meijuan's connection with the Sun family, and if it weren't for the unexpected Li Dakang, he would have initially favored Jin Yan. The family background he mentioned in his letter to his mother was also that of Jin Yan.