But one thing is certain: Ah Jin and her uncle are indeed about the same age.

Qi Jincheng said with a wry smile, "He hates me too much to even mention me."

hatred?

Upon hearing this word, Qiao Xi couldn't help but think about their relationship in that way, and even asked involuntarily, "Did he love you a lot before?"

As the car started, Qi Jincheng gave Qiao Xi a suspicious look.

Qiao Xi immediately replied, "Where there's no love, there's no hate."

Qi Jincheng continued, seemingly lost in memories, "We were very close in college, but later..."

"What happened next?" Qiao Xi didn't want to hear half of it and gave him an eager look.

Qi Jincheng told her the truth without hiding anything, "I know about my marriage to you."

"Huh?" Qiao Xi was confused again.

"He was the first to stand up and object." Qi Jincheng couldn't help but recall the scene of their falling out. Thinking about it now, he found it funny and childish, but that's exactly the kind of thing Bai Xiuyan would do.

Qiao Xi didn't quite understand what he meant. "I know he's against it, but..."

"Do you know how he feels about your mother?" Qi Jincheng asked abruptly.

Qiao Xi shook her head, completely bewildered. She even felt that the topic had been steered astray.

Qi Jincheng's understanding of Bai Xiuyan far surpasses that of Qiao Xi, and may even surpass that of his family, including Old Master Bai and Old Madam Bai.

Thinking back to his university days, it seemed as if he had poured all his emotions into that time.

As Qi Jincheng recalled, he said, "Your mother was the only family member he cherished, and you are the only hope your mother left him."

"So no matter who it is, you can't hold onto their hopes, not even my friend."

Qiao Xi was stunned by these words, but she could tell that she, her mother, and her uncle were all very important to her.

“But…” Qiao Xi couldn’t feel how important she was to him. She couldn’t help but say, “Every time he sees me, he looks at me with disdain. He always likes to lecture me. Even though he’s not much older than me, he acts like an elder.”

That's right, the most profound impression her uncle left on her was always his cold face as he lectured her.

But what's amazing is that she wasn't afraid of him at all. No matter how fierce he was to her, she still dared to be unrestrained in front of him.

Think about it carefully, if he really didn't like her, why would he indulge her time and time again?

Even though she took his only pen, he didn't do anything about it. At most, he said a few words to her, and that was it.

Qi Jincheng tightened his grip on her hand and said to her with certainty, "Just remember one thing: no matter when or where, he will always be on your side."

Qiao Xi nodded knowingly. She also recalled some things from her childhood and subconsciously murmured to herself, "I remember when I was little, my mother would always protect my uncle whenever he was scolded by my grandfather. She would prepare gifts for him every birthday and buy him food, things to use, and clothes, just like she treated him like her own son."

So the younger uncle had always kept his mother's love for him hidden in his heart, and now that his mother had passed away, that love had been transferred to her, though she hadn't realized it.

Now, after hearing what Qi Jincheng said, she slowly realized this.

What surprised her most was the relationship between Ah Jin and her uncle. They were not only classmates but also good friends, but in the end they turned against each other because of her, and the reason for this falling out was something she never expected.

Should she feel guilty?

They seem quite innocent.

Qiao Xi suddenly returned to the main topic and asked, "So you went to the bar with my uncle?"

"Mm." Qi Jincheng nodded in response.

Qiao Xi asked again, "What happened when you asked him how things were going?"

Qi Jincheng said with a slight smile, "If you dare to touch his most beloved niece, you'll probably never see the words 'Night-Shining Pearl' again."

The meaning was so clear, how could Qiao Xi not understand? She couldn't help but ask weakly, "Is it that ruthless?"

"Given his principles, it's already good that no one died," Qi Jincheng said, speaking from a perspective that he understood him well.

Qiao Xi had witnessed Bai Xiuyan's ruthlessness before, but she had never heard of someone dying from it. As for other things... anything was possible.

Back home, Qiao Xi went to her room first. She lay down on the bed without wanting to move, her mind filled with the events of the evening and the words Qi Jincheng had said to her.

It turns out she knew so little about her uncle. If Ah Jin hadn't told her today, she might...

While she was thinking, a figure suddenly pressed down on her. Before Qiao Xi could react, Qi Jincheng pinned her down. He gently lifted her chin, his deep gaze fixed intently on Qiao Xi. "Xi'er dared to go to a bar behind my back. How should I punish you properly?"

Qiao Xi instantly snapped out of her chaotic thoughts and timidly asked, "Husband, haven't you already forgiven me?"

"When did I say that?" Qi Jincheng shattered Qiao Xi's 'wonderful fantasy'.

Qiao Xi placed her hands in front of her chest, looking at him with a pitiful expression, and asked, "What will it take for you to forgive me?"

Qi Jincheng's hand slowly caressed Qiao Xi's cheek, "Then it depends on Xi'er..."

Just as he was about to kiss Qiao Xi's lips, there was a loud knocking on the door.

"Bang bang bang!" An annoying sound rang out loudly from outside the door. "Brother, are you there?"

Qi Jincheng's face instantly darkened, and he muttered through gritted teeth, "Why hasn't he left yet?"

Qiao Xi had almost forgotten about him. It was truly unforgivable for him to disturb her at such a crucial moment.

In her past life, she had a falling out with Qi Jincheng, which caused him to be in a bad mood and have her thrown out. Now…

Just as Qi Jincheng was about to get up to drive him away, Qiao Xi suddenly volunteered with great enthusiasm, "I'll go and meet him."

"Wash yourself clean and wait for me, I'll be right back." With that, Qiao Xi pushed Qi Jincheng down onto the bed.

Qi Jincheng just wanted to throw Du Xinyu out, but it was obvious that his Xi'er wanted to have some fun with him, so he would just have to bear with it for now.

Qiao Xi opened the door, walked out, and then closed the door behind her.

When Du Xinyu saw that the person who came out was Qiao Xi, his anger was on his face without any attempt to hide it.

Qiao Xi ignored him and greeted him in a teasing tone, "Hey, little cousin, what are you doing here?"

"Where's my brother?" Du Xinyu's tone was extremely agitated.

Qiao Xi replied with a smile, "It's so late, of course I should rest."