Chapter 68 Indifference

Xiao Yanran followed beside Xiao Jue, her face full of nervousness. She was young and had never experienced such a banquet before, so she looked timid and hesitant.

"Brother, do I look good in this outfit?"

"This was made for me by Sister Xie."

Xiao Yanran stood in front of Xiao Jue and turned around, afraid that she might do something inappropriate and embarrass her family.

Seeing her nervous expression, Xiao Jue said calmly, "It's just a meal at home, why are you so nervous?"

"My sister-in-law said that today is a banquet, and I should do my best so as not to embarrass the family!"

Xiao Yanran looked at Xiao Jue very seriously.

"Brother, I don't want to embarrass you."

Xiao Yu walked over and looked at Xiao Yanran's pathetic appearance with some disdain, and said directly, "This outfit is not good at all, it makes you look like a peacock. I don't think Xie Qingran has any good taste either!"

"What's wrong with it looking bad?"

Xiao Yanran really liked this dress. The main reason was that her usual clothes were all old-fashioned, and this was the only dress she owned that was brightly colored. So she wanted to wear her best clothes on this very important day.

But to my surprise, my second brother disliked me.

Seeing that Xiao Yanran was about to cry, Xiao Jue glanced at Xiao Yu helplessly: "Why do you always bully your sister?"

"Brother, I didn't bully her. I wanted to tell her not to be bought off for petty gains, especially girls!"

"What if she grows up and you just give her something and she takes it away?"

"Looking at Xie Qingran, I see she's scheming and doesn't necessarily like us. She just wants to marry my brother and get her hands on the power of our Duke Zhenguo's mansion. Humph!"

Although Xiao Yu was not very old, he had seen far too much by Xiao Jue's side over the years, including far too many people with ill intentions.

Moreover, in Xiao Yu's mind, a true lady from a prominent family was not like Xie Qingran at all. Where could there be such a cold and aloof person?

Would someone who is so cold and aloof truly care for and treat them well?

"Big brother, are you really going to marry her?"

Xiao Yu looked at Xiao Jue with some curiosity.

Seeing that Xiao Jue did not refute her words, she understood that her brother most likely really wanted to marry her.

Thinking of this, Xiao Yu felt increasingly uneasy. He took a deep breath and cautiously asked, "Then... will you have children?"

"This is not your concern."

Xiao Jue waved his hand, blushing slightly for some reason, and scolded him in a low voice.

His health had never been very good, but he had twice developed feelings for Xie Qingran, a feeling he had never experienced before, so he felt embarrassed whenever it was mentioned.

However, Xiao Yu was just a child and had no idea why his brother was ugly. He thought his brother was unhappy and didn't dare to say anything. He could only pull Xiao Yanran away.

"Take off these clothes right now, and you're never allowed to take anything from that woman again!"

"Pack all these things up now, and give them back to her when she comes!"

Xiao Yu's face was gloomy, and he spoke very seriously, even with a hint of urgency.

But Xiao Yanran really liked these things, so she didn't understand what her brother meant at all.

Her eyebrows furrowed tightly, then she looked longingly at Xiao Yu holding the things and whispered, "But I don't want to return these things!"

"Haven't you realized yet? My brother is really going to marry her, and they'll have their own children. What are we going to do then?"

"Do you want your brother to never speak to us again?"

Xiao Yu knew what Xiao Yanran was most afraid of, so he simply tried to scare her.

Now, even though Xiao Yanran liked these things, she didn't dare keep them. She shook her head vigorously and said in a choked voice, "No, no, I can't live without my big brother, so I'll give them all to her!"

"But second brother, would Sister Xie really treat us like this?" Xiao Yanran still felt that Xie Qingran wasn't that kind of person.

Even though Xie Qingran was always cold, she always spoke to them in a kind and gentle manner, with a faint tenderness in her eyes. Most importantly, Xiao Yanran could smell a faint fragrance on Xie Qingran, the scent of her mother!

However, Xiao Yanran dared not say these words. She did not want to lose her eldest brother and was also afraid of her second brother, so she could only reluctantly take off her clothes, pack up all those things, and give them to Xiao Yu with reluctance.

At this time, the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion was bustling with activity, as guests arrived one after another, and the Xie family's carriages were parked at the gate.

After what happened before, Xie Yankang didn't bring Xie Hanyue with him this time. He only brought Wang Shi, Xie Zhaoye, and Xie Qingran. After everyone got out of the car, Xie Yankang glanced at Xie Zhaoye and said, "You better behave yourself!"

As long as Xie Hanyue wasn't around, Xie Zhaoye was quite obedient, so he didn't react in any other way. He just nodded obediently and then glanced at Xie Qingran.

"Sister Xie, you've finally arrived! I've been waiting for you for so long!" Madam Qin personally came out to greet Xie Qingran, smiling warmly and affectionately.

Following behind Qin was a little child of three or four years old, tiny, fair-skinned, and incredibly cute. When he saw Xie Qingran, he also bowed respectfully and said, "Greetings, Aunt Xie!"

This was Xie Qingran's first time seeing Qin's child. She was surprised to find the child so young, but it was clear that Qin had raised the child very well.

She smiled gently, then reached out and lightly patted the child's head, handing him a bag of candy, and said with a smile, "Hello, what's your name?"

The child was overjoyed to see the candy ball Xie Qingran offered, but didn't immediately reach out to take it. Instead, he looked longingly at Madam Qin. Only after Madam Qin nodded did he happily take it, smiling as he said, "My name is Xiao Nianjun!"

The child's name carries the mother's longing for the father, which sounds rather sad.

However, Xie Qingran nodded and said with a smile, "It's a really nice name."

Xie Zhaoye stood aside, dumbfounded, watching Xie Qingran speak kindly and gently to a little child with a smile on her face.

Ever since Xie Qingran came back, she has always been cold and aloof towards him, or she has spoken harshly to him. When has she ever been so gentle?

He originally thought Xie Qingran was just a cold person, but he never expected that she would be so warm at times.