Despite saying this, Wan Qiqi didn't take the child out until an hour later, and she also brought Wu Gousheng with her.

With Wu Gousheng watching the children, Wan Qiqi was able to slow down and chat with Fang Luxue.

"What have you been doing all this time? Your father told you to stay at home and not to go out?" Wan Qiqi asked.

She didn't actually care what Fang Ziming wanted to do; she just disliked that he used his daughter to achieve his own goals.

The inquiry to Fang Luxue stemmed purely from her concern for her friend.

"He wants to find me a good family to marry into, and wants me to stay at home like other young ladies. These days he's been busy with the affairs of the Xiao family, so he hasn't been watching me so closely."

Fang Luxue seemed somewhat disappointed when she mentioned this.

Wan Qiqi raised an eyebrow and gave a helpless smile.

Fang Ziming is somewhat unpredictable. He is inconsistent in his treatment of his daughter, sometimes wanting her to be more vibrant, and other times wanting her to be like other young ladies.

In reality, Fang Ziming only wanted the best for his daughter, but he didn't truly understand her heart or her thoughts and needs.

Wan Qiqi belatedly realized the second half of Fang Luxue's sentence, "The Xiao residence?"

"Yes, it's almost the old master Xiao's birthday, and people who want to curry favor with the Xiao family are all making preparations, including my father; and it's not just these high-ranking officials and nobles, every restaurant in Yunhe County with a bit of reputation is making preparations."

Fang Luxue seemed somewhat helpless, as if she had no interest in the Xiao family.

"Are you going to attend a birthday banquet?" Wan Qiqi asked, puzzled.

Fang Luxue was somewhat astonished, "You didn't know? The eldest son of the Xiao family is searching everywhere for delicious food, drinks, and fun activities to please Old Master Xiao! If any restaurant provides dishes that satisfy Old Master Xiao, there will be a generous reward!"

"Who knows what these high-ranking officials want? Putting aside whether there will be a reward for doing well, if we don't do well, we might lose our lives!"

Although Wan Qiqi had never met Old Master Xiao and Young Master Xiao, she already had no good feelings towards Xiao Er and Xiao San, and did not want to get involved in this matter.

"Sister Qi, what are you thinking? Old Master Xiao wouldn't do something like that! Besides, with the Xiao family's approval, the restaurant will be very successful in Yunhe County. Of course, we should hurry up and give it a try!"