Xu Jingzhong received a phone call midway through, apologized to Nan Zhi, and then left in a hurry.
Nanzhi vaguely sensed that something was wrong at the company, so she had no choice but to return to the room they had prepared for her.
In the afternoon, a servant came up to call her downstairs, and Nanzhi went downstairs. Xu Jingzhi had already returned and was reporting the situation to the old man.
When Nanzhi arrived, Xu Jingzhi nodded to her, his expression still indifferent. Nanzhi thought that Xu Jingzhi was always expressionless and cold to everyone.
Little did she know that his smiles were reserved for his family; he didn't smile at her, probably because they weren't close enough.
As evening approached, a middle-aged man and a young woman arrived. Xu Jingzhi showed a doting smile towards the woman, and the old man introduced her to Nanzhi:
"This is your second uncle and your little cousin Xu Yao."
Nanzhi nodded, saw her second uncle, and stepped forward to greet him respectfully, "Hello, second uncle."
Xu Guang glanced at Nan Zhi, his smile fading considerably. "She really looks exactly like my sister."
Nanzhi could sense that this person disliked her, and in fact, she didn't feel much of a sense of belonging in the Xu family either.
"Yaoyao, come here quickly." Grandpa Xu smiled and waved to Xu Yao, clearly doting on his granddaughter. The girl ran over in a few steps and leaned against the old man's chest. "Grandpa, I missed you so much."
Grandpa Xu was clearly very happy. He reached out and patted Xu Yao's head, saying, "Good child, come visit often if you miss Grandpa."
Xu Yao pouted and said, "It's all because of Daddy. He always makes me learn this and that, and I don't have time to come see you."
"Alright, Yao Yao, this is your cousin Nan Zhi." Old Xu pointed to Nan Zhi and gave Xu Yao a brief introduction.
Xu Yao then turned her gaze to Nan Zhi. In fact, she had noticed this girl long ago; her appearance was too dazzling for her to ignore.
Before coming, Xu Yao was worried that after her cousin arrived, she would no longer be her grandfather and brother's little darling. But now she found that her cousin and grandfather still doted on her. Xu Yao was completely relieved and even glanced at Nan Zhi with a smug look.
Nan Zhi: "..." Why does this little cousin seem hostile towards her for no reason?
"Hello, cousin, I'm Xu Yao, you can call me Yao Yao." Xu Yao extended her hand and shook hands with Nan Zhi. Nan Zhi smiled.
"Hello, I am Nam Gyi."
Seeing that the two girls could play together, Old Xu was very pleased. "You two little girls must have a lot in common."
Xu Yao nodded, "Of course! What grade are you in piano, cousin?" She said excitedly, "I'm at grade five, but grade six is a bit difficult, and I haven't taken the exam yet."
Nanzhi really didn't want to compare herself to the little girl, so she smiled and said, "Cousin, you're so amazing."
Xu Yao smiled and shook her head, "No, no, then cousin, do you have any special skills?"
Nan Zhi: "...If fighting counts."
Everyone: "......"
Xu Yao couldn't help but chuckle, "Cousin, that's impossible. Although your Nan family isn't that great, I think your dad would definitely enroll you in all sorts of art classes. How could he only know how to fight?"
Nan Zhi chuckled: "I guess I'm just hopeless."
Nan Zhi wasn't embarrassed at all by the girl's self-deprecation. What this girl wanted was a sense of superiority, so she gave it to her to keep herself quiet.
Xu Yao felt much better. She looked at Nan Zhi with disdain in her eyes. As expected of a small family, all they knew was fighting and brawling. She really couldn't understand why her aunt insisted on marrying into the Nan family.
Mr. Xu retorted with a stern face, "How could Zhizhi be a hopeless case? Don't belittle yourself like that. Your grandfather knows you are a good student."
Nan Zhi smiled, pursed her lips, and said nothing more.
"Grandpa, the kitchen says the food is ready," Xu Jingzhi said as he walked over.
Old Xu then invited everyone to sit down in their seats, saying, "It's not easy for Zhizhi to come, and you're all home too. We should all have a good get-together. Jingzhi, go and get my good wine."
The second son, Xu Guang, frowned. "Dad, you can't drink."
Old Xu smiled and said, "I'm in a good mood today, second son, don't spoil the fun."
When his persuasion failed, Xu Guang stopped talking. Xu Jingzhi took out the wine and had just placed it on the table when the doorbell rang.
He turned to open the door and saw a handsome young man standing outside, carrying a gift box, but with a cold demeanor.
He asked, "Who are you looking for?"
The man's expression was indifferent, his tone slightly cold: "Excuse me, does Mr. Xu Haitang live here?"
Xu Haitang is Xu Lao's official name. Xu Jingzhi nodded, "He is my grandfather. Please come in."
She stepped aside to let the man in first, then led him toward the dining room, saying, "Grandpa, someone is looking for you."
Upon reaching the restaurant entrance, Xu Jingzhi finally spoke, drawing everyone's attention. Old Xu stared at the man, seemingly puzzled yet also as if he had found a clue.
Nan Zhi was startled again at first glance. Was she kidding? Why did she always run into Shen Xingmian when she ate? Did they only deserve to meet at mealtimes?
"Miss, this is fate! Look, every time we meet at mealtimes, it's a chance encounter." Meow Meow Machine watched the spectacle with amusement.
When Shen Xingmian saw Nan Zhi, he was obviously surprised for a moment, as he really didn't know Nan Zhi was here.
The Xu family is a deeply rooted old family in Yuecheng. Old Master Xu and his grandfather were friends for many years. When he learned that his grandfather had gone to Yuecheng, he asked Old Master Xu to come and visit him.
"Are you Old Shen's grandson?"
Upon hearing what Old Xu said, Nan Zhi suddenly thought of Hu Lai. He used to call Shen Xingmian "Old Shen," but now "Old Shen" has become Old Shen's grandson. How ridiculous!
Shen Xingmian nodded expressionlessly, "Yes, I am Shen Xingmian."
"I apologize for disturbing you this time, and I hope you will not take offense, Elder Xu."
Old Xu waved his hand with a smile, "No, no, it's been a long time since Grandpa Xu's place has been this lively."
He then gestured for Xu Yao to sit down next to him, inviting her to do so.
"Xingmian, come sit down next to Grandpa Xu. Since you're here, stay here for the night."
Shen Xingmian, who hadn't originally planned to stay, glanced at Nan Zhi across from her without making a sound, and nodded slightly, "Then thank you for your consideration, Elder Xu."
Nanzhi: "..."
Originally, Xu Yao and Nan Zhi were sitting on either side of Old Master Xu, but now that Shen Xingmian has arrived, Xu Yao has been relegated to the second seat. However, Xu Yao has not felt the slightest bit of dissatisfaction.
The moment Xu Yao saw Shen Xingmian, she knew he was her Prince Charming; every move he made revealed his refinement and nobility.
In Yuecheng, Xu Yao had never seen such a high-quality man. If she could win his favor, the thought made her face flush.
No one noticed Xu Yao's ulterior motives. Old Xu chatted and drank with Shen Xingmian and the others, enjoying themselves immensely for the first time in a long time. In the end, he became more and more satisfied with Shen Xingmian and suddenly had an idea.
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