"Dinner's served so early today?"
Xiao Shuihan's gaze swept over the sumptuous dishes on the table. Before even taking a seat, he spoke in a half-joking tone, his voice slightly cold yet not distant.
At the head of the table, Xiao Qianshan suddenly let out a cold snort: "Do you expect everyone to starve to death while waiting for you?"
Xiao Shuihan's lips curled slightly, and he suddenly looked at Old He, who was standing guard not far away:
"Uncle He, is the old man's trip to the capital not very pleasant?"
Old He hesitated for a moment before replying, "Master was in a very good mood during his trip to the capital."
Xiao Shuihan gave a soft "oh," raising an eyebrow slightly, his tone nonchalant:
"Why are you acting like you've taken a toxic rage even though you're in a good mood?"
"This firepower is too intense; I'm starting to feel the strain."
Old He's eyes twitched slightly, and he could only manage a forced smile.
He knew Xiao Shuihan's motives were impure and that there was more to the story; it turned out he was waiting for him here.
Xiao Shuihan's personality was not as serious as Xiao Qianshan's. He was also Xiao Qianshan's most beloved son. He was the only one of the three brothers who dared to talk back and joke with Xiao Qianshan.
Xiao Qianshan almost suffered a heart attack because of him. His face turned ashen, his hand holding the chopsticks paused slightly, and his beard trembled slightly.
Xiao Shuihan then looked at Old He, his tone casual: "Uncle He, I would say that among the three of us brothers, I am the most filial. What do you think?"
Old He has learned his lesson; he just laughs and doesn't say a word.
He didn't speak, so Xiao Shuihan continued, "You see, I'm subtly helping the old man exercise his heart, which will help him live longer."
"So the old man is now ninety years old and has no injuries or illnesses."
Old He's eyes twitched uncontrollably from his antics, and Xiao Fengyin secretly gave Xiao Shuihan a thumbs up.
Xiao Qianshan was imposing and dignified. Even her father and second uncle were trembling in his presence. Only her third uncle had any real prestige.
Xiao Shuihan was adept at judging the situation. Seeing that Xiao Qianshan was about to explode, he blocked his path by uttering the word "rebellious son":
"Okay, I was just worried the atmosphere at the dinner table was too tense."
"Isn't this a welcome party for you? Don't be angry, my dear father."
After saying that, he stopped looking at Xiao Qianshan and naturally turned his gaze to Xiao Wujie beside him.
His eyebrows twitched instantly, and as he gazed at Xiao Wujie's handsome face, a look of daze flashed across his eyes. His voice softened unconsciously as he spoke.
"Young man, who are you...?"
When he looked at Xiao Wujie, Xiao Wujie was also looking at him. An indescribable feeling arose spontaneously. Although they had never met before, it was as if the two of them had known each other for a long time.
It was as if an invisible thread was pulling him, Xiao Shuihan, and Luo Yilan together, forming a closed triangle that attracted each other.
Because Luo Yilan's gaze never left him the moment she sat down. Although her eyes were cold and aloof, Xiao Wujie felt that her gaze was so gentle.
He grabbed Chu Liyue's hand uncontrollably, his gaze darting away for a moment, before speaking in a low, respectful voice:
"This is Xiao Wujie, and my fiancée Chu Liyue."
Xiao Shuihan and Luo Yilan were completely different from the others. They were surprised when they heard Chu Liyue's name, but only for a moment. After nodding in acknowledgment, they turned their gaze back to Xiao Wujie.
The elegant and noble Luo Yilan suddenly spoke, her voice cool yet pleasant:
"Child, you also have the surname Xiao?"
As soon as she finished speaking, Xiao Fengyin's eyes widened involuntarily. Her third aunt was a very aloof person. She wasn't fierce, but all the children in the family were afraid of her.
She was like that when she was a child. Later, as she grew older and got closer to her, she realized that her aunt could also be very gentle.
But only her and her third uncle, Xiao Shuihan, had ever enjoyed this treatment; it seems a third person has appeared today.
A stranger who seems very strange.
As Xiao Wujie nodded slightly, Luo Yilan, unsure of what was wrong with her, subconsciously blurted out:
"Whose child are you? What are your parents' names?"
Xiao Wujie's gaze was lowered, his grip on Chu Liyue's hand tightening until Chu Liyue's warm palm covered the back of his hand. Only then did he abruptly release his grip, his lips slightly pursed, and he replied with lowered eyes:
“I was born in Harbin, and my parents were nobody.”
His words made Xiao Qianshan's fingers clench until they turned white, while Luo Yilan's gaze wavered slightly, as if she felt it was somewhat abrupt to ask such a question on their first meeting. A beautiful and gentle smile appeared on her face:
"Child, don't be afraid. It was presumptuous of me to ask this on our first meeting."
As she spoke, she withdrew her gaze, and Xiao Shuihan finally chuckled and turned her attention back to the people at the table.
Xiao Shuihan suddenly dropped his nonchalant attitude and asked Xiao Qianshan:
"Father, I remember Uncle He said you were going to the capital to visit friends, so why did you bring Miss Chu and this brother with you?"
In his memory, Xiao Qianshan and the old man of the Chu family were not familiar with each other.
Xiao Qianshan looked up at him, his gaze indifferent: "Curious?"
Xiao Shuihan nodded, but Xiao Qianshan suddenly lowered his head, fiddling with the small spoon in his hand, his tone cold and gloomy:
"If you're so capable, why do you need to ask me?"
"flutter!"
All eyes immediately turned to Lao He at the back, and he couldn't help but burst out laughing.
Why are these two, father and son, acting so awkwardly?
But as everyone looked at him, he instantly stopped smiling, his expression tense, looking so pitiful.
Xiao Shuihan's gaze also paused for a moment, then she said in a calm tone, "If you don't want to talk, then forget it."
Xiao Qianshan lowered his head and took a sip of soup: "Then I won't say."
Just as the atmosphere on the field fell silent again, Xiao Fengyin, who had been holding back for a long time, finally spoke up, looking at Xiao Wujie with curiosity:
"Little brother, are you trying to lose weight? I haven't seen you eating at all."
"The thing is, with your figure, it's not like you need to lose weight at all!"
She sat in the restaurant the whole time. Although Xiao Wujie picked up his chopsticks, he was only serving food to Chu Liyue. His own plate remained empty, and he didn't eat anything.
This was undoubtedly a blow to her, a person who loves beauty, is determined to lose weight, and can't live without eating it at every meal.
She once vowed to lose weight for a period of time, eating only fruits and vegetables at night, which almost drove her crazy; her mouth felt bland.
What is this person with the dreamlike figure doing? Is he practicing fasting like an immortal?
Her words immediately drew everyone's attention back to Xiao Wujie, with Xiao Shuihan and Luo Yilan unconsciously staring at him as if their eyes were glued to him.
Normally calm and collected in the face of anything, Xiao Wujie didn't know what was wrong with him today. He felt a strange tension in front of their gazes, and his palms were even sweating slightly.
Xiao Qianshan's deep and authoritative voice rang out at the right moment: "He is not feeling well and cannot eat for the time being."
His eyes flickered slightly, then he suddenly looked at Chu Liyue and whispered:
“I see the little guy is a bit tired. Little girl, why don’t you take him back to rest?”
Without saying a word, Chu Liyue took Xiao Wujie's hand and led him away from the restaurant amidst the various gazes of the crowd.
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