"This child is really something, she's very thoughtful. Do you know why she chose this dress? She thought I'd be with my mother tonight, and since my mother looks very young, I shouldn't wear anything too mature. Also, my mother is tall, so I need to wear high heels to match her height."
"My niece is wonderful," A Lei couldn't help but praise.
Fu Yongnian's car was already outside, so they went straight out.
Little Fish's mother stood outside the car waiting for them. She was wearing a modified cheongsam dress, deliberately dressed to look more mature; it seemed her youngest daughter had guessed her intentions correctly.
Seeing Qin Xiaoyu, who looked like a little princess, Xiaoyu's mother's eyes were full of smiles.
"My daughter is so beautiful."
Fu Yongnian kept everyone in suspense, not revealing which family's banquet he was attending. Upon arriving at the destination, Qin Xiaoyu knew this person was no ordinary individual; aside from the car outside, the architecture alone revealed his status.
As soon as they entered, a chubby man came up to them; Qin Xiaoyu had never seen him before.
"Call him Uncle Hong. Old Hong, this is my daughter, Xiaoyu," Fu Yongnian immediately introduced them.
"Hello, Uncle Hong." Qin Xiaoyu greeted him politely as she stepped forward.
“This is my son-in-law, Alex.”
“This is someone I know; his father and I are alumni.” Mr. Hong shook hands with A Lei.
“Uncle Hong is a sworn brother of mine. If you need anything in the future, just go to him directly,” Fu Yongnian said, and Qin Xiaoyu nodded repeatedly.
Most of the people present were acquaintances. This place is not big to begin with, and the circle of celebrities is even smaller.
This time, with Uncle Hong present, Qin Xiaoyu became popular again. People who already knew her were eager to become her best friends immediately, and they were much more enthusiastic.
“Uncle Hong, this is the person we’re looking for.” A Lei drew a line on Qin Xiaoyu’s palm with his finger and whispered in her ear.
Qin Xiaoyu understood a little. It seemed that Fu Yongnian hadn't simply invited them to a dinner party. Was there something big going to happen?
Qin Xiaoyu had already figured out the banquet's procedures, but she was preoccupied and absent-minded; she was looking for someone.
Linda wasn't in the crowd. Was she not participating? That would still be a chance for her to make an appearance. Or was she focused on preparing to deal with Qin Xiaoyu?
"Don't always frown, it'll give you wrinkles." Little Fish's mother came over, hugged Little Fish, and gently touched her forehead with her finger, just like A Lei did.
Qin Xiaoyu couldn't help but laugh.
“With parents around, there’s nothing to worry about,” Fu Yongnian added as he overheard their conversation.
There was another commotion at the door. Mr. Hong walked out. Another new guest had arrived, and he seemed to be a very important person, otherwise he wouldn't have gone to greet him personally.
Qin Xiaoyu was short, and A Lei spotted Linda immediately, his face darkening.
The visitors were Linda and her father. Mr. Huo smiled broadly at Mr. Hong, and the two walked in hand in hand, dispelling the rumors of their long-standing discord.
"Old Fu is here too, perfect for catching up." Mr. Hong raised his hand, and Fu Yongnian raised his glass in a gesture of respect. Mr. Huo's smile gradually faded.
"I'm going to see some old friends." Fu Yongnian handed the wine glass back to the waiter and followed them upstairs.
Linda stayed in the lobby, and as her friends gathered around, she looked around and, when she found Qin Xiaoyu, gave her a sharp look. Qin Xiaoyu then noticed that there were tears in her eyes; it seemed she had been crying.
"Aren't you going to say hello?" Qin Xiaoyu was eager to try. A Lei listened to her; as long as she was happy, he didn't care if she tried to sabotage him or cause trouble.
When Linda saw Qin Xiaoyu approaching, she held her head high, still retaining the last vestiges of dignity of a loser.
"I have a feeling this is coming to an end, right?" Qin Xiaoyu smiled mischievously and tilted her head against A Lei.
"You're really lucky; you have people helping you everywhere. Yes, this matter is coming to an end." Linda smiled, giving the curious onlookers an explanation.
After all, we're here tonight to negotiate peace, not to tear each other apart.
"Xiaoyu, let's go upstairs. Your father is looking for you." Xiaoyu's mother came over. This time, she didn't use the title "Uncle Fu." Qin Xiaoyu noticed this, went over and took her hand, obediently following beside her.
"Miss Huo, please come in too," Little Fish's mother called out as she turned around. Linda hesitated for a moment, then followed.
The innermost room on the second floor was a study. A servant stood at the door and, seeing them arrive, hurriedly opened the double carved mahogany doors.
The interior was outrageously spacious, with bookshelves reaching to the ceiling on all four walls, overflowing with books. Near the window stood a huge desk, laden with the Four Treasures of the Study (writing brush, ink stick, inkstone, and paper), suggesting the owner had a refined taste.
Under the window on the other side was a circle of sofas, where the three people who had come up first were sitting and chatting. Their expressions had changed, and they were laughing heartily.
Upon seeing them come up, Mr. Huo first waved to Linda.
"I've met your Uncle Hong and Uncle Fu. Don't cause trouble in front of them again. You're such a bold child. You ended up in Uncle Fu's hands. If it were someone else, even your father couldn't save you." Mr. Huo was reprimanding you in public, probably to give you an explanation.
“It’s normal for kids to be energetic. They’re young, aren’t they? When you were young, which of you was ever well-behaved?” Little Fish’s mother’s words were a very clever way of smoothing things over.
"Sister-in-law is still as graceful as ever, just like she was twenty years ago." Mr. Huo's words surprised Qin Xiaoyu. How could it be that Fu Yongnian had dealt with these people twenty years ago?
"Back then, I went through thick and thin with your Uncle Hong and Uncle Huo. We were young and full of vigor back then, and thankfully we made it through so many trials," Fu Yongnian said to Qin Xiaoyu with a smile.
With one arm around Qin Xiaoyu's waist and the other gesturing for A Lei to sit down, Xiaoyu's mother then moved to sit next to Fu Yongnian.
Fu Yongnian naturally reached out and placed his hand on hers. The two exchanged a tender glance.
Linda sat next to Mr. Huo, head bowed and silent. Her expression was hidden, but her clenched fists revealed that she was still deeply resentful.
"Niece, I apologize on behalf of my daughter for what happened this time. Please don't take offense," Mr. Huo suddenly said to Qin Xiaoyu, startling her.
"Xiaoyu is still in the dark. Old Fu dotes on his daughter and didn't want her to worry, so he didn't tell her beforehand." Xiaoyu's mother patted Qin Xiaoyu's hand affectionately.
"Oh, Old Fu is really thoughtful."
It turns out that this fire was planned by Fu Yongnian.
The day Qin Xiaoyu arrived in Hong Kong was the same day they were supposed to return, so they wouldn't have crossed paths. They only overheard that Qin Xiaoyu and her husband had suddenly come, and guessed that something big must have happened.
Xiaoyu's mother, deeply concerned for her daughter, originally intended to go directly to her daughter's home to inquire. However, Fu Yongnian, being more composed, stopped her.
Although he has been developing his career in mainland China, he has extensive business dealings and investments here, and they have a 20-year-old friendship, so it is naturally easier for him to investigate than for Qin Xiaoyu.
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