When Bai Xiaoruo carried the pastries and milk out, Xuan Mingyu was still on the phone, seemingly without end, his eyes and hands never leaving the laptop in front of him.
He's such a busy man, still working so late.
I wish I could share some of his burdens.
Bai Xiaoruo put the things on the coffee table. "Eat something. You haven't eaten anything tonight, which isn't good for your health."
Xuan Mingyu looked at the pastries and milk on the table, then glanced at Bai Xiaoruo. "We'll talk about it later. Don't bother me."
"I......"
Just as Bai Xiaoruo opened her mouth, Xuan Mingyu's phone rang again.
"Hey, Gu Yao, have you finished compiling all the documents I asked you to?"
Bai Xiaoruo sighed helplessly. He had reverted to his cold and aloof self from that night. She had indeed been deluding herself.
Not daring to disturb him any further, Bai Xiaoruo silently turned and went into the house.
[Didn't you ask me to bring you the proposal? You're not home.]
At that moment, Gu Yao drove to the villa where Xian Mingyu was currently living.
"You can bring it to the company for me tomorrow. I have something to do tonight so I won't be staying there... Oh, and could you please bring me a new suit, a bathrobe, and toiletries? Thank you for making the trip. Please deliver them to the Bai family's house."
[The Bai family? Your little wife's family? Tsk tsk, you two have finally reconciled?]
"Don't overthink it, it's just following the custom to go back to your parents' home. I'll be going back tomorrow."
Okay, okay, I'll just grab whatever's available for you. I'll call you when it arrives.
"Um."
Hsien Ming-yu hung up the phone and fell into deep thought.
Actually, he hadn't paid any attention to this so-called "returning home" ceremony and didn't even know it existed.
No one knows which gossipy person went and told Grandpa, but Xuan Mingyu had just finished a meeting when Xuan Zhengsen called and gave him a severe scolding.
[What's wrong with you? What's wrong? Are you really that unwilling to marry that girl? Today is the day for the bride to return to her parents' home; didn't you go back to the Bai family with Xiaoruo?]
“Grandpa, that’s her house, not mine. Whether I go back or not doesn’t make any difference.”
"Not a problem? You make it sound so easy. On a day like this, you're leaving Xiaoruo to go home alone. Do you think that's appropriate for a husband? Go to Xiaoruo's side as soon as you get off work. If I find out you're mistreating her or bullying her, your grandmother and I will never let you off easily!"
"Grandpa, I really don't understand, is Bai Xiaoruo your real granddaughter or am I your real grandson? You and Grandma have been helping her in every way lately, what is your purpose?"
[You don't need to worry about that. I know you look down on the Bai family, and your parents don't like Xiao Ruo either, but none of that matters. Mingyu, we made a promise. From the moment you agreed to marry Xiao Ruo, you had to forget everything from the past. Xiao Ruo will definitely be a good girl worth cherishing. As for the Bai family... we'll find a chance to completely uproot them sooner or later. But for now, especially in front of Bai Minglei, you need to act as loving as possible towards Xiao Ruo. I'll tell you why later.]
And so, after finishing work, Hsien Ming-yu rushed over with his briefcase and notebook.
Normally, even when he gets home, he would stay in his study all night and didn't like being around people. But now, in order to please his grandparents and put their minds at ease, he also had to put in a lot of effort to portray himself as a good husband in the eyes of outsiders.
Xian Mingyu even suspected that Bai Xiaoruo was the one who snitched. Thinking about it, it wasn't impossible. He must be upset that he had neglected her and hadn't spent his wedding night with her, so he deliberately went to complain.
That little girl is young, but she's got a lot on her mind. She's not satisfied with being the young mistress of the Xian family; she wants him to treat her like a treasure too.
Hmph, in the end it's just her wishful thinking. No matter what she does, I'll only dislike her more.
***
As Bai Xiaoruo entered the house, two maids came down from the second floor.
"Madam, the guest rooms have all been cleaned and wiped down, and air freshener has been sprayed on them."
"Okay, you can all leave now."
"yes."
Bai Xiaoruo stood there blankly. Was there some guest coming to her house again? She had never seen anyone wipe down the guest rooms or spray air freshener before. How important must this guest be?
"Auntie, are some guests coming over?"
"Are you really that stupid, or are you missing a screw? You and Mingyu are staying here tonight. Do you expect Mingyu to sleep in your shabby little room with you? If people find out, they'll think the Bai family is mistreating you."
Bai Xiaoruo stood still without saying a word. That shabby little storage room was originally her room, and she had long been used to living there. When she first went to the villa to sleep on the soft big bed, she even missed the shabby little bed in her room.
Song Meiyan suddenly took Bai Xiaoruo's hand affectionately. "Xiaoruo, listen to your aunt. After all, you are the daughter of the Bai family. I don't need to repeat myself how you should do things for the Bai family, right? There are some things that can't be said, so don't mention them in front of Mingyu. What you can mention is to ask the Xian family to take care of our Bai Group. Your father recently wanted to buy a piece of land, but he is a little short of funds. Xiaoruo, you should help your father and the Bai family with this, right?"
"I..." Bai Xiaoruo was caught in a dilemma.
How could she possibly bring it up?
She was still just a student and knew nothing about company and business matters. She was now the young mistress of the Xian family, and after Bai Xiaofu went to prison, she was the only daughter of the Bai family. She should help her family out, but... Bai Xiaoru thought: Even if she really asked Xian Mingyu, would he really help the Bai family?
Seeing how indifferent Xian Mingyu was to Bai Minglei during dinner, Bai Xiaoruo felt that the chances were even slimmer. If she didn't know how to speak properly and upset him, not only would she not be able to help her father, but she might also make him dislike her even more.
But if you directly refuse your stepmother and say you won't help, given her personality, she will definitely gossip everywhere. If it gets back to your grandparents, they might think you're too cold-blooded, and it will leave an even worse impression.
After all, the Bai family raised Bai Xiaoruo for more than ten years. No matter how much they beat or scolded her, they at least gave her food and allowed her to study for so many years... Now, isn't it time for her stepmother to ask her to repay them?
"Auntie, if I have the chance, I'll talk to Mingyu about it, but if he refuses..."
"Alright, alright, Xiaoruo, Auntie has really spoiled you for nothing~ Mingyu loves you so much, he'll definitely agree as long as you ask."
"I hope so... Auntie, I'm a little sleepy, I'll go back to my room first. Which guest room has been cleaned?"
"The second room on the left. Xiao Ruo, Auntie is placing all her hopes on you, so don't let Auntie down." Song Meiyan patted Bai Xiao Ruo's shoulder meaningfully.
She thought to herself: As long as Bai Xiaoruo is willing to speak to Xian Mingyu, he will definitely help her.
"I... I'll give it a try."
There were too many things to consider, so Bai Xiaoruo hesitated and didn't agree readily.
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