73 Qiao Xi X Shang Dan
◎My Banker's Daughter [Part 3]◎
After catching Shang Dan making a phone call to his "girlfriend," Qiao Xi was depressed for a week before she recovered.
However, when she went to the Shang family's house to do her homework, she deliberately avoided the weekend and chose the busiest Monday.
The two sisters got out of the car, each holding a popsicle, and went into their home.
"Isn't my idol handsome today?" Qiao Xi said, arm in arm with Shang Xinuan, as they discussed a minor supporting character in a recently popular TV series.
"So handsome! Miss Qiao has great taste."
"Do you think I should ask my dad to pull some strings and get him some resources? It's so heartbreaking to see him always playing minor supporting roles."
Shang Xinuan frowned. "Miss, if you keep chasing after celebrities like this, what if they insist on offering themselves to you?"
Qiao Xi laughed arrogantly, "Then... take him home as a male concubine."
Shang Xinuan: "You scumbag woman, you won't even give him a proper title."
Qiao Xi: "What can I do? I'm a banker's daughter, and I'm destined to marry someone of equal social standing."
The two chatted and laughed as they rounded the covered bridge, when they saw the man sitting in the pavilion.
Shang Dan leaned back in his armchair, leisurely sipping tea. Upon seeing the two, he offered to have a cup, but his expression seemed to suggest that he had just overheard his male concubine's entire conversation.
The way he looked at her, especially when he looked at her, was with a newfound scrutiny.
Qiao Xi wanted to disappear into the ground, but Shang Xinuan pulled her to sit down.
"Doesn't your brother...not come home often?" Qiao Xi whispered in Shang Xinuan's ear.
However, Shang Xinuan didn't immediately understand the reason. She often joked with Shang Dan about keeping male celebrities as mistresses, so she thought Qiao Xi was just worried about his image being ruined in front of his elders. "Because he was scolded by his grandfather."
As people age, they enjoy the lively atmosphere of being surrounded by their children and grandchildren.
Shang Dan used to study abroad, so his grandfather didn't ask for much. Now that he has graduated and returned to China, he has taken over part of the family business. Apart from meeting him once a day at the company's morning meeting, the family can only get together on weekends.
After a while, the old man naturally started to have opinions.
Qiao Xi bit her lip, also somewhat puzzled as to why Shang Dan lived alone outside.
In addition to the reception room, dining room, study, tea room, and cinema in the front yard, each person in the Shang Mansion has their own private courtyard, so there is no feeling of lacking privacy.
Unless there is another possibility: that Shang Dan is unable to bring his girlfriend home for the time being, so he has to live alone outside.
Qiao Xi had just relieved her suppressed emotions from the past week, but now she was feeling a bit depressed again.
She held the delicate teacup in her hand, but hesitated to bring it to her lips.
"Stop showing off. The college entrance exam is just around the corner. Focus more on your studies," Shang Dan admonished.
Shang Xinuan then wilted a little, "I'm not drinking anymore, let's go do our homework."
Qiao Xi didn't dare to look at Shang Dan any longer, and followed Shang Xi Nuan to get up and leave.
"Nuan Nuan." The two hadn't gone far when Shang Dan called out to Shang Xinuan again, "I'm going to Suzhou in a bit, don't you need anything to take with you?"
Upon hearing the word "Suzhou," Qiao Xi instinctively turned around.
“I don’t need it,” Shang Xin replied.
"Does Xixi have one?" Shang Dan asked again when he saw her looking over.
Qiao Xi's throat started to itch, so she just shook her head and quickly left.
In Shangxi Nuan's little garden, the young lady was doing her homework as usual.
Qiao Xi lay reclining on the swing chair, holding an English book, but couldn't concentrate on reading a single page for a long time.
My mind was filled with the thought that Shang Dan had gone to Suzhou, probably to see his girlfriend.
At dinner time, the restaurant was empty except for Shang Zun and her two girlfriends.
"Xixi, is your appetite not good today?" Every time she stays at the Shang family's house for dinner, the kitchen makes her favorite pine nut and corn dish. Today, the plate of food was turned to her several times, but she didn't touch it. Shang Zun observed her a few times and noticed that the little girl had been unhappy for quite some time. "Are your mom and dad away on a business trip again?"
Qiao Xi found the taste of the corn and pine nuts bland, but she still scooped out two spoonfuls. "Hmm, it's been about three or four days."
Shang Zun sighed and comforted her, "When it comes to work, you should try to understand your parents more."
Qiao Xi knew the reason behind it and was already used to it. Her recent sadness was all because of that unspeakable girlish secret.
"Yes, I know, Grandpa."
-
After dinner, Shang Zun did not let the two sisters leave.
The three generations of the family sat on the second-floor terrace, enjoying tea and watching a movie.
Just as the movie was halfway through, the sound of a car engine came from outside the courtyard gate.
Shang Zun patted Shang Xinuan on the shoulder, "Your brother has finally brought people back."
Qiao Xi immediately looked at the two of them, her lips trembling slightly.
Bringing them back?
At this moment, Shang Xinuan helped Shang Zun to his feet, saying, "Let's go and greet them quickly."
Qiao Xi nervously followed downstairs, seemingly already having the answer in her heart, so she didn't even dare to ask.
With a heart full of trepidation, I stepped into the courtyard, listening to the sounds of men and women laughing and joking outside the door.
As the three of them walked out of the courtyard, Shang Dan's black Maybach also came to a stop.
He strode out of the car, a smile on his face, and jogged to the passenger seat, opening the door for himself.
Qiao Xi gripped the hem of her clothes tightly, desperately trying to suppress the expression on her face so that she could appear more natural in a moment.
He quickly stepped out from the passenger seat.
Black flat ankle boots, followed by a navy blue embroidered long dress.
Before even seeing her, Qiao Xi had already guessed that she was an elegant lady.
"Beautiful lady!" At this moment, Shang Xinuan let go of Shang Zun and ran over to throw herself into his arms.
A stunning beauty? That name sounds familiar.
She had previously caught Shang Dan on the phone, and he addressed the person on the other end of the line in the same way.
It turns out that his family had already met Shang Dan's girlfriend.
Qiao Xi puffed out her cheeks and still looked up curiously.
However, when she finally saw the true face of the "great beauty," Qiao Xi was so shocked that she stood there stunned.
She was a very graceful grandmother, and when faced with the enthusiasm of the younger generation, she looked kind and said, "Oh my, our Nuannuan looks beautiful again."
"Grandma Chu, you're finally here! I've missed you so much!" Shang Xinuan said coquettishly.
"Alright, let's go inside first." Shang Dan helped Chu Rong walk forward.
"Long time no see!" Shang Zun greeted them, walking forward side by side with Chu Rong.
"Long time no see, how have you been lately, Brother Zun?"
"Good. Very good."
Qiao Xi stood at the door, feeling momentarily awkward.
Only when both elders came to her did she greet them, saying, "Grandma, hello."
Chu Rong stopped and asked, "What a pretty girl, how are you?"
Shang Dan followed beside her and introduced, "Grandma, this is Qiao Xi, Nuan Nuan's good friend."
Chu Rong adjusted his reading glasses and looked her over carefully. "So beautiful. Are you Nuannuan's friend?"
“Yes, Nuannuan and I are classmates,” Qiao Xi replied.
"Okay, let's go home together."
Qiao Xi slowed down a few steps and followed Shang Xinuan to her side.
Only then did I finally muster the courage to ask, "Who is this grandmother?"
"She is my brother's maternal grandmother, which is also my aunt's mother."
"Shang Dan's maternal grandmother?"
Shang Xinuan nodded, "My maternal grandmother was a famous actress in Suzhou when she was young, so we all called her a great beauty."
The moment the mystery was solved, the gloom in Qiao Xi's heart seemed to be blown away by the evening breeze.
"So that's how it is..." Qiao Xi slowed down a few steps, turned around when no one was paying attention, and let out a heavy sigh.
-
When they sat down in the living room again, the two elders were busy reminiscing.
Shang Xinuan and Qiao Xi leaned against each other, chatting and laughing about their gossip.
The two of them didn't even know when Shang Dan stood behind them.
"Is Wang Lingqing from Class 2 really dating the school heartthrob?"
"It's absolutely true, someone actually saw the two holding hands in the movie theater."
Qiao Xi's worries dissipated, and she even became enthusiastic about gossiping. "Awesome, really awesome."
“I remember, the school heartthrob used to have a crush on you,” Shang Xinuan said.
Qiao Xi clicked her tongue in disdain, "Come on, he's not genuinely pursuing me at all, his ulterior motives couldn't be more obvious."
"What's your purpose?" Suddenly, Shang Dan's voice came from above the two of them.
Qiao Xi and Shang Xi were startled and patted their hearts.
"Brother, are you trying to scare me to death?"
Shang Dan patted Shang Xinuan's head and then sat down next to the two of them.
Whether it was Qiao Xi's imagination or the misunderstanding about her breakup had been cleared up, she actually saw a sense of humanity in Shang Dan.
"I've been standing here for a while, you were just too focused to notice me," he said. Then he looked at Qiao Xi and pressed, "What were you talking about? Continue?"
"Why are you so nosy about our young people's business?" Shang Xinuan looked at him suspiciously.
Shang Dan calmly rested his arms on his knees and said, "As the older brother, isn't it normal to want to know more about this kind of pursuit from a young boy with ulterior motives?"
Although these words were spoken to Shang Xinuan, Qiao Xi always felt that Shang Dan's gaze was fixed on her.
When she looked over, she saw Shang Dan staring at her.
"If you feel embarrassed, just pretend I didn't ask." Shang Dan withdrew his gaze and began to fiddle with the tea table.
Qiao Xi felt an indescribable joy when someone she liked asked her about her love life.
She was both shy and curious about Shang Dan's reaction.
"Do you want to hear it?" Qiao Xi asked.
Shang Dan swirled his teacup, looked at her upon hearing this, and said, "I can help analyze it. If you encounter this situation again next time, you can be more careful."
Qiao Xi bit her lip. "That boy is a sports student at our school. He has pursued almost every girl whose family has some influence."
Shang Dan frowned slightly. "How did he win you over?"
"It's just asking me to see a movie and have dinner," Qiao Xi replied, then immediately added, "But I never agreed. After asking me out a few times, they stopped contacting me."
Shang Dan nodded and nudged Shang Xinuan with his elbow. "He pursued you too?"
Shang Xin held the teacup, pondering for a long time, "No."
“Of course I did!” Qiao Xi retorted immediately. “It’s because he pursued you before, so he was very attentive to me afterward, and I really disliked him.”
"I really don't know," Shang Xinuan said innocently.
“Well, the young lady really doesn’t notice people she doesn’t like.” Qiao Xi understood her.
Shang Dan remained silent for a long time before saying to the two of them, "When you encounter this kind of person, you really have to be careful not to be deceived in your feelings."
Qiao Xi, seemingly oblivious to her surroundings, suddenly blurted out, "This time it was because he had previously pursued Nuan Nuan, otherwise I would have really fallen for it. Brother, how should we tell the difference next time we encounter a similar situation?"
"In this world, there are no perfectly compatible partners. If someone appears who perfectly matches your fantasies about love, you should be cautious." Shang Dan looked at the two of them. "Do you understand?"
Shang Xinuan puffed out her cheeks, perhaps feeling that it didn't quite align with her views on love, and simply replied perfunctorily, "I understand, I understand."
Qiao Xi, however, held her teacup and pondered for a while, "I still feel it's not very easy to tell... If someone else comes next time... can I ask my brother?"
Shang Xinuan was the first to exclaim in surprise, "Ask him? He's never been in a relationship, he probably can't even tell the difference between a 'white lotus' and a 'white lotus'."
The person who was contradicted wasn't angry, and didn't even bother with Li Shangxin's warmth, simply replying, "Okay."
Shang Xinuan pouted, "Don't end up harming Xixi, or you'll be committing a terrible sin."
"Just because I've never been in a relationship doesn't mean I can't see through men."
Shang Xin patted her hand, "That makes sense. After all, we're both men, so we must know what men are thinking. Xi Xi, ask him more questions."
Qiao Xi tried hard to suppress the smile on her face, but fireworks were blooming in her heart. "Yes, thank you, Brother Shang Dan."
"All you know is how to teach your sister how to date. When are you going to date and get married?" The two elders, who were catching up, were drawn in by the conversation of the young people across from them.
"Grandma, I want to focus on my career right now, so I don't have any plans for that yet." Shang Dan scratched his head and stood up. "I have to go to work tomorrow, so I'm going to sleep now."
Seeing Shang Dan leave, the two sisters followed closely behind. "Grandpa, Grandma, we have school tomorrow, so we're going to sleep now."
That night.
Qiao Xi lay on her side, with Shang Xinuan's even breathing beside her, but she couldn't fall asleep for a long time.
The question that had puzzled me for days was answered, and I learned that the person I liked had never even been in a relationship before.
She had truly experienced a sudden shift from hell to heaven, and she was still in a state of extreme excitement.
In fact, the more I recall it, the sweeter my heart feels.
-
After that, Qiao Xi went to the Shang family home to do her homework almost every day.
Moreover, it started at some point, Shang Dan would also sit next to them with his computer and work.
"A car accident?" That day, Qiao Xi received a call from the driver. "Okay, then I'll wait for you a little longer."
"What kind of car accident?" Shang Xinu asked anxiously after she hung up the phone, "Was it your driver?"
Qiao Xi explained, "No. The driver was involved in a rear-end collision at the intersection on his way here, and the entire road was blocked."
"Oh, I see!" Shang Xinuan finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Qiao Xi packed her schoolbag and sat cross-legged on the armchair.
Yu Guangli and Shang Dan were very focused on dealing with work issues, without being distracted for even a moment.
Holding her milk tea cup, she pretended to look around, secretly glancing at Shang Dan.
It's often said that men are most handsome when they're focused, and that old saying is truly true.
The moment Qiao Xi's gaze fell upon him, she couldn't look away. Greedily, she wished she could etch his image into her heart.
She was lost in thought and only reacted after Shang Xinu called her twice.
"Um?"
“I said, you don’t necessarily have to come with me. I can manage on my own.”
Qiao Xi knew what Shang Xinuan meant by those words: since she had already received her study abroad offer, she could rest at home and didn't need to accompany her to school or help her with practice problems.
"Come on, Miss." Qiao Xi put down her empty milk tea cup. "I may not know others, but I do know you and me."
"Know what?"
"I know you, I can't live without you."
The two sisters exchanged a glance and embraced each other in perfect unison.
"Aww, Xixi, it's so great to have you as my best friend."
After the two cuddled for a long time, Qiao Xi received a call from the driver. "Then I'm going home."
After the two sisters said goodbye, Shang Dan closed his computer and waved.
As she disappeared from sight, the man who had been silent looked at Shang Xinuan.
"What do you mean, you can't live without her?"
Shang Xinuan was taken aback. "So you were listening to us?"
“...”
“Brother, actually Xixi has already received an offer of admission to the Florence Academy of Fine Arts. She is only going to school as usual so that she can accompany me during my college entrance examination.”
Shang Dan clasped his hands together. "A homebody girl, you want to study abroad?"
A note from the author:
He was curious! He was curious!
The usually taciturn man became curious!
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