74 Qiao Xi X Shang Dan
◎My Banker's Daughter [Part 4]◎
"You know, Xixi's family owns Qiao's International Bank. Her parents are extremely busy and basically have no time to take care of her, which is why Xixi decided to study abroad." It seems that as long as she leaves this family on her own initiative, and no longer watches her parents walk into the airport security gate without looking back, the lonely child can win a round.
“Since Xixi is here to accompany you during your college entrance exam, you should bring her to our house more often. Besides, Grandma will be here soon, so it will be very lively at home.” Shang Dan gently swung her ankles and looked down at the WeChat group messages as she spoke to Shang Xinuan.
The young lady sat cross-legged, then suddenly placed her hands on Shang Dan's knees, stared into his eyes, and asked, "Brother, would you like to hear my story with Xi Xi?"
Shang Dan put down his phone, looking at her with puzzled scrutiny, repeatedly searching for the reason on her face, "Didn't you say it many times?"
"Oh, I used to just say we were good friends. Don't you want to know why we became good friends?"
Shang Dan stared at Shang Xinuan for a long time before carefully pushing her arms away. He then pushed his phone onto the tea table and began to brew tea politely. "Okay, tell me why."
-
When Shang Xinuan returned to China, she was five years old. The Shang family took her to various social occasions in a grand manner, making a high-profile announcement of the little girl's identity.
It is a silent indictment of Shang Chenshu's plight. And in this city built on power and money, it also offers a helping hand to Shang Xinuan.
A year later, Shang Xinuan reached the age to start elementary school.
Shang Zun chose the best international private school in Shanghai for her, which was filled with the city's rich second-generation tycoons.
Shang Xinuan, who has just returned to China, is still in a state of self-isolation and protection.
She wanted to fit in with the group but was also afraid of the unknown when classmates approached her to play.
It wasn't until she entered the second grade that she finally truly opened up.
She would proactively invite those she considered close friends to her home, remember their birthdays, and prepare gifts and surprises for holidays and special occasions.
Seeing their joyful faces as they received the gifts, she also felt happy.
However, this happiness lasted until the third grade, when it was cruelly shattered.
Someone revealed her true identity.
As a result, her former "good friends" started talking about her behind her back.
"No wonder she never mentions her parents; she was an illegitimate child born out of wedlock."
"Then she doesn't count as a daughter of the Shang family at all. Who would want to be good friends with an illegitimate child?"
"Exactly. I've known since I was little that illegitimate children will fight me for the family fortune. If we continue to associate with her, we'll definitely be led astray."
When Shang Xinuan recalls her childhood, the pain has faded considerably, but the lingering thorns still remain in her heart.
"At the time, I thought I had done something wrong and that everyone didn't like me. So I tried all sorts of ways to prepare gifts—expensive ones, rare ones, all kinds..."
But in the end, all he received was deeper contempt.
They said that as an illegitimate child, she shouldn't be spending money that belongs to the legitimate children.
Being so young, she didn't yet understand that she was different from the illegitimate child they understood.
She was Shang Zun's granddaughter, the old man's darling, and the last thing he left for him.
It wasn't the child that their father's mistress brought home, as they understood it.
That same year, she experienced school bullying.
She was cornered in the bathroom by a group of girls, who almost assaulted her.
"Why didn't you tell your family about this?" Shang Dan's brows furrowed as he listened. He couldn't believe that his proud little princess had such a dark past.
As the older brother, even though it was an old story, my heart was still clenched.
"But when Xixi kicked the door open and came in, it seemed like she chased away my inferiority complex as well."
Qiao Xi was in the next class at that time. She didn't like to interact with her classmates, and because she was known as the daughter of a banker, no one dared to mess with her or take the initiative to befriend her.
"Brother, although it feels a bit childish to describe her like this, she really is like a ray of light in my life." He pulled her out of her insecure and ingratiating persona and reshaped her, dressing her in a proud and arrogant cloak.
Shang Dan's brows relaxed, and a gentle look gradually appeared in his eyes.
"It was only much later that I found out she was willing to help me because I found her school ID card."
The summer sun was glaring, and when she stood in the corridor, the backlighting blocked Qiao Xi's desk.
She pushed open the window next to the corridor, smiled brightly and sweetly, and said, "Excuse me, I found your school ID card."
Then, laughing, she ran away quickly.
Only the school ID card remained, quietly sitting on the table.
"Brother, if someone finds your valuables, would you also demand money to get them back?"
“...”
After she finished telling their story, she described it as a simple yet heartwarming redemption unique to young girls.
Shang Dan looked at her and understood why her sister had become good friends with Qiao Xi.
In that supposedly innocent school, they encountered far too many class forces.
A naive little girl who only wants to play with people like herself.
"Nuannuan is great too, she chased away Xixi's loneliness." Shang Dan raised his hand and rubbed Shang Xinuan's head.
-
A week later, it will be the Shanghai high school college entrance examination preparation sprint meeting.
Qiao Xi asked her parents early in the morning, only to be told once again that they were too busy with work to have time.
Left with no other choice, she sought help from Li Xiran.
Li Xiran wasn't Qiao Xi's closest family member, but he was the one who was willing to spoil her.
Unless the request is particularly unreasonable, Li Xiran, as the uncle, will always find a way to fulfill it.
On the way to school, she almost threw herself into Li Xiran's arms, saying, "Uncle, you are much more reliable than my parents and that fake uncle Li Yuzhan."
Li Xiran has gentle features and a gentle personality, making him Qiao Xi's favorite elder in the family.
"It's just a small meeting; understanding your learning progress is more important."
“My parents would just say, ‘Since you’ve already got the offer, why don’t you just stay home and behave yourself?’”
"You don't have to listen to other people's opinions. If you like it and are happy at school, that's the best thing."
Qiao Xi looked at Li Xiran and felt that he was probably also trying to make up for his own childhood experiences.
He seemed to be caring for her, but it was more like he was trying to redeem him.
"Uncle, you're so kind."
When they arrived at the school gate, Li Xiran was holding her schoolbag in one hand and had her arm linked with hers in the other.
The uncle and nephew walked into the school side by side.
As soon as I arrived at the floor where the senior students were, I saw Shang Xinuan and Shang Dan standing together.
She ran over quickly and hugged Shang Xinuan from behind.
The young lady turned around and saw Li Xiran beside her. She asked with a shy smile, "Why isn't it Uncle Li Yuzhan today?"
"Old Zhan's court is today, and only my Uncle Ranran dotes on me." Qiao Xi tilted her head dramatically and winked at Li Xiran. "And what about you? Your grandfather didn't come today?"
Shang Zun dotes on his eldest daughter and almost never misses these parent-teacher meetings.
“My brother said he misses the campus environment, so he came with me today.” Shang Xinuan shrugged. “We wouldn’t understand the world of top students; the school is probably their ideal world.”
She thought that if it weren't for the family business that needed to be inherited, Shang Dan would probably have taken the teacher's exam and spent his whole life in school.
Qiao Xi looked up and exchanged a glance with Shang Dan.
He was dressed very casually today, even his shoes were white sneakers.
When I saw him before, he was usually wearing a suit, or even more comfortable loungewear.
Today's outfit is very similar to the one on the day the two of them first met.
Mature and reserved people often have a youthful spirit.
But thinking about it carefully, he's only 24 years old, in the prime of his youth.
"Nuan Nuan, Xi Xi!" It was Ruan Songyi, followed by Jiang Xiangzhuo and Yu Jiayue.
The five of them were best friends. Except when they went to the bathroom or went to sleep, they were inseparable like conjoined twins.
Their parents followed behind them; since they were all from political and business circles, they were familiar with Shang Dan and Li Xiran.
The five younger people stood together chatting, and the adults automatically stood in a group as well.
"What wishes did you write on the wishing wall at the school gate?" Ruan Songyi asked.
Qiao Xi glanced at Shang Dan standing there. When she heard that everyone had listed their desired universities, she said, "Everyone wrote down their schools, but I've already received an offer, so I didn't."
"That's such a pity."
"After all, it's a wish. What if it doesn't come true if I say it out loud?"
Shang Xi smiled warmly at her, and together with Ruan Songyi, they each blocked one of her sides, saying, "You're being suspicious. It's not like we asked you to write down who you like..."
Ruan Songyi gave a mischievous smile, "You don't have someone you like, do you?"
Upon hearing the gossip about relationships, Jiang Xiangzhuo, always the center of attention, immediately stepped forward, "What! Qiao Xi has someone she likes? Who is it?"
"..." Qiao Xi was speechless.
Jiang Xiangzhuo persisted, cheekily asking, "You don't like me, do you?"
"I'll beat you to death!" Qiao Xi raised her foot to kick him.
"Looks like I hit the nail on the head." Jiang Xiangzhu dodged and made a face at her.
They grew up together and had all met each other's families. They often bickered and joked around, but the elders didn't even bother to glance at them.
This was the first time Shang Dan had ever seen such a scene. He watched as Qiao Xi used her arm to choke Jiang Xiangzhuo's neck, fiercely warning him that if he said anything out of line again, she would smash his head in.
So, just as Qiao Xi had subdued Jiang Xiangzhuo, she looked up and saw Shang Dan looking at her with a half-smile in his eyes.
She immediately turned her head away, realizing how hasty she had been.
She was very distressed, wondering if Shang Dan would misunderstand her.
By the time she had composed herself and looked back, Shang Dan had already disappeared.
Qiao Xi sighed softly, her displeasure reaching its peak. She raised her foot to kick Jiang Xiangzhuo again, "I hate you so much!"
Unexpectedly, Jiang Xiangzhuo dodged quickly, and Qiao Xi missed her target, falling forward without feeling her weight.
Just as she thought she was about to make intimate contact with the ground, a force supported her waist, and she was thrown into a burning chest.
Shang Danren is cold, but his body is very hot.
When I supported her waist, I only used my wrists for support, and my palms did not touch her at all.
He gave her a sense of security while being extremely gentlemanly.
"Are you alright?" He didn't even rush to pull her out, only keeping his arms half-protecting her.
Qiao Xi blushed, and her heart was pounding.
With a hint of selfishness in her heart, the girl slightly raised her elbow, grabbed his hem, and whispered, "I'm fine."
Shang Dan then relaxed his arms, letting her stand on her own.
"Are you alright, Xixi?" Jiang Xiangzhuo hurriedly stepped forward. "Are you hurt? Do you want me to give you another slap?"
Qiao Xi glared at him, "If I hit you, would you still dodge?"
“Then we still have to avoid it,” Jiang Xiangzhuo replied without hesitation.
Before he could dodge, Shang Dan wrapped his arms around his neck, giving him no chance to struggle.
Shang Dan smiled and said to him, "Don't move, let our Xi Xi hit you."
At that moment, the world seemed to stand still, leaving only the two of them.
Qiao Xi pursed her lips, her heart pounding with excitement, but she had to maintain a calm facade.
Then she raised her hand and punched Jiang Xiangzhuo on the shoulder.
"Brother, you're not being fair." Jiang Xiangzhuo broke free and said to Shang Dan, "Why are you taking sides?"
Shang Dan raised an eyebrow at Qiao Xi, his eyes filled with a gentle, subtle smile. "What should I do? I'm here to support my sister."
That's very unreasonable.
Qiao Xi's heart was like Victoria Harbour at this moment, ablaze with fireworks, bustling, dazzling, and overflowing with light.
But upon closer inspection, it was her uncontrollable affection.
He said he was there to support her, disregarding fairness and reason.
Qiao Xi looked up at Shang Dan again, and he smiled and looked back at her.
Neither of them spoke, but the atmosphere blended perfectly.
No words of thanks are needed, nor is it necessary to explain the true meaning of these words.
She can interpret it however she wants; it could be seen as favoritism or as her brother's protection.
"Tsk tsk, I can't stand it." Shang Xinuan felt that Shang Dan was acting strangely, both in his speech and his demeanor. "The event has started, let's hurry over."
Everything that had just happened was as dazzling as fireworks for Qiao Xi.
It ended quickly, but a single glance was enough to stir her heart and make her feel a heartbeat for a hundred years.
-
After the parent-teacher meeting ended, Li Xiran had to return to the company.
As usual, Qiao Xi went to Shang Xinuan's house to do her homework.
This was the second time she had ridden in Shang Dan's car. The car was very clean and had a very faint scent of perfume that belonged to Shang Dan.
It has a woody, fresh scent with a hint of citrus. It's warm, with a subtle touch of mint.
For some reason, it looks very similar to him.
"There's juice in the fridge, help yourself." Shang Dan said, looking at the back seat through the rearview mirror as he drove.
Shang Xinuan immediately went to rummage through the refrigerator, while Qiao Xi subconsciously looked over to ask.
The carriage was so quiet that only the sound of the air conditioning could be heard. The dim light of the streetlights shone intermittently in the twilight.
Even Shang Dan's face was bathed in a dim, warm, and cool light.
This was also the first time that she and Shang Dan had looked into each other's eyes for a long time without either of them looking away.
It wasn't until Shang Dan seemed to realize he was making a suggestive remark that he coughed softly and looked away first.
"Xi Xi, what would you like to drink?" Shang Xinuan was still rummaging through the car's mini-fridge.
Qiao Xi blinked, looking at Shang Dan's long, slender, and well-defined hands resting on the steering wheel, and replied, "Mint and citrus."
His hand, following her voice, slowly tightened in the air.
Shang Xinuan pulled out a bottle and handed it to her. Qiao Xi took it and tilted her head, "Brother Shang Dan, what would you like to drink?"
She was a bit bold today, as if the flames in her heart could no longer be hidden, and they pierced through the harbor, their sparks falling onto the beach.
Shang Dan's Adam's apple bobbed slightly as he replied, "Mint and citrus, I guess."
Qiao Xi's mind, which was initially in a state of semi-consciousness, was illuminated by the streetlights along the entire street as the car drove onto the overpass.
"Huh?" Shang Xinuan exclaimed in surprise, "There's only that one bottle, why don't you get another one?"
Shang Dan didn't say anything, and just continued driving.
Then Qiao Xi unscrewed her bottle of mint and citrus, inserted a straw, and handed it forward, saying, "No need to change, drink this."
The middle section of the overpass became congested at this point.
Shang Dan slowly stepped on the brake, finally having the chance to look at the rearview mirror without restraint.
He reached out, his fingertips brushing against the bottle, his fingertips touching Qiao Xi's fingers.
Silence, tranquility.
Ambiguous, quiet.
But only the two of them knew that an indescribable feeling was quietly growing inside them.
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