Mrs. Xie didn't touch her daughter-in-law's face, so she turned around and glared at Xie Lanzhi resentfully.
"You little bastard, why did you come at this time instead of earlier?"
Xie Lanzhi supported Xie's mother's shoulders and turned around, pushing her across the corridor: "Your face looks scary, go back to your room and wash up, I'll take Ah Shu downstairs to meet someone."
Mrs. Xie raised her eyebrows and said, "Do you understand fashion? This thing is called a facial mask, and it's a very popular luxury product abroad! Your wife will also apply a facial mask tonight, tell her to try it in front of her!"
"..." Xie Lanzhi's expression froze for a moment, then disappeared.
He turned around to look at Qin Shu, who was smiling playfully, and said softly, "Even if Shu was wearing a black mask, I wouldn't find it scary."
"He forgets his mother when he has a wife. The world is going downhill and people's hearts are no longer the same as they used to be!"
Mrs. Xie had a faint smile in her eyes and complained about Xie Lanzhi's double standards.
Xie Lanzhi held her shoulders and pushed her forward: "Go back to your room quickly and let Dad appreciate your masterpiece. He is the one who knows how to appreciate you."
"snort--"
Mrs. Xie snorted proudly and went back to her room to seek comfort from Father Xie.
downstairs.
As soon as Xie Lanzhi brought Qin Shu to the balcony, everyone sitting at the long table stood up.
"Sister-in-law, Happy New Year!"
"Sister-in-law, Happy New Year—"
Qin Shu, who was hugged by Xie Lanzhi, showed a gentle and decent smile and nodded to everyone: "Happy New Year, everyone. Happy holidays."
Chu Lianying was the most noisy one, walking towards Qin Shu with a glass of wine in hand.
"Sister-in-law, you are finally here, please take a seat!"
He ignored Xie Lanzhi's cold eyes, invited Qin Shu to sit in the main seat, turned around and cleared his throat to face everyone.
"Everyone knows that Nini and I have been married for several years without having children. It was my sister-in-law who cured me and gave me a son! She is not only the aunt who gave birth to four little ancestors for the Xie family, but also a great contributor to our Chu family.
Today I will make a statement in front of everyone. From now on, whenever Brother Lan and Sister-in-law need help, my Chu family will live up to their trust and do our best to protect them!"
His face was flushed as if he was drunk, but the words he said made everyone present fall into silence.
Xie Lanzhi, who was leaning against the balcony wall, stared at Chu Lianying deeply, and the smile on his face faded a little.
Everyone present was a smart person and they immediately sensed that Chu Lianying's behavior was an open act of taking sides.
Seeing that Mr. Qi is about to retire in one or two years, it is indeed time for him to take some action.
"Master Chu has finished his presentation, it's my turn."
Liu Sheng, who exuded the aura of a dandy young man, also spoke.
The corners of his lips were curled up in a rogue arc, but his voice was cold and gentle: "My life was carried out by Brother Lan from the wreckage of the plane, and it was my sister-in-law who traveled all the way to Hong Kong and pulled me back from the gates of hell.
I have the same idea as Master Chu. No matter how high we go in the future, as long as Brother Lan and Sister-in-law can help us, the Liu family will go through fire and water without hesitation!"
Chu Lianying, who is in charge of Beijing's elite special forces, and Colonel Liu Sheng, who is two levels higher than him, have both expressed their stances on the incident in Hong Kong. This is a clear signal of taking sides.
A tiger on land, an eagle in the sky, and Xie Lanzhi, who has made great achievements since he entered the officialdom.
The three major families banded together - they were aiming for the Imperial Palace and were going to reach the top!
When everyone was distracted, Qi Mingwei, who was sitting elegantly in the corner, raised the wine glass in his hand and walked towards Qin Shu.
"Sister-in-law, we meet again. I toast you with this glass of wine."
He tilted his head back, drank the liquor, and poured himself another glass.
"I'm toasting you with this cup on behalf of my family. They asked me to thank you. Thank you for saving me. You saved me from being plotted against and allowed me to return home safely with dignity saved."
As he spoke, he drank the wine again, and a blush quickly appeared on his cold and pale face.
Qi Mingwei poured the third glass of wine, a smile appeared on his ruddy face, and he blinked his left eye at Qin Shu.
He said in a serious tone: "This third cup is for my great grandfather to toast my little sister-in-law."
"hiss--!"
On the silent balcony, there was a sound of people gasping for air.
Qi Mingwei’s great-grandfather is Mr. Qi who lives in the Imperial Mansion!
Qi Mingwei said in a gentle voice: "Grandpa asked me and my sister-in-law to ask for a quota. After he retires, he still wants to live a few more years. I want to see the day when China is revived and no longer restricted in every way!"
Quota?
Everyone's scalp tingled after hearing this!
Mr. Qi was not asking for a quota, he was clearly expressing his stance to the Xie family.
If he was not on the side of the Xie family, how could he ask Qin Shu for a quota?
There are only three places available each year. Who wouldn’t want an extra life?
Qin Shu glanced at Chu Lianying, Liu Sheng, and Qi Mingwei with cold eyes, feeling that her brain was not enough.
If she understood correctly, these people were trying to show her their affection, right? But there seemed to be something deeper hidden, and she couldn't be sure for the time being.
Seeing everyone's eyes focused on her, Qin Shu suppressed the discomfort in her heart.
She looked at Qi Mingwei calmly: "Tell Mr. Qi that I have a quota. If you have any questions, you can come to me at any time."
"Thank you, sister-in-law. I will tell my grandfather!"
Qi Mingwei took the full glass of liquor in his hand and drank it down generously.
"Sister-in-law, after we finish this glass of wine, I will leave. I have to fly back to our ancestral home tonight to worship our ancestors.
I wish you and Lanzhi a prosperous new year, a flourishing career, and a steady rise in career advancement! "
Qin Shu picked up the wine glass on the table, stood up and raised it slightly towards Qi Mingwei.
"Okay, this is my toast to you."
She was not at all pretentious, and she drank the wine with a dashing posture and tilted her head back.
Seeing this, Qi Mingwei was about to pour another glass of wine, but Xie Lanzhi walked up and held his hand.
"That's enough. Don't drink too much and delay things."
Xie Lanzhi personally escorted Qi Mingwei out the door and arranged for the family car to take him away.
Before Qi Mingwei got into the car, he suddenly asked, "Who taught you to say that before?"
"..." Qi Mingwei paused and turned to face Xie Lanzhi's deep, dark eyes that could see through people's hearts.
He laughed dryly and said, "No, that's just what I really think."
Xie Lanzhi sneered and said in a playful tone: "Can you represent the Qi family?"
"..."Qi Mingwei was choked.
He rolled his eyes, wondering if he had to be so direct.
"What I just said was told by my father, and it was agreed by my great grandfather. But the premise is that the Qi family will not participate in your power struggle. When my great grandfather came to power, the family members suffered heavy losses, and they can't withstand another turmoil."
Xie Lanzhi looked at him deeply, his thin lips pursed, "Go back, and give my regards to the elders of the Qi family and wish them a happy new year."
Qi Mingwei held onto the door frame and asked, "Why don't you go by yourself?"
Xie Lanzhi: "I'm afraid I don't have time. I'll probably be leaving the day after tomorrow. Don't you know about the mess you left behind?"
"..."Qi Mingwei was speechless.
"I won't talk to you anymore. You're such a nagging mouth. It makes me upset!"
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