Chapter 615 Old Master Xiao
These past two days, everyone around Wan Qiqi has been talking about the Xiao family's birthday banquet.
When Chen Yongnian returned that night, he also brought up the matter.
Wan Qiqi was initially indifferent, but seeing such extravagance, she felt increasingly disliked and even disgusted by the Xiao family.
A retired court official's birthday celebration became the talk of the town, and everyone was trying to find ways to please the old man.
At this point, Wan Qiqi became increasingly unwilling to participate, unwilling to follow the crowd, and also had little affection for Old Master Xiao.
“Mother?” Pingping turned around and saw that Wan Qiqi was still standing at the original stall, but An’an had already walked ahead.
He hesitated, wondering whether to catch up with his sister or wait for his mother.
When the call rang out, Wan Qiqi naturally responded, emerging from her reverie and looking up at Pingping and An'an, who were almost swallowed up by the crowd.
"An'an, slow down!"
As soon as Wan Qiqi called out, An An turned around, looking somewhat confused.
The tall people blocked her view, and she couldn't see where her brother and mother were. She could only stand there blankly.
A moment later, Wan Qiqi arrived, leading Pingping, and scooped An'an up in her arms. "Didn't I tell you not to walk so fast by yourself? Why didn't you wait for us?"
“Grandpa!” An’an pointed and saw an old man with a cane standing by the street, his face slightly pale.
In contrast, the old man's clothes were luxurious, especially his cane, which was carved with smooth lines and made of the finest sandalwood.
However, the string of candied hawthorns in the old man's other hand seemed out of place and even a bit comical.
"An'an, how can you give your things away so easily? What if someone gets sick from eating them?" Wan Qiqi's voice was gentle and tender, though it was reproachful.
She carried An'an toward the old man, who noticed her approaching.
"Sir, I'm so sorry. Please forgive my poor discipline; my daughter has offended you." Wan Qiqi apologized to the old man.
The old man looked at Wan Qiqi, then his gaze fell on An'an. He grinned and said, "It's alright. The child is clever. She saw that I was alone here and came to check on me. You've taught her well."
As the words fell, the old man's expression turned desolate, a mixture of envy, expectation, and disappointment.
"Sir, are you waiting for someone?" Wan Qiqi couldn't remember which family had such a sixty-year-old man, but judging from his appearance, he must have a high status.
"I came out for a walk, and I'll rest if I get tired." The old man leaned on his cane and shook his head. "Is this your child's first time in Yunhe?"
Wan Qiqi didn't understand why the other person would ask that question, so she nodded.
"Yunhe is crowded and noisy, so you need to be extra careful if you bring your children out."
The old man's words startled Wan Qiqi, who lowered her head in shame. "Thank you for reminding me, sir."
Pingping raised her eyes, looked at the old man seriously, bowed, and didn't care whether the other person was looking at her or not.
As the old man spoke with Wan Qiqi, he lowered his eyes and met Pingping's gaze after she bowed, then smiled with satisfaction.
"If only my children could be like them..." the old man sighed, a hint of disappointment in his expression, "but unfortunately, none of them are as I'd hoped. It's because I wasn't strict enough with them in the past..."
Wan Qiqi frowned, vaguely sensing that she should know this person.
Just then, a carriage came along, with a large "Xiao" character hanging on it.
Wan Qiqi consciously took two steps back with her two children to make way.
The carriage didn't move past them, but stopped in front of them; a man who looked to be about thirty years old stepped out.
Wan Qiqi looked up and saw that this person was somewhat similar to Xiao Huai, but a few years older. He should be Xiao Han, the eldest son of the Xiao family whom she had never met before.
Then, Xiao Han alighted from the carriage and bowed respectfully to the old man, "Father, what are you doing here?"
His gaze fell on the old man's hands, then he glanced at the child beside him. "Father, you shouldn't eat too much sugary food. The food outside is of questionable quality. If you get sick from it, we'll be very worried..."
As Xiao Han spoke, Old Master Xiao's face gradually darkened. "You think you can prove their innocence by looking for those people? Han'er, if you focused on your family, your child with Ya'er would be this age by now!"
Xiao Han lowered his head and did not reply.
Wan Qiqi suddenly understood something, but she felt somewhat dissatisfied with Xiao Han. What did he mean by "unclear and ambiguous"? Could it be that her child was capable of poisoning someone?
"Alright, if you all cared, you wouldn't be causing me so much worry! I'm getting old, and I don't know how many more years I have left. I just want to see you all carry on the Xiao family line and live in harmony. Don't do those things..."
Old Master Xiao stopped, seemingly realizing that it was inappropriate to discuss family matters outside the home, nor should he mention them in front of outsiders.
He turned to Wan Qiqi and smiled gently, "Thank you for the gift, young friend. I have matters to attend to at home, so I'll take my leave now."
"Take care, sir."
Wan Qiqi was respectful and showed no intention of currying favor, which made Old Master Xiao's eyes light up.
Xiao Han's eyes were unfriendly, even showing some disdain. After helping Old Master Xiao into the car, he turned to stare at Wan Qiqi and said, "Little girl, don't try to curry favor with the Xiao family. Even if you are on good terms with my father, I will never give Xinglong Restaurant special treatment!"
Wan Qiqi was taken aback; Xiao Han actually knew her!
After speaking, Xiao Han walked to the carriage and said in a deep voice, "Father usually dislikes associating with merchants. This woman is a merchant, and she may be trying to use the child to climb the social ladder to the Xiao family. Father should be careful."
Old Master Xiao lifted the curtain, as if about to say something, but upon hearing that Wan Qiqi was a businesswoman, his expression darkened, and he swallowed back the words he was about to say.
Let's go!
As Old Master Xiao finished speaking, the carriage started moving and disappeared into the street.
Wan Qiqi felt completely bewildered.
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