Chapter 40

“You brat, learn properly from him.”

Everyone’s gazes turned toward the newcomer. Zhao Chengye was the first to greet him. “Second Uncle.”

Second Uncle lifted his wine glass and introduced him casually. “This is your younger brother Zhao He.” Then he turned his head and scolded, “Why aren’t you coming over to greet your older brothers!”

Zhao He dragged his feet, lifted his eyes, and glanced at Zhao Chengye and the others. The first thing he said was, “Eldest Uncle, why didn’t my brothers come?” He directly skipped over Zhao Chengye and the others.

“You brat!” Second Uncle slapped Zhao He on the head.

Eldest Uncle was still smiling cheerfully. “Your brothers came early and are in the back courtyard with your aunt, keeping the old master company.”

“Seriously, they came and didn’t even call me.” Zhao He muttered. Under the threat of his father’s gaze, he casually greeted Zhao Qi and the others. “Hello.” It was obvious that he looked down on their family.

Zhao Chengye’s chest immediately filled with stifled anger, and Zhao Chengzhe’s face also cooled.

Zhao Qi raised her brows.

Those of their generation were all still “serving filial piety by the old master’s knees,” making it seem as if their family was the one not favored.

This Second Uncle had deliberately brought his youngest son over to disgust them. Who knew what his intention was?

After greeting them, Zhao He ran off. Second Uncle said apologetically, “My child is still young and just isn’t very sensible. Don’t take it to heart.”

Zhao Chengzhe had seen plenty of people like this. Since they did not want to leave any face for his family, why should he be polite?

He picked up Nuonuo and said to his third younger brother, “I think Nuonuo is hungry. After all, he’s still a child. Eating, drinking, and using the bathroom all need someone to watch over him. He can’t control himself like an adult. Let’s take Nuonuo to eat something.”

After saying that, he carried Zhao Zinuo and brought Zhao Chengzhi toward the buffet table.

Weren’t you saying Zhao He is still young? Our little Zhao Zinuo is still a toddler! Your son can’t even compare to a three-year-old!

Little Zhao Zinuo was also very cooperative. He opened his clear, bright eyes and smiled sweetly. “Eat, eat.”

The air instantly went cold.

Fang Fang smiled appropriately. She was unwilling to interfere too much in the Zhao family’s affairs. “I’ll go check on my son.”

In an instant, only Zhao Chengye and Zhao Qi remained.

Zhao Chengye’s brows and eyes were gloomy, but a smile hung on his lips as he said leisurely, “Children aren’t sensible. I’ve let Uncle see a joke.”

Could Eldest Uncle respond to that? Of course not! Couldn’t he see that his younger brother’s breathing had already grown heavier?

He smiled and changed the topic. “This is Zhao Qi, right? I haven’t seen you in a few years, and you’ve become a grown girl. From what your brother said, you only just came back from abroad? Do you have someone? Your eldest uncle happens to know a few talented young men I could introduce to you.”

Second Uncle calmed down and also chimed in, “My wife’s younger brother is quite good. The two of you can get to know each other.” Then he said earnestly, “Zhao Qi, a girl shouldn’t be too picky when she gets older. Also, look at you—you don’t look like a girl at all. When you have time, learn properly from your aunt.”

Zhao Chengye clenched his fist. Was their Xiao Qi someone they could belittle like this? Those pig heads from their family were not even comparable to one finger of his Xiao Qi!

Zhao Chengye did not hold back either. “It’s not that our Xiao Qi is picky. After all, she has just graduated from Stanford Business School and now holds an important position in our group. The young men nowadays truly won’t do. I really haven’t seen any family’s son who can compare to our Xiao Qi!” The man’s tone was arrogant, filled with trust and pride toward his own younger sister.

But some people insisted on suppressing women. Second Uncle opened his mouth and said, “Xiao Qi will have to marry sooner or later. You, as her eldest brother, are the one at fault. You have so many younger brothers, yet you insist on grabbing a woman to work!”

“I think you’re the one delaying Xiao Qi from finding a partner.”

“Find someone suitable for her to marry and let Xiao Qi live respectably. That’s better than making her work so hard now. Don’t you think so, Xiao Qi?”

The more he looked at Zhao Qi, the more satisfied he became. If she married into their family, she would be a money tree. Did they think he did not know? That good younger brother of his who died early had loved worrying too much. Before the children were born, he had set up trust funds for each of them without bias. Even after his death, all four children held equal shares in the group. If anyone married her, saying they would earn money by the day would not be an exaggeration at all!

Zhao Qi raised her eyes and leisurely stared at Second Uncle for a long while, staring until the man felt uncomfortable all over. Only then did she say slowly, “I already have someone I want to marry.”

What?!

Eldest Uncle and Second Uncle exchanged glances. Even Zhao Chengye turned his head and looked at his younger sister in confusion. But in front of the main family, he could not weaken his momentum, so he could only pretend to be extremely calm.

Seeing how composed Zhao Chengye was, the two people opposite him felt that this matter was most likely already set in stone! How had they not received any news?

Just then, Zhao He returned after leaving. He unwillingly muttered at Zhao Qi, “What did you send in? The old master asked you to go see him.”

Zhao Qi smiled and nodded. “I understand.”

Zhao Chengye looked over worriedly. “I’ll go with you.” Was there something wrong with the gift his younger sister had sent? Why was the old master looking for her? Or was there another matter?

Zhao Qi shook her head. She already knew what was going on. “Brother, I can go by myself.”

Zhao He said impatiently, “Hurry up and go. Stop dawdling.” He had no good feelings toward the “culprit” who had caused the old master to move to Huaicheng. Those in the know all said the old master pitied them for losing their parents. Those who did not know might think they had done something to the old master, making him unwilling to stay in the capital. With the situation they were in now, once the old master left, many resources left with him.

His father was annoyed every day and made him curry favor with his mother’s side. Wu Jie had laughed at him several times already. Fortunately, that guy had not come today.

His eyes glanced backward. This was the one? This Zhao Qi? The one who was going to marry Wu Jie?

Tch~ Zhao He complained in his heart.

Wu Jie had no steadiness and played around wildly. Who knew whether this woman could endure him?

Thinking this and that, he soon brought Zhao Qi over. His mother, Madam Wu Tong, was standing by the door and talking to Eldest Aunt. Seeing Zhao Qi arrive, she warmly turned around and held Zhao Qi’s hand.

“You must be Zhao Qi?” Wu Tong looked her up and down. So this was the marriage partner they had found for her younger brother?

Her brows furrowed slightly. Why didn’t she look like a girl at all? She had probably gone abroad to study and ruined her brain.

Zhao Qi recognized the two standing by the door. She withdrew her hand and said, “Eldest Aunt, Second Aunt.”

The two nodded.

Eldest Aunt had an indifferent temperament. She moved aside. “The old master was just looking for you.”

Second Aunt had an enthusiastic temperament and pushed Zhao Qi forward. “Hurry, hurry. Don’t make Dad wait too long.”

Zhao Qi nodded and entered the room.

Sandalwood incense burned inside the room, and a complete set of rosewood furniture was arranged squarely.

“Xiao Qi, come here.” The old man’s call came from the inner room.

Zhao Qi stepped inside and heard the old master ask, “How did you get this pot of ‘Suguan Heding’?”

Zhao Qi looked toward the pot of lotus-petal orchid she had only found and sent over that morning as a birthday gift for the old master. She said faintly, “This grandchild had the intention, so I found it.”

The old master bent down and sniffed carefully. When appreciating orchids, one first looked at its shape, second judged its color, third smelled its fragrance, and fourth examined its spirit.

This株 “Suguan Heding” had top-quality shape, color, and spirit, and its fragrance was rich and elegant, refreshing the heart.

“You are thoughtful.” He stood with his hands behind his back, and Zhao Qi stepped forward to support the old man.

“Do you know what sending flowers means in our family?” the old man asked slowly.

Zhao Qi helped the old master sit down at the side. The orchid remained quietly fragrant.

“I know. This grandchild has someone I admire.”

Their family had a tradition established by the older generation. Sending flowers meant one had already decided to spend one’s life with someone and refused arranged marriage.

The old master picked up the cane beside him and suddenly struck the floor heavily with it.

Zhao Qi stood still, lowering her head in front of the old man.

“You certainly are bold.”

“This grandchild does not dare.”

The old master snorted coldly. “One after another, you are all audacious! And you still say you don’t dare!”

Zhao Qi lowered her head and said nothing.

After a while, the old master calmed down. “Your second aunt told me long ago that she wanted you and Wu Jie to become even closer kin. As for me, I had taken a liking to that boy from the Dan family who came last time.”

“But since you are unwilling, then forget it.” The old master’s tone was calm. “I’m not some old antique. You young people naturally have your own thoughts.”

Zhao Qi answered in a low voice, “Yes.”

“Dad, all the guests have arrived. We’re only waiting ​Read on BaiLianTales​for you!” The door was knocked on, and Second Aunt Wu Tong spoke.

The old master stood and reached out to Zhao Qi. “Let’s go. Take these old bones of mine out for a walk.”

Zhao Qi respectfully supported the old man, lowering her head as she walked past Second Aunt.

Second Aunt Wu Tong exclaimed, “I’ll do it, I’ll do it. Xiao Qi, go play!”

No one knew what mood the old master was in as he said, “Let Xiao Qi do it. Find someone to move that pot of ‘Suguan Heding’ in my room to the hall so everyone can appreciate it together.”

“Suguan Heding?!” Eldest Aunt had originally been standing quietly to the side, but now she suddenly spoke up.

She had always liked flowers and knew quite a lot about this Suguan Heding. When the same type of “Suguan Heding” first appeared, it had been bought by an orchid enthusiast at the high price of eight million! Now, it was even priceless and unavailable. There were many people who wanted to buy it, but no one could find a second pot of Suguan Heding!

Joy rose in her heart, and she wanted to see this rare flower. “Dad, I’ll find someone to move it!”

Second Aunt secretly rolled her eyes in her heart. Wasn’t it just moving a pot of flowers? Look at Eldest Sister-in-law’s petty appearance! She pretended to be polite. “Then let Xiao Qi stay and move the flower with Eldest Sister-in-law. I’ll escort Dad to the front hall first.”

“After all, this flower sounds precious.”

The old master had no objections this time. He only instructed, “Be careful when moving the flower. Don’t damage it.”

“I understand, Dad,” Eldest Aunt answered. After Wu Tong helped the old master away, she hurried off to see the flower.

Zhao Qi stood to the side and slowly exhaled. The old master’s bailiantales.comhurdle had finally been passed, but the road to coming out was still long…

Lin Yi… She suppressed a sigh. It would be best if Lin Yi could grow quickly. Otherwise, Zhao Qi herself could not predict what kind of pressure they would face once she came out. At that time, it would only be a full blockade.

At the hospital, Lin Yi had just received some information about variety shows that Fan Texi had brought.

She listened carefully as Fan Texi explained the program content and shook her head inwardly. Not a single one of them had exploded in popularity in her previous life. Basically, they all had promising prospects, then quietly flopped after airing.

And now was precisely the period when all kinds of reality shows and talent shows were booming. Variety programs of every kind emerged endlessly. But it seemed to have gone too far; under the bombardment, the audience seemed to have reached a fatigue period, and ratings were falling one after another.

Lin Yi shook her head inwardly. These wouldn’t do.

As she flipped through them, she suddenly saw an original music program called This Is Original!

This?

Her eyes widened in surprise. Wasn’t this the variety show that had been extremely popular in her previous life and had gone viral across the entire internet? It was also the place most suitable for an original musician like her to display her talent!

Fan Texi was talking and talking when he noticed Lin Yi was not interested. He leaned over to look. “You’re choosing this one?” he asked hesitantly.