Chapter 494: Chapter 522: Malicious (Second Update)
The expressions of the three sons were naturally observed by the old man, and as long as their open and covert struggles didnât harm harmony, he not only wouldnât stop them but was inclined to encourage them.
This is one of the reasons theyâve remained one of the top families in Chuzhou City from the Qing Dynasty to now.
Because the Shangguan family believes that only the most capable person can lead the family forward, rather than following the order of seniority.
And being capable is not only about managing business but also about dealing and maintaining relationships, which ensures the continued prosperity of the family.
Shangguan Yin made no attempt to hide his smugness and returned to his seat with high spirits, while Shangguan Xiong and Shangguan Hao exchanged a worried glance.
It seemed they were destined to fall behind in this test set by their father.
After Shangguan Yin settled down, Shangguan Hao, accompanied by his wife, also approached the old man. After offering birthday wishes, he presented his gift. Although slightly better than Shangguan Xiongâs, it still fell far behind Shangguan Yinâs.
Shangguan Xiongâs face darkened even more. He thought his pen would at least earn him a close second, but he didnât expect that even his usually indifferent little brother would surpass him.
This left him quite embarrassed. More importantly, he feared he had lost quite a few points in the old manâs eyes.
Lin Xi could clearly sense the weighty atmosphere of the birthday banquet, lacking the usual joy or harmony often associated with such events. Yet, unfazed, he devoured the food voraciously, exclaiming,
"The flavors are quite good, and the ingredients are fresh!"
Despite having already had dinner, he consumed enough for over two people at this time.
This changed the previously heavy atmosphere at the table in an unexpected way.
The table had a total of eleven people, including Lin Xi, with five women and six men. Apart from Shangguan Nishang, who was about twenty-four or five, the others were all in their twenties. Yes, Shangguan Nishang could be considered young too.
Sitting near Lin Xi were Shangguan Yinâs sons and daughters, and near Shangguan Nishang were Shangguan Haoâs children. The last man was Shangguan Nishangâs cousin from her auntâs side.
"Sis, hasnât your husband eaten for days?" one of the women asked Shangguan Nishang.
Another woman next to her laughed, "Is your husband still in high school or university? Which school?"
The two men beside them, eyes full of insinuation, also looked at Shangguan Nishang. These four were all Shangguan Yinâs children, naturally forming a united front now.
With their dad just basking in glory, their arrogance soared.
If their dad gained power in the Shangguan family in the future, their wealth was sure to skyrocket several times over.
"You should ask your brother-in-law about that!" Shangguan Nishangâs expression didnât change, as she sat very close to Lin Xi, placing her hand down to pinch Lin Xiâs thigh.
Her thumb and index finger came together, twisting on Lin Xiâs leg.
Lin Xi winced, sucking in a breath. Womenâs pinching techniques were simply extraordinary.
At that moment, he had to put down the meat in his chopsticks and glance at Shangguan Nishang. This woman had been ignoring him and giving him a bad look since he sat down.
So Lin Xi didnât want to pay her any mind, much less her siblings. He just wanted the banquet to be over quickly so he could seize the opportunity to discuss life with Bai Bing.
However, now that they initiated the provocation, he wouldnât hold back.
In the next moment, Shangguan Nishang couldnât help but change her expression when Lin Xiâs hand wrapped around her waist without warning.
"You..."
"What you? Are you feeling unwell?" Lin Xi gently exerted force, causing Shangguan Nishang to lean against his shoulder, asking with a look of concern.
Shangguan Nishang struggled subtly, feeling the grip around her waist as firm as an iron arm, utterly beyond her power to escape.
So, she secretly placed a hand on Lin Xiâs waist, slightly turning her head to whisper in his ear, audible only to the two of them,
"Let go of me, or donât blame me for being rude!"
"Try me!" Lin Xi turned his head too, looking at her exotic face as he spoke, while the hand resting on her abdomen seemed eager to explore.
"..." Shangguan Nishang.
In the eyes of the others at the table, this scene was too intimate, practically a public display of affection!
"Canât change the promiscuous nature!"
"Exactly, losing face for our Shangguan family!"
"Such a woman, who knows how many men sheâs been with, should be expelled from the family!"
"That guy must be blind to want such a woman!"
...
The two women who just spoke and the two men beside them started whispering one word at a time, completely ignoring the bond between siblings.
Though low-voiced, everyone at the table could pretty much hear them.
Others cast unkind glances at Shangguan Nishang.
Shangguan Nishangâs face suddenly turned somewhat cold. She didnât mind outside remarks about her, but her siblings talking like this really angered her. However, before she could burst out, Lin Xi spoke first, "Were you the ones asking if I hadnât eaten for days? Am I in high school or university? What university?"
"Right!"
The two women nodded, secretly thinking Shangguan Nishangâs boyfriend seemed a bit dumbâdidnât he catch their sarcasm?
No wonder he chose such a wanton woman; he must be a fool.
"I had dinner around five and am a freshman at Jiangnan University!" Lin Xi said, "Do you have any opinions?"
"None!" The two women giggled; this guy truly was a fool.
Others cast pitying looks at Lin Xi.
But Shangguan Nishang felt puzzled, thinking Bai Bing wouldnât find someone so dumb!
The next moment, she heard Lin Xi speak again, "You probably havenât had boyfriends!"
"....." The two women were stunned. Did Shangguan Nishang tell him that?
Others didnât care; after all, everyone in the family knew about it. It wasnât surprising Lin Xi did, but why bring it up?
"Itâs okay not to have boyfriends, and itâs fine if youâre not attractive. Spend more money in the future and naturally, youâll find one!" Lin Xi said with a serious look.
"..." The two womenâs expressions changed instantly, "Donât think you can talk nonsense just because youâre our brother-in-law!"
"Weâre not struggling to find boyfriends!"
"What a joke!"
"And how are we ugly? You better clarify, or take this matter to Grandpa!"
Lin Xi shook his head, "You must accept reality positively, donât be stubborn!"
His face then showed concern, "You should take care, though tools can satisfy desires, donât overuse them!"
"Using them too much will cause health problems!"
"What are you saying!!!" The two womenâs faces turned red, lowering their voices to shout at Lin Xi, "We definitely did not!"
Lin Xi released Shangguan Nishang, "Itâs okay to deny it. Iâm just reminding you as youâre Nishangâs sisters!"
"Donât believe me? Use your finger to press your thigh hard for five seconds, and your whole body will twitch three times!"
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