Chapter 377, Treated Like Family (First Update)

Ye Jiuliang chuckled lightly, "That’s of no consequence to me — what do I have to hold a grudge about?"

Li Family’s old master found himself at a loss for words, his face revealing an embarrassed hue.

Indeed, she wasn’t wrong. No matter how much he interfered, she never took it to heart, as if all along, he had been performing a monologue.

No wonder Ye Rong always had a helpless look on his face every time he mentioned her.

Not to mention anything else, just the tone of her speaking was entirely reminiscent of that brat, Mohan.

Li Family’s old master looked at the woman quietly eating across from him with a complex expression in his eyes and, lowering his pride, spoke in a somewhat awkward tone.

"When Mohan returns, you should come back to the Li family’s residence with him."

Ye Jiuliang looked up, her gaze questioning, "Hmm?"

"Come back to the house for a meal." The old master of the Li family turned his head aside as his volume lowered.

Ye Jiuliang’s lips curved into a faint smile, "Will there be those Thousand Peach Pastries like last time?"

"Pfft."

Across from her, Tie Shan couldn’t hold back his laughter.

The Thousand Peach Pastries were a specialty dessert of the Li family’s kitchen master, and many in the Li family loved them.

The old master glared at her, a barely perceptible smile flashing in his eyes, but he maintained a stern face.

He admonished, "All you know is eating, no ambition at all."

"In this life, who doesn’t eat," Ye Jiuliang casually remarked.

Her blunt words bore undeniable truth; the old master had no comeback.

The awkward atmosphere eased, and they enjoyed their morning tea in relative harmony.

"This morning tea is on you; remember to treat me back next time," the old master of the Li family said as he walked out of the private room, not forgetting to remind.

From the moment of paying the bill until now, he had repeated several times, and Ye Jiuliang had memorized it by heart.

"Wasn’t that bottle of wine just now part of the meal?" she asked, amused.

This old master insisted on appearing "stingy" — it was clear he just wanted her to bring Li Mochan next time for morning tea; why didn’t he just say that?

The old master shot her a sideways glance, "You think you can get rid of me with just a bottle of wine? You sure have guts."

"Alright, then when I bring Mohan next time; we’ll pay the bill," Ye Jiuliang complied with his unstated wish.

Hearing this, the old master harrumphed, evidently pleased.

"Mr. Li, what a coincidence," a cheerful voice called from the opposite direction, familiar in tone.

Ye Jiuliang looked up and saw another familiar face.

Xiao Lingchen’s gaze lingered on the woman standing beside the Li family old master, a deep hue momentarily passing through the depths of his eyes.

"Mr. Li, are you here for morning tea too? Why don’t we join you?" the old master Xiao Family invited.

The old master of the Li family was sharp-eyed, noticing that Xiao Lingchen’s gaze had been fixed on Ye Jiuliang; he subtly stepped forward, blocking his line of sight.

"Another time. We’ve already finished and are about to leave."

Mr. Xiao nodded, his eyes briefly flickering with surprise upon spotting Ye Jiuliang behind him, "Mr. Li, isn’t that the little miss from the Ye family?"

The old master nodded, "Then we won’t disturb you further; we’ll be leaving."

Since Ye Jiuliang was not well-acquainted with the Xiao family, she felt no desire to exchange pleasantries and followed the old master of the Li family downstairs.

Xiao Mengxue looked down as Ye Jiuliang’s figure disappeared at the entrance of the teahouse, then she withdrew her gaze, sweeping it surreptitiously in Xiao Lingchen’s direction.

"It seems that the marriage between Mohan and Ye Jiuliang is a done deal," Xiao Mengxue hinted in her words.

Just now, it was clear to any observant person that the old master of the Li family was protecting Ye Jiuliang, a complete reversal from his previous dissatisfaction with her — he clearly regarded Ye Jiuliang as family now.

With Li Shaohui gone, the old master was left with only his son Li Mochan, naturally inclined to follow his wishes. The old master accepting Ye Jiuliang as his daughter-in-law was merely a matter of time.

"Lingchen, it’s time you moved on; you and Ye Jiuliang aren’t suitable," Mr. Xiao gently stroked his grizzled beard, his voice grave.

Xiao Lingchen remained silent, a shadow of intrigue flitting through the depths of his eyes.

...

Country Y

The drizzle finally stopped, and the skies cleared up.

In the newly opened Western restaurant, the beautiful piano music echoed, warm lighting enveloped every corner, adding a touch of romantic atmosphere.

"This steak tastes good. Next time Ajiu and Aqian come back, we should bring them here to try it," Gu Xinuo said as she put down her knife and fork, feeling full.

Chu Chen’s lips curved slightly, "No dessert?"

"I can’t eat any more," Gu Xinuo shook her head and leaned back comfortably in her chair.

"By the way, how are things in M continent?"

Chu Chen’s expression became serious when the conversation turned to M continent.

"Dells’ main base was destroyed by the Dark Hall; now they’ve fled to the Desert of Hell. I received word that Li Mochan has gone there."

"If he went there, did Ajiu go too?" Gu Xinuo’s face changed slightly, and her tone became anxious.

"What are you worried about that guy Ajiu for?" Chu Chen said, feeling a tinge of jealousy.

"It’s good enough if she doesn’t bully others."

"The Desert of Hell is a godforsaken place, where people often don’t return. If Ajiu went there, she might encounter danger," Gu Xinuo frowned. "No, I should go and see for myself."

"Don’t worry. Ajiu didn’t follow him there; Li Mochan left on his own," Chu Chen reassured her as he pressed her back into her seat.

Hearing this, Gu Xinuo was stunned for a moment, then looked at him with doubtful eyes, "Really?"

It would be strange if Ajiu stayed quietly in the capital.

Meeting her skeptical gaze, Chu Chen felt aggrieved. He reached out and tapped her head, "Would I lie to you?"

Gu Xinuo gave a flattering smile and changed the subject, "I heard that the racecourse has some excellent new horses. How about we go have a look now?"

"No," Chu Chen’s sour tone was irresistibly amusing.

"Go find Ajiu then."

Gu Xinuo laughed out loud, leaning against him, "Chu Chen, aren’t you being childish? Jealous of Ajiu, of all people."

"If Ajiu were a man, would you have eyes for her?" People say women have wild imaginations, but when men start to overthink, women just have to bow down.

"That’s very possible," Gu Xinuo smiled, hooking his arm around her.

"Gu, Xinuo," Chu Chen ground his teeth and called her name darkly.

"I can hear you, no need to shout," Gu Xinuo chuckled craftily, and for once, she took the initiative to kiss his lips.

"Is this better?"

Chu Chen’s eyebrows unfurled, and his lips stretched into a grin that almost reached his ears.

He stood up, taking his coat and putting it on.

"Where to?" Gu Xinuo looked up at him.

Chu Chen extended his hand to her, his deep voice accompanying the gesture, "Weren’t we going to the racecourse?"

Gu Xinuo smiled, placing her hand in his palm.

After settling the bill, they left together.

Chu Chen went to get the car, while Gu Xinuo waited at the restaurant’s entrance.

The azure sky, the white wisps of clouds scattered by the wind.

The wine-red curls were blown about, and Gu Xinuo raised her hand to smooth back the hair from her forehead.

Suddenly, the sharp voice of a woman came from next to here, "Gu Xinuo."

Recognizing the familiar tone, Gu Xinuo knew who it was without turning around.

Before she could turn, the woman had already charged up to her furiously.