"He treated your brother like a dog and worked me to the bone to help him earn money! He should be grateful to me." Xu Zhengyang rolled his eyes. "You're not properly married yet, but you're already siding with an outsider. Don't tell me you actually like him?"
"No way!" Xu Jiaojiao blurted out, but her protests sounded even more suspicious. Xu Zhengyang did not say anything and looked at her with a faint smile. Xu Jiaojiao felt inexplicably guilty. "No, I really don't like him that way. My engagement with Lu Zhuo has just been annulled. How could I have the mood to think about anything else?"
After saying that, she muttered, "What do you take your sister for? A seamless scumbag? Someone who jumps from one love to another?"
"I was just joking. Why are you taking it so seriously?" Xu Zhengyang's eyes were probing.
"I'm not taking it seriously at all!" Xu Jiaojiao looked up and met his eyes. "I don't like Mr. Qi, okay? I don't like him! Absolutely not!"
"Fine, if you say you don't like him, then so be it." Xu Zhengyang raised his hand and said casually, "In any case, Qi Shenbai is a little mean as a boss, but he's still okay as a friend. The problem is, the Qi family is a dangerous place. Don't get involved."
Xu Jiaojiao nodded. "I know."
Xu Zhengyang then turned around and went downstairs to look for food in the kitchen.
Xu Jiaojiao turned around and found the iPad in her bag. She opened the drawing app and continued to draw the unfinished picture. In a small voice, she seemed to be talking to herself, "If the Qi family is such a dangerous place, you must have had a hard time all these years."
At night, Mr. Xu returned from work. Laughter rang through the Xu family villa from time to time. With Xu Zhengyang around, the laughter and chatter never stopped.
Mr. Xu was not at home for lunch, so when he saw Xu Jiaojiao, he naturally asked with concern, "Did your mother give you her bank card? Buy whatever you want, there's no need to hold back."
"Got it, Dad," Xu Jiaojiao replied with a smile. "Actually, I don't have much to buy. You and Mom don't have to always give me money."
"It's only right for a girl to have more money on her." Mr. Xu felt that he owed Xu Jiaojiao a lot. He wanted to make it up to her, but he did not know what to do. He could only use the most old-fashioned method and give her money!
Xu Zhengyang was unhappy when he heard that. "Dad, Mom, aren't you being too biased? You even gave Xu Jiaojiao money during the Mid-Autumn Festival. What about me? Where's my money?"
"You're already working, so why are you still asking us for money?" Mrs. Xu rolled her eyes at him.
"So what if I'm working?" Xu Zhengyang raised his chin. "Xu Jiaojiao is married. As the saying goes, a married daughter is like spent water. Instead of spending her husband's money, she even asked her parents for money! Shame on her!"
When Xu Jiaojiao heard this, she instantly turned her head and glared at Xu Zhengyang! Others might not know the situation, but how could he not know? What nonsense was he spouting?!
"Even if she's married, she's still my daughter. I can give my money to whoever I want!" Mr. Xu glared at him. "Look at you! You're always so sloppy. You even drive a sports car and pick fights everywhere!"
Xu Zhengyang was speechless. It was fine if they did not give him money, but why were they scolding him now? He looked at Old Madam Xu pitifully. "Grandma, you have to help me."
Old Madam Xu held her teacup and glanced at Xu Zhengyang. "Your father is right. You're not young anymore. It's time for you to settle down…"
When Xu Zhengyang heard this, his scalp went numb. "Alright, I understand. I'm just extra baggage at home. Even my parents don't love me! Sigh…" After saying that, he stood up and went upstairs to avoid this thorny topic.
Old Madam Xu watched him leave and snorted. "Hmph, he runs away as soon as I broach the topic."
Mrs. Xu's heart ached for her son. She comforted Old Madam Xu, saying, "Mom, forget it. It's fine for boys to get married later in life these days. Let Xu Zhengyang play for another two years."
Old Madam Xu sighed. "It's a shame I won't live to see him get married."
As soon as these words were spoken, the other three went pale. Mr. Xu frowned and called out softly, "Mom…"
Xu Jiaojiao hugged Old Madam Xu's arm and said coquettishly, "Grandma, it's a festival today. Don't say such inauspicious things."
Old Madam Xu met Xu Jiaojiao's gaze and smiled. "Humans will die someday, no matter how long they live. You don't have to look like that whenever I mention this. It's not like I'm going to die immediately. Besides, I've lived long enough."
"Grandma…" Xu Jiaojiao pouted, feeling hurt and pitiful. She understood that in principle, but she could not remain calm at the thought of her closest kin dying.