Qiao Jiusheng valued tonight’s family banquet very much.

  For this occasion, she had specially put on thick, smoky makeup and matched it with the long neck gown that Wei Xin specially designed for her.

  The back of the gown was designed to expose her bare and sexy back. The front and back of the gown were tied with a smooth black satin bow. The gown hung from her waist to the ground, accentuating her slender lower body.

  After straightening the strap decorated with fine diamonds, Qiao Jiusheng put on a vintage platinum necklace and earrings.

  She observed the person in the mirror, then turned to Fang Yusheng, who had already made preparations. She said, “I look really beautiful tonight.”


  Fang Yusheng curled his lips and closed his eyes. He sighed. “It’s a pity that I can’t see!”


  Qiao Jiusheng snorted and walked to Fang Yusheng’s side. She held his arm and said with a smile, “That’s a pity. Everyone can see my beauty, but you can’t. Sigh…” She shook her head in an exaggerated manner and continued, “If you could see me, you would definitely fall in love.”


  Qiao Jiusheng was confident in her appearance.

  “Dream on!”


  Fang Yusheng withdrew his arm from Qiao Jiusheng’s palm. When he held her waist, he realized that her dress revealed her back. He immediately frowned. “Is this dress that revealing?”


  “Hmph, I can’t tell that you’re an old conservative. Let me tell you, girls nowadays show their breasts and buttocks on the streets. My dress only shows my back. It’s nothing.” Qiao Jiusheng deliberately twisted her waist and looked smug. “Besides, a good figure should be brought out for others to see.”


  Fang Yusheng did not refute her twisted logic. His palm touched Qiao Jiusheng’s waist, and Qiao Jiusheng suddenly slapped the back of his hand. She pretended to be angry and said, “What are you doing? Put away your dirty hands. Don’t take advantage of me.”


  Fang Yusheng chuckled and asked, “Isn’t good skin for people to touch?”


  “Nonsense!”


  She stomped, picked up her banquet bag, and told Fang Yusheng to leave. Then, she raised her dress and elegantly walked downstairs.

  Fang Yusheng slowly followed her.

  The two of them walked toward the entrance of the house’s courtyard one after another. Qiao Jiusheng was still angry with Fang Yusheng and ignored him. Fang Yusheng held his cane as he followed her. His footsteps were steady, and he looked straight ahead. No one could tell that he was blind.

  When Qiao Jiusheng reached the door, she suddenly stopped.

  She took a deep breath. She was about to turn around when a jacket suddenly appeared on her.

  Qiao Jiusheng glanced at the jacket. It was a black coat.

  She looked up at Fang Yusheng, and the anger in her eyes faded. It was replaced by longing. “Yusheng, hold me close. Don’t embarrass me tonight.” Her hostility transformed faster than flipping a book.

  Fang Yusheng chuckled but did not show it.

  “Okay.”


  He placed his hand on her waist, but this time, he did not mess around at all.

  Qiao Jiusheng coughed and said, “Let’s go.”


  Qi Bufan opened the courtyard door. Hugging Qiao Jiusheng’s waist, Fang Yusheng walked out of the courtyard.

  Their house was more than 200 meters away from the main house, and on the way was a smooth cement road. Beside the cement road was a flat lawn covered in clean stone slabs. Fang Yusheng and Qiao Jiusheng stepped on the stone road and walked toward the main house. Along the way, Qiao Jiusheng kept reminding Fang Yusheng.

  “Act well later. We can’t let everyone see our real relationship.

  “Also, look at me. Don’t let me make mistakes on impulse.

  “Oh right! In order to let everyone see that we’re close, we have to interact more when we enter the house later…”


  Fang Yusheng suddenly interrupted her and asked, “Are you nervous?”


  Qiao Jiusheng fell silent.

  She stepped on the grass with the tip of her high heels and admitted it. “Yes, I’m going to see my grandfather and elder brother soon. I’m nervous.” More than being nervous, she was afraid that she would not be able to hold back from complaining to them. She had suffered so much, and her heart was filled with grievances and hatred. It made her afraid that once she saw her family, all her strength would collapse.

  “Ah Sheng.” Fang Yusheng removed his hand from Qiao Jiusheng’s waist and held her hand instead. “Don’t be afraid. I’ll accompany you.”


  Qiao Jiusheng sniffed and remained silent.

  ***

  The atmosphere in the main house was warm and lively.

  Qiao Sen and Fang Mu gathered together to talk, while Qiao Sen’s wife, Ji Qing, sat together with Qiao Jiuyin. Ji Qing was a psychiatrist, and Qiao Jiuyin’s mood was always fluctuating between good and bad after she got pregnant. At this moment, she was asking Ji Qing for advice on how to adjust her mood. The Old Master, Qiao Yunfan, was surrounded by Fang Pingjue and Xu Pingfei, who kept praising Qiao Jiusheng for being sensible.

  The Old Master listened to them with a smile.

  “Xiao Sheng is so sensible. She’s not only obedient but also capable. The taste of the pastries she makes leaves our family praising her non-stop.” Xu Pingfei deliberately chose good words to praise Qiao Jiusheng.

  When Qiao Yunfan heard this, a hint of confusion appeared on his old face.

  “Really?”


  “Of course, it’s true!” Xu Pingfei said. She even picked up a plate of mocha frozen cheesecake from the table in front of her and said to Qiao Yunfan, “Xiao Sheng made this. Old Master, do you want to try it?”


  Qiao Yunfan stared at the plate of pastries and shook his head. “Impossible, impossible! Our Xiao Sheng can’t make something so beautiful!” He touched the crease on the back of his hand and said with a smile, “I’ve eaten her egg tarts since she was young. I still remember the taste. They were a little blurry and not good.”


  As if he had eaten Qiao Jiusheng’s egg tarts again, Old Master Qiao could not help but frown. A disdainful but loving expression appeared on her face. “Our Xiao Sheng hates to make these things the most. On the other hand, Ah Yin likes to mess with these things.” There were times when people with dementia could have the clearest sight.