Even Gu Ziling was extremely interested in Sheng Xiao despite never meeting him.

  Nonetheless, Second Brother said, “We will follow Grandfather’s arrangement since Eighth Brother is coming back. Cease with those sour grapes—know that Eighth Brother is better than I in managing Huang Yao. All of us have to know our place.”


  “Then what about Miss Gu? He clearly doesn’t like it here, but she is still going to be his fiancée. Grandfather is being too unfair.”


  “We know very well who Eighth Brother loves. It is already very hard on him to not be with the one he loves—why would you make it harder for him?”


  At that, Sixth Brother sighed, although he did not continue complaining even if he was not content.

  “I really hope that Eighth Brother would never come back.”


  Second Brother said nothing and returned to his work. Though the seed of discontent was growing deep inside his heart as well, it had yet to bud.

  Meanwhile, Old Sheng was content with Sheng Xiao’s answer, and did not bother the Shen family.

  Moreover, he told Gu Ziling about the news that Gu Ziling would meet Sheng Xiao as she hoped to on his birthday.

  Over at the Shen family, Old Shen was suspicious of what Sheng Xiao did to finally get them peace and quiet.

  As such, during dinner, Sheng Xiao told the old man about his response to his own grandfather—that he would give him an answer on his birthday.

  “You’re not going back, are you.” Old Shen saw through his act immediately.

  “It is my fault for getting the Shen family involved. I would take responsibility, naturally.” Sheng Xiao replied. “And on his birthday, I’ll tell him that I intend to stick to the Shen family for the rest of my life, that I’m so obsessed and obstinate…”


  “Not going public with Zhongteng yet?”


  “When Zhongteng is on the right track and acquires more contacts, others would know that there’s a whole new me.” Sheng Xiao was not at all concerned with the looks he got out there—embarrassed, mocking, let them look.

  At the same time, the military would trust Sheng Xiao more because he could stay stoic despite the humiliation.

  Old Shen nodded and lifted a brow. “That is going to be a serious blow… You would have to handle it well, or your grandfather is going to pin every blame on my family.”


  “Got it…”


  “Now that we can breathe, let’s go help Jing Yun and Fourth Sister.” Mu Qiqi suggested. “There are a lot of rumors surrounding the Xu family now too, so things must be nervous at Xu Holdings now.”


  Sheng Xiao handily held her chin and stare into her eyes. “You think Jing Yun can’t deal with it?”


  “It’s not like I don’t trust him. I just feel that this matter must not be dragged out!”


  “Your husband is going to suffer a lot soon. Aren’t you concerned at all?”


  Mu Qiqi rolled her eyes and punch his chest. “I can tell that you’re enjoying this.”


  Sheng Xiao held her little hand when Old Shen cleared his throat, reminding the pair to take note of the time and place.

  “Jing Yun would call me if he needs help. He hasn’t so far, which means he could still handle it.”


  “Well… if that’s so, drive me to meet Qianqian later.”


  Sheng Xiao said nothing, knowing that it has been some time since his little one went to meet her best friend.

  After dinner, Sheng Xiao returned to his room for a change of clothes when Old Shen told his granddaughter. “The brat is intent on claiming all responsibility on his grandfather’s birthday. He loves you and gave up on a lot for you… and though I’m long-winded and have a lot to say, I have to give it to him that I can’t say anything about how serious he is about you.”


  “There are things that even this grandfather can’t do, which is why, Qiqi, you can’t keep letting him sacrifice himself for you. Because happiness is shared between two people…”


  Mu Qiqi couldn’t help clutching at her grandfather’s arm at his words. “It’s not like he has nothing, what with you helping him so much.”


  “I might not be able to support him in his work, but I can give him all my love.”


  “As long as he won’t give up on me, I will always be with him, Grandpa.”


  The old man nodded in content at that. It was so rare for him to feel such a strong love in his grandchildren despite the fickleness of society.

  “Aren’t you leaving? Hurry up…”


  Mu Qiqi rose and turn then, only to find Sheng Xiao, who had already changed was standing behind them.

  Naturally, he heard her saying ‘I will always be with him’.

  “Why don’t you say those sentimental words when I’m around?”


  “Because I don’t want you to get full of yourself!” Mu Qiqi grinned.

  ***

  Indeed, it had been some time since Mu Qiqi and Lu Qianqian got together, with the latter having things in her mind to spill with Mu Qiqi.

  The four of them met at a French restaurant, although Mu Qiqi turned suspiciously to Lu Qianqian when she found Lin Mu’an all bandaged up. “Did you hit him?”


  Lu Qianqian rolled her eyes and answered in frustration, “Why would I do that? It’s his own grandfather who sent a bunch of thugs to beat him up.”


  “You mean Old Lin?”


  “He returned to the police academy and cut ties with his family. He had to stay with me since he has nowhere to go during break. Maybe his grandfather didn’t like us going everywhere together, so…”


  “You’ve got a spine, at least.” Mu Qiqi saw Lin Mu’an in a new light just then.

  Those two had a big fight with the Lin family because of Lu Qianqian’s birthday, but somehow they were still sticking together as friends.

  “So what are you planning to do now?”


  “He would go back to the academy when break is over, of course. Why should he keep feeding off me?”


  Lin Mu’an listened on, but how was he supposed to eat a steak with one hand?

  “Little pepper, did you do this on purpose? Coming to a French restaurant when my hand is disabled… And after I graduate from the academy, I could keep you safe. How could you be so heartless?”


  “Okay. I’ll believe you when your grandfather wouldn’t suddenly stop you on the way out and beat you up.”


  Despite Lu Qianqian’s scorn, she passed the steak she had already cut into Lin Mu’an plate.

  Mu Qiqi turned by reflex to Sheng Xiao at that.

  Everyone could tell what’s between them. How did they manage to stick together as bros for so long?

  “Come to think of it, us children of rich families are really more miserable than the next…” Lin Mu’an exclaimed while digging into a steak. “Isn’t the Crown Prince himself now penniless and reduced to a live-in son-in-law of the Shen family? It’s not like he fared any better.”


  “Do you even compare to the Crown Prince?” Lu Qianqian promptly retorted. “He has the power to change things in his favor. What about you?”


  “Little pepper, don’t miss out that I’m sincere in every way. Choosing to become a policeman is because of none other than—”


  Lin Mu’an paused and left ‘you, of course’ unsaid, and simply blanked out.

  “None other than?” Lu Qianqian asked, folding her arms.