Old Sheng’s stubborn prejudices notwithstanding, Third Brother really admired a girl like Mu Qiqi.

  Think about it—while other rich daughters were learning piano, chess or calligraphy, she was intent on dismembering bodies.

  How cool was that!

  Whatever the case may be, Third Brother could not bring himself to dislike Mu Qiqi, perhaps because they share one similarity: They were born optimistic.

  Later, after the trio finished their dinner, Third Brother slid Sheng Xiao a gold card just before they parted ways. “Although you are willing to be the Shen family’s live-in son-in-law, don’t get bullied by them. Consider this a little bank I’m giving you.”


  Sheng Xiao lifted a brow. Were his words being taken at face value?

  “This scraps of yours aren’t even enough for me to buy the wardrobe of the latest season!”


  “Eighth Brother, you’re broke as hell. Can’t you at least save a little?”


  Sheng Xiao smiled meaningfully and replied, “Save it for my future Third Sister-in-law.”


  “And you’re still being so disdainful… You deserve to poor. I and my short temper really can’t bear with that face-saving attitude of yours.”


  Sheng Xiao simply clapped him on the shoulder nonchalantly.

  “Third Brother thinks of you as a real brother and was trying to save you, and somehow you decide to retaliate.” Mu Qiqi couldn’t help complaining to him on the way home. “Xiao Xiao, you’re really quite pitiful now that you’re so ‘poor’.”


  “My little one really doesn’t know what’s good for her.”


  Please—her husband was not poor, alright? He might have left Huang Yao, but he had founded Zhongteng. Moreover, his backers aren’t businessmen but bigwigs who were easy to work with.

  “At first I thought that Miss Gu was quite pitiful to be forced into this by her own family. But now I suddenly feel like she is quite hateful.”


  “What? Afraid she would steal your man?”


  “Am I suppose to cave just because she wants you?” Mu Qiqi retorted as if it was only natural. “Unless you are leaving me… anyone could come try taking you from me.”


  Sheng Xiao was pleased to hear that.

  It was not a waste cherishing his little one.

  “That said, you’re going to hurry up and settle things with the Sheng family, and let Second Brother fully prove himself.”


  “What’s the hurry? There are ten more days.”


  With those words, Sheng Xiao put his foot down on the pedal.

  ***

  Naturally, Third Brother did not tell anyone in the Sheng family about meeting Sheng Xiao—including Second Brother whom he wanted to help.

  Given that Eighth Brother had decided to cut all ties with the Sheng family, he would definitely be doing a grand reveal on the old man’s birthday to utterly break his spirit.

  That was why he must not say a word, even if it’s Second Brother whom he was close to.

  Still, Third Brother arrived home to run headlong into members of the Gu family having dinner in the Sheng’s house.

  And from the looks of how they were behaving, they must be here to confirm the engagement between Gu Ziling and Sheng Xiao.

  Indeed, just like Sheng Xiao had said, the old man was using him as leverage in the discussion from start to finish.

  “Third Brother, it’s already so late. Where’ve you been? And where are your manners?”


  “It’s fine, Old Mister Sheng. We are counting on you for Ziling. It’s our hope that you could settle this matter well so that she won’t be given grief.” Mama Gu told Old Sheng then.

  “No worries, Madam. Since Ziling has already come to our family, she is the only granddaughter-in-law I would acknowledge.”


  “But what if the Crown Prince wouldn’t come back?”


  “Don’t worry. He promised me to give me an answer, so it’s obvious he’s not used to living without power or influence. Think about it—would the young master of a rich family bend over himself to be the Shen family’s son-in-law? Really, the Shen family?!” The old man’s answer was firm, without hesitation and unshakable.

  Third Brother shook his head.

  As he had thought, the old man really didn’t understand Sheng Xiao.

  He then glanced at Second Brother who remained unmoved through it all.

  Honestly, there was no telling how upset he was.

  Hence, Third Brother said, “Eighth Brother is not the only member of the family. You should care for the rest of us too, Grandfather.”


  The old man did a double-take and glared at Third Brother, who thought nothing of it.

  Still, he now noticed that the daughter of the Gu family was as aloof as she was arrogant.

  He began to doubt if he should really hook her up with his Second Brother.

  She clearly knew that Eighth Brother had a lover and yet insisted on choosing him—there’s no telling what ulterior motives she held.

  That was why the young mistress of the Gu family or whatnot? She was merely scum compared to Xiao Qi.

  No matter how outstanding Gu Ziling thought herself to be.

  “There’s only ten more days. Please bear with it for now…”


  And ten days was plenty enough for Eighth Brother to rock some major tides.

  After dinner and unwilling to let Second Brother keep suffering in the living room, Third Brother dragged him out of the house. “Doesn’t it upset you to keep looking at that daughter of the Gu family? It does upset me.”


  “She hasn’t wronged you.”


  “Second Brother, in what way don’t you deserve her?”


  “Feelings can’t be forced.”


  “How about you go out with me, and get to know a few who are more understanding?” Third Brother suggested.

  Second Brother shoved him off and returned to his room.

  In truth, he knew for a fact that Gu Ziling’s aloofness was caused by a variety of reasons clumped together, leaving him banging his head against a wall.

  Ten more days, was it?

  Once Eighth Brother returned, he could leave the country again. After that, he wouldn’t have to manage the Sheng family and wouldn’t have to work so hard without being noticed or appreciated.

  Perhaps everyone in the Sheng family considered that Sheng Xiao really had nothing now.

  ***

  Late into the night, Old Sheng had phoned Mama Sheng, asking her to return with Papa Sheng to witness their son’s ‘true happiness’.

  Mama Sheng was upset the moment she heard it.

  Could Sheng Xiao really have caved under pressure and parted ways with Qiqi?

  “Father, the daughter of the Gu family is a granddaughter-in-law you are happy with, but not us. I believe we don’t have to return, so that we won’t be a wet blanket to your excitement.”


  “You really don’t know what’s good for you.” The old man hung up angrily.

  Was that daughter-in-law of his really still keen on Mu Qiqi? What charm could Mu Qiqi have put on her?

  That being said, Mama Sheng was beside herself with worry overseas, and promptly called Sheng Xiao to clear her mind. “I heard that you would get re-engaged with the daughter of the Gu family?”


  “Is that what the old man said?” Sheng Xiao asked innocently in return.

  “He wouldn’t have told me if he wasn’t sure. He even told me to come back to witness your real happiness.”


  “Well, mother, you could come back on the old man’s birthday in ten days for the drama.”


  From what Mama Sheng could tell, it was clear that her son has something up his sleeve.

  “I won’t forgive you for the rest of your life if you wrong Xiao Qi.”


  Sheng Xiao frowned lightly at that, turning to his little one who was lying on the bed.

  Who was Mama Sheng’s child here again?

  “Xiao Xiao… what are you doing there, mumbling? Time to sleep…” Mu Qiqi muttered with her eyes closed, appearing to have heard him talking on the phone despite her drowsiness.

  Sheng Xiao’s entire heart softened right then.

  He should be happy that there would always be someone backing his little one.