“I see.” Mu Qiqi nodded, got up and went outside. When she found Third Brother leaning on a car, she went up to greet him. “It’s quite late, and you’re out on a errand?”


  “Is Eighth Brother around?”


  “He’s not home yet.” Mu Qiqi replied. “But he would be soon. What, are you bringing Xiao Xiao home tonight already?”


  Third Brother waved her off while casually entertaining himself with some red wine he brought. “What power do I have to take him away? Still, why would he still be outside in the middle of the night now that he’s penniless?”


  Mu Qiqi couldn’t help bursting out in laughter at that.

  “And why are you laughing?”


  “Third Brother, did you really think that Xiao Xiao has been out of a job?” Mu Qiqi asked in return.

  Puzzled, Third Brother lifted a brow at Mu Qiqi, who kept her silence for a bit before saying, “Have you heard of Zhongteng, Third Brother?”


  Third Brother thought about it and nodded. “Somewhat. It’s an arms enterprise founded recently.”


  “And you still think that Xiao Xiao is penniless?”


  Third Brother did a double-take at Mu Qiqi’s words, and pointed at Mu Qiqi after a moment. “Eighth Brother founded it?”


  “To be precise, he co-founded it with my father.”


  Seemingly understanding something just then, Third Brother chuckled. “No wonder Eighth Brother is so sure that he won’t be returning to the Sheng family—he has built another new home, even though being discreet really isn’t like him.”


  “Xiao Xiao said that you can be trusted, Third Brother, which is why I’m not afraid of telling you all these: the new partners Xiao Xiao has reached out to aren’t average joes. They wouldn’t like it if he keeps showing off.”


  Third Brother, however, felt appreciated after hearing the first half of what Mu Qiqi told him.

  It feels very good that his Eighth Brother trusted him.

  “Poor Grandfather… He is so keen of having Eighth Brother back to inherit Huang Yao… I didn’t expect that Eighth Brother wasn’t bothered with a family business like Huang Yao at all, and the old man is so convinced that Eighth Brother wants to inherit that power.”


  Moments later, Sheng Xiao returned to the Shen’s residence, with Xu Che driving.

  When he found Qi’er and Third Brother hanging out, he let Xu Che return home and went to them.

  “You came all the way here to have wine at the Shen’s territory? How carefree.”


  Third Brother turned to Sheng Xiao and smiled. “Eighth Brother, you’ve really played your cards close to your chest. The old man had me come to fetch you, so do what you have to.”


  Sheng Xiao turned to Mu Qiqi. She had come out of the house in only a white jumper, and he promptly took off his coat and threw it over her.

  “Get inside if you’re cold.”


  “No need. I want to know what you’re planning for tomorrow as well.” Mu Qiqi folded her arms over her chest while watching Xiao Xiao. “Do you have to hide it from me too?”


  “I didn’t want to hide it from you. I just don’t want you to have to see the Sheng family’s face again.” Shen Xiao patted her head. “Go inside.”


  “My face is okay.” Third Brother couldn’t help interrupting. “No, Eighth Brother. I just think that you could come home tonight. After all, don’t you know how much I want to see you reject that Miss Gu?”


  “Second Brother likes her, but she is trying her best to separate you and Sister-in-law here. Could you lend him to me for the night, Sister? I assure you that I’ll bring him back in one piece tomorrow.”


  “Look. I can’t offer a good explanation if Eighth Brother doesn’t come home with me, right?”


  “I know you’ve told me that you’re never taking half a step into our house, but don’t you have to completely snuff out the family’s intention to have you back?”


  “And I’m well aware you’re worried about Sister here. So bring her along!”


  Mu Qiqi was stunned at that, and pointed at herself. “I don’t want to meet the Sheng family.”


  “You don’t have to. You’ll follow us home, and then I’ll hide you in Eighth Brother’s home.” Third Brother said. “Eighth Brother, I know very well that you are now the CEO of Zhongteng.

  “Just do what you have to tomorrow, while I’ll control the damage. How about that?

  “If you don’t completely cut ties with the old man, he would never pass the heavy responsibility to anyone else.”


  Since Third Brother was using both reason and sentiment to back his words, what he said was very alluring.

  “What do you think, Qi’er?” Sheng Xiao asked then.

  ‘This man is too cunning,’ Mu Qiqi thought. He always left the decision-making to her.

  “Are you sure we could leave unscathed?”


  Sheng Xiao looked down at his watch and answered calmly, “Xu Che has already made security arrangements… but since Third Brother has come to take us there, I had to bring forward the plan.”


  Mu Qiqi nodded. “Go ahead if it’s what you want to do. Actually, I’m keen on seeing for myself how… abnormal Miss Gu is.”


  “Then what are you waiting for? Get in the car!”


  ***

  Soon, Old Sheng received Third Brother’s call that Eighth Brother was on the way home.

  It seemed that he had really parted ways with the Shen family.

  After all, everything was just as the old man himself had put it: why would the Crown Prince of Huang Yao bend himself over to become a son-in-law of the Shen family? How could Shen Xiao live with it with that temper of his?

  Delighted, the old man promptly told everyone the news. “Eighth Brother will be home in twenty minutes. Get ready, all of you.”


  Sixth Brother snorted coldly. He had thought that Third Brother would come home empty-handed.

  To think that Eighth Brother only had that little in him.

  Later, as their sedan drove into the Sheng’s house car park, Third Brother told Mu Qiqi, “I’ll have someone bring you to Eighth Brother’s room right away, so change your clothes and pretend to be one of the servants. If you want to enjoy the show and don’t want to get stuck waiting in Eighth Brother’s room, I could arrange for you to stand far, far away.”


  “I’m here to enjoy the show!” Mu Qiqi quick said.

  Sheng Xiao pinched her nose. Did she like watching him tear scumbags apart that much?

  Though helpless, Sheng Xiao eventually agreed to let his little one disguise herself.

  “You’ll be in charge of her safety.”


  “Is that even a problem? I’ll come out after going in with you and bring Sister in there.”


  Sheng Xiao nodded and got down from the car.

  Even so, he found the familiar front door of his home estranging.

  The old man wanted to use him, and therefore pushed him up to the highest seat.

  But what about the others in the Sheng family?

  They were behaving in one way in front of him and a totally different way behind him, which was why he had long since become tired of such a life.

  That was why he only wanted to create a future for his little one which no other person would dare intrude.

  “Go.” Third Brother prodded Sheng Xiao, knowing what he was thinking. “This will be the last time. Consider this giving your Third Brother face, and I won’t mention your status to anyone else.”


  At the moment, the old man was waiting at the front door with the entire Sheng family.

  “So you finally know enough to come home, Eighth Brother.”


  Sheng Xiao looked up and found the mocking look from Sixth Brother, and proceeded to poke his sore spot as usual. “You look lively, Sixth Brother. Has Seventh Sister recovered from her illness?”