Who was Xie Yuli?
How could he fail to understand the meaning behind Wen Guanfu’s words?
Normally, however, he would never bring such matters up himself.
Otherwise, people would laugh at him for being overly self-important.
Looking at the embarrassed expression on Wen Shengyue’s face, Wen Guanfu sighed inwardly.
After weighing the situation, he chose to give up.
Offending Xie Yuli was not worth it.
“Really?”
“I’d heard rumors about that before.”
“I assumed they were just rumors.”
“I never expected them to be true.”
Zhuang Zhenying finally smiled.
Beside her, Zhuang Haiyan shook his head helplessly.
She ignored her own romantic prospects, yet came all the way here just to keep an eye on Shen Bingci’s fiancé.
Normally, she hated gatherings like this.
Business negotiations.
Profit distributions.
Social obligations she had no interest in.
But the moment she heard Xie Yuli would be attending, she followed along.
For some reason, even Yan Ting felt relieved.
What surprised him most was how openly Xie Yuli had announced his engagement.
Without another word, Xie Yuli picked up a revolver from the side.
He loaded bullets into it casually.
His expression remained calm.
“Let’s play a few rounds.”
“And discuss Northern Europe while we’re at it.”
The topic was clearly closed.
Once Xie Yuli refused something, his decision was final.
No one dared challenge it.
Wen Guanfu’s plan had completely failed.
With a glance from him, Wen Shengyue reluctantly withdrew.
Before leaving, she noticed Zhuang Zhenying smiling warmly at her.
Her fingers tightened.
That woman was Shen Bingci’s best friend.
She hadn’t expected her to appear today.
Was she here on Shen Bingci’s behalf?
After leaving, Wen Shengyue’s smile disappeared.
She refused to believe she had absolutely no chance.
Xie Wanshi was in an exceptionally good mood during dinner.
Xie Yanshun had not left yet.
Although he arrived late, after she had called him hundreds of times.
He compressed what should have been a full day’s workload into four hours before rushing home.
The moment he entered the house, servants stepped forward to take his coat.
“No need.”
Xie Yanshun removed it himself and hung it on the golden nanmu coat rack nearby.
The next second, Xie Wanshi rushed over and wrapped her arms around his slim waist.
“Second Brother!”
“You’re finally back!”
She smiled like a blooming flower.
Beautiful and radiant.
She smelled faintly of cherry blossoms.
Today she wore a pink dress with a floral skirt that reached mid-thigh.
A blue velvet ribbon circled her waist.
A cherry blossom hair clip decorated one side of her hair.
The layered petals sparkled among the sea of pink.
She looked delicate and precious.
When she threw herself into his arms, the soft warmth caught him completely off guard.
His throat tightened.
Xie Yanshun froze.
He didn’t know whether to push her away or scold her for being too clingy.
Then he noticed the hair clip.
The reprimand died instantly.
The coldness in his eyes softened.
Looking up at him, Xie Wanshi released him and pulled him toward the dining table.
“Second Brother, look!”
“I’m wearing the gift you gave me when I was little.”
“It still looks nice, right?”
“I’ve taken really good care of it.”
It was a birthday gift he had given her when she was five years old.
An out-of-production piece from a niche brand.
Compared to the countless luxury gifts she had received throughout her life, this small cherry blossom clip was practically insignificant.
Yet she had remembered it.
And kept it all these years.
Xie Yanshun nodded quietly.
Just as he pulled out a chair to sit down, he met a cold gaze from across the room.
Xie Yuli stood there.
Arms folded.
Leaning casually against the wall.
Watching them.
Perhaps for quite some time already.
His face revealed nothing.
Yet Xie Yanshun’s heart skipped a beat.
He lowered his eyes instinctively.
Completely unaware of the silent confrontation, Xie Wanshi turned around.
“Big Brother!”
“You’re here!”
“Why aren’t you eating yet?”
“Hurry up!”
“Second Brother is starving!”
According to Xie family rules, no one could start eating before the head of the household.
Since their parents were absent, Xie Yuli was the highest authority present.
Without him at the table, dinner could not begin.
Xie Yuli finally walked over and pulled out a chair.
The dishes were served.
As always, he ate quietly.
Beside him, Xie Yanshun greeted politely.
“Big Brother.”
Half a minute passed.
Only then did Xie Yuli respond with a faint,
“Mhm.”
That single acknowledgment allowed Xie Yanshun to finally relax enough to eat.
He picked up a piece of vegetable.
Someone immediately became dissatisfied.
“Big Brother.”
Xie Wanshi pouted.
“Why are you acting all important again?”
“Second Brother spoke to you, and you took forever to answer.”
“Hmph.”
She immediately picked up several sweet-and-sour ribs and placed them into Xie Yanshun’s bowl.
“Second Brother, ignore him.”
“And stop eating only vegetables.”
“You need more meat.”
She added several more pieces.
Just as Xie Yanshun was about to stop her, Xie Yuli spoke coolly.
“Xie Wanshi.”
“Use the serving chopsticks.”
She froze.
“Oh.”
Realizing her mistake, she prepared to remove the ribs one by one.
Xie Yanshun smiled.
“It’s fine.”
“Keep eating.”
Xie Yuli sighed quietly.
His tone carried an indescribable meaning.
“I don’t like repeating the same reminder multiple times.”
Xie Wanshi pouted.
She clicked her tongue softly.
But her voice remained sweet.
“Got it, got it.”
Halfway through the meal, she suddenly asked:
“Second Brother, since you’re back this time…”
“You’re staying, right?”
Xie Yanshun didn’t answer immediately.
After taking a bite of rice, he replied calmly:
“I’ll return to Europe.”
“The timing hasn’t been decided yet.”
“What?!”
“Why?”
“I thought you’d stay much longer!”
Her appetite vanished instantly.
“What are you even so busy with overseas?”
“You’ve been busy for years!”
“I don’t want you to go back.”
“Can’t you just stay home?”
She began acting spoiled again.
Once upon a time, Xie Yuli would have thought nobody could surpass her at that.
Now he knew otherwise.
There was someone.
His fiancée.
Shen Bingci was even harder to handle than Xie Wanshi.
Her temper wasn’t explosive.
But she was stubborn.
When she became upset, he was almost completely helpless.
Xie Yanshun appeared unconcerned.
“The family business requires it.”
“When you’re young, you should work harder.”
Xie Wanshi kicked at the floor tiles.
Without thinking, she blurted out:
“Then let Big Brother earn the money!”
“He’s so capable anyway!”
“He earns so much.”
“You can just stay home and rest for a few years.”
The entire table fell silent.
Xie Yuli’s lips curved slightly.
Xie Yanshun lowered his head and laughed.
So he was human.
But Big Brother wasn’t?
Big Brother was apparently an immortal workhorse destined to labor forever.
Xie Yanshun smiled helplessly and explained gently:
“Big Brother is already engaged.”
“He has a wife now.”
“He needs to earn money for Miss Shen.”
“He carries the responsibility of supporting a family.”
“How could I ask him to abandon his wife and family?”