Luo Keke looked up at Ye Shiyao and said calmly and without showing the slightest hint of weakness, “Sister, those clothes are too expensive. I don’t feel comfortable wearing them. I’d rather wear this old dress. It’s more comfortable.”
Ye Shiyao was momentarily speechless, and the smile on her face nearly fell apart.
At that moment, Zhou Wangzheng slammed his chopsticks down heavily, his expression becoming even darker. He scolded, “Luo Keke, don’t be so ungrateful! Shiyao went to all this trouble to prepare clothes for you out of kindness, yet you’re being so willful. What kind of behavior is that?”
Luo Keke sneered inwardly, but she continued pretending to be frightened. She trembled slightly and said, “Dad, I… I really feel more comfortable dressed like this. And… and I don’t want to trouble Sister.”
Shen Biyun also chimed in, speaking sarcastically, “Hmph, and you say you don’t want to cause trouble? Every time Young Master Chu comes, everyone has to wait for you. You’re doing it on purpose, aren’t you? You deliberately don’t want everyone to have a peaceful meal!”
Seeing this, Chu Xiao could not help feeling a pang of sympathy for Luo Keke, and his gaze involuntarily fell on her.
How could he not know that ever since Luo Keke’s mother and grandfather passed away, she had never been favored by Zhou Wangzheng? And that Shen Biyun and her two children had practically taken over the Luo family, occupying what rightfully belonged to her?
In fact, Chu Xiao had always harbored the desire to protect Luo Keke.
It was just that this was ultimately someone else’s family matter. Even though he wanted to help, it was difficult for him to interfere.
Moreover, the Luo family was no longer what it used to be. The person now in charge of the family had changed, and the family had fallen into such a sorry state.
His parents were also unwilling for him to remain as close to Luo Keke as he had been when they were children.
Instead, they often reminded him to spend more time getting close to Ye Shiyao. After all, in their eyes, Ye Shiyao was now the apple of Zhou Wangzheng’s eye.
He had also heard that before Luo Keke’s mother died, she had arranged a marriage for her daughter in the countryside.
All these things seemed to indicate that the distance between him and Luo Keke was growing farther and farther apart, perhaps making it impossible for them to ever rekindle their relationship.
Yet even though he knew how cruel reality was, Chu Xiao still could not help using his closeness with Ye Shiyao as an excuse to visit the Zhou family frequently. He also wanted to help Luo Keke whenever he could, even if it was only in small ways.
Seeing the scene before him today, Chu Xiao roughly understood what had happened.
It was probably Ye Shiyao who had once again asked Luo Keke to wear the clothes she had given her. On the one hand, she wanted to humiliate Luo Keke by showing that the eldest daughter of the Luo family was inferior to her. On the other hand, she wanted Chu Xiao to see how caring she was toward her younger sister.
Only, for some reason, Luo Keke had not obeyed this time.
Had she finally begun resisting this family in her own way?
For some reason, Chu Xiao keenly sensed that today’s Luo Keke seemed like an entirely different person, completely transformed from the girl he had known before.
He frowned slightly, concern appearing in his eyes as he looked at Zhou Wangzheng and said sincerely, “Uncle Zhou, I think Keke may genuinely feel more comfortable wearing this outfit. Please don’t be too hard on her.”
Although Zhou Wangzheng was still displeased after hearing Chu Xiao’s words, he could not continue because of Chu Xiao’s presence. He merely snorted heavily and said nothing more.
Seeing that her father was no longer pursuing the matter, Ye Shiyao was gnashing her teeth with hatred inside, but she still forced a smile and said, “Brother Chu Xiao, you’re too kind. I’ve bought Keke plenty of expensive clothes. I just don’t know why she insists on wearing this outfit!
“But since you’ve said so, Brother Chu Xiao, if my sister feels comfortable wearing it, then she can wear it. But, Keke, in the future, don’t make Dad unhappy over such trivial matters.”
Her words sounded as though she were trying to smooth things over, but in reality, she was subtly telling Chu Xiao that she had always treated Luo Keke well—it was simply that Luo Keke refused to appreciate her kindness.
Luo Keke sneered inwardly, but on the surface, she continued to act timid and whispered, “Sister is right. I understand. I’ll make sure not to upset Dad in the future.”
Her expression remained unchanged, still maintaining that timid appearance. But inwardly, she thought coldly:
Ye Shiyao, don’t you just love pretending to be a kind and caring person in front of Chu Xiao, putting on that innocent act of yours?
Hmph. You’re nothing but a scheming hypocrite.
You know how to put on an act, don’t you? Do you really think I don’t?
Just wait and see how I tear off that hypocritical mask of yours completely.
Seeing Ye Shiyao putting on such a false display, Chu Xiao felt somewhat annoyed, but he maintained a polite smile and said, “Miss Shiyao has always been thoughtful. But Keke has her own preferences too. As long as everyone understands each other, that’s what matters.”
Ye Shiyao became even more jealous upon hearing this, but she could not let it show. She could only smile and nod.
“Brother Chu Xiao is right. We’re all family, after all. Naturally, we should understand each other.”
Seeing this, Zhou Wangzheng quickly stepped in to smooth things over with a smile.
“Shiyao is absolutely right. We’re all family, so we should understand each other and live together harmoniously. Come, come, Chu Xiao, it’s been a long time since you last visited my home. Let’s not talk about these unpleasant matters today. Let’s enjoy our meal!”
With that, Zhou Wangzheng picked up his chopsticks first and placed some food into his bowl, his face covered in an apparently warm smile as he tried to ease the tense atmosphere.
Seeing her husband’s actions, Shen Biyun hurriedly picked up her chopsticks as well and forced a smile.
“Yes, yes. Let’s eat, let’s eat.”
Seeing the hosts begin eating, Chu Xiao also picked up his chopsticks.
Immediately afterward, Ye Shiyao lifted her chopsticks with a seemingly natural smile that nevertheless concealed complicated emotions.
Ye Zixuan and Zhou Shuyi exchanged a glance, their eyes carrying a hint of awkwardness, before slowly picking up their chopsticks as well.
For a moment, there was no other sound in the spacious dining room. Only the faint clinking of utensils against plates echoed softly through the quiet space.
Everyone had their own thoughts as they silently ate, while beneath the surface of the apparent calm, undercurrents were already surging.
Luo Keke also took a few symbolic bites before setting down her chopsticks.
Zhou Wangzheng noticed her movement. A strange glint flashed across his face, but it quickly disappeared as he put on the smile of a loving father and asked with concern, “Keke, why did you suddenly stop eating? Is the food we prepared today not to your liking…?”
The moment Zhou Wangzheng said this, his words were like a stone thrown into a calm lake, instantly breaking the delicate silence at the dinner table.
At first glance, his concerned tone would make anyone who did not know the truth believe that he cherished Luo Keke as his precious daughter and loved her dearly.
However, everyone sitting at the table knew perfectly well that Zhou Wangzheng was merely putting on an act, trying to maintain his image as a loving father in front of Chu Xiao.
Luo Keke sneered inwardly, but on the surface, she put on a suitably frightened expression and whispered, “Dad, it’s not the food. It’s just… my head is still a little dizzy today. I probably can’t eat much.”
As she spoke, she gently pressed a hand against her forehead, deliberately putting on a weak and fragile appearance.