The two talked on the boat for a long time. Yu Wanzhi told him about the country’s development trends and policy changes over the next decade, and also shared many of the difficulties she and Fu Zhoujing had faced in the early days of starting their business. It was only when the setting sun gilded the surface of the lake that they rowed back to shore.
“Did we… forget to eat lunch?” Xiao Yunting helped her step off the boat, and it suddenly struck him that he had meant to take the little girl for a meal after a short row — yet here they were, chatting straight through until evening.
Yu Wanzhi nodded cheerfully. “We did, but I’m not really hungry. Skipping one meal counts as dieting, right?”
Xiao Yunting looked up at her. “Dieting? You’re skin and bones — I could lift you up with one hand. From now on, you will eat on time. Do you hear me?”
“You’re so bossy!” She huffed. “I’m moving out in a few days. How will you even know if I eat or not?” Then she added, “You always ordered me around before, but this life I’m not yours to manage. Worry about yourself instead!”
Her words made Xiao Yunting’s chest feel tight and heavy. He lowered his gaze to hide the loneliness in his eyes, and said quietly, “You don’t know anyone here but me. If I don’t look out for you, who will? Come on, let’s go try some authentic fried sauce noodles. Eat plenty later.”
On the way to the restaurant, they kept less than a meter between them. Xiao Yunting said almost nothing the whole walk, quiet and subdued.
“This is the place,” he said. “Just like the Peking duck spot I took you to yesterday — it’s run privately out of someone’s home. The food is excellent.”
Yu Wanzhi followed him obediently inside. She had to admit, Xiao Yunting knew where to eat. Springy noodles coated in rich, savory sauce, paired with crisp cucumber and bean sprouts — it was instantly mouthwatering.
“Mmm… this is delicious!”
“Eat more then,” Xiao Yunting said, adding shredded radish to her bowl. “You only picked two toppings out of so many. It won’t taste nearly as good that way.”
“No thank you!” She wrinkled her nose. “I hate radish and wood ear fungus — they taste so weird. Ugh, you’re being so annoying! How am I supposed to eat this now?” She puffed out her cheeks, her appetite vanishing.
Xiao Yunting watched her grumble in that petulant, endearing way, and a faint smile finally touched his dark eyes. “Alright, I’ll pick them out for you, okay?” His voice was low and gentle, warm with fond indulgence.
But Yu Wanzhi was being stubborn. “No! The whole bowl tastes like them now! I don’t want it anymore!”
In her past life, the formidable President Xiao had been just as strict — looking after her like she was his daughter. She’d learned long ago that only when she acted spoiled and sweet would he ever give in. It had become second nature.
Xiao Yunting shook his head with a soft laugh, stood up, and walked to the kitchen. He came back with a fresh bowl. “Give me yours. Have this one instead.”
Yu Wanzhi beamed, her face bright and happy. “I knew I was right! You’re so much better as a friend than a husband!”
Xiao Yunting: “…”
Of course she had to go and say that.
Just when he was feeling a little better, she’d knocked him right back down.
Who wants to be friends with you?
By the time they finished eating, night had fully fallen. They walked back to the compound carrying bags of shopping. No sooner had they stepped through the gate than a woman in a deep blue dress rushed straight toward them.
Xiao Yunting reacted instantly. He pulled the girl behind him, shielding her with his body, and lashed out with a powerful kick — sending the intruder crashing to the ground with a loud yelp.
A guard heard the commotion and hurried over with a flashlight. In its beam, Xiao Yunting saw exactly who had charged at them: Qin Mengshuang.
She lay curled in pain, clutching her stomach, her face pale and twisted with hurt.
Xiao Yunting looked down at her coldly. “Have you lost your mind? What on earth do you think you’re doing, running around like that at night?” He turned to the guard. “It’s nothing, Xiao Li — just a misunderstanding.”
The guard knew their standing well enough. He asked if help was needed, got a shake of the head, and hurried off.
Qin Mengshuang blinked back tears, breathing hard with rage. “However much you dislike me, we are in public! Have you no regard for my dignity — or for the Xiao family’s honor, or your own reputation? What will people think when they see you striking an elder? What will they say of us?”
“Are you insane?” Xiao Yunting stared at her as if she were an idiot. “You came charging out of the dark like a bear! What was I supposed to do, stand there and get attacked? I swear, your brain must be rotting away!” He truly could not understand this woman — she was forever doing things that made no sense at all.
Qin Mengshuang burned with anger. She’d been kicked for nothing, and now he was acting like it was her fault?
Xiao Yunting had no patience for her tantrums. He took Yu Wanzhi’s hand and walked on without looking back, speaking softly to her as they went. “Did I startle you? You won’t have nightmares tonight, will you? Don’t be afraid — that woman is completely unhinged. Think of it as being startled by a stray dog, and pay her no mind…”
Furious, Qin Mengshuang slammed her fist against the ground. She forced herself up through the pain and hurried after them. “Wait! Please — I need to speak with you.”
“The old master is furious about this morning. He’s ordered me, your father, and Jiarui to move out within three days. Yunting, please — won’t you speak to him on our behalf? We are family, after all. If we leave, the neighbors will talk and spread all kinds of rumors about the family!”
“Please — do it for the Xiao family’s sake. If you just ask your grandfather, I know he will show us… the three of us mercy!”
Xiao Yunting stopped. His tone was thick with open scorn. “Family? You — the daughter of a concubine — dare call yourself family? You begged and schemed your way into marrying my father as his second wife. Now live with what you chose.”
“This compound belongs to the military, granted to my grandfather. If the master tells you to leave — then get out!”
Yu Wanzhi chimed in, her voice soft and sweet but cutting, “She doesn’t want to leave, because she’s probably already plotting how to tie herself to the Xiao family forever. If she’s sent away, she’ll never get her hands on Grandfather’s inheritance. That’s why she’s swallowing her pride and begging you~”
Qin Mengshuang froze, guilt flashing in her eyes. How does this little brat know exactly what I’m thinking?
“Lies!” Qin Mengshuang cried, her voice rising. “I am a proper, legal wife of the Xiao family! I am married to Xiao Shan, with a certificate to prove it! I am part of this family — I have no schemes!”
Yu Wanzhi giggled. “Are you shouting so loud to hide how nervous you are? Would you like me to fetch a megaphone, so the whole compound can hear your excuses?”