Chapter 92

"Ya Ya." Yuan Yasen answered a phone call and looked at Xu Ya with some guilt. "One of my business partners had an issue at home..."

"It's fine, you go ahead." Before Yuan Yasen could finish speaking, Xu Ya interrupted, "Traveling can be done anytime."

"I'm sorry." Yuan Yasen sighed, kissed Xu Ya on the cheek, and then turned to take the suitcase from the side, moved some items that could potentially bump into Xu Ya aside, and quickly walked out the door.

Xu Ya sat on the sofa for a while, until the maid came out, before she snapped back to reality.

"Madam." The maid, holding an old suitcase, had changed out of her usual work outfit worn at the Yuan household. "Aren't you and Sir going abroad for a trip?"

"He has something to take care of, so he's not going anymore." Xu Ya turned around, noticing the concerned expressions of the maids, and smiled, "Be careful on your way."

"Then, what about you..." With the maids leaving and only the madam and sir at home, what would she do?

"It's fine, you can go." Xu Ya couldn't help but ask when she saw one of the maids carrying several large bags, "Isn't it inconvenient to bring so many things on the plane?"

"The stuff on the plane is really important and expensive, and the tickets are costly. I'll take the train back." The maid had a joyful expression on her face. She had started working after Aunt Li left. Though the demands of working in the Yuan household were high, the job was easy, the pay was good, and during important holidays, there were red envelopes.

"I saw on the news that trains are especially crowded during the Spring Festival. Isn't it even more inconvenient for you to bring so many things?"

"It's okay, thanks to the driver, I managed to get a seat ticket. I have two kids at home, one in middle school, the other in fifth grade. I've been in the capital for so long and haven't seen them, so this time, I have to bring back more things."

Xu Ya looked slightly distracted. She stared blankly for a moment before asking, "What did you buy for the kids?"

"Just some clothes and learning devices. The quality of the learning devices at home isn't good, and they're expensive. But if I bring this back, they'll be so happy." The maid didn't expect Xu Ya to care about these things. Her excitement about going home made her, usually quiet, become talkative.

Xu Ya quietly listened, occasionally asking a question. Her curious attitude surprised the other maids. What happened to the madam today?

"It's getting late. I'll call the driver to take you to the station." Xu Ya made a call to the driver and said to the maids, "Happy New Year."

"Happy New Year. Wishing you and Sir, and the two young masters, a safe and prosperous year."

"Thank you." Xu Ya stood up, changed into something suitable to go out, and stood in the hallway, listening to the maids chattering about their children. A feeling of confusion appeared on her face.

From the time her children were born, she had never considered these things because the family had money, so they could hire others to do everything and never had to worry about it. Especially after the birth of the second child, her health had deteriorated greatly, and she couldn't bear the sound of the child crying, so the second child was always kept in the nursery and raised by the nanny. Later, when the second child was mistreated by the nanny, she felt regret and fear but, for some reason, couldn't connect with the child.

Perhaps it was because of guilt, leading to fear, or perhaps she just wasn't naturally a good mother, which is why she didn't show enough care for her child.

After the maids left, Xu Ya went downstairs and got into the car.

"Madam, where are we going?" the driver asked.

Xu Ya looked out the window, feeling lost. She didn't have many friends after marriage, and now that it was the end of the year, there were even fewer people she could disturb. For a moment, she didn't know where to go.

"Take me to my parents' house," Xu Ya took a deep breath. "Just to my parents' house."

Noticing the odd tone in her voice, the driver glanced back at her, but seeing no visible signs of distress, he started the car.

When Yan Xi and Yuan Yi arrived at Xu's family home, they were warmly received. The entire family gathered around her and ushered her to the couch, but she hadn't quite figured out who was who yet.

Yuan Yi introduced her to everyone, and she greeted each uncle, aunt, brother, and sister-in-law. In no time, she had collected a large handful of red envelopes. Whether it was because the Xu family was too sincere or not, the red envelopes were surprisingly thick. Yan Xi felt a little awkward holding them, unsure of how to fit them all into her handbag.

"I'll hold onto these for you," Yuan Yi said, taking Yan Xi's hand. "They're all very warm-hearted, but sometimes they can be too enthusiastic."

Yan Xi laughed softly and replied, "I noticed."

"I'll take you upstairs to visit grandpa," Yuan Yi whispered in her ear.

The Xu family, seeing the couple so close, exchanged knowing smiles. Xu Xiang waved and smiled, "You two go play, don't disturb us elders from chatting."

No excuse was needed from Yuan Yi and Yan Xi—the elders had already sent them off.

Carrying a bunch of red envelopes, Yan Xi followed Yuan Yi upstairs and whispered, "Yuan Er, does your family have a habit of giving red envelopes?"

"I've been alive for 27 years," Yuan Yi sighed dramatically, "and it's rare to bring my girlfriend to meet the elders. They're afraid you'll run off and leave me single, so they bribed you with red envelopes."

Yan Xi waved the red envelopes, "So, what you're saying is, if I accept these, you're mine from now on?"

"Yes, yes," Yuan Yi said, resting his head on her shoulder in a playful manner. "I bring the red envelopes and the dowry, just waiting for you to take me home."

Xu Qiaosheng came out of a room and saw his tall cousin, hunching over and resting his head on Yan Xi's shoulder. He rubbed his eyes, thinking he was seeing things wrong.

That spineless, unhandsome, shameless cousin of his—resting on his girlfriend's shoulder—was the cool, domineering Yuan Yi.

Oh my god, he thought his eyes were going to go blind.

Xu Qiaosheng quietly prepared to sneak back into his room, but, just then, his eyes met Yuan Yi's.

Silence. Awkwardness.

Yuan Yi, as if nothing had happened, patted Yan Xi's shoulder and calmly said, "Alright, the dust has settled."

Xu Qiaosheng: "..."

"Cousin, as a man, if you dare to do something, you must be willing to face the consequences!"

His inner thoughts were roaring, but on the outside, he had to pretend as if he hadn't seen anything: "Yi Ge, are you here to find Grandpa?"

Yuan Yi scanned Xu Qiaosheng from head to toe, confirming that he truly hadn't seen anything. He nodded and said, "I heard from Uncle that Grandpa stayed up late last night?"

"Because he heard that Dahe is coming. He was up until late last night, first saying that a dish should be made with authentic ingredients from a specific place, then complaining that the windows weren't clean enough, saying the nanny should get some rest but insisting I clean again," Xu Qiaosheng yawned, rubbing his messy hair. "Ever since Dahe came, I've been treated like an adopted child."

Cousin, don't think I didn't notice the way you just sized me up. I'm an actor, a real idol with skills!

"Well, my Dahe is much more likable than you," Yuan Yi raised an eyebrow. "I'll take Xiao Xi to the study. When Grandpa wakes up, remember to call me."

"No need to call." Xu Laoye, Grandpa Xu, walked out of the room and shot a glare at Xu Qiaosheng. "You brat, what are you chatting about with Xiao Xi?"

"Grandpa Xu." Yan Xi handed the bag she was holding to Grandpa Xu. "This is the handmade craft I mentioned to you last time. See if you like it."

Grandpa Xu opened the bag and looked inside at the finely crafted items, which were not only well made but also carried auspicious meanings. "Good, good, very good." He casually said, and the child remembered. This gesture of thoughtfulness was more valuable than anything.

He cast a disgruntled glance at his two grandsons. Granddaughters were better.

His own grandson was useless, still hasn't married anyone. He couldn't wait to introduce Xiao Xi to his old friends, and as his granddaughter, of course.

What? She's not a granddaughter but a granddaughter-in-law?

Well, it's all the same. A granddaughter-in-law is still a granddaughter, no problem there.

Xu Qiaosheng, who had been inexplicably glared at, also felt wronged. He decided to find himself a girlfriend too, just to enjoy this kind of treatment and redeem himself.

"Grandpa, cousin." Yuan Bo came upstairs, and seeing Yan Xi, a smile appeared on his serious face. "Xiao Xi."

"Elder brother." Yan Xi smiled at Yuan Bo. "You're here too?"

"Mm." Yuan Bo nodded. "Happy New Year."

"Happy New Year." Yan Xi replied with a smile.

"Your parents went abroad again for a trip?" Grandpa Xu asked.

The older he got, the more he valued family gatherings. With everyone there except for his eldest daughter, Grandpa Xu felt some regret in his heart. But over the years, he had gotten used to it, especially since this year his future granddaughter-in-law was present. He had no time to worry about his eldest daughter and son-in-law.

"When I left this morning, they were still having breakfast," Yuan Bo replied respectfully. "I'm not sure if they left after that."

But, they probably didn't get the chance to leave.

He turned to look at Yuan Yi and Yan Xi. Today was an important day, and as parents, they should be there at the right time.

"Xiao Xi, let's not mind them," Grandpa Xu waved happily at Yan Xi. "Come, let me show you something."

Yan Xi handed her handbag and the red envelopes to Yuan Yi and followed Grandpa Xu.

Xu Qiaosheng glanced at Yan Xi, then at the handbag in Yuan Yi's hand. He tilted his head and pointed to an empty room nearby.

Before, he used to say that a man carrying a woman's bag was lacking self-respect, but now Yuan Yi was doing it so skillfully. Who knows how many times he's done it before.

Men, huh? They care about face, right? Carrying a woman's bag is lacking backbone?

Yuan Yi silently pushed open the room where he used to stay in the Xu family's house, put the bag in the closet, and turned to find Grandpa Xu and Yan Xi. He was worried that Grandpa Xu might throw a tantrum. Yan Xi's way of thinking could sometimes be a little unconventional, and if the two of them were together, there was a chance they might end up doing something extreme, like setting the study on fire.

Seeing Yuan Yi hurry off to find Grandpa Xu and Yan Xi, Xu Qiaosheng followed suit, joining in on the excitement.

The steady Yuan Bo shook his head helplessly. These four had unreliable personalities. He figured he might as well follow them to see what would happen.

In the study, Grandpa Xu took out a thick photo album, gently wiped the dust off it, and turned to Yan Xi with a mysterious look on his face. "Come, let me show you the black history of Da Yuanzi and Xiao Yuanzi."

Yan Xi: "..."

Grandpa Xu, you're so trendy, even using the term 'black history.'