Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
It wasnât until Ji Nuan saw several screens monitoring the banquet hall above that she had a vague idea of what Mr. Xiao meant by keeping an eye on her.
So, he had been watching since she came in?
Seeing Ji Nuan a bit angry, Mr. Xiao Zhenjun said, âMiss Ji, donât take me wrong. My son seldom brings a female companion. I pay more attention to you because you are his female companion.â
Ji Nuan smiled when she heard this reason. âOk, I see.â
Although it sounded reasonable that an old father paid attention to his sonâs female companion, Ji Nuan remembered it was not only Xiao Luye who invited her but also Mr. Xiao Zhenjun.
Besides, Xiao Luye joked and didnât seem to be really interested in her. Since he was not interested in her, he wouldnât let his father misunderstand, let alone take her to see his father.
So, what on earth was the reason? It couldnât be so simple.
However, she didnât utter her doubt but look at Mr. Xiao Zhenjun with a smile. âMr. Xiao, you pay so much attention to CEO Xiaoâs female companion. It seems that you really want to see him get married.â
With that, she looked at Xiao Luye. âCEO Xiao, youâre already over thirty, arenât you? Youâre not married yet, and being single all the time does worry your family. I know a lot of young ladies of note in Hai City. Do you need me to introduce some girls to you?â
She purposely changed the subject to him. Xiao Luye gave her a warning stare. âNo, thanks.â
Ji Nuan gave him a faint smile and was about to say something when Mr. Xiao Zhenjun said, smiling, âMiss Ji, I know you must know a lot of young ladies of note in Hai City. After all, youâre the eldest daughter of the Ji family and were born and grew up in Hai City. I think your idea is good. Please introduce my son to some girls when you have time, lest heâll put all his eggs in one basket, and that basket doesnât even belong to him.â
Xiao Luyeâs face darkened. âOld Xiao, whatâs the difference between getting married and not getting married? Did you stop philandering after you got married? Didnât you get an illegitimate child over twenty years after your marriage? Now youâve finally got a chance to see her. I advise you to hold your tongue and stop nagging me.â
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Mr. Xiao Zhenjun immediately cast a cold glance at him. Xiao Luye didnât look at him but shut up.
Ji Nuan felt as if her IQ had gone to zero when she walked into the room.
She could not understand the conversation between the father and son at all.
But as an outsider, she shouldnât cut in their bickering, so she glanced around at the expensive birthday flowers and potted plants like evergreens.
âDo you like flowers, Miss Ji?â Mr. Xiao Zhenjun suddenly asked her. âTake whatever pot you like. Flowers are not for an old man like me, but for a young girl like you. You can take them if you like.â
âNo, I just donât want to disturb you and CEO Xiao and casually looked around,â Ji Nuan said politely.
Seeing her so detached and polite, Mr. Xiao Zhenjun gazed at her again and smiled. âIt was my fault. We took you as one of our own and started a row in your face. Thatâs the way we get along. Unlike other fathers and sons, we often bicker, because we have too few people at home. If we donât make some sound, the home will be too quiet and cold. When we meet, we can only discuss the affairs of the company or quarrel over his marriage. Haha, Iâm so sorry to let you see this...â
Ji Nuan wondered why Mr. Xiao, who was said to be a very mysterious, powerful bigshot, talked so much to her. It didnât seem to be because she was the CEO of the MN Group. Although he was very polite to her, she felt he seemed to be implying something to her.
âIt doesnât matter. These words go in one ear of me and out the other. I canât remember anything, nor will I tell others about these words.â Ji Nuan smiled faintly, and her eyes were clear and placid.
Mr. Xiao Zhenjun took a look at her again. âToday is my 50th birthday, although itâs very lively, for many years I didnât have a person I like to accompany me to talk. Miss Ji, Iâm very fond of you. Can you have dinner with me after the birthday party?â
âMr. Xiao, Iâm flattered, but MN Group has no business with your company. Iâm very honored to be invited here today. Tonightâs feast is so grand, and there are so many people present. I think the birthday party will not end until midnight. Having stomach trouble, I donât feel like eating at night, so Iâll leave it at that. If we have the opportunity to cooperate with your company another day, I will take the time to accompany Mr. Xiao and Chairman Xiao to a good meal, but I canât eat or drink too much, so please donât mind it.â Ji Nuan said as she picked up her phone and checked the time. âItâs getting late. Mr. Xiao, youâre the star tonight. Donât you want to go out and celebrate with everyone?â
Hearing her refuse politely, Mr. Xiao Zhenjun looked at her and said with a smile, âOk, Iâm sure weâll have the opportunity to cooperate with the MN group soon. See you next time.â
â-
They walked out of the lounge. Ji Nuan remained placid. Although she was skeptical, she didnât want to ask anything. Xiao Luye looked at her. âDonât you have anything to ask?â
Ji Nuan stopped and turned to look carefully at Xiao Luyeâs face.
âWhat are you looking at?â Feeling uneasy being stared by her, Xiao Luye frowned and glanced at her.
âIâm thinking maybe I was wrong,â Ji Nuan said flatly. âI donât think your father is in a hurry to find you a wife, nor did he want to make me marry you.â
Xiao Luye: âOf course.â
âHeâs just trying to find you a stepmother, isnât he?â
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Xiao Luye: â...â
Ji Nuan raised her hand in distress and touched her face. âI admit Iâm beautiful, but I donât think Iâm such a stunner that even your father loves me. Your dad sent me flowers, invited me to dinner, and even told me he needed someone to talk to. Does he want to marry me?â
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Xiao Luye: â...â
Seeing Xiao Luye turn green and trying to stop himself from saying something, Ji Nuan looked at him with a beautiful smile, asking, âHey, CEO Xiao, do you lack maternal love?â
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â...â