Translator: Henyee Translations   Editor: Henyee Translations
Bai Chen didnât expect Qiao Qiao to speak up for him. The corners of his mouth instantly curled up, and he looked a little smug and show-off.
Shao Jingmo looked at Bai Chen. Although he did not say anything, his gaze was clearly cold.
The servant came over to refill the bowls and chopsticks. Although Shao Jingmo sat down, he did not touch his chopsticks and only sat quietly. His aura was strong to begin with. He sat there without saying a word or moving his chopsticks. The originally warm atmosphere at the dining table instantly turned cold.
Father and Mother Qiao felt especially uncomfortable.
Qiao Qiao was also uncomfortable, but she tried her best to hide her discomfort. She kept telling herself in her heart that this was her house and there was nothing to be uncomfortable about. Shao Jingmo was the outsider.
Old Master Qiao hesitated a few times. In the end, there was an awkward silence.
Bai Chen was the only one who ate especially well without being affected.
After dinner, Shao Jingmo pushed Old Master Qiao back to his room. The door had to be closed to prevent a third person from entering. Clearly, he had something to discuss.
Qiao Qiao was quite curious, but she knew that it was useless to be curious. She couldnât know what they didnât want her to know. Even if she went in, the things or topics they were supposed to talk about would be terminated because she was there.
Qiao Qiao stood outside the door for a while, then turned around and went downstairs silently.
Bai Chen leaned against the railing of the stairs and waited for Qiao Qiao.
When he saw her coming down, he looked up at her. As the two of them got closer and closer until there was only one step left, he teased, âYour Little Uncle doesnât look to be in a good mood. Did you make him angry again?â
Qiao Qiao crossed her arms and stood on the top step, looking down at Bai Chen. âSo what if I made him angry? Thatâs my business. Look at you. Youâve eaten and played. Isnât it time to go home? Why donât you leave now? Iâll walk you to the door.â
Bai Chen:
When they reached the door, Bai Chen was a little unhappy. But Qiao Qiao was fast, and he had to keep up, so he was even more unhappy. âQiao Qiao, are you feeling guilty?â
He couldnât say that. However, Bai Chen was quick-witted. As soon as he said it, it hit Qiao Qiaoâs sore spot.
Hence, Qiao Qiao, who was originally quite calm, immediately exploded because of Bai Chenâs words. âWhatâs there to be guilty about? Whatâs there to be guilty about? I didnât do anything wrong. Why should I be guilty!!â
Bai Chen was intimidated by Qiao Qiaoâs aura and said in a weak voice, âYour Little Uncle doesnât let you come into contact with me, but you let me in today.
It just so happens that he came back. Isnât that enough for you to feel guilty?â
Qiao Qiao was stubborn. âItâs my decision to invite you here as a guest. What does it have to do with him? If you donât know how to speak, donât speak. Itâs unpleasant.â
Bai Chen:
Her guilty conscience was too obvious. But he couldnât say that. She would bristle at the mention of it.
Bai Chen chuckled. âAlright, I wonât say it, in case you beat me up later. Thereâs no one around now. For the sake of your meal tonight, ask me anything you want to ask. Iâll tell you everything I know.â
There was indeed no one in the front yard. Everyone was inside. It was a good time to ask questions.
The night wind blew with frost and dew. It was a little cold. Qiao Qiao gathered the collar of her sweater and tucked her chin into it. âHow will the matter between the Bai family and the Qiao family be resolved?â
She didnât beat around the bush. She asked directly. Before Bai Chen could answer her, she specifically said, âI can tell if itâs true or not. Donât try to fool me, but if you insist on fooling me, donât even think about coming to my house for dinner again.â
Bai Chen chuckled. âThereâs a second time?â Qiao Qiao didnât answer. Bai Chen took half a step back to her side and raised his hand to pat her shoulder. âAre we friends now?â
Qiao Qiao glanced sideways at Bai Chen, who was grinning cheekily. Her lips moved and she said one word. âYes.â
Bai Chen patted Qiao Qiaoâs shoulder with some force. âThen I definitely wonât lie to my friend.â
Qiao Qiao snapped, âAre you going to tell me or not? Itâs very cold outside!â âIâll say.â Bai Chen sighed and looked up at the sky. âIâll tell you everything.â
Ten minutes later, Qiao Qiao sent Bai Chen to the door and watched her walk out. After taking two steps, he turned around and said, âItâs cold outside. Go in early.â
Qiao Qiao put her hands in her jacket pockets and just looked at him. She pursed her lips for a moment and said, âThank you.â
Bai Chen smiled playfully. âArenât you afraid that Iâm fishing and deliberately told you fake news?â
Qiao Qiao looked indifferent. âIâll make my own judgment.â
Bai Chen sneered. âThen why arenât you going back? Canât bear to see me leave?â
Qiao Qiao smirked. âGet lost.â
Bai Chen waved his hand. âE Iâm leaving.â
The car wasnât far away. Bai Chen opened the car door. As he bent down to get in, Qiao Qiao suddenly called out to him, âHey.â Bai Chen turned to look at her.
Qiao Qiao asked, âBai Chen, have we met before?â
âHave we?â Bai Chen smiled wantonly. âl donât have a very good memory. Maybe not.â
Qiao Qiao said nothing more. After watching Bai Chenâs car leave, she turned around and went in. She stood at the top of the stairs and hesitated. When she saw the servant passing by, she asked the servant if Shao Jingmo had come out. Then, she found out from the servant that Shao Jingmo was still in her grandfatherâs room.
They had been chatting for a long time.
Qiao Qiao didnât go upstairs to wait. She turned around and went to the vintage gramophone. Bored, she fiddled with it and waited patiently. There was a nine oâclock beep from the Hermler clock.
Qiao Qiao heard footsteps coming downstairs. She looked up and saw Shao Jingmo coming down. He had to pass by the gramophone when he went downstairs. Shao Jingmo couldnât avoid her when he came down.
When she saw him coming, the anger in her heart surged and her expression darkened. âDidnât you promise me that you would move out of the Qiao residence tonight?â
Shao Jingmo walked past her. âl have to move my luggage, so I naturally have to come back.â
Qiao Qiao kept her distance and kept pace with him. âCan you finish moving
tonight(
Shao Jingmo said, âIâm not sure.â
Qiao Qiao asked again, âWhat about all day tomorrow?â
Shao Jingmo stopped in his tracks and turned around to look at her. âDonât worry about me going back on my word. The things will be moved away one after another. As for me, Iâll only bore you for two more days. Two days later, youâll never see me again.â
Qiao Qiao suddenly clenched her fists at her sides.
She would never see him againâ¦