Chapter 138 - 137: Miss Xu’s Romantic Luck (First Update)

Chapter 138: Chapter 137: Miss Xu’s Romantic Luck (First Update)

"I’m sorry to have made Miss Xu laugh."

Feeling Xu Jing’s indescribable gaze, Zhou Qi put down his teacup, sighed lightly, and said, "Xian’er is my youngest brother. He was born just when Tianyi Hall was rapidly expanding and business was at its busiest. Not only my parents but even I, as an elder brother, had no time to accompany and guide him, which resulted in him developing such an overbearing and arrogant personality.

But Xian’er’s nature isn’t bad, I should say, he is as pure as a child and might need to trouble Miss Xu to put in more effort."

Xu Jing gave him an elusive look, "But as far as I can see, Zhou Wulang listens to Mr. Zhou very much. Why doesn’t Mr. Zhou teach Zhou Wulang personally?"

Zhou Qi could tell that Xu Jing was mocking him as if he had entrusted Zhou Xian to her to deliberately make things difficult for her. He couldn’t help but smile wryly and said, "If I had the ability to teach Xian’er well, he wouldn’t be like he is today. Miss Xu sees Xian’er seem to be obedient in front of me, but that is just on the surface. Who knows how much resentment he may hold in his heart against me? We are also to blame for neglecting him too much in his youth. Now that he has developed such a character, it’s normal for him to be defiant when we try to impose discipline on him.

We’ve tried everything. Over the years, Miss Xu is the only outsider who can restrain Xian’er. Entrusting Xian’er to Miss Xu is a last resort. On his deathbed, my father frequently lamented that he failed Xian’er, not fulfilling his parental responsibilities. I sincerely plead with Miss Xu to lend us a helping hand."

Xu Jing could see that Zhou Qi’s gaze at that moment was devoid of any calculation or hypocrisy.

She quietly held his gaze for a while and then said, "Alright, since Mr. Zhou has made this plea, and as I will be staying with the Zhou family for some time and require Mr. Zhou’s care, I will agree to this for now. But let me be clear, I can’t guarantee that I can teach Zhou Xian well."

Zhou Qi’s expression relaxed imperceptibly, and he smiled, "Of course, we wouldn’t expect Miss Xu to make such an uncertain guarantee. I trust Miss Xu, and when teaching Xian’er, you needn’t be courteous. If he does anything wrong, feel free to beat or scold him, as long as you don’t leave him crippled, I have no objections."

Xu Jing: "..."

She couldn’t help but wonder—was this really Zhou Xian’s biological brother?

Seeing that they had almost finished discussing business, Zhou Qi smiled gently and said, "We’ve talked for quite some time; Miss Xu must be hungry. I have already ordered dishes, all signature dishes from the Moon Viewing Tower. I’ll have them served right away."

He then signaled to a maid who promptly went out to call for the food.

It’s not appropriate to eat with a veil on, after all.

Moreover, she had already established a partnership with the Zhou family, so she didn’t mind revealing her face to them now.

Xu Jing then raised her hand and removed her veil.

This was the first time Zhou Qi saw this lady’s appearance.

She was clearly very cautious, as she even wore a veil the last time he treated her wounds.

Seeing her face now, Zhou Qi paused slightly, immediately understanding why she always wore a veil.

This woman, in every aspect, was undoubtedly a beauty.

He couldn’t help but chuckle softly, murmuring, "If Xian’er knew, he’d surely regret it immensely. What a pity."

Though he didn’t say what was regrettable.

Overlooking the fact that Zhou Xian hadn’t returned, the meal went quite pleasantly for both host and guests, except Cheng Xianbai couldn’t quite savor anything.

So many stunning revelations in one day; he was simply overwhelmed!

Finally, when the meal ended, and they bid farewell to Zhou Xian, leaving the Moon Viewing Tower, Cheng Xianbai could no longer hold back, followed Xu Jing into the carriage, and stared at her. "Miss Xu, are you really... really Vice Minister Xiao’s..."

Xu Jing glanced at him calmly; they would eventually come to know this, and she hadn’t intended to hide it forever.

"Yes."

Still so composed!

Cheng Xianbai found himself unable to even describe the shock in his heart. He opened his mouth, attempting to speak but then stopped. "So, Chang Xiao is your..."

"Yes." Xu Jing nodded, her expression calm, "He’s my biological son."

"..."

Worried they might use her and Xiao Yi to their advantage, Xu Jing warned softly, "Vice Minister Xiao and I are no longer husband and wife. For now, there are unresolved matters binding us together. I do not wish for any outsiders to know about this. If any rumors spread, you understand the consequences."

"..."

He wasn’t a fool; of course, he understood!

Perhaps the matter was too difficult to digest because Cheng Xianbai remained dazed for quite a while, only coming back to his senses when they were nearly back at their residence. "But, even considering Miss Xu’s connection with Vice Minister Xiao, the fact that Mr. Zhou considered having Zhou Wulang enter Miss Xu’s family—surely Mr. Zhou wasn’t serious?"

In some ways, Miss Xu’s potential romantic entanglements are truly something else entirely!

Xu Jing couldn’t help but give him a look as if he were silly and chuckled, "Of course, it was fake."

She could easily discern the Zhou family’s intentions. If they hadn’t discovered her identity as Xu Siniang, they might have planned for Zhou Wulang to marry her.

What could be a more reliable connection than becoming family?

However, after interacting with her and realizing she wouldn’t appreciate her marriage being manipulated, Zhou Qi suggested this in-law arrangement to appease her.

Indeed, it costs nothing to say such things, and it makes her feel at ease, so why not?

If there was any advantage to her identity, it was likely deflecting some unnecessary trouble for her.

By that time, the carriage had reached the doorstep. Xu Jing offered no further explanation and directly disembarked.

Xu Jing worked quickly, packing her belongings that very day and moving into the Zhou family’s residence in the Western Capital.

Xianyun, anxious and distressed, kept asking Xu Jing why she had to move. Couldn’t she stay there? Xu Jing looked at him with amusement, guessing he was worried that if she moved to the Zhou family, Xiao Huai’an couldn’t come to see her, and said, "Don’t worry, the Zhou family knows my identity, and Chang Xiao can come with me. If Vice Minister Xiao wants to arrange protection for me, there’s no need to worry about any misunderstandings with the Zhou family.

Oh, by the way, I moved in such a hurry I didn’t have the chance to inform Vice Minister Xiao. Could you do me the favor of telling him?"

Xianyun: "..."

No, how could even the Zhou family know Miss Xu’s identity? When did she get so close to them?

Moreover, is this just a matter of informing the Lord? He was almost tempted to bring the Lord directly over to stop Miss Xu from leaving!

Yet, he had no reason or standing to prevent Miss Xu from leaving; the little Lord seemed content going anywhere with his mother, unbothered, and enjoying it all. In the end, Xianyun could only watch as Miss Xu moved into the Zhou residence.

Now as a distinguished guest of the Zhou family, they naturally wouldn’t mistreat her. They provided her with a private courtyard and even replaced the beddings in her room with new ones.

Xu Jing was very satisfied. Moreover, while she was moving in, Zhou Qi made a point of telling her that, to avoid affecting Xu Jing’s reputation, he had already arranged for his third sister to head to the Western Capital. His third sister, sixteen years old, had met the Xu family through a fortunate event when Xu Jing saved their mother and his sister. This time, Xu Jing’s stay was supposedly at the invitation of their mother and sister. Her sister would live next to Xu Jing once she arrived.

Xu Jing had to admire his thoughtfulness and naturally agreed.

That night, Xianyun returned very late, with the same worried expression on his face.

Xu Jing, feeling a bit guilty about moving out of Xiao Yi’s place so abruptly, was worried he might think she was dissatisfied with his residence or something. So she stayed up to wait for Xianyun’s return before turning in.

Upon hearing of Xianyun’s return, she immediately instructed Qiushui to call him in and asked, "Did you explain everything to Vice Minister Xiao clearly?"