As Yi Qingju heard that Qi Weiran had arrived, her pace quickened.
However, when she came face to face with Zhou Yi's slightly fierce phoenix eyes, she froze in her tracks.
"When did you get here?"
Oh no, would she reveal that Yi Qingju had forgotten about her?
Zhou Yi tossed something at her, avoiding her gaze with an awkward tone, "Thank you."
Then she hurried away.
Yi Qingju caught a glimpse of shyness in her retreating figure, which was odd.
[Host!! How could you forget me there!?] Little Chirp's voice of protest rang in her mind.
Yi Qingju then realized that Zhou Yi had thrown her bag at her.
"Mr. Qi is coming!?"
As she was thinking this, the women who had been furious suddenly exclaimed excitedly.
Yi Qingju's expression was complex.
[Qi Weiran is indeed a good thing, as just three words from him can make people forget their troubles.]
She mused.
Qi Weiran, who had rushed over after seeing her friend's circle: "..."
For the first time, Yi Qingju turned around and sincerely suggested for Qi Weiran's sake, "Hey, sisters, I think it's better if you don't appear in front of him."
Upon hearing this, they immediately became displeased.
"Even though you're married, who are you to tell us what to do?"
After being scolded earlier, they didn't bother to get along with Yi Qingju anymore.
Yi Qingju raised an index finger, made a tsk-tsk sound, and said regretfully, "No, I'm doing this for his health."
The other person asked, puzzled, "What do you mean?"
She folded her arms, her tone serious and her expression solemn, "He has a fear of giant idiots."
Qi Weiran, who had just arrived behind her: "..."
The butler leading the way quietly glanced at the tall man beside him.
Did he accidentally hear the Qi family's secret...?
Yi Qingju had been prepared to face their wrath, but instead, these women didn't get angry. Instead, they looked at her with surprise, and some even blushed and gazed at her with affection.
[I don't understand this at all. Why are they hitting on me?]
She frowned, taken aback by this horrifying scene, and kept backing away until she bumped into a firm chest.
[It can't be, another accidental drama scene? Yu Du, take it easy, our thing isn't settled yet, so calm down.]
Upon hearing this name, Qi Weiran's originally gentle expression suddenly changed.
The butler standing beside him, trying to reduce his presence, shuddered.
That's strange, how did this bone-chilling December wind blow in on a hot autumn day?
Not just him, even Yi Qingju, who was scantily clad, felt it. She whirled around—
Before she could see who it was, a hand grabbed her chin and turned her head away.
The person's sleeve carried the scent of strong liquor and burning wood, wafting into Yi Qingju's nose.
Before she could wonder why this busy man was here, she felt the chest pressed against her back vibrate, and then a familiar voice sounded from above—
"As my wife said, I have a fear of giant idiots, so I won't linger."
Then he put his arm around Yi Qingju's shoulders and led her away.
For some reason, Yi Qingju sensed a hint of anger in his tone.
[What's going on? It seems like he broke character a bit. Could it be that he's angry because he saw a side of me different from usual and felt a disconnect?]
Qi Weiran: I always feel a disconnect, thank you.
"Sir, why did you come? Don't you need to take care of work?"
[You old rascal, sneaking out to play hooky.]
Qi Weiran didn't respond. As they turned into the hallway, he opened a door without looking, his voice cold, "Sit and wait for me."
Angry, do not disturb.
Yi Qingju noticed his familiarity with the place, as if he were in his own home, and looked puzzled.
Uncle Wang rushed over after receiving the news and gave the dazed young butler following Yi Qingju and Qi Weiran a look. The young butler immediately understood and left.
"Sir, our master is waiting for you in the study."
Qi Weiran scrutinized Uncle Wang, then spoke in a familiar tone, "How are you doing, Uncle Wang?"
Uncle Wang's respectful smile became more affectionate, and his formal tone also became more intimate, "It's kind of you to still remember this old man. I'm doing well, doing well."
Qi Weiran nodded, "I'll leave her in your care."
Uncle Wang knew who he was referring to and nodded, "Don't worry, I'll take good care of Lady Qi. You can go with peace of mind."
Yi Qingju, who had been peeking through the door crack, quickly averted her gaze guiltily before Qi Weiran turned to look in her direction.
After surveying the European-style room, she went and sat on the sofa.
[Is Qi Weiran close with the Yu family?]
Little Chirp poked her head out of Yi Qingju's bag sneakily, [When Qi Weiran was brought back from the mountains, the Qi family's branch was arrogantly flaunting their power, and Qi Weiran's brother was focused on dealing with them.]
[At that time, the head of the Yu family was good friends with Qi Weiran's father. To protect his friend's only son, he took Qi Weiran in for a while, and Lady Yu treated him like her own son.]
Listening to this past event, Yi Qingju couldn't help but imagine a vulnerable but resilient young boy without parents.
She found it difficult to connect her mental image with the current Qi Weiran.
As she was thinking about this, there was a noise at the door.
Yi Qingju looked up to see Uncle Wang personally pushing a small cart with snacks and tea.
"Lady Qi, our master hasn't seen Sir Qi for a long time, so their conversation may be lengthy. Please help yourself to some food while you wait."
Yi Qingju obediently nodded.
The snack was a plate of chocolate swiss rolls decorated with little rabbit patterns, looking quite appealing.
As for the tea, Yi Qingju took a sip and asked in surprise, "Bubble tea?"
[Normally, they serve red tea. This is the first time I've encountered bubble tea, how fashionable!]
Uncle Wang nodded upon hearing her, "Our lady loves drinking milk tea. You resemble her a bit, so I took the liberty of choosing this beverage. I hope you like it."
Yi Qingju smiled, "Thank you, I love it."
"Do I really resemble Lady Yu?" Thinking that this Lady Yu was the woman who had treated Qi Weiran like her own son, she felt a sort of indirect joy at being Qi Weiran's mother.
Uncle Wang nodded, "Yes, you're both beauties."
Yi Qingju: "...Haha, you're quite humorous."
Why didn't he just say they were both women?
...
After a knock on the solemn door.
A magnetic male voice came from inside, "Come in—"
Qi Weiran entered.
Despite being middle-aged, the man still had an upright figure. Time seemed to have favored his face, with the only mark of age being the slight creases at the corners of his eyes.
Upon meeting those jet-black pupils, Qi Weiran respectfully addressed him, "Uncle Yu Qi."
