"Yes, I hold grudges," Xiao Ya admitted frankly.
"..."
But Ke Muning loved her fierce side.
A kitten without claws wouldn't be as cute.
"Is it tasty?" Ke Muning asked her.
"It's delicious," Xiao Ya brought the phone closer so he could hear her eating.
"Do you know who sent it?"
"You did."
Ke Muning smiled with satisfaction: "From now on, I'll send you things in Jefferson's name. Remember..."
"I'll remember they're all from you," Xiao Ya chimed in.
Ke Muning was in high spirits and said in a deep voice, "Don't hang up."
"Oh, then I'll put it aside. It's tiring to hold it up."
Ke Muning thought about it and allowed her to put the phone down.
Wei Lin had been listening to Xiao Ya's phone call the whole time, but couldn't quite make out who was on the other end. Could it be Sheng Yuxiao? Only that Sheng family's eldest son would casually send things to Xiao Ya.
As he pondered this, he glanced down at the call number.
It wasn't even saved in her contacts!
There was no way to guess the identity of the caller...
"Aren't you going to hang up?" Wei Lin probed.
"Mm," Xiao Ya responded, seeming a bit absent-minded.
It was surprising to see a child so relaxed in such a formal setting.
Wei Lin's throat tightened, but he smiled and said, "Is someone worried about your safety, needing to listen in constantly?"
Xiao Ya gave an ambiguous answer: "Maybe."
What did she mean by 'maybe'?
The little girl was brushing him off.
Wei Lin felt somewhat uncomfortable.
It was a subtle feeling of losing control.
To regain a sense of authority, he asked in a low voice, "It's been a while since I've taken you to school, Xiao Ya. Are you adapting well?"
"Very well."
"Really?"
"Yes, for some reason, I've become their leader."
"...Huh?" Wei Lin's expression changed slightly. Those rich kids could sometimes be more realistic and troublesome than adults. Adults at least maintain a facade, but kids? They don't know anything about keeping up appearances. And you're saying you've become their leader?
"That's... great news!" Wei Lin found his voice again.
Xiao Ya nodded, picking up her milk to drink.
Coming to this banquet was definitely worthwhile - she was eating and drinking to her heart's content.
Wei Lin's mouth twitched. He couldn't understand why Jefferson would send her food separately, just because she went to greet him? Was that so rare?
Or was it special treatment for the Gui Family's heir?
Wei Lin continued, "Your grandfather probably never imagined you'd get along so well with your classmates at school. As expected of our family's child... Since you're so at ease in school, just greeting Jefferson today isn't enough, is it? As your uncle, I should introduce you to more people."
"Let's go," Wei Lin said. "I'll take you to meet everyone."
Xiao Ya looked up at him and seriously corrected him first: "We don't get along, and I'm not at ease."
"Why is Xiao Ya being so modest?"
"It's not modesty. They suddenly decided to make me their leader."
"There must be a reason for that, right? Why? Why did they do that?" Wei Lin asked out of genuine curiosity, truly unable to understand.
"Because I have the strongest fists?"
"Xiao Ya, are you teasing your uncle?"
"No. Last time I beat up Mu Bai, and now he listens to me too. Hmm, I guess it's the same for the others."
She had the nerve to mention the Mu young master! After that incident, all of Wei Lin's domestic business deals had been obstructed, and at every social occasion, Mr. Mu never gave him a pleasant look.
Wei Lin's emotions were still complicated.
Xiao Ya had already continued asking him: "Do you want me to use the same method to get to know others here?"
Wei Lin: "..."
Speechless as he was, Wei Lin still managed to find his voice: "I'll teach you other ways of socializing."
Xiao Ya didn't refuse this time. She adjusted the wig she had put back on her head and said to the silent Xing Siyun, "You come along too."
Xing Siyun wanted to think quietly at that moment, but after meeting Xiao Ya's gaze, she immediately changed her mind.
"O-okay."
Wei Lin, with a grim face, said nothing but led the way, introducing as they walked: "This is my godfather's granddaughter, her English name is..."
"Demon," Xiao Ya finished for him.
Actually, this name suited the Gui Family quite well.
One was 'ghost', the other 'demon' - both sounded like they had crawled out of hell.
So the others didn't find it strange.
Only Wei Lin's mouth twitched. Who gave her that name? Such a grand name, aren't they afraid she can't live up to it?
"This is my uncle's fiancée," Xiao Ya continued introducing.
Xing Siyun was a bit flattered, not expecting this little girl to be so straightforward about her marrying Wei Lin, without any hesitation.
Wei Lin's expression, however, nearly cracked.
What was she saying?
"The old gentleman has two sons. Which one's fiancée is she?" someone asked.
Wei Lin thought, 'This is bad!'
But he couldn't cover Xiao Ya's mouth in public, so he could only watch helplessly as she pointed at him and said crisply in English, "Uncle Wei Lin's, of course."
...Her English was quite good! Wei Lin gritted his teeth in a cold smile.
"Oh, Lin, you're getting married? Congratulations!" The person opposite them showed a polite smile, while wondering which family this Chinese woman belonged to in their circle.
"It's not settled yet..." Wei Lin squeezed out the words.
But Xiao Ya spoke up again: "Uncle Wei Lin is about to become a father."
Wei Lin: "..."
The person opposite was even more surprised, thinking, 'Is he coming to show off in front of me?'
But they still politely continued, "Oh my! May God bless your family!"
From then on, whenever Wei Lin finished introducing Xiao Ya, she would immediately follow up by introducing Xing Siyun.
Xing Siyun could barely contain her laughter.
Thinking back to Wei Lin's sarcasm, threats, and mockery half an hour ago, it all seemed insignificant now!
Wei Lin finally couldn't bear it anymore and stopped: "Are you tired?"
"Mm, a bit."
Wei Lin breathed a sigh of relief. Good thing she was still young, and coming abroad for the first time was quite tiring. She hadn't rested much before coming to the banquet.
Wei Lin immediately put on a smile: "Then I'll have the servants here take you to your room. We'll be staying here for a night before leaving."
Xiao Ya nodded.
She wasn't insisting on staying... Did that mean that as a child, she really didn't have any ulterior motives?
To be honest, Wei Lin couldn't quite figure her out now.
But the most important thing now was to send her away first.
Wei Lin waved over a servant.
Xing Siyun chimed in: "I'll go rest too."
Wei Lin responded coldly: "Go ahead."
After Xing Siyun left with Xiao Ya, Wei Lin specifically waited for the servant to return, handed him a thousand-dollar tip, and said, "I'm a bit worried about the child's safety. Could you keep an eye on her for me? If anyone comes to see her, or if she leaves the room, please let me know immediately."
The servant shrugged, took the money, and said, "Sure."
Then he walked back towards the guest rooms.
Wei Lin straightened his clothes and looked up to see Ke Muning on his phone.
It seemed like he had been on that call for a long time.
Just then, Ke Muning moved and walked out of the banquet hall.
But given his poor interpersonal skills and lack of friends, with only Jefferson-level acquaintances daring to associate with him for mutual benefit... it was normal that he couldn't stay at the banquet.
Wei Lin wondered if Xiao Ya's call had ended...
A ridiculous thought flashed through his mind - surely they weren't talking to each other?
In an instant, he dismissed the idea. He must be going crazy. How could Ke Muning possibly have the patience to talk on the phone for so long with an enemy's child?
