After seeing Xiao Yi and the others off, Xiao Jingting finally let out a sigh of relief. Yet, thinking about the fierce glare that young lady gave him as she left gave him a headache. A favor repaid with a grudge—he had spoiled those two damn kids too much, and now they resented him! But after all, they were just two unformed little brats.

“Did you get the money?” Xiao Jingting asked Xiao Xiaofan.

Xiao Xiaofan patted his chest, putting on a mature demeanor, “Dad, with me taking charge, aren’t you at ease?”

Xiao Jingting nodded and smiled, “Of course, I’m confident. My little fan is so capable.”

“The money’s with big brother. He said the count was correct. If big brother’s math was wrong, that’s not my problem,” Xiao Xiaofan said.

Xiao Xiaodong shot Xiao Xiaofan a disdainful look and arrogantly said, “Do you think I’m as dumb as you?”

Xiao Xiaofan glanced unhappily at Xiao Xiaodong, rubbed against Xiao Jingting’s leg and complained, “Dad, big brother always says I’m dumb. Sometimes I’m really capable, you know!”

“That’s right, little fan is very capable most of the time,” Xiao Jingting encouraged.

Xiao Xiaofan proudly lifted his chin toward Xiao Xiaodong.

Xiao Xiaodong pulled out the silver notes and handed them to Xiao Jingting, “It’s all here, two thousand taels in total.”

Xiao Jingting put away the silver notes into his storage bag, “Xiao Dong counted, so it must be right.”

Xiao Xiaofan bragged, “Dad, I did throw tantrums and grabbed her skirt, otherwise, those notes wouldn’t be so easy to get.”

Xiao Jingting: “…” Throw tantrums and grab her skirt?

Unconcerned with his father’s expression, Xiao Xiaofan continued excitedly, “Dad, I also got two red envelopes. I got one for big brother. He’s really dumb—when facing that woman, he didn’t even say anything. I’m awesome!”

Xiao Xiaodong: “…”

Xiao Xiaofan leaned toward Xiao Jingting with a mysterious look, “That girl just now tried to snatch my red envelope, so I lightly pushed her, and she fell down. She’s really weak. Maybe she’s anemic?”

Xiao Jingting: “…” As soon as he mentioned anemia, Xiao Xiaofan memorized it at once.

Xiao Xiaofan awkwardly took out a red envelope and reluctantly offered it to Xiao Jingting, “Dad, here’s a red envelope.”

“How much silver is inside?” Xiao Jingting asked.

“Twenty taels,” Xiao Xiaofan replied.

Xiao Jingting stroked his chin, “Only twenty taels? Keep it yourself.” Hearing this, Xiao Xiaofan quickly withdrew his hand.

Watching Xiao Xiaofan’s greedy expression, Xiao Jingting found it amusing.

Xu Muan came out and said, “You two haven’t eaten breakfast yet, right?”

Xiao Xiaofan nodded, “No, not yet.”

Xiao Jingting was stunned. Going out to collect debts without breakfast—his son was too eager, making him feel a bit embarrassed.

Xu Muan looked at Xiao Xiaofan, “Today little fan was really great. You can eat more.”

Xiao Xiaofan smiled widely, “Yes, I’ll eat lots!”

Xiao Yi led the two children back to the Xiao family guesthouse.

“Mother, did you manage to borrow the money?” Chen Xijin asked anxiously. Borrowing money was basically asking Xiao Jingting for silver. Xiao Yi had asked Xiao Jingting for money a few times before and he had always agreed freely.

Xiao Yi shook her head, “No.”

“I heard from uncle that Xiao Jingting spent over a hundred thousand taels on a spirit tower. Now he’s really rich,” Chen Xijin said sourly.

Xiao Yi squinted. Xiao Jingting was indeed wealthy, but now he was much stingier than before.

Chen Yueling still brooded in hatred over being neglected by Xiao Jingting, loudly saying, “Uncle Xiao doesn’t help me. I’m going to ignore him.”

Xiao Yi looked at Chen Yueling helplessly. Xiao Jingting was not like before. Previously, if Chen Yueling threw a small tantrum, Xiao Jingting was patient and coaxed her. Now it was different. It was said Xiao Jingting spoiled that little fool so much that he even clashed with Xiao Qingyan over him.

“If you ignore him, he’s happy not to bother with you,” Chen Xijin said.

Chen Yueling flushed and muttered unhappily, “Uncle Xiao goes back on his word. He said he cared most about me and treasured me.”

Xiao Yi lowered her head. She already heard before coming that Xiao Jingting had changed a lot, and that Sun Miaomiao could no longer get anything from him. So she was prepared for this situation.

Still, she felt tight in her heart, secretly hoping she would still be an exception to him, but sadly…

“Mother, I heard Uncle Xiao is at fifth level Qi Refining now. Is that true or just rumors?” Chen Yueling asked. She thought of her father as very powerful. Her father failed to break through from fourth level, so it seemed unlikely that Uncle Xiao, who was unambitious, would be at fifth level.

“Chen Yueling, Uncle Xiao has deep fortune. He consumed rare spiritual treasures and reached fifth level,” Chen Xijin said.

Chen Yueling’s already poor expression darkened.

“Miss, Xiao Yi just came out from Xiao Jingting’s place. It seems she didn’t get anything good,” a maid told Sun Miaomiao.

Sun Miaomiao nodded, “As expected.” Xiao Jingting was cold to her Sun Miaomiao, cold to his old friend, and likely had no good impression of Xiao Yi either.

“Miss, Xiao Yi came out from Xiao Jingting’s place. Looks like she didn’t get much.”

Sun Miaomiao nodded, “As expected. Xiao Jingting is not what he used to be. Before, he acted like a filial son to her. Now he’s cast that aside. Compared with that, Xiao Yi doesn’t amount to much.”

Xiao Jingting hurriedly packed his things. Xu Muan watched his busy figure and asked, “Leaving today?”

Xiao Jingting nodded, “Yes! The sooner the better. Our son’s wild spirit is unmatched.”

Whenever he let his guard down, Xiaofan started fighting. Though it wasn’t Xiaofan’s fault, constant fighting wasn’t good. He could protect the brat once or twice, but if the brat kept fighting, he wouldn’t be able to protect him.

Xu Muan nodded, “Yeah.” It was clear Xiao Linfeng and Wang Lu were very impatient with their youngest son. Their favoritism was not something easily changed.

“Quickly pack up, we’ll leave soon,” Xiao Xiaodong said.

Xiao Xiaofan happily rolled on the bed, “Great! Finally, we don’t have to stay in this hellhole.”

Xiao Xiaodong coldly said, “Yeah! If you stay here, you’ll get beaten every day.”

Xiao Xiaofan turned over sullenly, shaking his fist, “That bastard Xiao Yuerong, when I grow up, I’ll make him pay.”

Xiao Xiaodong smirked, “You’ll only be able to make him pay if you’re strong enough. Otherwise, he’ll make you pay.”

Xiao Xiaofan glared at Xiao Xiaodong unhappily, “Brother, you’re so annoying, always raining on my parade.”

Xu Muan came in and said, “Hurry and pack. If we don’t have enough time, we’ll just leave things behind.”

Xiao Xiaofan was shocked, “Then take your time!”

He looked at Xiao Xiaodong and said, “Brother, I won’t fuss about you secretly playing with my toys, but you have to help me pack my toys.”

“I didn’t play with your toys, but you’re pitiful, so I’ll help,” Xiao Xiaodong said with a sly tone.

Xiao Xiaofan nodded reluctantly, “Fine, fine. Whatever you say, hurry up and help me load the toys.”

Outside the door, Xiao Jingting watched the busy two little rascals coming and going and thought: Without realizing it, Xiaofan already had so many toys. Kids are just kids—first thought when moving is toys. Xiao Xiaodong really has brotherly love! Normally he’s mean to Xiaofan, but in key moments, he really cares.

 

Edited by: Tetsu

Proofreader: Taalia

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