Volume One, Chapter 105: What Kind of Person Is Chi Yueyao?

Looking at the ended call, Xiao Jin exhaled deeply and embraced Xiao Yu tightly. "Little Yu, you are truly my lifesaver."

Xiao Yu, expressionless, said, "It’s only that she avoided it this once. I think she will come looking for you again."

Xiao Jin immediately felt deflated. Even if she hadn’t known at first, after her mother’s reminder, she now understood why Chi Yueyao had been seeking her out so frequently lately.

She felt deeply saddened.

In her heart, Chi Yueyao had always been an ethereal fairy beyond the mortal world. How had she suddenly become like this? Chi Yueyao actually wanted to interfere between her second brother and Chi Xingwan?

Come to think of it, Xiao Jin had initially hoped Chi Yueyao would become her second sister-in-law, so when she first met Chi Xingwan, her attitude had been quite unfriendly.

But now, with her second brother awake, and having heard from him that he liked Chi Xingwan, she naturally stood by his side as his sister.

Moreover, Chi Yueyao already had a boyfriend. She thought it was good—although her second brother and Yueyao didn’t end up together, at least they each found their own place. That was a good thing.

So why had things turned out this way?

Xiao Jin ruffled her hair in frustration. Although Xiao Yu was younger, she was much more perceptive. She had a lot she wanted to say but felt she shouldn’t criticize Chi Yueyao in front of Xiao Jin.

"Sis, if you really want to understand, just ask Mom."

So Xiao Jin went to find her mother, Min Ying.

Min Ying had been quite busy lately. Her husband, Xiao Peijun, was mediocre in ability, unlike Zhu Yaru and the third wife Feng Wenjing, who had nothing to do all day and lived comfortably as ladies of leisure.

She, however, dedicated much of her time to work, managing the family business alongside her husband.

Though busy, when her daughter came to her with a troubled expression, she multitasked—working while listening to her daughter’s complaints.

After hearing Xiao Jin’s words, Min Ying sighed. "Xiao Jin, do you know why I’ve always opposed your association with Chi Yueyao?"

Xiao Jin remained silent.

Min Ying spoke earnestly, "Xiao Jin, you know my background isn’t that great either. If it weren’t for being university classmates with your dad, I never would have met a man of his standing. So I never judge someone by their family background."

"The Chi family is indeed inferior to the Xiao family, but that’s not why I dislike her."

"Then why?" Xiao Jin asked.

Min Ying paused her work, looked seriously at Xiao Jin, and asked, "Xiao Jin, have you ever thought about why, more than half a year ago, when your grandmother proposed the engagement to the Chi family, they immediately found Xingwan?"

Xiao Jin was stunned. "Mom, isn’t that just a coincidence?"

Min Ying snorted coldly. "Coincidence? Where in this world are there so many coincidences? They looked for over ten years and found none, but suddenly right before the engagement, they find her?"

Xiao Jin pursed her lips. She hadn’t thought deeply before, but now it seemed far too strange to be mere coincidence.

Her lips trembled. "Mom, do you mean they deliberately brought Chi Xingwan back at that time? They had known where she was all along?"

"I don’t know," Min Ying said.

"But before your second brother and Xingwan’s engagement, your grandmother had actually met Chi Yueyao."

Min Ying recalled those years long ago and thought of Chi Xingwan’s parents.

They were truly outstanding, even your grandmother, who had high standards, spoke highly of them and had arranged a marriage between her favorite grandson, Xiao Yue, and Xingwan.

"That engagement was originally between your second brother and Xingwan. After Xingwan went missing, the Chi family adopted Chi Yueyao. For many years, Chi Zhenghua and his wife hoped Yueyao would replace Xingwan and become engaged to your second brother."

"But your grandmother never agreed, and your second brother never showed any affection for Yueyao, so the engagement was always delayed."

Xiao Jin said gloomily, "I know…"

The thought troubled her. She had always assumed her second brother and Chi Yueyao liked each other, but later realized all her perceptions about their relationship came from Yueyao herself.

It was Yueyao’s words and actions that made her believe in that so-called love, but in reality, her second brother had never cared for Yueyao.

Min Ying continued, "But after news of your second brother’s illness spread, the Chi family never mentioned the engagement again. You probably didn’t notice, but every time Yueyao came to your house before, she tried every way to get close to your second brother. However, in the past two years, she only sought you out and hardly mentioned your second brother."

Xiao Jin pressed her lips together. Not much time had passed; though many details escaped her, thinking carefully, it really was as her mother said.

What followed needed no explanation from Min Ying; Xiao Jin understood well.

Her second brother’s condition worsened. Grandmother sought out renowned doctors but found no cure. Desperate, she resorted to a bold measure—hoping the engagement might bring good fortune.

Grandmother took the initiative to propose the marriage and agreed to let Chi Yueyao, the adopted daughter, stand in for Chi Xingwan to become engaged to Xiao Yue.

At this very juncture, the Chi family found Chi Xingwan.

"Before the engagement, your grandmother asked Chi Yueyao if she truly wanted to be engaged to your second brother. I happened to be visiting your grandmother’s villa for work and accidentally overheard their conversation."

Xiao Jin hurriedly asked, "What did she say?"

"She said, ‘I have admired Brother Yue since I was little, but I owe Xingwan too much. I cannot owe her anymore.’"

Xiao Jin’s mind was in chaos. Before, she would have sided with Chi Yueyao and even blamed Chi Xingwan for this, but now, she was uncertain what to make of those words.

Min Ying said, "In any case, since then, your grandmother has never regarded Chi Yueyao seriously. As for you, think carefully—decide if this friend is truly worth keeping."

Dizzy, Xiao Jin wandered out of Min Ying’s study. From the corridor window, she saw Xiao Rui practicing boxing alone in the garden downstairs.

Xiao Rui looked miserable. When he saw Xiao Jin appear, he immediately invited her over.

"I'll teach you boxing. Come on."

Xiao Jin sat beside him casually and asked, "Why are you practicing boxing when you’re fine?"

Xiao Rui looked around to make sure no one was nearby, then stopped and sat down next to her.

"Do you think I want to? Grandma forced me. She said now that I’m an e-sports player, sitting at the computer all day will ruin my body, so I have to practice a full set of boxing every day."

"Grandma’s doing it for your own good," Xiao Jin said.

"I know, I’m just complaining," Xiao Rui muttered. "By the way, why are you so interested in finding me?"

Xiao Jin thought for a moment and asked, "Tell me, what do you think of Yueyao?"

Without hesitation, Xiao Rui replied, "She’s always chasing after men."