Chapter 14
"Sorry, he can't move when he sees these flowers and plants. We need lodging, please give us the largest room." A gentle voice came from outside the door.
"I'll go call the boss." Before leaving, Xiao Yue glanced at the old man squatting in the garden one last time before leaving with reluctance.
She called Tang Yao and told her about the old man's strange behavior.
Xiao Yue didn't quite understand the behavior of some humans, so her words were full of doubt.
When Tang Yao arrived at the door, the old man was happily talking to a woman in a cheongsam beside him: "This is the Ghost Orchid, and the Spiral Tea. Over there is an Iceberg and Flame. The quality is excellent! It's just such a waste to pile them up like this."
"I know, I know, get up quickly. What kind of behavior is this! The boss will kick us out in a moment." The woman said helplessly.
"Hello. Due to some special reasons, we are temporarily not accepting guests," Tang Yao said politely to the two.
"I know, I know. It's that variety show, right? I've already spoken to them. Boss Tang, you can call and ask." The old man stood up. Though he was speaking to Tang Yao, his gaze never left the flowers and plants on the ground.
Before Tang Yao could make a call to confirm, Huang Yong called first.
"Boss Tang, this is the father of a friend of the company boss. I'm sorry to trouble you."
Huang Yong's voice sounded tired. It seemed it had been extremely busy for him lately. His attitude remained polite, so Tang Yao didn't make things difficult for him, agreeing immediately and refusing his offer of extra money.
After hanging up, Tang Yao asked Xiao Yue to take them to the 588 family room.
"Boss, do you sell your flowers?" the old man asked before leaving. "I came here after seeing a friend's video. Your flowers are all rare gems, each one exceptional. If you're selling, I'll buy them at any price."
The old man was Ji Mingquan, who had gotten the address from Zhou Yunliang using tea leaves. The woman was his wife, Huang Hui.
"I'm sorry. These flowers are all unique. I don't plan to sell them right now," Tang Yao said.
These flowers were all collected by her, one by one, from other small worlds. Some even possessed celestial energy and she didn't want to sell them casually.
Ji Mingquan was quite disappointed by the answer and wanted to say something, but his wife, Huang Hui, pulled him away: "Alright, alright, it's so late. Let's go get something to eat first. We can talk about it tomorrow."
Although Ji Mingquan was a little annoyed, he obediently followed.
After putting their things away, Huang Hui led Ji Mingquan to the dining hall.
Unexpectedly, he saw quite a few flowers and plants in the restaurant. Each variety would sell for hundreds of thousands of yuan outside. They were individually stored and carefully cared for, yet here they grew beautifully despite being casually placed. They swayed gently in the breeze. Ji Mingquan felt his eyes were almost not enough.
Huang Hui shook her head and simply sat down to order her favorite dishes.
"Aunt Huang." A voice sounded across from her. Huang Hui looked up and saw Lu Bei, who had removed his mask and glasses.
"It's Xiao Bei. Didn't the first episode end? Why didn't you go back?"
"The scenery here is nice. I'm staying here for a couple more days," Lu Bei said.
Huang Hui had seen Lu Bei by chance at a private hospital a while ago, but back then he seemed lost in some kind of darkness, depressed and dejected. It was a stark contrast to his current appearance.
Her good upbringing prevented her from reopening old wounds, so she simply said, "Then you can keep us company."
Lu Bei wasn't a talkative person to begin with. After greeting Ji Mingquan, he got up and left.
The dishes they ordered were all very much to their liking, even surprising Ji Mingquan, who was usually focused on the flowers and plants. He ate an extra bowl of rice.
"No wonder Old Zhou was bragging about it in the group chat. It really is a good place to relax and rejuvenate," Though Ji Mingquan was nodding repeatedly, his eyes remained fixed on the flowers and plants beside him.
Huang Hui stood by, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
...
Inside the Xu Family villa, Xu Wan was flipping through a newly released jewelry magazine with her best friend.
"Wanwan, have you been watching the trending topics lately?" Her best friend, Sun Le, put down her magazine and asked Xu Wan.
"No, I've been worrying about where to go for our honeymoon after we get married. Yu Xuan is really something. He could have made the decisions for this little thing, but he insists I choose the place I like." Although she was complaining, the sweet smile on her lips clearly showed her pride.
Sun Le gave her a reproachful look: "Alright, alright, I know your Yu Xuan is good to you, but this news is related to your father's illegitimate daughter."
Hearing the words "illegitimate daughter," Xu Wan raised an eyebrow.
"Didn't you send me a picture before? That's why I recognized her immediately." Sun Le said, handing Xu Wan her phone. “It seems she's not doing well after leaving the Xu Family. It's her karma. Who told her mother to be a mistress.”
Sun Le's family was well-off, but her parents were estranged. Her father openly had affairs, while her mother was timid and afraid to speak up. That was why she harbored deep resentment towards her illegitimate daughter.
Xu Wan's eyes flashed with unease. Because Tang Yao hadn't been back long, the others weren't fully aware of the situation.
To prevent her close friends from discovering she wasn't the true heiress of the Xu Family, Xu Wan subtly spread the rumor that Tang Yao was indeed an illegitimate child.
Sun Le naturally believed it without hesitation and felt even more sorry for her friend, believing she must have suffered some injustice.
"Don't say that," Xu Wan said gently. "She's had a tough time too."
"You're just too kind. You need to be a little tougher, otherwise how will you keep these monsters in check!" Sun Le was quite exasperated.
Xu Wan smiled gently, her gaze falling on Sun Le's phone.
The screen showed Tang Yao being harassed by Ouyang Hua.
A smug smile flashed across Xu Wan's face. Tang Yao was truly foolish, giving up this readily available life of wealth to live in poverty, and being harassed by an older man. Thinking of his aggressive manner, she felt a surge of pleasure.
However, seeing many comments praising Tang Yao's beauty made her unhappy.
"People actually praise her beauty? Are these people blind?" Sun Le said indignantly.
"She does have Dad's genes after all and she can't be that ugly." "Xu Wan ambiguously remarked.
Sun Le curled his lip, his disgust deepening.
After Sun Le left, Xu Wan took out the video and watched it repeatedly. In the end, she confirmed that Tang Yao had become more beautiful. Her features were almost identical to those of the Xu Family.
Xu Wan was afraid, afraid that people would discover the truth she had been trying to hide.
So, at dinner, she told Xu Anguo that she wanted to participate in the variety show "Escape from the City" as a non-celebrity.
Upon hearing this, Xu Anguo frowned: "Why would you want to participate in a variety show? You and Yu Xuan are getting married soon; you shouldn't be showing your face in public now."
"Yeah, Wanwan. Isn't it better to stay home? That variety show sounds like it has a terrible environment; why suffer like that?" Sun Yulan chimed in.
Xu Wan sighed, “Mom and Dad, it’s actually because of Yao Yao. I saw the video; Yao Yao isn’t doing well. She’s being harassed by a man in his forties. I want to go see her and persuade her to come home.”
Xu Anguo’s face darkened further: “Disgraceful! If people find out, where will the Xu Family’s face be!”
“Why bother with someone like that? She has no manners and goes against her parents. Let her suffer a bit.” A flicker of disgust flashed in Sun Yulan's eyes.
Xu Wan wasn't surprised by her parents' reaction. Before her smile could even fully form, she suddenly met the gaze of the silent Xu Haocheng.
Seeing the complex look in his eyes, Xu Wan offered her signature soft smile.
Since Tang Yao left, Xu Haocheng had become quite distant from her. No matter what Xu Wan said, he maintained his attitude. Xu Wan was annoyed but helpless, so she simply let him be. After all, her parents were the ones who truly made the decisions in this family.
"She's still my parents' biological daughter. I can't bear to see Dad and Mom regret it later," Xu Wan said sincerely. This made Sun Yulan feel deeply touched and grasped her hand.
"The one raised from young is still the most considerate." "
Xu Anguo, seemingly lost in thought, didn't immediately object but frowned in contemplation.
The company was facing some problems and needed a daughter to help him secure a marriage alliance to recoup his investment. Tang Yao was undoubtedly the best candidate. Perhaps the live-streaming program could be used to boost the Xu Family's reputation.
"In that case, you go and have some fun. Show more concern for Tang Yao and make sure she comes home as soon as possible." Xu Anguo's mind raced with various ideas before he finally made his decision.
Xu Wan's smile froze for a moment. She hadn't expected Xu Anguo to still be thinking about bringing Tang Yao back.
The group at the table, each preoccupied with their own thoughts, hastily finished dinner.
...
The next day, when Tang Yao woke up, Ji Mingquan had already followed Xiao Yue around, praising her profusely.
"So many kinds of flowers, each with different growing conditions and watering requirements, and you remember them all!"
Unperturbed, Xiao Yue smiled and nodded patiently, answering Ji Mingquan's questions with remarkable ease.
Meanwhile, Huang Hui strolled along the other side, breathing in the exceptionally fresh air of the courtyard.
"Old Ji, don't make things difficult for that young lady; she still has work to do," Huang Hui called out, seeing Ji Mingquan following Xiao Yue.
Ji Mingquan only quieted down a bit after his wife spoke.
When Tang Yao went to the restaurant, she happened to run into Huang Hui talking to Ji Mingquan and greeted her.
"Boss Tang, do you know that your flowers and plants here are very valuable?" Ji Mingquan couldn't help but ask out of curiosity.
"Yes, I know," Tang Yao nodded.
Ji Mingquan's eyes widened, momentarily speechless: "Knowing that, why do you display them so openly? Even without a separate greenhouse, shouldn't you separate them from the ordinary flowers and plants?"
"But as you can see, my flowers are all growing very well." Tang Yao shrugged, "It's clear your method isn't suitable for all flowers and plants."
Ji Mingquan was speechless, while Huang Hui chuckled.