Jiang Li's gentle words were like punches landing on cotton, soft and insubstantial.
Xiao He pursed her lips, about to say something more, when Xiao Yuanfeng's voice rang out, neither happy nor angry but with a weighty tone, "Take your seats, everyone. It's not easy for the family to have a meal together."
After saying that, Xiao Yuanfeng strode forward and sat upright in the main seat.
Hearing Xiao Yuanfeng's words, the others immediately fell silent and sensibly gathered around the table one by one. The Xiao family's nanny quickly started bringing dishes out from the kitchen.
"A Yan, go and wheel your mother out for dinner," Xiao He said warmly to Xiao Yanzhi.
Xiao Yanzhi remained motionless, sitting firmly like a mountain. He didn't say a word for a long time and showed no sign of getting up.
Seeing him not move, Xiao He awkwardly rubbed her hands, feeling a bit embarrassed.
As the atmosphere gradually became tense, before Xiao Yuanfeng could get angry, Jiang Li quickly stood up and smiled, "I'll go up and call Mrs. Xiao. It's been so long. I'm sure Mrs. Xiao must have something to talk to everyone about."
After saying that, she got up from her seat and walked straight towards the attic.
It wasn't until she turned the corner that Xiao He still felt annoyed. She vented all her displeasure on Jiang Li, "She really thinks of herself as the prospective daughter - in - law of the Xiao family. Putting on airs like that. Isn't she afraid of being laughed at?"
The Xiao family's mansion was large, but Xiao He's voice wasn't soft, and Jiang Li heard it clearly.
Her steps on the stairs paused for a second, then she continued walking up the stairs as calmly as ever and pushed open the door of the master bedroom.
...
That year, Su Jialan had an unexpected cerebral infarction. Although the rescue was timely, her body was still severely affected.
She was paralyzed in her lower limbs and couldn't walk. She would have to spend the rest of her life in a wheelchair and needed someone to take care of her in everything.
Jiang Li pushed the door open and entered. The woman was sitting in a wheelchair, fiddling with a few pots of flowers on the windowsill.
"Good day, Mrs. Xiao."
Hearing the voice behind her, the woman in the wheelchair slowly put down the kettle in her hand, then turned the wheelchair towards her and asked, "Did you come back with A Yan?"
Jiang Li nodded, with a gentle and proper expression, "Mr. Xiao asks you to go downstairs for dinner. I'll wheel you downstairs."
Seeing that Su Jialan didn't say anything, Jiang Li walked over. Her slender fingers pressed on the handles of the wheelchair and slowly wheeled it out.
Just as she was about to wheel the wheelchair out of the room, Su Jialan, who was sitting, suddenly said, "Jiang Li, you're a delicate and considerate girl."
Jiang Li nodded slightly and politely replied, "You're being too kind. It's my duty to take care of you."
"Over the years, you've worked hard by A Yan's side. Do you feel tired?"
Jiang Li tightened her grip on the wheelchair handles, but her tone remained gentle, "I'm an employee under Mr. Xiao. It's not a matter of tiredness if I can help him."
Su Jialan turned her head and her gaze just landed on Jiang Li's face.
After looking at her for a while, she said softly, "A Yan is not young anymore. It's time for him to get married."
Hearing this, Jiang Li's heart tightened slightly.
But her expression remained natural, showing no fluctuations, and she listened attentively.
Su Jialan said, "You're the woman who has been by A Yan's side the longest. I'd like to ask a favor of you."
"Please say."
Su Jialan couldn't detect any other emotions on her face, so she said slowly, "Help me find out if there are any other suitable girls around him. Then we can arrange for his early marriage."
Although Jiang Li had expected this in her heart, her chest still felt inexplicably heavy.
She heard her own voice answer calmly, "I'll try my best."
Su Jialan nodded with relief, "At that time, I'll ask A Yan to give you a good future. You can ask for anything you want."
"After all, you saved my life. Our Xiao family won't treat you badly."
...
Jiang Li wheeled Su Jialan downstairs. The atmosphere downstairs was more relaxed than before, and everyone was chatting amicably.
Xiao Yuanfeng looked kind - hearted, no longer the cold man from before. He asked with concern, "Xiao He, when will Hehe come back this year?"
Xiao He replied with a smile, "That girl loves to play. She said she'll come back during the Spring Festival this year, but there's still no definite news."
"Hurry up and urge her to come back. It's not safe for a young girl to be floating around outside all the time."
"..."
In the warm family conversation, only Xiao Yanzhi remained silent, sitting there coldly, obviously out of place with the others.
At the dinner table, only the others were chatting, while Xiao Yanzhi and Jiang Li were always quiet.
"A Yan, I heard that you've been getting very close to a new girl signed by your company recently," Bai Yueming, Xiao He's husband, suddenly brought the topic to Xiao Yanzhi.
"It seems to be quite a big deal. Are you in a relationship with her recently?" Bai Yueming was ostensibly teasing, but actually deliberately starting a topic at the dinner table.
Bai Yueming was also a senior executive in an entertainment company, so he naturally heard about the gossips in this industry.
Xiao He beside him was also a bit surprised and couldn't help nudging his arm, "When did this happen?"
Bai Yueming continued, "There have been quite a few news reports recently, saying that there's a girl following A Yan. She's a newly - debuted star."
These few words basically revealed that Qin Yaoyao had no background and was relying on Xiao Yanzhi.
As soon as these words were spoken, the smile on Xiao Yuanfeng's face faded a bit. His serious gaze landed on him and he asked, "Really?"
Xiao Yanzhi looked calm. His thin lips slightly lifted, "There is such a girl. I like her very much."
Hearing this, Jiang Li suddenly tightened her grip on the cup.
Hearing his admission, Xiao Yuanfeng's expression became even colder. He said unhappily, "I've said it many times. Don't associate with those loose women."
"The doors of the Xiao family aren't open to just anyone." His tone was cold and stern, showing the strictness of an elder, "You can play around, but break it off early. Do you hear me?"
Although the words were aimed at Qin Yaoyao, they were actually a warning to Jiang Li.
People like them could never marry into the Xiao family.
Regarding the warning in Xiao Yuanfeng's words, Xiao Yanzhi looked lazy. He picked up the cup and took a sip of water, not intending to take his father's warning to heart at all.
At this moment, the phone on the table suddenly rang.
Jiang Li was sitting close to Xiao Yanzhi. She quickly glanced at the caller ID.
"Sorry, I'll take this call."
Xiao Yanzhi's thin lips curled slightly. His eyes casually swept across Xiao Yuanfeng's face. His slender fingers tapped lightly, and he answered the call right at the dinner table.
"Yeah, I'm listening."
"I'll go back as soon as possible. Be a good girl, Yaoyao, and listen to me."
"Give me two hours. I'll be there right away."
Hearing the affection and indulgence in his words, Xiao Yuanfeng's face darkened to the extreme. He slammed the table hard, and the plates on the table made a crisp sound, "Xiao Yanzhi, you're simply out of control!"