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nTranslator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

nDespite being slow when it came to interpersonal relationships, Xue Xi was very nimble and agile.

nShe swiftly arrived the moment she heard the shriek. When she saw Ye Li standing there unhurt, she let out a breath of relief first before spotting the half-spilled container of tea leaves.

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nAt this moment, Old Lady Xue drew a deep breath and exclaimed, “Ye Li, you are in huge trouble!”

nYe Li was utterly petrified as she explained in a stutter, “Mom, I-I didn’t do it on purpose. It dropped down the moment I opened the tea cabinet.”

nAuntie Sun shook her head and sighed. “Madam, you are too careless!”

nOld Lady Xue seemed to panic as she berated, “What else can you do other than eat and drink every day? I only asked you to brew a cup of tea and you can make this huge mess! Do you know that your father-in-law especially bought this back for an important use?!”

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nYe Li stared at the tea in shock.

nOld Lady Xue continued chiding, “You useless piece of trash, what use is there in putting on a crying look?! Tell me, what have you ever brought into this house? You can’t even give birth to a son. You are simply a hen that cannot lay eggs!”

nHer words became even more vile.

nXue Xi frowned and was just about to speak when a stern voice sounded, “Liu Guihua, you’d better shut your mouth!”

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nSong Wenman rushed over and immediately blocked Ye Li from her view. “As the matriarch of a high-society family, do you think you are speaking humanely?! Our Ye Li has been well-versed in classical Chinese poetry, songs, and essays since she was young. She did not marry into your nouveau-riche family to be bullied!”

nNouveau riche…

nXue Xi was a little taken aback. It seemed that her maternal grandmother was not lacking in the bickering department too.

nOld Lady Xue choked on her own saliva. Her momentum was instantly cut in half. “Can’t I even scold her a little as her mother-in-law when she has made a mistake?”

nSong Wenman retorted, “Isn’t it just a little bit of spilled tea leaves? Is there a need to be this alarmed? I’ll just go buy some back for you again!”

nYe Li hurriedly tugged her mother. “Mom…”

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nOn the contrary, Old Lady Xue gloated as she nudged her lips. “Just a little bit of spilled tea leaves? Do you know what tea this is? This is Wuyi Mountain’s Da Hong Pao!”

nSong Wenman replied resolutely, “As long as it is sold somewhere, there will be a way to purchase it.”

nOld Lady Xue revealed a smirking expression, “Fine. I shall put it upfront that this tea is something our old man requested someone to bring over. We have use for it this weekend. If you guys are unable to buy it back, you’d better wait to explain matters to our patriarch!”

nWith that, she moved for the dining area with Auntie Sun supporting her. A gloating look shone in her eyes.

nDidn’t the old man just back her up yesterday? I shall see how she gets punished now that she has ruined his big plans!

nIt was only when Old Lady Xue had left that Song Wenman realized that something was amiss. “Lili, I…”

nYe Li hurriedly halted her with a glance. She then turned to look at Xue Xi, who had been staring at them silently. She did not want to make her daughter needlessly be implicated with them.

nXue Yao had already finished breakfast and was currently standing at the side restlessly and in frustration. “Are you gonna move or not?”

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nYe Li forced a smile out, then went to the kitchen to pack some breakfast for Xue Xi. “Xixi, go to school first. Your granny is not leaving today, so you can chat with her again at night.”

n“Oh,” Xue Xi answered, eyeing her. She then followed Xue Yao out the door.

nWhen both of them were gone, Song Wenman then inquired in a soft voice, “The tea just now…”

nYe Li let out a bitter smile. “Mom, the remaining six origin trees of this tea have already been protected since ten years ago. They are no longer allowed to be harvested, so the tea leaves are now a priceless treasure. My father-in-law spent 880,000 yuan to buy this paltry 100 grams in an auction just to gift it to Elder Gao this weekend. Our company will need Elder Gao’s help in the following project…”

nElder Gao was the wealthiest businessman in Bin City. It was public knowledge that he loved tea.

nSong Wenman was stunned when she heard this. “880,000 yuan… only for 100 grams?”

nYe Li stared at the tea leaves on the floor once again.

nHer father-in-law viewed these tea leaves as though it were as important as his own life. Now, even if one were willing to spend a million, they would still be unable to buy this.

nShe did not expect Old Lady Xue to use this to take revenge on her. How would she explain herself to her father-in-law tonight?

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nAs usual, Xue Xi alighted at Ye Lai Xiang and entered the provision shop.

nSitting behind the counter, Xiang Huai lazily raised his head. He seemed to like black clothes a lot. He had changed into a different shirt today. The top button was unbuttoned, revealing his sexy collarbone. Despite that, his stern and straight-laced face gave off an ascetic aura.

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nHe stood up and walked toward the dining table when he saw her enter. As he passed by her, he lowered his head slightly and said, “Little kid, you’re late.”

nLate?

nXue Xi eyed the clock, realizing that she was three minutes later than yesterday.

nHowever, the pain in her heart today was actually not as acute as it was yesterday. Was it because she had been thinking of coming here since she stepped out of the house today and was not going against the idea of seeing Xiang Huai? After all, people who were in love would likely desire to meet each other.

nWith this thought in mind, she took a seat opposite the man.

nOn the table, Canine Teeth had already placed the breakfast. When the three of them were done eating, he cleaned up the table. After Xue Xi had finished the soya bean drink, she placed it on her left-hand side. As Canine Teeth was on her right side, he was feeling too lazy to reach out for the bottle. Hence, he said to her, “Pass that soya bean drink bottle to me!”

nSlow to respond, Xue Xi paused for two seconds before reaching for the bottle again. Alas, as Xiang Huai saw that she did not move, he had reached out too. Consequently, just as she touched the bottle, her hand was caught by Xiang Huai too.

nBoth of them stilled.

nXue Xi stared blankly at their hands, which were holding each other. The man’s palms were huge and his nails were clean and neat. Yet his palms were hot—scalding, even. The heat seemed to travel from her hands to her cheeks…

nShe hurriedly retracted her hands and glared at him hostilely.

nWhat did this man do to me again? My heart seemed to have stopped for a second there… but it seems fine now again.

nShe put on an empty expression and picked up her bag. “I’ll be off to school.”

n“Tsk.” With that cluck of his tongue, the man pushed himself up with both hands on the table. He then bent at the waist closer to her. “Little kid, you’re leaving right after eating?”

nXue Xi was lost.

nWhat should I do if not leave? Does he mean…

nScouring the empty shop with her eyes, she had an epiphany: I should give him some business.

nRecalling the tea leaves Ye Li had spilled today, she asked, “Do you have Wuyi Mountain Da Hong Pao here in your provision shop?”

nLu Chao, who had gone out to throw the trash, almost fell down headfirst when he heard this upon returning.

nWuyi Mountain Da Hong Pao? Is that something you can buy in a provision shop?

nHe was just about to speak when he saw his boss smile lightly. “I have 150 grams. Is that enough?”

nXue Xi nodded.

nYe Li had spilled 100 grams, so there should not be any problem if she bought 150 grams back.

n“How much is it?” she asked.

nThe market price was already 800,000 yuan for 100 grams. If it was 150 grams…

nXiang Huai’s dark brown eyes twinkled as he gave her a discount. “One…”

n“How expensive!” Xue Xi, who usually had a long response loop, exclaimed, causing Xiang Huai to swallow the word “million” he had yet to utter.

nIn Xue Xi’s eyes, the tea leaves that the principal of the orphanage drank was only 15 yuan for a pack. Yet this Da Hong Pao actually cost 100?

nShe eyed the pathetic and desolate provision shop again.

nForget it, I’ll take it even if it’s overpriced. His business is hard too.

nXue Xi picked out 200 yuan from her wallet and placed it before Xiang Huai. “You don’t need to give me change. You can keep the remaining 100 as breakfast money.”

nLu Chao: “…”

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