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nTranslator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

nJust as he spoke, the servant knocked on the door. “Sir, Old Master wants you to come downstairs.”

nAlthough Ye Li did not hear Xue Sheng, she dared not ask again and they left in haste.

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nDownstairs, Xue Shengqiang was sitting on the sofa with a stern expression. There was a looming atmosphere in the room and the servants were treading on thin ice.

nXue Sheng tidied his collar button and asked solemnly, “Dad, what’s wrong?”

nOld Master frowned. “Quickly think, what have we done wrong to offend the Gao family?”

nXue Sheng paused. “Why do you say that?”

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nOld Master replied, “Elder Gao’s secretary called earlier to inform us not to go for this weekend’s gathering.”

nXue Yao, who had left school, overheard their conversation and her eyes lit up instantly. “Grandpa, Big Uncle, I know; it’s definitely because of Xue Xi!”

nThe moment Xue Yao said that, Ye Li asked anxiously, “What’s wrong with Xixi?”

nXue Yao pouted. “Our class’ Qin Shuang offended Gao Yanchen and was stopped after school. Xue Xi wanted to show off and insisted on helping. Grandpa, Gao Yanchen is Elder Gao’s very life and our family needs to rely on the Gao family. Wasn’t she giving our family trouble by doing that?”

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nElder Gao’s only son passed away in an accident, leaving behind his only grandchild, Gao Yanchen. Since Elder Gao always covered up his grandson’s mistakes, Gao Yanchen was able to be a tyrant in the international school.

nOld Lady Xue hit the table instantaneously. “Ridiculous! I’ve long said before that a wild child like this shouldn’t be brought home. Only a few days have passed and she has already created such huge trouble!”

nYe Li wobbled as she covered her chest.

nGao Yanchen was a well-known devil incarnate and could fight really well. He once broke a girl’s rib.

nMy Xixi is skinny and weak. A single punch from Gao Yanchen could be enough to take half her life away…

nJust as they were feeling anxious, Xue Sheng stared straight at Xue Yao. “Where are they? How long ago did it happen?”

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nThe girl replied, “In the alley beside the school. It should have been around an hour ago.”

nHer uncle flew into a rage. “Why didn’t you call home when your sister is in trouble?”

nThe girl’s eyes flickered.

nShe wished Gao Yanchen could beat Xue Xi up worse, and the best case would be if she became paralyzed. Why would she still call for help?

nBefore Xue Yao could find an excuse, Old Lady Xue scolded, “Why should she call? A lass like Xue Xi who overestimated her true abilities should be taught a lesson!”

n“Mom!” Xue Sheng interrupted her. There was no time to pursue the matter. The pressing issue of the moment was to ensure Xixi’s safety!

n“Get the car ready!” Ye Li’s voice was trembling. Nothing could happen to her Xixi.

nJust as she and Xue Sheng were heading out anxiously and the rest were waiting for them to be the butt of the joke, a skinny silhouette entered through the door suddenly.

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nXue Xi walked all the way home while carrying her school bag. When she set foot in the house, she saw her parents heading out worriedly so she gave way to them obediently.

nSeeing Ye Li staring at her and not moving for quite some time, she blinked her eyes in confusion and asked, “Mom, are you going out?”

n“…”

nThere was pin-drop silence in the living room and all eyes were on her.

nAfter five seconds had passed, Ye Li observed her from head to toe. Her huge uniform covered her skinny body well and there seemed to be no injury except a patch of dust on her pants. She got anxious. “Xixi, are you alright?”

nXue Xi sighed. “…Not alright.”

nYe Li’s eyes reddened instantly as she grabbed her hands and asked, “What’s wrong?”

nHer daughter was baffled and did not understand why she was so agitated. She then replied slowly, “Mr. Liu gave me five papers to do today and I don’t think I can finish them.”

nShe intended to come home straight after school to do the questions. However, Qin Shuang’s matter got her delayed for an hour and a half.

nShe probably had to burn the midnight oil.

nYe Li, who was anxious about looking at where she had hurt herself: “??”

nShe asked in shock, “Just this?”

nXue Xi nodded. She gripped her hand, which was carrying the school bag, and decided to walk past her mother and head upstairs. “Mom, I’ll go study first.”

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nShe’d taken only two steps when she heard Old Lady Xue’s voice. “Don’t use studies as an excuse! Xue Xi, since you’re fine, then go to the Gao family and apologize at once!”

nA question mark appeared in her mind. Why apologize?

nJust as she was feeling perplexed, Xue Sheng said, “Mom, we aren’t sure of what has happened yet. Moreover, it’s a matter between the children. There’s no need to raise it to a higher plane of principle. It’s not so serious.”

nAfter saying that, he turned to Ye Li. “Bring Xixi upstairs.”

nShe nodded.

nJust as Xue Xi was heading upstairs, the old lady berated, “Eldest Son, you can’t protect your child like this! If you don’t let her apologize, what should we do with the Gao family’s matter?”

nXue Sheng said with determination, “I found Xue Xi and took her back not for her to be bullied. I’ll settle this myself.”

n“You’ll settle it?” Old Lady Xue raised her voice and immediately sneered. “Sure, if you can’t settle the Gao family, the shareholders won’t approve of you as the chairman. I’ll see what you will do then!”

n“…”

nEven when she got into her room, Xue Xi still did not understand what was going on.

nGao family… I do not know anyone with the surname ‘Gao’!

nLooking at Ye Li, she asked, “What’s wrong?”

nHer mother merely comforted her gently. “Don’t be scared, with Dad and Mom around, we won’t let you suffer.”

nXue Xi, whose dictionary did not have the word “scared”: “?”

nRight at this moment, the door was opened and Xue Sheng entered. Xue Xi felt a little uneasy. Ever since she came home, he had been on a business trip so she rarely interacted with her father.

nHe smiled warmly at her. “Xixi, do your assignment.”

nHe reached out and gently patted her head as he said, “Don’t worry, you have me.”

nXue Xi: “…Oh.”

nDipping her head, she stared at the questions blankly. Although she had no idea what happened, this man’s thick shoulders seemed to have really brought her a sense of security.

nThough she was usually expressionless, the corners of her lips turned up and her belongingness to this family rose.

nShe shook her head and threw those mixed thoughts behind her mind as she focused on doing her questions.

nEven when Xue Sheng and Ye Li had left the room, she remained focused.

nBack in their bedroom, Ye Li’s face took on a ghastly expression. “What should we do?”

nNow that Xixi had been beaten up, and given Gao Yanchen’s style, this matter was considered to have passed. Since Xixi was alright now, it meant that Gao Yanchen would not take things lying down.

nXue Sheng sighed. “I’ll make a trip to the Gao family tomorrow.”

nAs a man, he had to yield when he needed to for the sake of his wife and child.

nYe Li hated herself for being useless, and the thought of wanting to become stronger grew. She nodded her head helplessly. “Then bring those leaves as well. Elder Gao’s favorite is tea, and he probably won’t pursue the matter on account of the tea, right?”

nXue Sheng did not harbor any hope but still responded, “Sure.”

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