When they arrived at the Yuncheng toll station, Qiao Aiyun called Qiao Xiyan. She said she had finished preparing dinner at home and asked him to come. The address was an apartment in a residential building complex.

Qiao Xiyan followed the navigation system but still ended up taking a roundabout route. When they reached the building complex, it was already nine in the evening.

Qiao Aiyun was waiting at the entrance of the building complex. When the car stopped steadily, Song Fengwan jumped out of the car.

During winter in Yuncheng, the wind was wet and cold. Although the temperature wasn’t as low as it was in Beijing, she felt that it was colder here.

Song Fengwan greeted her mother and saw that there was someone standing behind her.

He was wearing a black suit and had a down jacket over it, looking smart and capable.

“Uncle Yan.” Song Fengwan was on the phone with Qiao Aiyun on the way here, but Qiao Aiyun hadn’t even mentioned that Yan Wangchuan was here.

“Mm,” Yan Wangchuan answered coldly. He had few expressions, and he looked stern and somewhat aloof.

Even with him restraining his aura, the moment he looked at someone, his gaze was still stern and cold, resembling a hawk’s.

Song Fengwan had met him a few times at the Qiao family residence before. He always looked cold and aloof, making strangers not want to approach him, so they hadn’t interacted much. Song Fengwan’s impression of him slightly changed after he appeared to help during the filiation banquet.

Qiao Xiyan greeted Qiao Aiyun. When he saw Yan Wangchuan, he was stunned for a few seconds before greeting, “Uncle-Master.”

The Qiao family placed great importance on master-disciple relationships, so Qiao Xiyan was very respectful when seeing elders.

Just as he opened the trunk, Yan Wangchuan came over to help carry the luggage. “Uncle-Master, I’ll do it.”

Yan Wangchuan glanced at him and carried the luggage up, completely ignoring him.

Qiao Xiyan seemed already used to being ignored by Yan Wangchuan, though his presence here made him a little surprised.

The Qiao family disciples, including his father, were all not busybodies. No one mentioned anything about the matter between Yan Wangchuan and Qiao Aiyun, so Qiao Xiyan naturally didn’t know.

Usually, as long as Qiao Aiyun went to the Qiao family residence, Yan Wangchuan would never come, so the two of them had never met there. So naturally, Qiao Xiyan didn’t know that they had some history between them.

He had only thought that their relationship was ordinary.

“Xiyan, I’ll do it. You’ve been driving for hours. It’s been hard on you too.”

Qiao Aiyun had just taken the suitcase from Qiao Xiyan when a pair of broad and dry hands reached over to take the suitcase and went straight upstairs.

Seeing Qiao Aiyun’s empty hands in mid-air and her slightly embarrassed look, Song Fengwan lowered her head and smiled secretly. Uncle Yan doesn’t talk much, but he’s a man of action.

“Why are you staying here?” Song Fengwan had never heard Qiao Aiyun mention that she had moved out.

“It’s too empty to live alone at home.” Qiao Aiyun avoided the main point and didn’t mention that she and Song Jingren were making a ruckus over the divorce.

Although the house was under Song Fengwan’s name, Song Jingren and Jiang Fengya were still living in it. Qiao Aiyun had threatened them to get out, but the divorce lawsuit was complicated. She was discussing it with the lawyer every day and didn’t have the energy to bother with them for the time being.

She only wanted to settle the divorce and finish dividing the assets as soon as possible. If he still refused to leave by then, she naturally would have other ways to shame him.

After getting divorced, she planned to return to Suzhou, so she found an apartment here to stay for the time being.

…

Upper floor, Room 1502…

They opened the door and entered. The windows were closed, and the air conditioner was on. The apartment had two rooms and a living room, and everything was neat and tidy.

“Xiyan, the dishes are ready. Wash your hands and sit for a bit. We can start eating after I heat up the food.” Song Fengwan had lived outside for more than two months, and Qiao Xiyan had rarely visited, so she naturally had to cook personally.

“Mom, I’ll help.” Song Fengwan took off her coat, washed her hands, and went to the kitchen.

She hadn’t eaten the food Qiao Aiyun cooked for a long time, and she was also hungry now, so she was craving it a lot. She grabbed a pair of chopsticks, picked up a piece of stir-fried pork ribs in vinegar sauce, and put it into her mouth.

“The guests are still here. What if someone sees you?” Qiao Aiyun could see the living room from her angle. Coincidentally, Yan Wangchuan was also looking at her, making her feel a little embarrassed.

Song Fengwan glanced at the living room. “Cousin is one of us, and so is Uncle Yan. They definitely won’t mind.”

“What nonsense are you saying?” Qiao Aiyun was so angry that she pinched Song Fengwan’s arm. “You only just left home for a while. Who spoiled you to be so unmannered and spout such nonsense?”

Song Fengwan lowered her head and munched on the pork rib, ignoring her mother.

Who spoiled me?

Probably Fu Chen.

Song Fengwan chewed on the pork rib. I wonder what he ate tonight?

…

In the living room… Both Qiao Xiyan and Yan Wangchuan were quiet people, so they didn’t talk to each other, and the atmosphere was awkward.

Qiao Xiyan coughed. “Uncle-Master, I went to the north to buy a few stones and bloodstones. Do you want to take a look?”

“Okay.” Yan Wangchuan nodded.

With the two of them discussing stones, there were naturally many topics.

“Uncle-Master, why are you here?” Qiao Xiyan finally asked the question at the bottom of his heart.

Yan Wangchuan just looked at him and didn’t say a word.

He was silent, and his gaze was cold.

Even Qiao Xiyan felt a chill run down his spine. Can’t I ask this?

“Didn’t your father teach you not to ask what you shouldn’t ask?” Yan Wangchuan’s voice was deep and seemed like a resonance sound coming from his chest, giving people a strong sense of oppression.

Even his father feared this senior brother, let alone him. Naturally, he couldn’t afford to offend him.

Qiao Xiyan nodded and said nothing more. His tone is already a threat. I’m not that untactful and won’t ask for trouble for myself.

“Especially the matters of the elders, don’t get involved, and don’t talk too much when you go back.”

Qiao Xiyan wasn’t a fool. Yan Wangchuan already made his point very clear: Don’t tell your father.

Qiao Xiyan now clearly knew that Yan Wangchuan was interested in his aunt and didn’t want his father to know about it yet…

“Why aren’t you saying anything? I’m waiting for your answer.” Yan Wangchuan narrowed his eyes while rubbing a bloodstone in his hand.

“Yes, I understand.” Qiao Xiyan was rarely threatened, yet he couldn’t do anything about Yan Wangchuan.

“The matter here hasn’t been settled yet. Your father has a quick temper. Keep this quiet when you go back.”

“I understand.” Qiao Xiyan would naturally not talk about this matter. “Uncle-Master, can I ask another question?”

Yan Wangchuan raised his eyebrows and looked at him. “What do you think?”

Smiling bitterly, Qiao Xiyan lowered his head and rubbed a stone. “Don’t you think the color of bloodstone is good?”

Qiao Aiyun is my aunt. As her biological nephew, can’t I even ask you one more question?

I’ve never seen such a domineering person.

If he wants to court my aunt, shouldn’t he treat me better?

He’s still the same as before. He brings up the rules and threatens people whenever he disagrees with them.

…

The four of them sat around the table to eat. Since there were two quiet people, the atmosphere was a little stuffy. Most of the time, Song Fengwan was the one talking, and Qiao Aiyun was the one replying.

“Xiyan, when are you leaving?” Qiao Aiyun looked at the person opposite her.

“Tomorrow.”

“Then stay here tonight. I’ll clean up a room for you later.”

“He’s staying with me at the hotel tonight,” Yan Wangchuan said directly, cutting off Qiao Xiyan’s path of retreat.

There was nothing Qiao Xiyan could do. Since his uncle-master had already spoken, he could only reply, “Yeah, I just made plans with Uncle-Master to consult him on some things about carving tonight.”

“Alright then.” Qiao Aiyun didn’t ask him to stay here any longer.

…

After dinner, the mother and daughter sent the two of them to the elevator.

As soon as the two of them arrived downstairs, Yan Wangchuan took out his car key, preparing to drive.

Qiao Xiyan asked tentatively, “Uncle-Master, why don’t we take my car back to the hotel?”

Yan Wangchuan glanced at him. “I only booked an economy room with a large bed. Do you want to sleep with me?”

Qiao Xiyan was dumbfounded.

“Go find a hotel yourself.” With that, he drove away, leaving only the exhaust fumes behind.

Qiao Xiyan’s expression was stiff, and as the cold night wind blew, he looked lonely and forlorn…

Is he really my uncle-master?

…

Song Fengwan took a quick shower. The air conditioner was on, but it was naturally not as comfortable as the heating in the north. The blanket had been aired in the sun some time ago, and it still smelled of sunshine.

She got into bed and took out her phone.

Fu Chen had sent her a message half an hour ago.

Reply to me after eating.

She bit her lip and replied. I’m done eating, and I’m preparing to sleep.

Are you alone now?

Song Fengwan frowned. Who else would I sleep with if I’m not alone? Yeah.

Is it convenient?

Before Song Fengwan could return to her senses, Fu Chen had already sent a video call request. She was so startled that she jumped up from her bed. Qiao Aiyun was still unpacking things outside, and the soundproofing of the room wasn’t good.

She closed the video call request guiltily.

My mom is outside. It’s not convenient.

I just want to take a look at you. It’s fine even if we don’t talk.

While Song Fengwan was still hesitating, he made another video call request to her. She put on her earphones and answered.

Fu Chen seemed to be in the study, using his laptop. He was wearing a pair of rimless glasses and a white shirt. He looked refined, ascetic, and exceptionally scholarly…

“Why are you using the laptop?” Song Fengwan lowered her voice and adjusted the angle of her phone to try to make her face look smaller.

“The screen is big, so I can see you more clearly.”

Song Fengwan’s brain exploded, and her face flushed red. Why is this old man so good at flirting?