Mrs Yuan smiled on hearing this. “Both you and your brother are overreacting. He said the same thing when we told him about the trip. We’re just going on a holiday. What could possibly happen?”
Yuan Xi automatically tightened her grip on her mother’s hand. She did not expect Yuan Huan to bring this up. “What else did he say?”
“Not much else. He gave me a card and said I should pick out a gift for myself for the new year.” Mrs Yuan’s face softened up as she said, “Even though he is not my biological son, he is very thoughtful.”
“How could he be thoughtful? If anything, he’s a dangerous man! Don’t be fooled by him!” blurted Yuan Xi in contempt.
Mrs Yuan noticed the change in her daughter’s attitude. A few years ago, Yuan Xi suddenly started developing prejudice against Yuan Huan. She automatically defended Yuan Huan and said, “How could you say such things about your older brother? Is there some misunderstanding between you two? I think you should…”
Yuan Xi pulled her hand back sadly and veered her eyes. Before Mrs Yuan could finish her sentence, she interrupted. “Mom, I want to be alone.”
Mrs Yuan parted her lips briefly and sighed. She got up and turned to straighten her daughter’s jacket. “Fine.”
After her mother left the room and closed the door behind her, Yuan Xi lay prone on the table with her head on her arms and felt exhausted.
Yuan Huan had given her no choice.
No matter what she chose, she did not like the outcome.
She wished everything could come to an end soon so that she did not have to deal with it.
After leaving her daughter’s room, Mrs Yuan went downstairs and ran into Yuan Huan coming home.
Yuan Huan noticed the worry on her face. He paused briefly and asked. “Did something happen?”
Mrs Yuan smiled forcibly. “Xi keeps hiding in her room. I don’t know why she is in such a bad mood. I don’t know what to do about her.”
Yuan Huan glanced at the second floor. He turned his black ring gently as he said, “Perhaps she’s just stressed out by school work. Don’t worry.”
Mrs Yuan sighed.
“I’ll go check on her.” Yuan Huan’s voice sounded gentle and refined. He did not seem to mean any harm at all.
Mrs Yuan knew her daughter did not like Yuan Huan, so she wanted to turn down the offer. Since Yuan Huan looked very sincere about helping, she held back. With a nod, she agreed. “Okay then. Please talk to her.”
Yuan Huan acknowledged her before going upstairs unhurriedly.
**
Meanwhile, at the auction hall.
Zhuo Yun sent for some snacks and placed them on the table beside Huo Yao. Since she was dating his boss, he showed her the list of items available for sale at the auction.
“These are the items going on auction today. Why don’t you take a look? If you are interested in anything, feel free to bid for it.”
Huo Yao raised her brow. She slowly went through the list of over 20 items. Every single one of them was a real treasure.
Some of the antiques were named in historical records. Also, priceless diamond and jade items were available for sale. When Huo Yao saw the last item on the list, she looked puzzled.
Huo Yao looked sideways at Zhuo Yun. She pointed at the last item in the auction and asked in astonishment. “Is this medicine more expensive than antiques?”
