Ever since Yuan Zhengwen had been kicked out of TanYue for stealing a huge sum of money, Xu Mingzhen had never treated him as family anymore.
It was as if she had never been acquainted with him.
“When did you guys get here?” Xu Mingzhen asked. “Why didn’t you call me first? We are still having dinner. Have you guys eaten yet?”
Xu Mingzhen’s questions might seem normal at first glance, but one could also hear how she was calling the Yuan family weirdos for the sudden visit.
The four Tan siblings recognized the insult in their mother’s words, and Tan Jinyi laughed. “Who knew Mom could hide insults in such plain words?”
Visiting someone without letting them know in advance or asking if they were free or not was considered rude in any society, even if they were your own family.
It was especially true when the relationship between the two families was terrible and the time of their visit was during dinnertime.
There was no way for the owner of the house to continue enjoying their dinner when they had guests.
Are you guys really going to come in when we are having dinner? Xu Mingzhen scolded in her head.
“Judging from Mom’s reaction to them, we don’t have to worry about her getting softhearted toward Auntie or Yuan Keqing,” Tan Jinsheng whispered and turned to look at his oldest brother for confirmation.
If Tan Jinqi agreed with that, then it would mean there would be nothing for them to worry about.
As soon as he got the nod from Tan Jinqi, both Tan Jinsheng and Tan Jinyi let out sighs of relief.
Only Tan Mo was still sipping on her soup as if the situation did not worry her.
“You little brat,” Tan Jinsheng scolded her, “…aren’t you even a little worried?”
“There’s nothing to be worried about,” Tan Mo smiled sweetly at her brothers. “Mom will always take our side. Also, aren’t you guys here too?”
What Tan Mo didn’t tell her brothers was that the sun would have to rise from the west if Xu Mingjing and Yuan Keqing were able to get something out of her.
Tan Jinsheng and Tan Jinyi shook their heads at how pure-hearted their sister was and were thankful that they were there to shield her.
Only Tan Jinqi was staring at his two little brothers speechlessly as if they were two of the biggest idiots he’d ever seen.
They were the only two who hadn’t seen how ruthless Tan Mo could be.
“Where are you going?” Tan Jinsheng asked when Tan Jinqi got up from his seat.
“Since the Yuan family’s here, I should go and check out what’s happening,” Tan Jinqi explained. He could tell that the Yuan family had some ulterior motive for the visit.
“We are going too,” Tan Jinsheng and Tan Jinyi said and got up at the same time. Their movements were so synchronized that when they pushed their chairs back, they hit the wall at the same time.
“I’m going as well then.” Tan Mo put her spoon down.
“It’s okay if you don’t. You can eat some more.” Tan Jinyi stopped Tan Mo.
“I’m fine. I feel kind of full just from hearing their voices.” Tan Mo shook her head.
Tan Jinsheng could only nod his head in agreement.
Just like that, all four siblings headed toward the living room.
As soon as they got close, the first thing they heard was Yuan Zhengwen’s elevated voice, “Do you think we are even in the mood to eat?”
Xu Mingzhen could tell something was off. She scolded Yuan Zhengwen for raising his voice in her head but didn’t show it on her face. She pretended that she didn’t understand that the visitors were upset and smiled, “Then, why don’t you join us?”
The mother then shouted toward the kitchen, “Auntie Guo, can you prepare three more sets of bowls and chopsticks?”
“We are not hungry,” Yuan Zhengwen stated.
“Sis, we…we really don’t have the appetite to eat anything,” Xu Mingjing said as if she was in pain.
“So…you guys are here to tell us what exactly?” Tan Wenci asked with a mocking laugh.
Not only did the Yuan family not inform the Tan family before visiting, they even yelled at them when they were being treated nicely.
What? Are you saying that we shouldn’t eat because you don’t have any appetite? What are we? Your slaves?
Tan Wenci barked in his head.
“Well, if you guys aren’t going to eat, then wait here until my children finish their dinner,” Tan Wenci said without giving an ounce of respect to his guests.
“How can you eat at a time when Keqing is suffering?” Yuan Zhengwen roared.
That escalated things quickly as tears began to fill Xu Mingjing’s eyes.
The mother hugged her daughter tightly as both of them began crying. One could tell that they were parent and child as even the way they cried looked the same.
Xu Mingzhen couldn’t help but let out a deep sigh. “And what does that have to do with us? Do you even know how long it’s been since our two families were close? If you’re trying to frame us, this is not the way to do it. We are doing our best to be nice to you guys, and this is the attitude you’re going to give us? And when are you going to answer our question? Why the heck are you guys here? If you aren’t even going to tell us what’s going on, then why bother coming here in the first place? If that’s how you want to play it, then please get out of my house. Auntie Guo! Please see the guests out!”
“Sis! Wait!” Xu Mingjing wailed. “We never thought that you guys were still angry about the time Mo Mo had to hand in her paper early because Wei Zhiqian had gotten injured…”
“What and what?” Xu Mingzhen was completely confused now.
“What gives you the impression that we are?” Tan Jinqi scoffed. “You guys kept saying that Yuan Keqing did that because she knew how much Mo Mo cared about Wei Zhiqian, so we basically let it slide. Though this is probably the only time I’ve ever seen someone trying to help another person by sabotaging their future, but whatever… We’ve already all decided to just keep our distance from you and your family so that something like this doesn’t happen again in the future.
Tan Jinqi paused and continued, “However, don’t you think it’s normal for us to be angry at someone for trying to bully our family? If we weren’t, what would that make us? Simpletons. That would make us a bunch of simpletons. Fortunately for you, we are all pretty generous and decided not to get back at Yuan Keqing for doing that, but that doesn’t mean we will forget about it. Of course, we have to remember it so that the same stupid mistake won’t happen ever again. We let this slide because it’ll only slow us down. You better not try and frame us for something we didn’t do again.”
Tan Jinqi was now looking at the Yuan family with a smile on his face. It was a very cold smile without any emotion in it.
“Shut up! The adults are speaking here. This isn’t your place to talk.” Yuan Zhengwen barked at Tan Jinqi, completely surprised at how good his nephew was with words.
“Jinqi is a full-fledged adult, and he’s my oldest son,” Tan Wenci said in a cold tone. “He has the right to handle our family matters. As for you, who are you to yell at my son when you’re in our home? Why don’t you just get to the point? If talking in circles is all you are going to do, then get the h*ll out of my house!”
“Aren’t you even curious as to how I did in the exam?’ Yuan Keqing asked while crying.
Xu Mingzhen raised her brows immediately. Judging from her reaction, it looks as if she didn’t do well in her exam.
“Still not getting to the point, are we? Auntie Guo, please see them out.” Xu Mingzhen sighed.
Xu Mingjing was completely disappointed in her older sister. It was as if the latter had already become a complete stranger.
What happened to Sis? Since when had she become so…cold-hearted?
“We’re here because of Keqing…” Xu Mingjing finally said as she could tell that her older sister was serious about asking them to leave. “On the first day of the exams, we left early just to beat the traffic…”
