Chapter 69: Aren't You Cold?
Wu Xiaoxiao’s explanation made Yang Haoran understand why the Wu family wasn't as enthusiastic towards him and Guan Hai as he had imagined.
It made sense. If they truly needed help with a difficult matter, how could they leave the two of them cooling their heels?
At this moment, when Guan Hai suggested leaving, Wu Xiaoxiao immediately panicked, pleading with them not to go.
Guan Hai found himself in a predicament. Wu Xiaoxiao was his friend, and Yang Haoran was his sworn brother. If he didn't leave, he worried Yang Haoran would feel slighted, but if he did, he feared it would embarrass Wu Xiaoxiao. In this situation, he could only look to Yang Haoran, seeking his opinion.
"Let's see how things play out first. I'd also like to see what kind of experts Old Master Wu has invited, and how capable they truly are," Yang Haoran said with a smile.
In fact, Yang Haoran should have realized long ago that influential and wealthy families like the Wu family, upon encountering strange occurrences, would undoubtedly have connections to find true masters.
As for whether the experts the Wu family found would be charlatans, Yang Haoran didn't doubt it. Old Master Wu, having achieved his current standing, surely had his own way of judging people and matters. Since he held them in such high regard and personally went out to greet them, he must have witnessed their abilities firsthand. Otherwise, given his status, why would he make such a grand display?
Hearing that Yang Haoran wanted to observe the situation before making a decision, Guan Hai said no more. He nodded and returned to his seat, while Wu Xiaoxiao's face lit up with joy.
"Thank you, thank you so much! My name is Wu Xiaoxiao, it's a pleasure to truly meet you."
"My name is Yang Haoran," he replied, shaking her hand politely before stating his own name.
"Then we're friends from now on! I'll call you Brother Yang, and you can call me Xiaoxiao. I'm so happy to befriend someone as capable as you."
Seeing Wu Xiaoxiao's excitement, Yang Haoran's expression remained unchanged, still bearing a smile, though inwardly he mused on how truly naive Wu Xiaoxiao was.
Wu Xiaoxiao hadn't witnessed Yang Haoran's true abilities herself. To believe he was capable based solely on Guan Hai's word—what was that if not naive?
Furthermore, to treat someone as a friend immediately upon meeting, without even the most basic understanding of them, was also a form of naivety.
However, there was nothing wrong with being a little naive. Without constant scheming and internal struggles, life was certainly less tiring.
Of course, it wasn't impossible that this Wu Xiaoxiao was two-faced, merely feigning innocence to lower others' guard, her apparent naivety nothing but a facade to mask deep cunning.
Yang Haoran certainly wouldn't voice these internal speculations. It went against his usual way of handling things, and frankly, he didn't care what kind of person Wu Xiaoxiao truly was.
"Oh right, Xiaoxiao, what exactly happened in your family? You wouldn't tell me before, but now that Brother Yang is here, let him analyze it for you. He's a professional, perfectly suited to handle this kind of thing," Guan Hai asked.
Guan Hai's knowledge of the Wu family's situation was limited. He only knew that things had been restless for them recently, but Wu Xiaoxiao hadn't gone into detail about what exactly had happened. Bringing it up now in front of Yang Haoran had its purpose.
Yang Haoran was capable, but Guan Hai didn't know the extent of his abilities. Asking Wu Xiaoxiao about the Wu family's situation was primarily to give Yang Haoran an understanding of the matter.
If Yang Haoran could handle it, they could prepare a strategy in advance. Conversely, if he couldn't, they could use the Wu family's lack of respect as an excuse to leave and avoid getting into danger or ruining their reputation.
At the mention of what had happened at home, Wu Xiaoxiao's face instantly changed, her chubby cheeks revealing a look of lingering fear.
"This is all my fault, I. . ."
Just as Wu Xiaoxiao began to speak, footsteps and voices drifted in from outside the living room. Wu Xiaoxiao paused, and all three turned their gaze towards the living room entrance.
Old Master Wu ushered the two individuals into the living room, displaying extreme warmth—a stark contrast to his earlier demeanor with Yang Haoran and Guan Hai.
The two were a man and a woman. The man looked to be around twenty-three or twenty-four, not tall, perhaps only 1.65 meters, but he walked with considerable presence, each step landing with a sense of power.
The woman was very young, only seventeen or eighteen. Her height was similar to the man's, and she had a pair of striking, long, straight legs.
Following the trio were the members of the Wu family themselves. Even Wu Senior and Wu Junior were dutifully trailing behind the three.
As Yang Haoran observed them, the two halted their steps, seemingly sensing something, and turned their gaze towards Yang Haoran.
Seeing the two suddenly stop, Old Master Wu looked puzzled. Following their gaze, he saw Yang Haoran, who was smiling.
Old Master Wu's expression shifted slightly, then he quickly recovered, chuckling to the two. "Gentlemen, this is my granddaughter's friend, whom my granddaughter invited as a guest."
Old Master Wu hadn't been sure of Yang Haoran's abilities before, as he hadn't had a chance to speak with him before going out to greet his other guests.
However, now, despite there being three people in the living room, the two he had invited had focused their gaze solely on Yang Haoran, not even sparing a glance at Guan Hai or his granddaughter. This spoke volumes. Having navigated the business world for so many years, Old Master Wu certainly possessed such discernment.
"Old Master Wu truly lives up to his reputation as a prominent figure in Lecheng. He can invite anyone he pleases," the man said indifferently, then his gaze swept over Guan Hai and Wu Xiaoxiao. He continued, "Aren't you two cold, standing so close to him?"
At the man's words, both Guan Hai and Wu Xiaoxiao looked puzzled.
"It's the middle of winter, aren't you cold? " Guan Hai retorted.
The man didn't answer. Instead, the woman beside him let out a sweet chuckle and said, "Heh heh, indeed, it's truly cold in the middle of winter. Especially with how heavy the Yin Qi is in this villa, it'd be strange not to feel cold."
As she spoke, the woman smiled broadly, her eyes carrying a hint of provocation as she looked at the man beside her. Her words seemed to be intentionally mocking him.
The man didn't respond, his face stern, and he continued walking. Old Master Wu, seeing this, chuckled and quickly followed, casting another glance at Yang Haoran.
Yang Haoran, meanwhile, maintained a calm smile, his expression unwavering from beginning to end.
"Come, come, please, sit down and we can speak leisurely. The food and wine are all prepared, waiting only for your esteemed presence."
Old Master Wu warmly welcomed the two, yet his thoughts were on Yang Haoran.
Yang Haoran seemed ordinary, nothing particularly outstanding about him, but now it appeared he was far from simple. Old Master Wu had hoped to glean some clues from Yang Haoran's words and actions, but Yang Haoran had simply maintained that smiling expression, not speaking, leaving him unable to guess what was on Yang Haoran's mind.
Old Master Wu took the main seat, with the newly arrived man and woman seated on either side. Next were Wu Senior and Wu Junior.
Their seating arrangements had naturally been decided beforehand. The positions clearly indicated each person's importance. However, after Wu Senior sat down, Old Master Wu gave his eldest son a look.
Wu Senior was clever and had excellent chemistry with his father. Even without a word, a mere glance was enough for Wu Senior to understand his father's intent. Having just sat down, he immediately rose and walked towards Yang Haoran's position.
Yang Haoran and Guan Hai were seated in the least important area, as Old Master Wu had indeed shown them little regard earlier, merely considering them Wu Xiaoxiao's friends.
But now, due to the man's reaction, Old Master Wu's perception of Yang Haoran had dramatically shifted.
"My two young friends, you are honored guests of our Wu family. It's not appropriate for you to sit here. That is where you should be seated," Wu Senior said with a broad smile, pointing to the seat he had just vacated. He then subtly gestured to Wu Junior.
Though extremely reluctant, Wu Junior had no choice. He let out a cold snort, then stood up, freeing up a seat.
The Wu family was now trying to mend their fences. Guan Hai didn't speak, turning his gaze to Yang Haoran beside him.
Yang Haoran, however, simply stood up with a smile. He didn't utter a single word of refusal, nor did he make any sarcastic remarks about the Wu family's initial contempt. Instead, he just smiled and nodded to Wu Senior, then led Guan Hai towards the seats Wu Senior and Wu Junior had previously occupied.
Yang Haoran's decisive action caught the Wu family off guard, especially Old Master Wu, whose gaze towards Yang Haoran changed.
"What a shrewd young man! He not only gave our Wu family a way out but also displayed great magnanimity. Most importantly, his expression didn't change in the slightest from beginning to end, as if nothing had happened. This young man has such a profound mind and such deep cunning!"
Old Master Wu thought to himself, a newfound wariness emerging towards Yang Haoran. However, on his face, he maintained a benevolent smile, quickly ushering Yang Haoran to sit down, his attitude warm and completely unlike before.
Yang Haoran sat down with a smile, looking perfectly natural, not at all constrained, as if this weren't the Wu family villa but his own home.
Guan Hai sat beside Yang Haoran, in Wu Junior's previous seat. On Yang Haoran's other side sat the long-legged beauty from earlier.
As Yang Haoran sat down, the long-legged beauty gave an exaggerated shiver, immediately exclaiming, "So cold, so cold! Old Man Wu, does your huge villa not even have air conditioning?"
The long-legged beauty was only seventeen or eighteen, two years younger than Old Master Wu's granddaughter. Yet, in front of so many people, she directly addressed Old Master Wu as "Old Man Wu," and it rolled off her tongue so naturally that it made the other Wu family members frown.
However, Old Master Wu merely let out a hearty laugh, "Hahaha, hasn't the house been troubled lately? That's why it's been so cold inside during this time. Even with the air conditioning on, it's no use!"
"Oh, so that's what it is! I thought it was because of this big brother over here."
The long-legged beauty looked at Yang Haoran beside her, smiling sweetly, like a child. Her expression was very cute, but her words were clearly aimed at Yang Haoran.
Just moments ago, this woman said the house felt cold due to heavy Yin Qi, which was perfectly normal. But now she was saying something completely nonsensical, like her words were meant for another person.
Yang Haoran knew that her words were specifically directed at him, and whether they made sense or not wasn't important. But what made him curious was the hint of provocation in her sweet smile.
First, she provoked the man who came with her, and now she was provoking him. What exactly was she trying to do?
Comments