"If they knew you were coming back so early, they definitely wouldn’t go out for social gatherings, they’d be at home waiting for you," Xia Dai said.
At this moment, a worker brought two plates of fruit from the back kitchen to the living room.
"Youyou is back?" It was Auntie Li, who has worked in the Xia family for over twenty years.
"Hello Auntie Li." Ning Youguang smiled and asked, "How’s your health lately?"
"Quite good." Auntie Li beamed, "Working here, how could my health be bad?"
She said with a laugh, "Whenever I’m a bit unwell, Dr. Xia soon gets me diagnosed and cured."
"That’s good," Ning Youguang smiled.
"Did you have lunch, Youyou? If you haven’t, I’ll whip you up something from the kitchen?" Auntie Li asked with concern.
"I’ve had lunch," Ning Youguang said, "I’d like some tea. Auntie Li, could you make me a pot of longan jujube tea?"
Auntie Li replied happily, "I’ll get it prepared right away."
After Auntie Li left.
Xia Dai asked Ning Youguang, "Do you have anything you need to take out? If not, I’ll help you carry your suitcase to your room."
"Thank you, Daidai," Ning Youguang said.
Once Xia Dai went upstairs.
Ning Youguang asked Xia Fei, "What were you guys discussing just now? The atmosphere seemed a bit tense."
Xia Fei gritted her teeth and cursed, "Xia Dai’s a fool."
Ning Youguang asked, "What happened to him?"
Xia Fei said with a headache, "He’s being played round and round by a cunning woman, yet he thinks she’s the best person in the world."
Ning Youguang curiously asked, "What do you mean?"
Xia Fei said angrily, "It’s partly my fault."
Ning Youguang became more curious, "How is it your fault?"
Xia Fei said, "Because I was the one who introduced that cunning woman to Daidai."
Then, she slowly explained to Ning Youguang the whole backstory:
"That girl is named Xiaoxue. Earlier this year, she joined our company and became a member of our company’s administrative department..."
Although the administrative department was not Xia Fei’s department.
It was a very dynamic department.
The office area of Xia Fei’s company’s administrative department happened to be very close to the area where her department was.
This girl named Xiaoxue looked good, with a sweet and likable appearance, and she had a good personality and was very articulate.
Soon after she joined Xia Fei’s company, she had developed a good rapport with people.
Xia Fei often ran into her when going to the break room.
As the boss of her department, Xiaoxue would always greet her and initiate a chat whenever they met in the break room.
Being colleagues and often meeting in the break room, chatting idly, the two of them became more acquainted.
Once they became familiar, Xiaoxue would occasionally invite Xia Fei for afternoon tea, meals, drama shows, or movies.
Xia Fei enjoyed spending time with her.
As more time passed, she considered her a friend.
Therefore, when Xiaoxue lamented, "You locals are really lucky, having lots of friends, family, and relatives to hang out with during weekends and holidays. But I’m all alone here; sometimes, I want to go out and have fun but don’t know whom to ask."
Xia Fei, by nature, has a warm and cheerful personality.
When she heard Xiaoxue say this, she would occasionally invite her to join gatherings with friends.
After a few gatherings, Xiaoxue got to know Xia Dai.
Originally, Xia Fei thought it wasn’t a big deal for her brother to meet her friends.
However!
Little did she know that just a few months later, Xia Dai would say, "Sis, what do you think about me chasing Xiaoxue?"
Xia Fei was simply incredulous.
She introduced her brother to her friend, but she never intended for them to date!
Moreover, before Xia Dai told her he wanted to pursue Xiaoxue, she had no idea her friend and brother were seeing each other privately.
"You know, if they weren’t frequently meeting, how could Daidai possibly say this to me?" Xia Fei complained to Ning Youguang with a headache.
"Then why do you say she’s a cunning woman?" Ning Youguang asked.
"It’s all thanks to scumbags," Xia Fei responded.
"Scumbag" — the nickname for Xia Fei’s college boyfriend.
"What’s it got to do with him?" Ning Youguang was quite puzzled.
"Because she was deceived before, so before entering a relationship, she investigates the person thoroughly to decide whether or not to date them." Just then, Xia Dai descended the stairs.
Ning Youguang looked at Xia Fei, "You investigated Xiaoxue?"
Xia Fei replied with full justification, "Of course, Daidai’s so naive and head over heels about her; I had to check her out, didn’t I?"
Ning Youguang glanced at Xia Dai, who looked a bit solemn, "What did you find out?"
Xia Fei said angrily, "During her four years in college and three years in grad school, she intentionally chose courses related to art and psychology."