"Big Brother! Sister-in-law, did you drive Xiaohui and the others out? My daughter’s mistakes are for me, her father, to discipline. Just like your Xiaohui—I have never overstepped my bounds and interfered with Big Brother’s authority to reprimand them." Grandpa Yu was visibly upset. That’s his big brother, but he couldn’t stand his granddaughter being bullied.
Bai Xiao already didn’t have that strong a sense of belonging with them. If Big Brother kept causing a commotion like that, wouldn’t they assume she felt the same way? Wasn’t the little bit of foundation that had just been built now entirely ruined?
Uncle Yu’s eyes were wide with rage. "Second Brother! You’re really something! I’m standing up for you, yet you help her speak? Your family sticks together, huh? So it’s just my wife and I meddling in someone else’s business now, isn’t it?"
Grandpa Yu didn’t respond, but his attitude very much suggested agreement.
Yu Shaoyan quickly stepped in to smooth things over.
"Uncle, Dad, you’re both brothers! Why are we, as one family, being so meticulous with our words? Uncle! We’re all family; one pen can’t write two Yu characters. Why let this cause tension? Let’s not fight—we’re all family. Come on, since Bai Xiao and An Zhiyuan are here, let’s start eating, start eating. Let’s all gather together warmly and give the newlyweds a proper welcome."
Uncle Yu’s wife tugged on his arm, leaving him no choice but to suppress his anger, give a cold snort, and turn his head away so as not to look at Bai Xiao and An Zhiyuan.
Finally, the family sat at the table.
But this meal was far from enjoyable. Grandpa Yu and Grandma Yu deeply regretted it. If they had known earlier, they wouldn’t have invited Big Brother and his wife’s family over. Instead of a joyful reunion, they’d ended up upsetting Bai Xiao.
Yu Shaoyan and his wife worked hard to enliven the atmosphere, and although it remained awkward and strained, most people’s attitudes had softened. Uncle Yu didn’t make things difficult for Bai Xiao anymore, but he still didn’t look at her with much kindness.
However, Uncle Yu’s grandson Yu Feimeng and granddaughter Yu Feiyuan remained indifferent toward Bai Xiao, their attitude unchanged.
Bai Xiao, however, couldn’t care less. She had come to Modu for her studies, not to bond with relatives. Grandpa Yu and Grandma Yu treated her exceptionally well, almost as if they were willing to offer their hearts on a platter for her. As for everyone else? It didn’t matter. She had no need to cater to their moods.
If anything made her unhappy, she could simply choose not to interact with them.
An Zhiyuan gripped Bai Xiao’s hand tightly, giving her his support. This strengthened their resolve to live outside the family home. They were willing to spend money just to reduce the chances of running into them in the future.
Some feelings of regret simmered in An Zhiyuan’s heart. Where was the honor he had promised Bai Xiao? What happened to the idea that a wife’s status is bolstered by her husband’s success?
Suddenly, An Zhiyuan felt disappointed in himself.
A man should protect his wife, but in every instance, it seemed like Bai Xiao was the one protecting him. Without Bai Xiao, wouldn’t he already be crushed to dust?
At that moment, Yu Feimeng glanced at An Zhiyuan, his expression openly provocative.
"An Zhiyuan, what rank are you even at? Judging by the looks of it, your injuries aren’t minor. Why did you come to Modu for treatment? Need me to help you connect with a well-known hospital?" He clearly couldn’t stomach Bai Xiao’s earlier defiance toward his grandfather—this was his attempt to regain face by targeting An Zhiyuan.
Having noticed An Zhiyuan’s injuries, he seized the opportunity for this conversation. His intentions toward An Zhiyuan were definitively hostile.
He wanted Bai Xiao to beg him.
After all, he was a surgeon at Changhe Hospital—a job many envied. He was confident Bai Xiao and An Zhiyuan must have already heard of him.