Yuk Dalong was confident. Showing myself to be completely obedient to Mister Xu's words will definitely satisfy him!

But Xu Ke was taken aback. Climbing a mountain? What is he talking about...? Then it dawned on him. Oh, right. Yuk Dalong still thinks he's "poisoned."

After he scammed the Li Family, he had originally planned to tell Yuk Dalong that he wasn't poisoned. But seeing Yuk Dalong so happy about his mountain climbing, he was conflicted. Should I tell him the truth or not...?

In the end, Xu Ke chose not to. "That's good, then. You look quite healthy, so you won't have an episode today. You don't need to take the antidote."

Yuk Dalong was overjoyed. "Really?"

Xu Ke nodded.

Yuk Dalong was instantly as cheerful as if it were the New Year. He then asked, "By the way, Mister Xu, are you having dinner here today?"

"I'm eating with my family," Xu Ke said, then paused. "Right, do you have an intern working for you named Nie Qinghe?"

Yuk Dalong thought for a moment. "I think there is someone by that name."

Xu Ke smiled. "Call him over to Room 208 later. He's my aunt's son."

"Understood!" Yuk Dalong replied.

"Alright, I'm heading back. Enjoy your team-building event, President Yuk."

Xu Ke nodded, turned, and walked away.

"Take care, Mister Xu." Yuk Dalong smiled as he saw Xu Ke off.

Afterward, Yuk Dalong walked to the front desk. "Put the bill for Room 208 on my tab."

"Yes, President Yuk!" The waiter recognized Yuk Dalong and quickly handled the request.

Watching Xu Ke's retreating figure, a wave of joy washed over Yuk Dalong. It was a wonderful thing to have Xu Ke chat with him so pleasantly. If only I weren't poisoned, then things would be even better!

「...」

「Private Room 208」

After Xu Ke returned and they had all ordered their food, the door was pushed open by Nie Qinghe.

Just a moment ago, Yuk Dalong had returned to his private room and called Nie Qinghe out, telling him to go and be with his family. Nie Qinghe was pleasantly surprised, thinking he had caught President Yuk's eye and was receiving special treatment.

"Qing He, aren't you supposed to be at a team-building event?" Xu Feng'an asked, puzzled.

A look of pride touched Nie Qinghe's face. "President Yuk told me I didn't need to attend. He said I should spend time with my family and that this was a privilege for the best intern!"

Although Nie Qinghe had no idea how Yuk Dalong knew his family was also there, it didn't stop him from feeling proud. Maybe... I'm so outstanding that President Yuk specifically investigated my family and recognized them at a glance today! he thought.

"That's my son, so capable!" Xu Feng'an immediately gave him a thumbs-up.

"Now that Qing He is here, let's eat together," Xu Zhenguo said.

"Alright, Uncle," Nie Qinghe replied as he took a seat.

「...」

The dishes had been served, but they had barely taken a few bites when Xu Feng'an started in. "Ahem, didn't we come to Tianhai to discuss Xiao Ke's marriage engagement? But don't you feel like we're missing an important person?"

Xu Zhenguo immediately put down his chopsticks, his brow furrowed.

Xu Zhenmin's voice boomed as if through a megaphone. "What person? It looks like everyone's here to me."

"Wong Qifu, of course! How can we discuss the engagement without her?" Xu Feng'an turned to Xu Ke. "Xiao Ke, why hasn't Wong Qifu come over? It was one thing for her not to pick us up this morning, but why isn't she here for the meal? What's the matter? Does she look down on us?"

As her words fell, everyone's gaze turned to Xu Ke.

Xu Ke's eyes flickered. "Qi Fu was going to come, but I told her to finish her work first. The corporation is very busy right now."

He wasn't explaining himself to Xu Feng'an. He was worried Shen Fen and Xu Zhenguo would get a bad impression of Wong Qifu, so he spoke up on her behalf.

Hearing this, Shen Fen quickly nodded. "Yes, yes, let her finish her work! Let her finish her work!"

Xu Zhenguo remained noncommittal.

Seeing this, Xu Feng'an scoffed. "Finish her work? What could possibly be so important? Even matters of state aren't as important as your parents-in-law coming to visit! I'm telling you, she just looks down on our Xu Family. Do you all understand? Sister-in-law, you have to be careful when choosing a daughter-in-law. Don't end up bringing an ancestor into the family! It's one thing if she doesn't respect you, but what if she leads your son astray? Be careful, or you'll have no one to care for you in your old age!"

At these words, Shen Fen's expression changed drastically, and Xu Zhenguo's fists clenched tightly. Her words were like a dagger to the heart.

A smug look spread across Xu Feng'an's face. As long as she could make Shen Fen fear that Wong Qifu would cause her to lose her precious son, she might be able to convince Shen Fen to join her in extorting money from Wong Qifu.

But at that moment, Xu Ke exploded with rage.

He couldn't care less how Xu Feng'an chose to stir up trouble for him. But if she upset his mother and tarnished Wong Qifu's first impression in her eyes, Xu Ke was ready to throw Xu Feng'an out of the room, chair and all.

So, as the room fell deathly silent, Xu Ke suddenly roared, his face dark, "Xu Feng'an, this isn't Nie Family Village! Don't you dare stir up trouble!"

The shout was like a clap of thunder, shocking everyone and causing their expressions to change.

Nie Qinghe slammed his hand on the table. "Xu Ke, what is that tone you're using with my mother? She is your elder!"

"Elder?" Xu Ke sneered. "I have no such shameless 'elders'!"

"Xu Ke..." Xu Feng'an seethed.

But Xu Zhenguo spoke up. "Xu Ke, show some respect. That's your aunt, not a stranger!"

Xu Ke said nothing, his face an icy mask. Xu Feng'an had belittled his mother countless times, and this was not the first time Xu Ke had cursed her to her face. But every time, Xu Zhenguo would shut him down, telling him to respect his elders. Because of this, the older Xu Ke got, the less he and his father spoke to one another.

Seeing Xu Ke fall silent, Xu Feng'an sneered, "Did you hear that? I'm your aunt!"

This time, however, Xu Zhenguo didn't let her off. He bellowed, "Fourth sister, you've been doing nothing but looking for trouble since you arrived in Tianhai. If I wasn't your big brother, I would have slapped you long ago. Do you doubt that?"

Xu Zhentai, hearing this, was stunned. When had his older brother become like this?

Xu Ke also revealed a look of surprise.

Xu Feng'an's face drained of color. "Big brother, what are you saying?"

"What am I saying? You know perfectly well what you're doing!" Xu Zhenguo's face was livid. "If you keep causing trouble for no reason, I will throw you out!"

Seeing this, Xu Zhenmin could no longer stay quiet. "Big brother, Fourth Sister hasn't said anything wrong. On what grounds would you throw her out?"

Xu Zhenguo glared at him. "Hasn't said anything wrong? Everything she's said has been about us fearing we won't have anyone to care for us in our old age, pushing us to ask Wong Qifu for money! Do you think everyone is as shameless as you?"

At this, Nie Qinghe stood up and stared at Xu Zhenguo. "Uncle, I respect you as my elder, so I won't use harsh words, but you are the one in the wrong today! My mother is thinking wholeheartedly about the Xu Family. She's afraid Xu Ke will be kept by Wong Qifu and that you'll have no one to provide for you in your old age, so she's trying to get you more money. What's wrong with that? She's already married into the Nie Family. Do you really think she'd get a single cent of the money Wong Qifu gives you? Wouldn't it all go to you? Why do you have to be so aggressive? What did my mother do wrong? Now I get it. Our family comes to you with warmth, and you just give us the cold shoulder!"

Nie Qinghe declared, his voice ringing with righteous conviction.

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