Volume One, Chapter 38: The Gratitude of the Second Branch of the Xiao Family

As the last trace of resentment faded, Chi Xingwan and Dada emerged from the illusion. The girl and the bird remained silent, neither speaking a word. Bitterness welled up in Chi Xingwan’s heart. Nalan Hexuan—what a spirited and talented youth he had been, yet he died young because of the curse on the Nalan family.

After a long while, Dada finally came to his senses. He asked, his voice tinged with disappointment, “Sister, did that person ever truly exist in reality?”

“Yes,” Chi Xingwan replied. “He was a descendant of my benefactor. Their entire family suffered under a curse—none of their descendants lived to see thirty.”

It had been so long since she’d confided in anyone that Chi Xingwan poured out many things she’d kept bottled up inside. “I will break the curse on their family. I will free them from the suffering that has lasted three thousand years,” she said at last.

...

Night fell. Xiao Yue sat by the window, gazing out at the scenery. On his computer, he had pulled up a biography of Nalan Hexuan. A war god of his generation, gone too soon—every mention of Nalan Hexuan was laced with regret and sorrow.

After a long time, Xiao Yue drained a glass of red wine, then called Yu Huan.

“Yu Huan, I need your help with something. Please look into my mother, Lan Yan’s, background for me.”

...

Chi Xingwan barely slept that night. The next day was Sunday, and she took the jade thumb ring with her to the Xiao family home.

Xiao Yue was still in his usual daze. Without guidance, he would sit motionless in the same spot for hours. Chi Xingwan crouched before him, slipped the jade ring onto his finger—it fit perfectly.

“May your ancestors watch over you,” she murmured.

Xiao Jin had heard Chi Xingwan had come and immediately ran out from the main villa. She crouched in the garden, finally catching sight of Chi Xingwan leaving the guest house.

“Hey—well, Chi Xingwan, I, um… about yesterday, thank you,” she said awkwardly.

Chi Xingwan only replied, “Oh. If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going.”

“Wait!” Xiao Jin hurriedly called after her. “My mother knows what happened yesterday. She wants to invite you to a meal.”

...

Chi Xingwan had almost no connection with the rest of the Xiao family and instinctively wanted to refuse. Xiao Jin quickly added, “If you say no, my mom will never forgive me.”

What does that have to do with me? Chi Xingwan wanted to say, but seeing the look in Xiao Jin’s eyes, she held her tongue. For all her sharp tongue and foolishness, Xiao Jin was not malicious. Besides, Chi Xingwan genuinely liked Xiao Jin’s mother, Min Ying, and didn’t want to come between mother and daughter.

“No need for a meal. The timing works out—why don’t we have afternoon tea together at home? No need to go out of your way.”

Xiao Jin breathed a sigh of relief and led Chi Xingwan into the main villa.

Xiao Duo had been reading a magazine in the living room. At the sight of Chi Xingwan, he tensed up like a mouse spotting a cat. Chi Xingwan glanced him over—he was still shrouded in bad luck, although it had lightened since their last encounter.

Xiao Jin also shot Xiao Duo a look, rolling her eyes in secret and mouthing, “Crazy.”

Once they passed through the living room and went upstairs, Chi Xingwan asked, “What’s going on with him lately?”

Xiao Jin replied without thinking, “He’s gone mad, suddenly acting the philanthropist—sponsoring children in poor mountain villages, setting up a charity foundation. He’s never been that kindhearted. Who knows what sort of scheme he’s planning.”

Chi Xingwan understood. This was Xiao Duo’s “atonement.” He had indeed done many good deeds, but his heart wasn’t truly in it; he was simply compelled to do so. That’s why his misfortune had eased only slightly, not fully dissipated.

Min Ying had just received Xiao Jin’s message and immediately ordered preparations. The terrace on the second floor was already set with tables and chairs, and the servants brought out refreshments one after another.

Chi Xingwan was surprised to find Xiao Jin’s father, Xiao Peijun, was also present. She stepped forward and greeted them, “Uncle, Aunt.”

Min Ying smiled. “Xingwan, thank you so much. If it hadn’t been for you, our silly Jin would have been in real trouble.”

Chi Xingwan returned her smile. “It was nothing—anyone would have helped, even a stranger.”

Min Ying and Xiao Peijun could tell that Chi Xingwan didn’t wish to become too close with Xiao Jin. Though they felt she was being a bit distant, in the end, it was Xiao Jin who had caused offense first, so they had no grounds to complain.

“Come, sit. Let’s chat and enjoy some tea,” Min Ying invited her.

The four of them sat together. They didn’t mention the events at the film studio again, instead chatting about daily life. After tea, Chi Xingwan rose to take her leave.

Min Ying and Xiao Peijun didn’t try to stop her. It was clear to them that, though Chi Xingwan was outwardly polite, she was guarded and wouldn’t easily let others in. They did want to build a good relationship with her, but pressing too hard would only backfire.

Chi Xingwan went downstairs and began searching the garden for Dada. At last, she found him perched on the windowsill of a third-floor room, staring intently inside.

She called to him several times, but Dada seemed not to hear. With no other choice, Chi Xingwan went back upstairs to retrieve her parrot.

When she reached the room, she knocked on the door.

After a moment, the door opened a crack. It was Xiao Ming, the third son of the family, who peered out, surprised. “Oh, it’s you, Sister Xingwan. Is there something you need?”

“My parrot is perched outside your window. I came to take him back.”

Xiao Ming understood and said, “I’ll get him for you,” but did not invite her in.

With the door ajar, Chi Xingwan could hear a commotion inside, along with muffled curses—not Xiao Ming’s voice. Xiao Ming didn’t reappear for some time, and Chi Xingwan, growing concerned, hesitated, then pushed the door open and entered.

The curtains were half drawn; the room was dim. On the bed, someone was tied up, their mouth stuffed with a steamed bun, cursing incoherently. Xiao Ming and his sister, Xiao Yu, were scrambling around the room, trying to catch Dada.

“What are you doing?” Chi Xingwan asked.

Xiao Ming and Xiao Yu turned and were startled to see her enter. They exchanged glances. Xiao Ming darted over and shut the door. Just then, the person on the bed finally spat out the bun and immediately shouted, “You two ungrateful wretches, let me go!”

Only then did Chi Xingwan realize that the one tied to the bed was their elder brother, Xiao Rui, the eldest son of the third branch.

Xiao Rui continued to curse, but Xiao Ming, unable to bear it, stuffed a fresh bun into his mouth right in front of Chi Xingwan.

“So, what exactly are you doing? Does Grandma know about this?” Chi Xingwan asked.

Xiao Ming pleaded, “Sister Xingwan, please don’t tell Grandma.”

Xiao Yu nodded in agreement. “We’re not trying to hurt our brother—it’s for his own good.”