Hearing Chen Xiao's words, Zhou Yuanyuan was stunned.
She didn't know what had happened between Li Ziqing and Chen Xiao, but she knew how much weight his words carried.
Silence followed, then her eyes reddened, and tears began to flow.
"This child has suffered so much. I wonder what she's been through all these years."
Zhou Yuanyuan's heart ached, and tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.
Chen Xiao took a deep breath and said with conviction, "Auntie, don't worry. I will treat Ziqing well for the rest of my life. Anyone who dares to bully her, I'll beat them until they kneel before Ziqing and beg for mercy."
Zhou Yuanyuan nodded, then suddenly smiled faintly. "Auntie believes you, and Auntie believes in Ziqing's choice. Little Chen, congratulations, you've passed Auntie's test."
Zhou Yuanyuan's smile was tinged with tears, and only then did Chen Xiao realize that everything Zhou Yuanyuan had done was merely a test for him.
Fortunately, and as expected, Chen Xiao passed the test.
At this moment, Zhou Yuanyuan added, "If Elder Sister and Elder Brother were still alive, they would surely be very pleased with you..."
Chen Xiao felt as if struck by lightning. Although he had guessed it, hearing his aunt say it personally still made him freeze.
He couldn't help but ask, "Auntie, Ziqing's parents..."
Zhou Yuanyuan's expression faltered slightly as she asked, "Ziqing, didn't she tell you?"
"No, she never mentioned it."
Chen Xiao shook his head with a bitter smile.
"Oh..."
Zhou Yuanyuan considered for a moment, then said, "It seems she's not ready to tell you how to talk about it. It's a painful memory for her, so when she's ready to tell you, that's when she'll have truly let go. Until then, you can only wait patiently, do you understand, Little Chen?"
"Yes, I understand, Auntie. Don't worry, I have plenty of patience."
Chen Xiao chuckled lightly.
Zhou Yuanyuan nodded with satisfaction. She was increasingly pleased with the boyfriend Ziqing had found, possessing a maturity and steadiness beyond his years.
Compared to the young men from prominent families she often interacted with, he was far superior.
"Little Chen, since you and Ziqing are determined to attend the Old Master's birthday banquet, I won't stop you. However, I must give you a few words of caution."
Zhou Yuanyuan cautioned, "The Old Master has a terrible temper, but no matter what he says or does, I advise you not to get angry. Endure if you can, and even if you can't, you must endure."
Chen Xiao was puzzled. "Why? If he bullies Ziqing, am I just supposed to watch?"
Zhou Yuanyuan said with a wry smile, "If he goes too far, I will protect you both with my life. But if he merely scolds you a few times, do not confront him, because our Old Master is no ordinary man."
"Oh? What do you mean by 'not ordinary'?"
Chen Xiao's confusion deepened.
Zhou Yuanyuan explained, "Wei City has many ports, and when the Old Master was thirty, he was already a king of the docks. Moreover, he started from scratch, with no backing or connections, and made the Zhou family a prominent family in Wei City. It can be said that everything the Zhou family possesses today was earned through his own efforts."
"Furthermore, a man like him, in terms of schemes and methods, is far beyond ordinary elders."
"If he wants to kill someone, he doesn't even need to send people himself. With just a word, countless young men eager to make a name for themselves will risk their lives for him."
"Of course, at the banquet, he certainly won't make a big fuss about you, but over the years, he has always had a mysterious expert by his side. I haven't seen him act, but I know he is a hidden blade, ready to kill when unsheathed!"
Chen Xiao couldn't help but wonder, "Auntie, you haven't seen him act, so how do you know how powerful he is?"
Zhou Yuanyuan answered with a question, "Little Chen, you've heard that Ziqing offended the five great families of the Imperial City, haven't you? Do you know why she's still alive?"
Chen Xiao replied, "I heard it was the Northern Border God of War who protected her?"
Zhou Yuanyuan nodded, then shook her head. "Yes and no. It is said that the reason the five great families didn't pursue Ziqing to the death was simply because that person made a trip to the Imperial City."
Chen Xiao was somewhat surprised. He hadn't expected Li Ziqing's maternal grandfather to have such a formidable figure by his side.
"Auntie, do you know his name?"
Chen Xiao asked, thinking that if he could get the name, he might be able to inquire with Gongsun Yi or Gu Zhendong. If he was as powerful as his aunt described, he would certainly not be an unknown figure.
However, upon hearing Chen Xiao's question, Zhou Yuanyuan shook her head. "I don't know his name, only that his surname is Luo. We all call him Uncle Luo."
Seeing Chen Xiao's silence, Zhou Yuanyuan thought he was scared and tried to comfort him, "But you don't need to worry too much. Remember Auntie's words: a little patience brings peace, and taking a step back opens up a wider world."
Chen Xiao smiled and said nothing. Those who could make him yield or retreat had yet to appear in this world.
"Alright, Little Chen, let's go out. We mustn't keep Ziqing waiting."
The two left the study, and Zhou Yuanyuan said with a smile, "Auntie will show off her cooking skills today. Ziqing, you haven't eaten Auntie's cooking in a long time, don't you miss it?"
"I do, I'm already drooling!"
Li Ziqing said like a child.
"Then you two rest for a while, Auntie will go buy some groceries and make you a delicious meal when she gets back!"
"Auntie, we'll go with you!"
"No need. You must be tired from the journey. You two should rest quickly!"
Amidst laughter, Zhou Yuanyuan went out to buy groceries.
Li Ziqing immediately pulled Chen Xiao aside and asked in a low voice, "Did Auntie say anything to you?"
Chen Xiao chuckled. "Auntie said she's very satisfied with me and agreed to marry you to me!"
Li Ziqing rolled her eyes and whispered, "You're crazy. Auntie wouldn't say that. Besides, I haven't decided if I want to marry you yet!"
"Then think about it carefully now?"
Chen Xiao asked with a mischievous smile.
"I won't!"
Li Ziqing pouted, then suddenly grabbed Chen Xiao's hand. "Come on, I'll show you around my house!"
Li Ziqing pulled Chen Xiao, and they toured the house from top to bottom. She recounted what had happened in every corner to Chen Xiao.
Chen Xiao listened intently, as if he had experienced those years alongside Li Ziqing.
Finally, they arrived at Li Ziqing's bedroom. Fortunately, that woman Lin Xiaolian hadn't occupied it.
Li Ziqing took off her shoes and lay on the bed barefoot, her eyes sparkling. "You're the first man I've brought here."
"And you'll be the last!"
Chen Xiao's lips curved upwards, and he leaned in...