He knew better than anyone what his daughter, whom he had raised, was thinking in her heart. Tang Jingci probably really liked this brat.

Breaking up the couple would make people dissatisfied with him, so he was unwilling to do it.

After being overseas for so long, he was very open-minded. He knew very well that his daughter’s feelings were more important than anything else. But when he thought about the two of them having an affair under his nose, he felt very uncomfortable.

They were too bold.

“Senior Brother, Xiyan did something wrong. As his father, I can’t absolve myself from the blame…

“Heredity is really a magical thing. Back then, I got my wife like this too.”

Qiao Wangbei smiled very openly. He loved his wife. When wooing her, he could even rip his heart out for her, let alone care about something like face.

“Xiyan’s mother passed away early, and I neglected to discipline him and didn’t take care of him enough, so he inevitably has a frivolous personality.

“He was quite wild when he was young. At the time, I was also hot-tempered and would hit him for no reason, so we weren’t very close, and he wouldn’t tell me anything.

“This is indeed not a small matter. He did something improper and didn’t inform you in advance. I’m also responsible.”

…

Qiao Wangbei looked a little lonely.

Song Fengwan lowered her head and chewed on the orange, her mouth full of bitterness.

In her heart, her uncle had always had a lofty and capable image. He had never opened up his heart for others to see like he was doing now.

A proud and aloof wolf suddenly revealed his most vulnerable side. Anyone who heard what he said would feel sour in their hearts.

After all, he and Tang Wangjin were junior and senior brothers, like brothers and fathers.

When Tang Wangjin heard what he said, his heart was sore.

It turned out that his junior brother looked strong on the outside but had such a fragile and sensitive side on the inside. His heart softened.

“Wangbei, don’t say that. I understand.”

“I didn’t educate my son well, and he made a mistake. As his father, I should be punished. If you want to hit or scold him, just come at me.”

“Look at what you’re saying. Aren’t you slapping my face? What kind of relationship do we have as brothers? If Master hadn’t nurtured me back then, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

“But Xiyan truly did something wrong.”

“They didn’t do it on purpose. Their relationship is unstable, so I can understand why they wanted to hide it from us temporarily.” Tang Wangjin pulled him to his side.

“Wangbei, it’s been so many years. Don’t always live in the past. People have to look forward.

“Xiyan is already thirty years old. Be it his looks or character, he’s one in a million. He’s already very outstanding. So don’t think too much about it. It’s already very good that you could raise your child to this extent.”

…

The atmosphere suddenly changed.

It became Tang Wangjin comforting him.

Song Fengwan was still thinking about her aunt and felt that her uncle hadn’t had an easy time all these years. Then she felt Fu Chen approach her slightly.

His breath was hot, and he smelled of sandalwood.

“Your uncle couldn’t use force, so he used soft tactics. He’s putting in a lot of effort for your cousin’s marriage.”

“Huh?” Song Fengwan was puzzled.

Only then did she realize something.

This was originally a criticism meeting aimed at Tang Jingci and Qiao Xiyan. Why did it become comforting Qiao Wangbei?

“Senior Brother, I can understand why you don’t agree to the marriage of these two children. Xiyan was in the wrong first. But since they like each other so much, I hope you’ll give them a chance.

“They’re both our loved ones. Don’t force them.

“As a father, I’m really incompetent.”

Tang Wangjin’s heart ached for his junior brother. His heart had already softened a moment ago, let alone now.

He immediately agreed. “I know. I’ll give them a chance. But how they develop in the future will depend on their own luck.”

“I know. Even when I think about it after so many years, I still feel bitter.”

“What’s there to be bitter about? I’ll treat you to a drink later. You’re just too tense. You need to relax appropriately.”

…

Qiao Aiyun had only just changed her son’s diaper.

Just now, she had heard that the two of them seemed like they were about to fight. Why were they hugging each other and even going out to drink now?

The situation changed very quickly.

Taking advantage of this moment when her father wasn’t paying attention, Tang Jingci secretly leaned toward Qiao Xiyan. “The older, the wiser. Uncle-Master is quite impressive.”

Qiao Xiyan rubbed his nose. This was the first time he felt that his father…

… was actually an actor.

He used both soft and hard tactics, confusing Tang Wangjin’s focus.

He had fallen into his trap in a daze.

***

Yan Wangchuan’s family was going to the old Fu residence for dinner tonight. Tang Wangjin called Duan Linbai and asked him if there were any good places to go in the capital in the winter.

Then Tang Wangjin and Qiao Wangbei threw Qiao Xiyan and Tang Jingci aside, put their arms around each other’s shoulders, and went to a sauna. Later, they even ate hotpot and drank wine.

When Qiao Xiyan and Tang Jingci went to the hotpot restaurant to pick them up, the two of them were still holding wine glasses and complaining.

At the mention of his deceased wife, Qiao Wangbei’s eyes were still slightly red. When they reminisced about Old Master Qiao, the two senior and junior brothers almost hugged each other and cried.

This made the two of them feel a little awkward, and they almost pretended not to know them.

Duan Linbai helped book the hotel rooms, and Qiao Xiyan helped the two of them back to the rooms one by one. When he settled his father down, he helped him take off his coat and shoes, covered him with a blanket, and prepared to wring a towel to wipe his sweat.

When he came out of the bathroom, Qiao Wangbei was leaning against the head of the bed and staring at his phone in a daze.

“Dad, you’re not drunk?”

“It’s too cold in the capital. When the cold wind blows, even the strongest alcohol will make you reminiscent.”

Qiao Xiyan passed him the towel and saw his phone screen from the corner of his eye.

It was a picture of her mother.

“Xiyan, Little Ci is a good child. If you love her, treat her well with all your heart. When I see your mother in the future, I’ll be able to tell her that you’re doing well.

“For most of my life, I’ve been alone, but it wasn’t bitter. Being acquainted with your mother and having a son like you, my life was worth it.

“I’m just worried that you’ll be the only one left in the Qiao family after I leave. It’ll be very lonely.”

…

Qiao Wangbei had drunk some alcohol. Coupled with the fact that his son was in love, he suddenly became very emotional. These words made Qiao Xiyan’s heart ache.

“Xiyan…”

“Huh?”

“Finally, someone wants you. I was so worried that you wouldn’t be able to get a wife. I heard that tens of millions of men in the country are single now. Say, Little Ci looks quite smart, but why doesn’t she have good taste?”

Qiao Xiyan was very emotional just now. But at this moment, he only wanted to throw the wrung towel at his face.