Xie Tang seized the opening. "Ah Qian, look how pitiful they are." She put on such a show of sympathy that, had the Oscar judges been present, they would surely have given her ninety points.
Luo Qian took the offered way out. "Since you've spoken up, all right. But you know this is a contest. I can't win just because I want to." His eyes darted from one of them to another. The eldest brother immediately cupped his fists. "Rest assured, Uncle. We'll help you!"
The Lu family rose to leave. While everyone milled around, the fourth sister-in-law quietly slipped her teacup into her sleeve, then hurried over and caught Du Lengning. "Young Master Du, my little sister wants to ask for your Communication Conch channel. You know how shy young ladies can be..." You know young ladies can be shy? Du Lengning thought. Have you seen how badly your sister embarrassed you?
The fourth sister-in-law smiled at him but refused to let go. Her stance said plainly that she would not release him until he gave her his number. How could Du Lengning possibly give it to her? If some woman called while he was being intimate with Li Xuexiao... The thought alone frightened him. An idea struck. "I don't have a Communication Conch. Oh, my assistant handles all my affairs." He snapped his fingers and beckoned to Xiao Xiangzi, who stood by the door. "Xiao, come here a moment."
"This is my assistant. Just call him Xiao. Xiao, give the fourth sister-in-law your Communication Conch channel." Du Lengning spoke with a perfectly straight face, as though it were true. Xiao Xiangzi seethed. What ill wind had blown through his fortunes today? First he had played a "Palace Attendant," and now he had become Du Lengning's assistant! Burning with