Ji Cheng's voice sounded calm, even carrying a hint of an elder's helpless admonishment toward a younger person's inappropriate behavior.
He controlled his expression perfectly, his brow slightly furrowed and just the right trace of heartache in his eyes, as though he truly were a loving father worried about his son "making a scene" on an important occasion.
Yet the barbs concealed in his words struck with precision.
"You can't act up the way you usually do"-that casually delivered remark seemed to refer to the special nature of today's occasion, but in reality, it suggested to the guests and reporters listening nearby that Ji Yunhuai was habitually reckless, willful, and ignorant of boundaries.
The implication was hardly subtle. Lu Xiaoxiao, at least, caught it immediately and inwardly curled her lip, cursing him as a sly old fox.
Still, she did not act impulsively. This was the Ji Family's turf, after all, and Old Master Ji's funeral. Plenty of media cameras were capturing the family's every move.
Although she could think of a hundred retorts that would leave Ji Cheng speechless, a rash counterattack now could give people ammunition regardless of whether she was in the right. It might even... cause Ji Yunhuai unnecessary trouble.
So, as soon as Ji Cheng finished speaking, Lu Xiaoxiao turned her gaze to Ji Yunhuai beside her, her calm eyes conveying complete trust and a clear message: I'll follow your lead whenever you need me.
This was Ji Yunhuai's family affair. How to handle it should be his decision.
Ji Yunhuai clearly had no intention of answering Ji Cheng's hypocritical challenge. He could not even be bothered to look at that affected expression. His gaze passed straight over Ji Cheng, undisguised mockery in his eyes, and settled coldly on the slender young man standing awkwardly