The Provincial Capital

The next day, after making all the arrangements, Su Ye got into the Porsche and set off.

Su Ye drove all the way into Xiao Xiao's villa before stopping.

Xiao Xiao had long been waiting at the entrance to the main hall for Su Ye. When she saw a silver Porsche slowly drive into the villa grounds, her eyes lit up and she immediately stood.

"You're so slow! I've been waiting forever!"

Xiao Xiao pretended to be angry as she spoke to Su Ye, who was stepping out of the driver's seat.

"Cut me some slack, Sister Xiao. I live a long way away!"

Su Ye smiled helplessly at Xiao Xiao.

Today, Xiao Xiao wore a white sweatshirt and a short black skirt, along with high heels whose brand Su Ye couldn't name. Her beautiful black hair was tied behind her shoulders, and she wore light makeup!

Although Xiao Xiao was already thirty, she had taken such good care of herself that she looked only twenty-five or twenty-six!

"Let's eat something before we go!"

As she spoke, Xiao Xiao reached for Su Ye to take him to the dining room, but Su Ye had already eaten. He waved her off and said:

"I've already eaten, Sister Xiao. I can't eat another bite! You go ahead. I'll sit here and wait for you!"

"All right, then. Watch some TV in the living room. Make yourself at home and don't be shy!"

With that, Xiao Xiao headed toward the dining room, while Su Ye went into the living room and sat down!

On the expressway from Lingnan to the provincial capital, a silver-white Porsche 918 was speeding along.

Su Ye was driving, while Xiao Xiao sat in the passenger seat wearing sunglasses, admiring the scenery along the way!

"Sister Xiao, does your father like tea?"

Su Ye broke the silence with his question to Xiao Xiao.

"Tea? Yes, he does. People his age like drinking tea!"

Xiao Xiao turned her head from the right to answer Su Ye.

"Why do you ask?"

Xiao Xiao looked at Su Ye's profile and asked curiously.

"I made some tea myself and was planning to give Elder Xiao some to try. I thought I'd ask you about it first!"

Su Ye turned his face toward Xiao Xiao as he spoke.

"Oh, I've already prepared the birthday presents for Dad from both of us!"

Xiao Xiao said to Su Ye.

"Uh... what did you prepare?"

"Besides practicing boxing all day, my dad also likes to fiddle with antiques and things like that. I bought two ancient paintings and calligraphy pieces for him this time. I'll just give you one to present to him!"

"Don't worry. He'll be happy enough that you could take the time to visit him. Whatever you give him, he'll love it!"

Xiao Xiao explained to Su Ye.

Su Ye was somewhat speechless. Did Xiao Xiao seem to have feelings for him? Or was he being too sensitive? She was just grateful to you. You had treated her father's hidden ailment; you had merely saved his life...

Su Ye and Xiao Xiao drove for several hours and finally arrived in the provincial capital.

The capital of Guanhai Province was called Guanhai City. It stood at a major transportation hub, so it was extremely prosperous and was even known as the little capital of the southwest!

Su Ye drove along the road while Xiao Xiao, sitting in the passenger seat, gave him directions.

It wasn't that Su Ye didn't know the way. He had attended university in Guanhai City, but the city was too big, and besides, this was his first visit to Xiao Qiujun's house!

About half an hour later, Su Ye drove slowly into the grounds of a large, luxurious villa in the south of the city.

After parking the car, Su Ye and Xiao Xiao picked up their things and walked into the villa!

At that moment, in the Xiao Family's back garden, Xiao Qiujun was playing Chinese chess with an elderly man!

The old man was Li Xin, a brother who had shared life and death with Xiao Qiujun on the battlefield when they were young.

Li Xin had a son, but years ago, his son and daughter-in-law had been killed after falling victim to an enemy's plot, leaving behind only a daughter who depended on Li Xin as he depended on her.

"Checkmate! Haha, Brother Jun, you lost again!"

Li Xin's voice suddenly rang out.

"Eh? I made the wrong move last turn. I didn't mean to move it like that!"

Xiao Qiujun slapped his forehead and spoke in frustration!

In the front courtyard, Xiao Xiao and Su Ye carried their things into the villa's main hall.

Quite a few people had already arrived, about a dozen in all. Some had gathered in twos and threes, sipping wine or drinking tea, while several well-dressed ladies were playing mahjong at a table!

When he saw Su Ye and Xiao Xiao appear, a middle-aged man of about forty immediately called out:

"Little sister! Why are you only getting back now?"

"I live neither close nor far away. Unlike you, those who live nearby got here in no time, and those who live far away came back yesterday!"

Xiao Xiao defended herself.

"What's this? Aren't you going to introduce him to your big brother?"

When Xiao Zhentong saw a young man carrying things beside Xiao Xiao, he teased her.

"Oh, big brother, what are you thinking? His name is Su Ye. He's the one who cured Dad's hidden ailment."

Xiao Xiao rolled her eyes at Xiao Zhentong and explained, blushing.

"Oh? So you're Su Ye. I heard Father say that your medical skills are outstanding, Brother Su, and that you have unique attainments in martial arts as well. Now that I've met you, I can see you're an impressive young man indeed!"

"I'm Xiao Zhentong, the eldest in the family!"

Surprised by Su Ye's youth, Xiao Zhentong went on to introduce himself.

"Elder Xiao exaggerated. I'm not really as capable as he made me out to be."

Su Ye spoke in embarrassment.

At that moment, the others gathered around and greeted Su Ye as well!

There were Xiao Qiujun's eldest son, Xiao Zhentong, and his wife; his second son, Xiao Fengyang, and his wife; and his third son, Xiao Zhiyan. Most were members of the Xiao Family, while a few were relatives with other surnames or acquaintances and friends.

Everyone began chatting. At that moment, Xiao Xiao came over and asked Xiao Zhentong:

"Big brother, where's Dad?"

"He's playing Chinese chess with Uncle Li in the back courtyard!"

Xiao Zhentong answered without turning his head, then went back to chatting with Su Ye.

When Xiao Xiao learned that Xiao Qiujun and Li Xin were playing chess in the back courtyard, she headed there alone!

Meanwhile, in the back courtyard!

"Checkmate! Haha, Brother Jun, you'll admit it this time, won't you?"

Li Xin spoke to Xiao Qiujun. In the previous game, Xiao Qiujun had cheated and taken back a move, causing Li Xin to lose when he would otherwise have won.

"Hm? No, Xiao Xin, I moved here last turn."

Xiao Qiujun picked up a chess piece and began making excuses.

"Hey, Brother Jun, you're already this old. Can't you bear to lose? You can't cheat like that!"

Li Xin angrily scolded Xiao Qiujun as well.

"Dad, what are you two doing?"

Xiao Xiao happened to catch them in the act and asked.

Seeing his daughter arrive, Xiao Qiujun and Li Xin both put away their mischievous behavior and asked Xiao Xiao:

"When did you get back? Did Su Ye come with you?"

"He did. He's talking with big brother and the others in the main hall right now."

Xiao Xiao explained to Xiao Qiujun.