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108

translator: Eve
editors: kara

When Xiao Yuanmu finally found Mrs. Xiao, she was conversing with two other madams of similar age. Upon seeing Xiao Yuanmu come over, the smile on her face deepened, and she walked over to welcome him. Beaming, she pulled him over by the hand. “You’re here. Come over quickly.”

“Let Mom introduce you. This is Auntie Zhao, and this is Auntie Qian. They’re good friends of mine.”

Xiao Yuanmu discreetly pulled his hand back and nodded. “Auntie Zhao, Auntie Qian.”

Auntie Zhao smiled as she handed him a simple but exquisite wooden box. “This is a gift for you.” Auntie Qian also pulled out a delicate embroidered pouch that seemed to contain something hefty. There was a metallic clang when she offered it to him.

Xiao Yuanmu didn’t accept it immediately. Mrs. Xiao said, “Take it. Treat it as a belated coming-of-age gift. They gave your younger brother gifts when he had turned eighteen. You both deserve to have a share. This is what you deserve.”

“That’s right,” Auntie Zhao said, “We had given you a jade pendant and a lock of longevity when you had been born too. They’re still locked up in a drawer within your room. Don’t treat us like strangers.”

Xiao Yuanmu’s gaze changed slightly. He thanked them and then accepted the gifts. He handed the gifts to Yang Jie shortly after.

Mrs. Qian smiled and asked, “I heard you have someone you like. Where is he?”

Mrs. Xiao’s smile faded. Before Xiao Yuanmu could speak, she said, “That child has something going on, so he couldn’t make it.”

Mrs. Zhao said, “What could be so important? What a pity.”

Mrs. Xiao smiled and changed the subject. “Your father had said that you would be here quickly. Why did you only come now?”

“I encountered Mrs. James and Auntie Song,” Xiao Yuanmu said, “So, I stopped to greet them.”

The two madams were surprised. Mrs. Zhao said, “I know Mrs. James, but who is this Mrs. Song? I don’t think I’ve heard of her before.”

Mrs. Xiao had also been puzzled at first but quickly snapped out of it when she heard Xiao Yuanmu call her. Her smile froze, and she skirted around the topic. “Mrs. James really likes you. I should go see her.”

Xiao Yuanmu’s lips curled up slightly. He looked down and kept silent.

When Mrs. Zhao and Mrs. Qian had heard Mrs. Xiao say this, they didn’t pursue the issue any further. They simply exchanged glances before tacitly changing the subject.

“Yuanmu, ah,” Mrs. Zhao recalled what they had been talking about prior to his arrival and spoke up in a soft voice, “I heard that you live in your own apartment now. The Xiao Family has several properties in Y City. Although your parents and brother don’t usually live there, they still occasionally pop on by. You had been separated from your family for so long. You should treasure the time you have together now.”

Mrs. Xiao nodded upon hearing this. “The house is close to your company. Move in with us when you have time.”

We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
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