Stealing The Wind But Not The Moon [Completed]

60. Do You Know How To Smoke Cigars?

After responding to the message, Chu Zhichen placed his phone down and resumed sipping his soup.

Seated across from him at the dining table, Mrs. Chu beamed with delight upon receiving the wedding invitation from the Xiang family.

Over the past six months, since Chu Zhichen had become Xiang Mingzhang's secretary, the relationship between the two families had once again grown closer.

"Mingzhang's attitude sets the tone," Mrs. Chu remarked. "If he shows favor, the rest of the Xiang family's attitude will be even better."

Chu Zhichen felt a twinge of worry. The inexplicable questioning from Xiang Xingzhao during their last encounter in the hospital had left him concerned that something might go wrong when they met again.

However, since the Xiang family had taken the initiative to invite him and he had met Xiang Rugang a few times before, it would be impolite to decline. Especially when Xiang Mingzhang had sent an additional message personally, he agreed to attend.

Mrs. Chu's excitement bubbled over, and she exclaimed, "I only have one day to prepare. I need to get my hair done and take care of myself. I'm so nervous. What should I wear?"

Aunt Tang chimed in, advising, "Don't dress too flamboyantly. It wouldn't be appropriate if you outshine Mrs. Xiang on her son's wedding day."

"I am naturally beautiful," Mrs. Chu reluctantly replied. "I suppose I should keep it simple. Mrs. Xiang is not the easiest person to get along with, so there's no need to offend her."

Chu Zhichen did not have a strong impression of Xiang Mingzhang's aunt. Xiang's parents were his seniors, and the only person he had ever interacted with was Xiang Mingzhang's mother.

The figure of Bai Yongti emerged in his mind—reclusive, demure, a person from a vastly different background compared to the Xiang family. Bai Yongti had not attended Xiang Xingzhao's birthday banquet. Chu Zhichen inquired, "Will Aunt Bai be attending the wedding?"

"Probably not," Mrs. Chu replied. "Since you reminded me, let me tell you, do not ask Mingzhang's parents, about Xiang's family, especially his father."

Chu Zhichen, once mindful of boundaries, had grown curious about Xiang Mingzhang. He inquired, "Where is his father?"

Mrs. Chu explained, "When Xiang Mingzhang was less than ten years old, Xiang Long ran away and completely cut ties with the Xiang family. They say his whereabouts are unknown. It has been more than 20 years since he left."

Surprised, Chu Zhichen questioned, "What was the reason?"

"Who knows," Mrs. Chu sighed. "A husband and son are invaluable to a woman, yet Xiang Long abandoned his wife and son. Even if he had no affection, it was rather callous. The family is vast, the business is prosperous, and everyone is striving to make money. I would rather have nothing."

Mrs. Chu's words were not bitter, and Aunt Tang grew curious, asking, "Did the Xiang family search for him?"

Mrs. Chu responded, "Master Xiang must have searched, but as for the rest of the Xiang family, it's hard to say. Less competition when there are fewer people."

This was the first time Chu Zhichen had delved into Xiang Mingzhang's family matters, and it was a surprising revelation. He recalled how at the Banquet, Xiang Mingzhang had mentioned Xiang Long with a pained voice and icy eyes. The emotions conveyed in that moment couldn't be easily summed up in a single word.

As an outsider, Chu Zhichen did not intend to dig deeper into these matters. It was enough for him to understand the pain and hardships Xiang Mingzhang had endured.