Chapter 307: Chapter 307: Si Chenli: Qiaoqiao, Stop Fooling Around

“Mm,” Mr. Sang Senior responded coldly as well. He couldn’t muster much interest in anyone now, even declining Old Man Li’s invitations to play chess.

Not to mention that little bastard, Sang Shen.

“You two chat, I have to step out for a bit,” Sang Shen said, his face stiff, clearly noticing he had interrupted Grandfather’s conversation with Qiaoqiao.

Although he fully understood that Qiaoqiao would never forgive them, and her occasional one or two-word replies were already merciful, being ignored each time was still more than he could bear.

He didn’t know how to let go.

“Sure,” Mr. Sang Senior nodded, watching Sang Shen leave before turning back to chat with Qiaoqiao.

The smile on his face couldn’t be hidden, the favoritism obvious. Sang Qiao, no matter how tough she seemed, couldn’t help but be moved by her grandfather’s sincerity.

Because of his previous indifference, Grandfather was now doing his utmost to make amends, even showing through his actions that in his eyes, she was always favored.

Grandfather was old, and Sang Qiao had never blamed him before – and now, she didn’t have the heart to see the old man too upset.

“Grandfather, I’ll take you on a trip next time.”

“Oh? Where does Qiaoqiao want to go?” Mr. Sang Senior asked, brimming with enthusiasm.

He so seldom had the chance to see Qiaoqiao. If she didn’t reach out, he didn’t dare to bother her.

“Anywhere is fine. Do you have a place in mind, Grandfather?”

“I want to see the sea. Your grandmother loved going there the most,” Mr. Sang Senior said, his eyes reddening, yet he had never really taken her there.

He had even been too reluctant to take time off for their honeymoon, diving straight back into work at the company.

“Okay, we’ll go see the sea. I’ll make arrangements in a couple of days,” Sang Qiao agreed without hesitation.

She saw the tears in her grandfather’s eyes but didn’t ask. She knew these were his sorrows, and if he wanted to talk, he would; if not, she didn’t press.

“Let’s bring Xiao Li and Ah He as well. Just me, an old man – you’d probably get bored.”

“Not at all,” Sang Qiao said, her smile curving her eyes.

“Consider it because I like having more people around, for the liveliness.”

“Alright, I’ll ask them.”

“Good, good, good.”

Mr. Sang Senior was in an exceptionally good mood today, something all the servants in the villa could clearly sense. It was an unprecedented change.

Now, Miss Sang Qiao was the cornerstone of this household; everyone in the Sang Family would be delighted to see her.

Unfortunately, Sang Qiao only acknowledged Mr. Sang Senior now.

After having dinner at the ancestral house, Sang Qiao played chess with her grandfather. Grandfather didn’t take back his moves anymore, losing every game. Occasionally, when Sang Qiao tried to let him win on the sly, Mr. Sang Senior would catch on.

“Qiaoqiao, just play. Don’t let me win. A person can’t rely on being devious to win their whole life,” Mr. Sang Senior said, his words laden with depth.

Such seriousness in Grandfather made him seem to have grown, yet Sang Qiao wished even more that Grandfather would remain like before, occasionally being cunning with his own family.

“It’s okay to be a little crafty with family; we’re happy to let you win.”

“Ha-ha-ha, but I’ve won so many games before, I want to let Qiaoqiao win,” Mr. Sang Senior said, laughing at his granddaughter’s earnest expression.

“Okay,” Sang Qiao nodded, no longer pulling punches and playing the game seriously.

For several games in a row, Mr. Sang Senior lost without any chance of coming back, but his face always had a smile, showing no signs of being disheartened.

Sang Qiao felt relieved and after several more games, she returned home.

Mr. Sang Senior watched her retreating figure with reluctance, “Qiaoqiao, come and visit us often when you have time. Just let me know in advance, and I’ll make sure they don’t come.”

“Okay.”

When Sang Qiao returned to the villa, all the lights in the living room were on. She walked in to find Si Chenli sitting on the couch, lips pressed together, his expression very serious.

As she walked in, the man who was sitting on the sofa saw her and stood up to walk over to her, holding her shoulders with both hands.

His voice was filled with worry, “Where did you go? Why didn’t you answer your phone?”

“To Grandpa’s house. Did you call me? I didn’t hear it; I forgot to turn the sound on.”

Sang Qiao said as she took out her phone from her pocket and sure enough, there were more than twenty missed calls–all from Si Chenli.

Her phone was on silent mode.

“Remember to turn it on next time,” Si Chenli murmured, loosening his grip on her shoulders and instead taking her small hand and leading her to the dining table.

His voice softened, “Today I passed by a cake shop that looked pretty good, so I brought one back for you.”

“Okay.” Sang Qiao followed him and saw a strawberry cake on the table, surrounded by fresh strawberries.

The cake was exquisitely small, about the size of a palm.

Si Chenli started to open the cake box and cut a small piece, placing it next to her, “Try it, they say it’s very delicious.”

Sang Qiao picked up the cake with a fork and took a bite, the sweet flavor spreading in her mouth. She looked up at him with a smile in her eyes, “It’s pretty good; you should try a piece too.”

“Okay.” Si Chenli chuckled, took her fork-holding hand, scooped a spoonful of cake, and without hesitation, brought it to his mouth.

Although the two had already been more intimate, sharing a spoon still made Sang Qiao slightly uncomfortable. Her clear black-and-white eyes focused on him.

“You can get another fork.”

“I forgot.” Si Chenli’s face was the picture of innocence, but Sang Qiao knew he hadn’t forgotten–he clearly wanted to use her fork!

Sang Qiao purposefully pushed the fork back into his hand, “Give me a new fork, I don’t want the one you’ve used.”

At this, Si Chenli’s face froze, “Qiaoqiao, we’ve already kissed.”

What he meant was they had already shared saliva before, so sharing a fork was no big deal!

“But it’s not the same.” Sang Qiao’s expression was serious, yet the corners of her mouth twitched upwards, wanting to laugh, especially seeing Si Chenli so stiff.

Although that’s what Sang Qiao said, she didn’t continue to insist on a new fork and instead picked up the one Si Chenli had used to keep eating.

The man then realized he had just been played. He couldn’t help but reach out and gently pinch the young girl’s cheek.

“Don’t move. I’m eating cake.” Sang Qiao, with her cheeks pinched and a mouth full of cake, mumbled indistinctly.

“Okay.” Si Chenli obediently released her, his eyes filled with indulgence.

After Sang Qiao finished the small piece of cake she had in hand, she then remembered the main topic.

“Oh, right. Grandpa and I are planning a trip to a seaside city. Do you want to come with us? Can you get away from the company?”

“Of course, I’ll come. Have you decided which city to go to? I’ll make the arrangements.” Most of Si Chenli’s previous life was spent working day and night, almost without rest.

Now, it was different. He had a wife; work had to be balanced properly.

“Not yet. I’ll check in a bit.” Sang Qiao, who rarely went out, wasn’t too familiar with the various tourist destinations. She took out her phone and started to search while sitting on the sofa.

“Mmm.” Si Chenli sat beside her, looking on as well.