Chapter 583: Chapter 583 Miss Huo Is One of Us

The old lady of the Xie Family was somewhat restless and quickly asked, “Wanling, do you think I look alright dressed like this? Ask the kitchen to prepare some sweet and sour pastries as well.”

“It’s appropriate, you look good in anything. You’ve had acupuncture today, people will understand,”

Madam Wanling said with a smile.

Qiao Xi had Old Chen grab the medicine box and stood up, saying, “Since the Xie Family has guests, we’ll take our leave first.”

“Doctor Qiao, please stay for dinner. The kitchen is preparing the freshest ingredients. Today, we’ve invited a famous chef from Haicheng to cook, it will definitely suit your palate,”

Qiao Xi declined with a smile: “I appreciate the old lady’s kind offer, but it’s not appropriate today, maybe another day.”

Qiao Xi thought to himself, they invited a famous chef from Haicheng?

Could it be the Eldest Young Master’s girlfriend is from Haicheng?

As she was declining.

At the entrance, a housemaid was calling out: “Eldest Young Master, the Young Madam and the old lady are in the living room. There is also a Doctor Qiao here, treating the grandmother. Miss Huo, let me help you.”

Doctor Qiao?

Miss Huo?

Qiao Xi turned around and met the shock-faced Huo Sijiao at the entrance, their eyes locking.

Both were at a loss for a long while.

“Jiaojiao?”

“Sister-in-law?”

Qiao Xi pursed her lips, processing the big gossip: “You and President Xie…”

“No, no. I…” Huo Sijiao’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment, not having expected to encounter her sister-in-law while coming to apologize and clarify.

It seemed there was a misunderstanding about her relationship with Xie Xubai.

Xie Xubai, who was standing to the side, explained: “Miss Huo is a guest I invited. Didn’t expect Doctor Qiao to be here as well, why not stay for a simple meal? That way, you can both head back together in the evening, how about it?”

Qiao Xi waved her hand, resolutely ignoring Huo Sijiao’s pleading look and said: “I have other matters to attend to, I must go. Please, President Xie, take the trouble to send Jiaojiao home tonight, thanks.”

“Sister-in-law…”

Huo Sijiao was on the verge of tears.

Xie Xubai said, “I’ll escort Doctor Qiao.”

“There’s no need, you surely have more to talk about. I’ll take my leave.”

Qiao Xi gave Old Chen a look, and the two quickly left the Xie Family’s living room.

As they left Xie Mansion.

Old Chen burst into hearty laughter: “Haha, how did our young lady become President Xie’s girlfriend? Young Madam, you looked like you were fleeing from an adulterous scene. It’s a good thing Young Master Sun didn’t come with me to Xie Mansion today, or who knows what he might have said.”

Qiao Xi chuckled: “I was indeed startled. I was guessing who Xie Xubai’s girlfriend was, didn’t expect it to be Jiaojiao. But it seems to be a big misunderstanding. Let’s head home first, and wait for Jiaojiao’s explanation tonight.”

“It’s quite coincidental that the young lady didn’t expect you to be there either, such a fluke,”

Qiao Xi’s lips curled up: “Let’s go, we’ll head home first.”

…

In the Xie Family’s living room.

Huo Sijiao sat on the sofa with a forced awkward smile, feeling a bit uncomfortable.

In front of her sat the old lady of the Xie Family and Xie Xubai’s mother, Madam Wanling, with Xie Xubai sitting beside her.

The passing housemaids were also very enthusiastic, curiously stealing glances at her.

The Xie Family’s old lady was smiling so wide she could hardly close her mouth: “Miss Huo, what would you like to drink? Young ladies might not enjoy tea, so how about coffee or juice?”

“Anything is fine, maybe just a cup of warm water?”

Huo Sijiao lamented in her heart that her sister-in-law was truly heartless for not staying with her.

“Drinking more water is good, it’s good for the skin.” The old lady liked her more and more as she looked at her. The family tradition of the Huo Family in Haicheng was also exemplary, naturally, the children raised would not be bad.

Furthermore.

Huo Sijiao’s brother and Xubai were very good business partners.

This was a match made in heaven.

Huo Sijiao held a glass in both hands and sipped the water, squeezing out a strained smile when she met the gaze of the two elders.

“Grandmother.”

Xie Xubai called out with a hint of warning, “Miss Huo is a guest.”

Madame Xie glared at her, “I hit it off with Miss Huo, I don’t consider her a guest, I regard her as one of our own.”

Huo Sijiao fidgeted with the hem of her skirt; it felt like a meeting with the parents.

She had clearly come to explain last night’s mix-up.

She took a deep breath and addressed the two elders: “Madame Xie.”

“Call me Grandma, it’s more intimate. I won’t stand on ceremony with you; I’ll call you Jiaojiao then. Doctor Qiao was calling you that just now, is that your nickname?”

Huo Sijiao, interrupted by the old lady, replied somewhat deflated: “Yes.”

A burst of effort, followed by decay, and then exhaustion.

“The name Jiaojiao is nice; it instantly suggests a well-behaved and pampered young lady.” Lady Wanling also joined in the praise, glancing at her son, “I’ll go check on how the dinner preparations are in the kitchen. Jiaojiao, you must stay for dinner; I’ll personally cook a few dishes.”

“Ah no… Auntie, you…”

Before Huo Sijiao could voice her refusal, Lady Wanling had already walked toward the kitchen.

She didn’t even get a chance to refuse.

Madame Xie was very pleased with her daughter-in-law’s assistance and said, “Xubai’s mother is an excellent cook, you should really try it.”

Huo Sijiao nodded helplessly: “Okay.”

The old madame shifted her seat closer to Huo Sijiao and asked, “How old are you this year?”

“Twenty-three, I am one year older than my sister-in-law.”

Huo Sijiao answered obediently, as she was always straightforward like Little Chili in front of outsiders. But in the presence of her elders, she dared not act recklessly. Perhaps because her biological grandmother favored the eldest family branch and passed away early, she never experienced the affection between grandmother and granddaughter.

Looking at this amiable and enthusiastic old madame, she didn’t dislike her.

On the contrary, she liked her a bit and envied Xie Xubai for having such a grandmother.

“Good, you’re seven years younger than our Xubai. Older men know how to care for others, they’re aware of the cold and the heat…” Madame Xie smiled, her face full of wrinkles, wishing she could have Xie Xubai and Huo Sijiao go get their marriage certificate right then and there.

Huo Sijiao quickly explained: “Madame, you’ve misunderstood! I came here today to explain this matter to you.”

The one she liked was Shen Xuanzhi. She also regretted what she did at the celebratory banquet last night and couldn’t sleep all night.

Today, she couldn’t wait to move out of Yunqi Hotel and contacted Xie Xubai wanting to explain in person.

Once all this was done, she and Xie Xubai should have no occasions to meet again.

From then on, they would be no different from strangers.

“Madame…”

“Call me Grandma.”

“Fine then, Grandma Xie.” Huo Sijiao couldn’t resist her, and said seriously, “What I did last night was to anger Pei Chun for insulting my sister-in-law; Xie Xubai helped me out of consideration for my brother. It was my oversight to make a joke in such a setting, resulting in such a bad influence.”

Huo Sijiao frowned with remorse: “I’m sorry, Grandma Xie. I apologize to you, and please don’t resent Xie Xubai for saying things like kneeling at the ancestral hall to request family punishment. It was all consequences caused by me. I’ve already checked out of the hotel, and in the future, I will also keep my distance from him. I believe the rumors in the Imperial Capital will fade away soon.”

Keep a distance?

Madame Xie panicked upon hearing this; how could that be okay!