“Uncle Qin, you’re not talking about the Nine Dragons Soul-Suppressing Pearl, are you?” I asked Qin Shousheng, somewhat surprised.
Actually, I hadn’t cared about the consultation fee Wu Ming mentioned, and besides, the Nine Dragons Soul-Suppressing Pearl was a family heirloom of the Qin family; it wouldn’t be right for me to take it.
Qin Shousheng smiled and nodded: “That’s right, it’s the Nine Dragons Soul-Suppressing Pearl!”
“Uncle Qin, this is your Qin family heirloom, I can’t accept it!” I said, preparing to return the brocade box.
Qin Shousheng stopped me and said, “Actually, this Nine Dragons Soul-Suppressing Pearl originally belonged to you.”
“Mine?” I asked Qin Shousheng, somewhat puzzled. This was clearly a family heirloom of the Qin family, how did it end up with me?
Damn it! Could it be that I’m actually the Qin family’s illegitimate son?! What the hell am I thinking! If I were the Qin family’s illegitimate son, why would I ever marry Qin Mengdie! That’s the legendary incest!
“Actually, this Nine Dragons Soul-Suppressing Pearl was already intended as Mengdie’s dowry and given to your Xia family!” Qin Shousheng said with a smile.
I was stunned: “Dowry?”
Honey, are you kidding me? Qin Mengdie and I are just a fake! A fake, okay?!
Wait, since Wu Ming went to great lengths to get it for me, it proves that this Nine Dragons Soul-Suppressing Pearl isn’t simple.
The soul is related to spiritual power. Could this pearl be something that enhances spiritual power? If that’s the case, wouldn’t I be able to use the Nine Dragons Soul-Suppressing Pearl to enhance my spiritual power and then break the second layer of restrictions?
Thinking this, I took the Nine Dragons Soul-Suppressing Pearl in my hand, then pulled Qin Shousheng aside and whispered, “Uncle Qin, I might have to break my promise. Now that I’m the head of the Qin family, it seems I can’t stay by Qin Mengdie’s side to protect her forever!”
“Who said you can’t continue to protect Xiaodie!” Qin Shousheng looked at me with amusement.
Confused, I asked, “Uncle Qin, what do you mean?”
“Now that you and Xiaodie are engaged, you have even more reason to stay by her side and protect her!” Qin Shousheng said earnestly.
I felt a headache coming on and looked at Qin Shousheng speechlessly, saying, “Hey! Uncle Qin, I’m the head of the Xia family now!”
“Even if you are the head of the family, you signed a contract with me.” Qin Shousheng looked smug, then continued, “By the way, we won’t pay any of the price we discussed before. Our Qin family has already given you our most precious daughter, so we’ll save that money!”
Damn! This Qin Shousheng is really good at business. To put it bluntly, he wants me to protect Qin Mengdie for free. Don’t give me the Nine Dragons Soul-Suppressing Pearl; that was part of their dowry for the Xia family, so it’s practically free.
“You and Xiaodie have a good chat. I have other things to do, so I’ll leave now!” He patted my shoulder and turned to leave. I helplessly shrugged and looked at Qin Mengdie, saying, “Hello, Miss Qin!”
Qin Mengdie glanced at me but didn’t speak, creating an awkward atmosphere.
At this moment, Hao Shuai walked over and said helplessly, “It seems I guessed right. None of the four great families will be here to wish my grandfather a happy birthday.”
“Who said that? I, the head of the Xia family, am here!” I said helplessly to Hao Shuai.
Damn it! The Xia family, the head of the four great families, and with the head of the family personally coming to offer congratulations, they say such things.
Hao Shuai scratched his head and then said awkwardly, “Yes, the eldest brother is the head of the Xia family. I completely forgot.” He then noticed Qin Mengdie beside me, paused for a moment, and said, “By the way, Miss Qin… sister-in-law is here too. This time, both the Qin and Xia families have representatives here to offer birthday wishes. I’m afraid our Hao family’s status will rise another level.”
“Since she’s called sister-in-law, of course she’s a member of the Xia family! Mengdie, don’t you think so?” he said, looking at Qin Mengdie with a playful expression. This guy’s always been so cold, it gives off a really bad vibe. If I accidentally end up marrying her, that would be awful.
Oh my god! This girl isn’t angry at all; instead, she’s even taken my arm.
Looks like she’s not as cold as she seems!
Damn! I take back what I just said. This girl actually used this opportunity to pinch me! It’s ridiculous. But we’re presenting ourselves as an engaged couple, so I can only hold back and force a smile.
I was just laughing at that Yang Weize guy for being so vain, and now it’s my turn.
“Boss and sister-in-law, you two seem so lovey-dovey! Sticking together in public!” Lu Sen’s smug voice suddenly rang out.
Before I could say anything, Zhang Yu stroked his chin and said, “I say, you idiot, you’re really lucky to have found such a beautiful wife.”
“Not bad, this girl is a good match for you, my benefactor,” Liu Zhanqian chimed in.
Diao Sinan poked his head out and said weakly, “At this point, shouldn’t you say, ‘Give me a ki$$’…?”
Damn! Diao Sinan is usually quite honest, but I didn’t expect him to change after I left. It must be that Lu Sen guy who taught him.
“A ki$$! A ki$$!” Lu Sen reacted the fastest, shouting it out. Then everyone started cheering.
Even Sun Jing joined in the cheering.
Qin Mengdie blushed, a rare sight for her. Even with my thick skin, I couldn’t resist.
Just as I was about to find an excuse to stop them from cheering, Hao Shuai suddenly said, “Alright, everyone, stop playing around. It’s time. My grandfather should be coming out.”
“By the way, has everyone prepared birthday gifts?” Hao Shuai suddenly turned around and asked.
Birthday gifts? Oh dear, I really forgot to prepare any. Qin Mengdie obviously didn’t either. After all, Qin Shousheng’s main purpose was to give me the Nine Dragons Soul-Suppressing Pearl. He had so many pills and spirit plants; he could just take one out and give it to Grandpa Hao later.
“How could we not prepare!” Lu Sen said with a smile.
Diao Sinan added, “This time, my father specially ordered some health supplements for your grandfather. Medicines made by the Diao family should be of decent quality.”
“That’s good. I’ll go and greet them!” Hao Shuai said, then left.
After Hao Shuai left, Sun Jing said to us, “Xia Tian, I’m going to find my senior. See you later!” She then turned and left.
Hao Shuai has a good personality, is handsome, and rich. He should be able to win over Sun Jing, right? I hope so. I really don’t like that Yang Weize senior.
The banquet host said a few words on stage—the opening remarks are the same everywhere—so I won’t repeat myself.
Then came the gift-giving segment. These big families are a bit vain; everyone giving gifts had to announce what they were.
“Caiyuan Group presents a jade Guanyin statue, wishing Old Master Hao a long and healthy life!”
“Zhongshan Grand Hotel presents a set of gold tableware, wishing Old Master Hao a long and healthy life!”
First came the gifts from outsiders. Old Master Hao sat in his chair, his face beaming with smiles, thanking each one.
What surprised me was that Yang Weize’s background wasn’t insignificant either; he was the son of one of the four lower-ranking Yang families in Beijing.
The so-called lower-ranking four families were four prestigious families ranked below the four major families.
The Hao family was the head, and the Yang family ranked third, also a remarkable family.
“This is a blue aquamarine pearl that I bought at an auction in Shanghai. I hope Father likes it.” Hao De, Hao Shuai’s father and the current head of the Hao family, took out a crystal ornament, its base studded with diamonds, looking extremely beautiful and clearly very valuable.
I was about to look away when I suddenly noticed a transparent bead at the top of the blue aquamarine pearl.