Chapter 178: Don’t Come Near
Jiang Chuchu cleared all the strange fantasies about Xia He from her mind, chatted a bit more with Gu Qinghuan about the Wei family and Wei Xiao, and then ended the conversation.
Gu Qinghuan was still bothered that she couldn’t attend in person, and strongly urged Jiang Chuchu to keep a close eye on Wei Xiao—see if she could later recount some juicy gossip.
Jiang Chuchu had planned to do that anyway, so she agreed without hesitation.
Jiang Yuxuan tilted his head toward her. “We just saw Xia He.”
He still remembered that his sister used to be a little wary of Xia He, so he reminded her.
As for Xia He growing taller, he had heard about it, but wasn’t particularly surprised—nor did he care much.
“I saw him,” Jiang Chuchu replied. “We even talked a bit.”
Qin Yue, on the other hand, was far more animated. He grabbed Qin Min, eyes wide with excitement. “Bro, do you know? Xia He spent a full 15 million euros just to grow taller!”
To be honest, compared to the 15 million euros, Qin Min was more shocked that Xia He actually wanted to grow taller—wanted to stop being treated like a “kid.”
Still, to humor his younger brother, Qin Min chatted with him for a bit.
The gathering officially began, and Wei Yan finally appeared.
Jiang Chuchu observed him for a while and sent a message in the group:
[Wei Yan doesn’t look that great.]
Yu Xin: [Or… just average?]
It seemed Wei Xiao’s looks came entirely from Xu Zhishu’s genes.
Appearance was one thing, ability another. At least Wei Yan spoke politely and appropriately. Soon after, he led everyone toward a secondary hall behind the venue, where the Wei family’s exhibits had already been arranged.
Jiang Chuchu noticed Xu Zhishu bringing Wei Xiao over to the Yu family and immediately pulled Qin Yue with her, stopping a few meters away from them.
Being dragged around like this, Qin Yue couldn’t suppress his curiosity anymore. He lowered his voice. “Just tell me already—what’s going on between the Wei family and the Yu family?”
At this point, there was no need to hide it. With Xu Zhishu bringing Wei Xiao over, anyone could guess.
Jiang Chuchu answered quietly, “The Yu family wants to form a marriage alliance with the Wei family.”
Qin Yue was stunned. “Huh? The class rep is getting into an arranged marriage?”
“Not Xinbao. It’s Yu Yuan,” Jiang Chuchu corrected.
Because of Qin Min, Qin Yue already knew about Yu Xin and Yu Yuan’s situation. He was already surprised they could get along normally—but this was a different matter.
He scratched his head. “They’re only in their first year of high school, and already talking about marriage?”
Jiang Chuchu didn’t comment much. “The Yu family wants to climb up to the Wei family—send one daughter as a bargaining chip.”
Hearing that, Qin Yue felt a bit sorry for Yu Yuan. “What does she think about it?”
“She’s in a ‘wait and see’ mode,” Jiang Chuchu said, glancing at Wei Xiao again.
After chatting briefly with Cui Wanning, Xu Zhishu tactfully excused herself, letting the younger ones interact on their own.
Wei Xiao had clearly been told in advance who the intended match was. As they walked, he positioned himself beside Yu Yuan and spoke to her more.
Still, he didn’t completely ignore Yu Xin, occasionally asking for her opinion.
With the elders gone, Jiang Chuchu immediately went over. “Xinbao!”
The nickname made Wei Xiao pause slightly. He looked up at Jiang Chuchu and Qin Yue approaching and greeted them politely, “We meet again.”
After exchanging names and a few pleasantries, Wei Xiao invited them to walk together.
Now that the group was larger and Wei Xiao had more people to deal with, Jiang Chuchu finally had a chance to talk to Yu Yuan.
“How are you feeling?” she asked.
Yu Yuan’s expression was complicated. “When I was little, I was quite afraid of him… but this time, he seems different.”
If Wei Xiao still behaved like he did back then—scaring her—she could have decisively found a way to reject the engagement.
But now he seemed… decent. And that made her hesitate.
Not because she wanted to accept the engagement, but because the preparations she had made suddenly felt useless, leaving her at a loss.
“Um…” Yu Yuan glanced at Wei Xiao. “Is it possible… to just talk to him directly and ask him to reject the engagement from his side?”
She truly couldn’t imagine herself openly resisting Cui Wanning and Yu Wenli. She didn’t dare to oppose them, nor did she want to disappoint her family.
If Wei Xiao rejected it himself, things would be much easier for her.
Jiang Chuchu glanced at Wei Xiao. The idea was good—but judging from his attitude, it probably wouldn’t be that simple.
She didn’t want to discourage Yu Yuan, so she said, “You could try sounding him out first.”
Yu Yuan nodded. She had already prepared for that.
While things were relatively calm on Wei Xiao’s side, the situation on Wei Yan’s side was completely different.
Wei Yan observed Xia He beside him.
He had indeed sent an invitation to the Xia family, but hadn’t expected anyone to come—let alone a young man like this.
Having only recently returned to the country, his network and intelligence were limited. He only knew that Old Master Xia Suirong was still in charge.
The eldest son, Xia Nanzhi, assisted with company affairs. The second son, Xia Xiuzhu, held a nominal position and lived a life of indulgence.
The youngest son, Xia Zhihan, had long passed away—details tightly sealed by the Xia family.
The one in front of him—Xia He—was said to be Xia Zhihan’s only son.
Judging by Xia Suirong’s attitude, he seemed to be grooming Xia He as the heir.
Naturally, Wei Yan had to handle him carefully—unsure what kind of person he was.
Xia He looked at a colorful porcelain vase in the display case. “These were all brought back from overseas, Mr. Wei?”
Wei Yan smiled. “Some are from auctions, others were repatriated. Though I lived abroad, I couldn’t just watch our country’s art remain overseas.”
Politically correct stance, Xia He thought.
He then pointed at a white porcelain brush holder decorated with a horse bathing scene. “This one’s nice. I like it.”
At a moment like this, expressing preference clearly meant: I want this.
Wei Yan beamed. “Just a small item. Since Young Master Xia likes it, I’ll have someone send it to your car later.”
It was only worth a few hundred thousand. If it pleased Xia He, it was well worth the price.
Xia He neither agreed nor refused, continuing to walk and look around while chatting with Wei Yan. In the conversation, he casually revealed a couple of pieces of information.
For him, such information meant nothing—but for the Wei family, eager to establish themselves locally, it was extremely valuable.
Wei Yan understood and silently noted everything, his smile becoming more genuine.
“By the way, I heard your son will be enrolling at Mingde?” Xia He asked casually.
“That’s right. I’m just worried whether he can keep up academically,” Wei Yan said, though his expression remained relaxed.
So his grades must be good, Xia He thought.
Wei Yan continued, “I heard Mingde’s student council is quite impressive. I’d like my son to give it a try.”
Xia He inwardly felt a bit amused—he was curious how Bai Hanshan would handle interviewing Wei Xiao.
But Wei Yan’s next sentence wiped that amusement away.
“I watched that program ‘Walking with Light.’ There’s a student council officer in it—that girl.”
“I didn’t see her doing any actual work, yet she has such a large independent office. I checked, and she’s not even from this circle.”
Xia He gave a faint, insincere smile. “From what you’re saying, Mr. Wei… you’re quite curious about her?”
Wei Yan waved it off. “Not me—my son is interested. Once he enrolls, he plans to see what kind of person she is, to receive such special treatment.”
Jiang Chuchu was examining the exhibits when her phone suddenly vibrated.
She took it out—it was a message from Xia He.
Xia He: [Let me tell you something.]
Jiang Chuchu: [?]
Xia He: [Wei Xiao seems quite interested in Gu Qinghuan.]
Jiang Chuchu: [Don’t you dare come anywhere near her!!!]
