He observed Mrs. Zhao calmly, secretly speculating on the origin and function of this string of Buddhist beads.
Mrs. Zhao didn't seem to care about Xiao Ye's observation. She smiled and asked about Xiao Ye's current situation and family background.
Xiao Ye also answered politely, and at the same time paid more attention to Mrs. Zhao's speech and behavior, trying to get a glimpse of her personality and preferences.
Mrs. Zhao continued to talk with Xiao Ye, and the atmosphere was warm and harmonious.
At this moment, footsteps sounded at the door of the room, and a middle-aged man hurriedly walked in.
His face looked familiar. Xiao Ye looked up and immediately recognized this person.
"It's you!"
When Zhao Gangyan saw Xiao Ye, there was a look of surprise in his eyes:
Xiao Ye also looked a little surprised and responded.
"Uncle, why are you here?"
Zhao Gangyan's appearance confused Zhao Yasi. She looked at the two in surprise, obviously not expecting that there was an earlier acquaintance between them.
"Do you know each other?"
Zhao Yasi asked curiously, her eyes switching back and forth between the two of them, looking for the answer.
Zhao Gangyan's originally smiling face suddenly became serious after learning that Xiao Ye came with Zhao Yasi.
His eyes wandered between Xiao Ye and Zhao Yasi, obviously feeling unhappy.
Zhao Yasi noticed her father's change and looked at Xiao Ye nervously.
Although Xiao Ye was surprised by Zhao Gangyan's attitude, he tried to stay calm and nodded politely to Zhao Gangyan.
Mrs. Zhao noticed this scene, but did not say anything directly. She said with a smile.
"Gangyan, Yasi, you go over there and talk first. I'll talk to this young man."
Zhao Yasi nodded obediently, and although she was a little reluctant, she followed her father Zhao Gangyan to the side.
The two figures gradually moved away, leaving behind Mrs. Zhao and Xiao Ye.
Zhao Gangyan's face looked stern. He and Zhao Yasi stood in a small corner aside, with reproach in his tone.
"Yasi, how can you just bring a companion here?"
"On such an occasion, you should find a young man from a famous family."
Zhao Yasi answered her father with firm eyes.
"Dad, I think Xiao Ye is very good."
"Although he comes from an ordinary background, he has talent and character."
Zhao Gangyan shook his head and said dissatisfied.
"Why don't you understand that this is not just a personal issue, it is about the reputation and future of our Zhao family."
He paused and continued.
"I have discussed with the Ouyang family and plan to propose marriage to them."
When Zhao Yasi heard this, her expression changed and she immediately refused.
"No, dad, I don't like people from the Ouyang family. It's impossible for me to marry Ouyang Hao."
Zhao Gangyan's brows were furrowed, looking both disappointed and angry.
"You are being rebellious!"
"Do you know how important this is to our Zhao family?"
Zhao Yasi answered with a firm light in her eyes.
"I know the importance of family, but I also have the right to choose my own future."
"I will not sacrifice my own happiness for the sake of family interests."
The conversation between the two reached an impasse.
Zhao Gangyan obviously felt helpless about his daughter's attitude and was also worried about the future of his family.
Zhao Yasi sticks to her principles and is unwilling to compromise.
At the same time, the conversation between Mrs. Zhao and Xiao Ye continued.
Mrs. Zhao seemed to be becoming more and more interested in Xiao Ye's conversation and behavior, and she even showed unprecedented attention to Xiao Ye.
Mrs. Zhao and Xiao Ye sat across from each other, and the atmosphere seemed harmonious and cordial.
There was a hint of mischief and playfulness in his eyes, and she suddenly asked.
"Your name is Xiao Ye, right?"
Xiao Ye nodded.
"Xiaoye, tell me, do you like IELTS?"
Xiao Ye was caught off guard by the question. He scratched his head gently and then answered sincerely.
"Miss Zhao is not only beautiful, but also smart."
"She has a unique charm, who wouldn't like her?"
Hearing Xiao Ye's answer, Mrs. Zhao laughed heartily, and her laughter was full of relief.
"Haha, young man, your answer is really honest."
"However, there are many men who like IELTS, so you have to work harder."
"I heard that all the people pursuing her have gone to France."
Xiao Ye was infected by Mrs. Zhao's boldness and humor, and he also laughed.
As the conversation between Xiao Ye and Mrs. Zhao became more harmonious, the door to the room was pushed open again.
A dignified and elegant lady came in with the girl.
They are Zhao Yasi's mother Yan and sister Zhao Xinyue.
As soon as Yan entered the door, he looked around in the style of a wealthy family.
His eyes lingered on Xiao Ye for a moment, and then he asked with a bit of curiosity and vigilance.
"Who is this..."
There was a hint of unfriendly curiosity in her tone.
Mrs. Zhao introduced with a smile.
"This is IELTS's friend, Xiao Ye."
Yan's eyes stayed on Xiao Ye for a moment, and the vigilance and dissatisfaction in his eyes were obvious.
At this moment, Zhao Yasi came back, and without saying much, she took Xiao Ye out of the room.
She seemed to want to avoid family disputes and give Xiao Ye some space to relax.
Zhao Yasi had a smile on her face, but there was a hint of worry in her eyes.
Zhao Gangyan, who stayed in the room, also walked out with a sad look on his face. He was obviously troubled by the pressure from his family and his daughter's choice.
Yan looked at her husband's expression and blamed him dissatisfiedly.
"How come you can't even control your daughter? You should blame her."
Zhao Gangyan sighed softly and shook his head to express his helplessness.
"Although that Xiao Ye looks ordinary, he seems to have some abilities. We might as well observe him for a while."
The change in Zhao Gangyan's attitude was obviously due to Zhao Yasi bringing out the things that Long Zhong was opposed to.
Yan's face was still unhappy, but she didn't say anything else.
Zhao Gangyan looked at the retreating figures of his daughter and Xiao Ye, his heart filled with complicated emotions.
He was worried about the future of his family, but he also couldn't bear to force his daughter to marry someone he didn't like.
Xiao Ye and Zhao Yasi walked on the paths of the manor, surrounded by lush green trees and gorgeous flowers.
Zhao Yasi said softly to Xiao Ye.
"I'm sorry for getting you involved in family affairs."
Xiao Ye smiled and shook his head, comforting: "It's okay, I understand."
Zhao Yasi sighed softly, a look of helplessness flashed across her face.
Xiao Ye noticed her emotional change and asked with concern.
"Yasi, I noticed that the relationship between you and your sister seems to be a little tense. What's going on?"
Zhao Yasi stopped and looked at the scenery in the distance, with a hint of thought in her voice.
"Actually, I don't know too much."
"When we were little, we had a good relationship and often played together."
"But as we grew up, Xinyue became more and more indifferent to me, always seeming to be dissatisfied with me."
