Chapter 871: 873, must not lose dignity (first update)

Chu Jin meticulously applied concealer on Mo Zhixuan, and, ensuring nothing was noticeable, they went downstairs together.

By the time they descended, most of the people in the main hall had already arrived.

Tong Zhi, Mo Fengxu, as well as Mo Qingyi and Duanmu Zhe.

All of them were family.

"Qingyi, have you been feeling better recently?" Chu Jin asked as he sat down next to Mo Qingyi, clearly concerned.

"Much better," Mo Qingyi replied with a smile in her eyes, "Now I can eat, drink, and sleep well. Don’t worry about me, Chu Jin. By the way, mom mentioned that we have guests tonight, why haven’t they arrived yet?" Mo Qingyi glanced curiously toward the door, unaware of the history between Li Xiangzhi and the Mo family, she looked forward to meeting this aunt.

It would be nice if she could be like Tong Zhi.

Chu Jin smiled and said, "They should be arriving any minute now."

Indeed, shortly after Chu Jin and Mo Zhixuan took their seats, Li Xiangzhi and her daughter, along with the little golden child, came over.

Li Xiangzhi and Tong Qiaoqiao had specially waited for Mo Zhixuan to arrive before they entered.

Only this way could they attract more attention.

"Qiaoqiao, you’ve come." The Mo family matriarch said with a smile as she stood up from the head seat, "Qiaoqiao, you and your mother sit there. Oh, and let me introduce you, this is your younger aunt, this is your younger uncle, and these are their children, Xiangru and Yimo. This is your sister, Mo Qingyi, and this is Qingyi’s husband, Duanmu Zhe."

Tong Qiaoqiao greeted each person very politely.

Li Xiangzhi said with a smile, attempting to ingratiate herself, "It’s been years since I last saw you, I didn’t expect my sister to be married with children now. These two kids are so handsome, just like their aunt."

In her heart, Li Xiangzhi was well aware that Tong Zhi couldn’t possibly have given birth to these children; they were merely adopted by Tong Zhi.

Tong Zhi, not wishing to speak much with Li Xiangzhi, forced a smile and simply said "Thank you."

Seeing this, Tong Qiaoqiao cheerfully responded, "Auntie, I’ve always heard from my mother how beautiful you are. I didn’t believe it before, but after seeing you today, you are indeed more beautiful than a fairy in heaven." Tong Qiaoqiao also knew how to speak pleasingly; with that remark, she both flattered Tong Zhi and improved Li Xiangzhi’s image.

"Look at this child, always so sweet," Tong Zhi said with a full smile. "I didn’t bring a gift for you due to the rush today, but I’ll make sure to make up for it in a few days." After all, she didn’t have deep feelings for this niece of hers as this was only their third meeting.

Tong Zhi had seen Tong Qiaoqiao twice before in the Superpower World, but at that time, Qiaoqiao was still young, and she herself was younger too.

Because of Li Xiangzhi, she never once held Tong Qiaoqiao when she was a child.

If it weren’t for that blood relation, they would be no different from strangers to each other.

"Thank you, auntie. We’re all family; there’s no need to be so formal," Tong Qiaoqiao said with a winsome smile, having specifically chosen a chic off-the-shoulder dress and light makeup for the evening. Her look was at once charming and innocent, slightly provocative, and indeed she had that certain allure.

But with Chu Jin present, her presence was overshadowed.

If Chu Jin were not there, her own beauty would not be inferior to Mo Qingyi’s in the slightest, not at all like someone who had borne a child.

"Qiaoqiao is right, sister, there’s no need to be so formal. You’re the elder, and Qiaoqiao is the younger one. She should be the one to properly honor you. How could we expect you to prepare a gift for her?" Li Xiangzhi chimed in, knowing Tong Zhi was somewhat displeased with her, but at this moment, she needed to win over Tong Zhi and everyone else here; she was determined to establish her roots.

Tong Zhi replied in a detached tone, "It’s just basic etiquette, no need for thanks."

Li Xiangzhi pursed her lips and fell silent. She was no fool and could naturally grasp the implication behind Tong Zhi’s words.

Basic etiquette.

She was mocking her, suggesting she lacked even basic manners.

Tong Qiaoqiao’s smile remained unchanged as she picked up the conversation, "Auntie, I’m young and may lack in manners. Please don’t take offense."

"It’s fine," Tong Zhi replied with a smile, turning her head back, "I don’t blame you."

It’s the father’s failure when a child is not taught properly.

Now that Tong Yuan was gone, the matter naturally fell upon Li Xiangzhi’s shoulders.

When the atmosphere became tense, the Mo family matriarch quickly said, "Everyone is here now; let’s not just talk. Let’s start eating."

"Yes, yes, yes, food is the most important thing," Li Xiangzhi agreed with a laugh. "Little golden child, let’s sit over here."

"I don’t want to go there!" the little golden child stood there, eyes fixed on Bao Bao and Bei Bei.

"What’s this, child? Why won’t you listen again!" Tong Qiaoqiao crouched down and said softly, "Come sit with mommy, it’s time to eat."

The little golden child looked a bit aggrieved, "Mommy, I don’t want to sit in that chair. I want to sit in theirs." The little golden child pointed towards Bao Bao and Bei Bei’s children’s chairs.

Those were Bao Bao and Bei Bei’s exclusive chairs; they had been using them since they were small.

Upon hearing this, Bao Bao and Bei Bei became distinctly wary of the little golden child.

"Little golden child, be good! Those are your brother and sister’s. You’re not allowed to sit there!" Tong Qiaoqiao scolded the little golden child while surreptitiously watching the Mo family matriarch’s reaction.

"No, no, no, I want to sit there!" the little golden child burst into tears.

Chu Jin stood up immediately, "Qinghe, please go and fetch another children’s chair from the back."

The Mo family matriarch also said, "Yes, yes, yes, go fetch another one quickly."

Tong Qiaoqiao expressed some embarrassment, "I’m sorry to trouble auntie and cousin-in-law."

Chu Jin gave a faint smile.

The Mo family matriarch slowly said, "It’s no trouble at all; it’s just a chair. I was not prepared enough and didn’t think to get one for our little golden child."

Tong Zhi frowned slightly, looking from Bao Bao and Bei Bei to Xiangru and Yimo.

The chairs of Xiangru and Yimo were the same as those of Bao Bao and Bei Bei, so why did the little golden child specifically want Bao Bao and Bei Bei’s?

It seemed only a trivial matter, but if one thought deeply about it, the implications were profound.

I hope it’s not what I think it is.

Tong Zhi narrowed her eyes.

Qinghe soon returned with a child’s chair in her hand, "Come on, little Jin, sister has set this up for you." Although Qinghe was just a servant, she had stayed with the Mo family for many years, so Bao Bao and Bei Bei usually liked to call her Sister Qinghe.

Upon hearing this, Tong Qiaoqiao’s eyes flashed with a glint of coldness.

The servants of the Mo family really lacked perception! They don’t see what they are, yet they dare to call themselves ’sister’ in front of little Jin!

"I don’t want this chair!" Little Jin pushed the chair away and cried out, "I want theirs! I want theirs!" While saying that, little Jin ran to Bao Bao and Bei Bei, and began furiously shaking Bei Bei’s child chair, "Get down! Get down! I want to sit in your chair!"

"Little Jin, what are you doing! Stop it! Hasn’t grandma already asked someone to get you a chair? Go back and sit down, no more fuss!" Tong Qiaoqiao walked over and said sternly.

"I just want her chair! I just want her chair!" Little Jin screamed and then began to cry loudly, kicking Bei Bei’s child chair in a tantrum.

Clearly a spoiled second-generation brat.

To be honest, such children are truly unlikable, it’s just that the parents had not yet reacted.

Bei Bei didn’t speak, just watching little Jin while tightly gripping the edges of the child’s chair.

Think you can take her things?

No way!

Tong Qiaoqiao looked apologetically at everyone, "I’m sorry, little Jin’s father passed away early, it might be my fault for spoiling him, making everyone laugh."

"Get down, down!" Little Jin wasn’t big, but he was surprisingly strong, shaking Bei Bei’s child chair wildly, almost causing Bei Bei to fall off.

Mo Zhixuan had always been extremely protective of his daughters, seeing such a scene, he couldn’t stand it and was about to get up, but his left hand was held down.

He turned his eyes, and Chu Jin was smiling warmly at him.

As husband and wife, he immediately understood the meaning behind Chu Jin’s eyes.

Bao Bao and Bei Bei were growing up and should have the ability to protect themselves. They couldn’t always grow up under the protection of their parents. Moreover, this was a matter between children; if adults interfered, the nature would change!

"Who allowed you to bully my sister!" Bao Bao slid down from his chair and pushed little Jin to the ground with a fierce expression, "This is my house!"

Little Jin fell to the ground and immediately started to wail, grabbing Tong Qiaoqiao’s neck, "Let’s go home! I don’t like it here! They are all bad people!"

Tong Qiaoqiao frowned, "Little Jin, you can’t say that! Bao Bao is right, this really isn’t our home. You can’t snatch Bei Bei’s things. Okay, stop crying, it’s time to eat."

Bao Bao protected Bei Bei behind him, holding her hand and saying to her, "Are you alright, sister? Don’t worry, with brother here, no one dares to bully you!"

Bei Bei looked at Bao Bao and nodded firmly, their little hands clasping tightly together.

Seeing this, both Chu Jin and Mo Zhixuan’s eyes revealed a look of relief.

Bao Bao already knew how to protect his sister, which was great.

Little Jin kept crying for Bei Bei’s child chair, regardless of how Tong Qiaoqiao tried to comfort him, he just wouldn’t stop crying.

Bao Bao and Bei Bei moved past the child chair.

Seeing Bao Bao and Bei Bei sitting back on the child chairs, little Jin cried even louder. He walked over to Bei Bei and pointing at her, "You impolite child, I am a guest! You should yield to me!"

"You’re still wetting your pants at this age? If you’re not embarrassed, I’m embarrassed for you!" Bei Bei retorted, "So what if you are a guest? Does that mean you can throw a tantrum? You go take a look, which kid acts like you? I won’t yield to you, what can you do to me!"

Bei Bei wasn’t someone to be trifled with, it was just that she didn’t want to bother with little Jin before.

"Bei Bei, don’t talk nonsense! Children must be polite," the Mo family matriarch started speaking slowly, her eyes deep with unfathomable thoughts, "Little Jin is correct, guests should be treated as such. You should give your chair to him. Isn’t there another one?"

Upon hearing this, Li Xiangzhi, who had not spoken until now, slightly narrowed her eyes, and a sharp light flickered within.

This Mo family matriarch was ultimately siding with little Jin.

Even though little Jin was being so unreasonable, she still insisted that Bei Bei give up her seat.

It seemed the rumors were true, Bei Bei was of average talent, and the Mo family matriarch didn’t really think much of this granddaughter.

Moreover, even Chu Jin, the biological mother, didn’t dare to utter a word. This indicated that Chu Jin’s status in the Mo family wasn’t that high.

It seems little Jin really could replace these twins.

"I won’t!" Bei Bei pouted, "Why can’t he sit in that one?" Clearly, both chairs were the same; little Jin was obviously just causing trouble! Bei Bei wasn’t stupid!

"Bei Bei, be good," the Mo family matriarch continued, "Little Jin is a guest, you are the host, we mustn’t lose our grace."

Hearing the Mo family matriarch’s words, Li Xiangzhi’s face changed.

In the Mo family matriarch’s words was a clear implication that little Jin was an outsider!

Had she made a wrong move?

Chu Jin also spoke lightly, "Bei Bei, do you remember the story Mommy told you yesterday?"

Bei Bei nodded, "I remember."

Chu Jin smiled softly, "So what should you do now?"

Bei Bei said with a smile, "Of course, I should have the grace of an adult. Little Jin, this chair is yours." She slid off the child chair and went to the Mo family matriarch’s side, acting coquettishly, "Grandma, I want to sit with you."

"Sure," the Mo family matriarch picked up Bei Bei, saying with a smile, "Grandma’s big granddaughter will sit with grandma."

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read