Chapter 1: Reunion
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
C-City, Nanshan Village
It was early in the morning, and the countryside air was extraordinarily fresh. Qiao Yue brought a small stool and a bucket and sat by the stream. She casually glanced at the water and saw a fat koi swimming happily. Qiao Yue took a deep breath and got into a fishing position. It wasn't that she didn't want to catch it, but the water in the morning was too cold and she had to wait.
Suddenly, Qiao Yue's phone vibrated in her pocket and a message popped up on the screen. More and more messages followed.
"Boss, it's been a month and you're still not back! @Qiaoyue"
"Boss must have been having so much fun that she's forgotten about us."
"Has the boss really gone to inherit the Qiao family's business? Just that little bit of inheritance? I just spoke with the top entertainment company in A-Country yesterday and their boss would like to meet with ours. They asked me if I could make an appointment and I told them that our boss is not in A-Country currently. They said they would wait. I felt quite bad."
"Don't you mention your frustration. It's the same on my end! I'm so stressed!"
Qiao Yue was watching them complain about her with interest when she received a private message.
"Boss, when are you coming back? You're not lying to us when you say you're going to the Qiao family home for a vacation, right?"
Qiao Yue raised her eyebrows slightly and replied, "No."
"I don't believe you! You are doing this on purpose, right? Why do you have so much work? I want to apply for leave!"
"Not approved! You make the decisions at KA now."
"I don't agree! Boss, you're too much! Hurry up and come back!"
Qiao Yue stopped replying to messages after she settled business matters and concentrated on her fishing endeavor.
KA was a multinational conglomerate with businesses in entertainment, clothing, beauty, F&B, electronics, and other hot industries. Everyone had always been curious about the decision maker behind it. Who would have thought that the person they were so curious about was hiding in a ravine fishing?
"Yo! Xiao Yue are you here to fish again? You're up so early!"
A man's voice sounded. Qiao Yue turned around and saw that it was her neighbor.
"Yup! Uncle Wu, the fish here is delicious! I still haven't had enough of it after eating it for half a month."
"Ha-ha, this fish is delicious, but your aunt is too lazy to cook it. She'll only cook it when our kid is on vacation."
Uncle Wu then patted Qiao Yue's shoulder twice and said with a mysterious expression, "Many girls in our village have taken a fancy to you. Which one do you like? Tell Uncle."
Qiao Yue replied helplessly, "Uncle, I'm only 18. It's still too early for me to go on blind dates and get married!"
But more importantly, she's a girl. Was Uncle Wu trying to get her on an unusual path?
After she was finally alone, the sun had gradually risen, and the temperature followed. There were now two big fat fish in Qiao Yue's bucket.
After testing the water temperature, Qiao Yue was prepared to catch two more fish. She would go home and sleep at one or two o'clock in the afternoon when the sun was too hot.
Just as Qiao Yue was enjoying her life, something big happened in the village.
A Lexus LM was parked at the entrance of the village, attracting the attention of the passing villagers.
The driver rolled down the window and asked a woman who was passing by where Qiao Yue was staying.
The woman was wary at first, but after finding out the identity of the driver, she told him Qiao Yue's whereabouts.
As soon as he started the car, the driver said, "Master Jing, are we really going to get him? If he doesn't want to go back with us or something happened to him, I don't think the old master would blame us too much. After all, his mother did that kind of thing back then."
Qiao Jing didn't answer. He looked down at the person in the photo, which he had found when Grandpa mentioned that he wanted to find his aunt and her family.
He was still young back then and had only heard things from his elders.
They said that his aunt was a silly woman who had severed ties with her family because she wanted to marry a scumbag.
The old master knew back then that the man was not a good person. He tried to bring his daughter back by giving the man money and asking him to leave.
Who knew that Qiao Yue's mother was so stubborn that she didn't come home even after she was dumped by the man?
After that, the old master forbade everyone from mentioning her. It was only now that the old master's health was deteriorating and his longing for his daughter deepened that he let his descendants come out to look for her.
"Master Jing, is that him?"
The driver said suddenly as he signaled Qiao Jing to look at the man by the river not far away who was bending over to catch fish.
"Should we..."
Before the driver could finish his sentence, Qiao Jing shot him a cold look and said, "I will bring him back safely."
Qiao Jing's words were cold, and his heart was cold. Other than the things he was interested in and his grandfather's requests, he turned a deaf ear to everyone else's requests.
However, once this master decided, he would not allow others to question him. Thinking of his jabbering just now, the driver's cold sweat soaked his shirt. He answered softly, "Yes, young master."
Qiao Jing strode over to Qiao Yue.
Seeing that he was about to reach the river, Qiao Jing refused to take another step forward.
Looking at the disheveled young man in front of him with his pants rolled up and his body drenched in water, a trace of disgust flashed across Qiao Jing's eyes.
"Qiao Yue?" Qiao Jing was the first to speak.
"Yes." Qiao Yue raised her head and responded.
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Chapter 2: A Bad Taste
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Qiao Yue had already guessed the purpose of the visit when she saw their car. She had also returned to Nanshan Village because of it.
"Grandpa asked me to take you home. Get in the car."
Without giving Qiao Yue any time to think, he turned and left.
"I haven't agreed to it yet."
Qiao Yue chuckled and said in an even voice.
Qiao Jing's expression was cold as he turned around to look at the young man standing under the sun.
The young man's face was delicate and pretty, and his eyes were bright. The corners of his mouth were curled into a frivolous arc, making people feel as if they were looking at a young master walking out of an ancient painting.
"Why?" Qiao Jing didn't want to waste time with Qiao Yue and asked with a single word.
Qiao Yue looked at the man and said, "Maybe because I'm in a rebellious phase?"
She had no objections to going back to the Qiao residence. After all, her mother has instructed her to do so in her last words. But she had the urge to tease her second brother when she saw his ice-cold face.
Qiao Jing frowned at the mischievous smile on Qiao Yue's face and said, "What do you want?"
"I want to..."
Before Qiao Yue finished, Qiao Jing saw something flying towards him.
Qiao Jing dodged the attack, but the driver behind him was not as agile and was hit in the face by a fat carp.
To express its dissatisfaction at being caught and thrown around, the carp slapped the driver's face with its tail a few times.
"Qiao Yue!"
Qiao Jing's face was frosty. If he had not been so agile, he would have been the one in a sorry state. At the thought of this, Qiao Jing's voice became even colder.
Qiao Yue was not afraid of him. She raised her eyebrows and said with a smile, "What's wrong? Is the second brother angry?"
Hearing Qiao Yue's address, Qiao Jing's brows furrowed even more. He hadn't even revealed his identity, but Qiao Yue had already known.
After pranking the two people, Qiao Yue slowly walked out of the river. She picked up her shoes and bucket in a carefree manner and walked towards her house.
When Qiao Yue passed by, Qiao Jing asked, "Where are you going?"
Qiao Yue turned to look at him. As the two of them stood closer, Qiao Yue realized that Qiao Jing was indeed a beauty with exquisite facial features.
Just like Prince Lan Ling, if he didn't wear a mask, his enemies would look down on him because of his appearance. It was the same for Qiao Jing. If he didn't maintain that cold aura that could freeze people to death, he would probably be surrounded by old and young girls as soon as he appeared.
"Didn't you ask me to go home? I'll go and pack my things."
Qiao Jing didn't expect that Qiao Yue would agree to go home after making things difficult for him for a little while. He looked at Qiao Yue deeply and turned to get into the car.
Qiao Yue wanted to tease Qiao Jing, so she walked slowly and let the car follow her.
This was a tough situation for the driver. A Lexus LM could not keep up with the pace of an old cow.
After about 20 minutes, they finally arrived at Qiao Yue's house.
The driver got out of the car and was ready to help Qiao Yue with his things. Although he didn't like this young master, he had to be polite since Master Jing had said that he wanted to bring him back safely.
The driver was just about to follow Qiao Yue into the house when he heard the door banged close from the inside, followed by Qiao Yue's voice,
"Don't put on an act. I had no intention to get cozy with you."
The driver was startled by either the sound of the door banging close or Qiao Yue's words and turned to look at Qiao Jing in a daze. He couldn't have offended the fifth young master, right?
Qiao Jing rolled down the car window and looked at the teenager's residence with a deep gaze.
"Master Jing, what does the fifth young master mean?" The driver probed.
"That was meant for me. Ignore him."
The driver's eyes widened in surprise. Other than Master Ze, this was the first time someone had spoken to Master Jing so rudely. It was really bizarre!
Compared to the driver, who was surprised at Qiao Jing's nonchalance, Qiao Jing himself was thinking much more.
Before he even mentioned his identity, Qiao Yue was able to determine his background and seniority, and clearly showed him that he wasn't friendly and had no intention to interfere. It seemed that his fifth brother was not simple.
Qiao Jing pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose and lowered his eyes to hide the coldness in them.
Qiao Yue's house was simple and crude. Other than some clothes and daily necessities, there was nothing else.
Suddenly, the wind chimes by the window that Qiao Yue had casually weaved made a crisp sound.
As Qiao Yue tidied her clothes, she said, "Come in."
The next second, a girl in a short skirt and ponytail walked up to Qiao Yue and picked up a piece of her clothing with a look of disgust.
"Boss, do you still want these shabby clothes? You didn't even prepare anything when the Qiao family invited you back?"
The girl was not the only one who came. There was a muscular man beside her, and the height and figure of the two formed a sharp contrast.
The man placed a bag of things next to Qiao Yue and didn't say anything; he waited for the girl to explain.
"Boss, these are from the Godfather."
Qiao Yue raised her eyebrows slightly and opened the bag.
Px4Storm, VP9, FN57, AK47, AUG assault rifles...
The more Qiao Yue looked, the more her forehead twitched. Was she going home or going to war?
Qiao Yue's gaze shifted to the tall and short duo, and said with a fake smile, "Is Godfather asking me to go back and destroy the Qiao family?"
"No, why would he? Godfather just..."
The girl lost her voice halfway through her sentence. Her eyes darted around the bag of guns, and she coughed dryly before continuing, "Well... Boss, the Godfather is just worried that you'll be in danger."
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Chapter 3: Going to War?
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
After searching the bag inside out, Qiao Yue found a less conspicuous Walther PPS. She checked the magazine and then kept it at her waist.
"Take the rest away."
"Yes, boss."
After the two of them left, Qiao Yue took out a simple-looking dagger from under her pillow. Just a gentle wave of this weapon produced a cold light, which showed how sharp the dagger was.
In the car, Qiao Jing was looking through the information he got on Qiao Yue. The information showed that he was born and raised in Nanshan Village before he went to school in town. He went on to study at an ordinary high school and there were no special circumstances during this period.
Suddenly, the car door was pulled open.
Qiao Jing only heard "let's go!" before two bags were squeezed into the backseat.
"Scram. Put your luggage in the trunk and sit in the front."
Qiao Jing's voice seemed to contain ice shards, and his eyes were throwing knives at Qiao Yue.
When the driver saw this, he quickly trembled out of the car and ran to Qiao Yue.
"Fifth young master, give me your things. I'll help you put them away."
Qiao Yue didn't answer. She stacked her two bags and was about to get into the car. She didn't know why, but she really wanted to oppose Qiao Jing. Perhaps it's because she couldn't stand his ostentatious attitude.
Just as Qiao Yue and Qiao Jing were in a stalemate, a sudden cry of surprise sounded in the village.
As the sound drew closer, Qiao Yue saw a red limited-edition sports car driving towards her. She felt that the color was way too eye-catching.
"Get in the car, let's go."
Qiao Yue could hear the impatience in Qiao Jing's voice and looked at him in surprise.
Who was it that could make this block of ice display other emotions?
Hearing Qiao Jing's order, the driver ignored Qiao Yue's luggage and quickly said to Qiao Yue, "Fifth young master, let's go!"
"Second brother, why are you leaving the moment you saw me?"
As soon as the man opened his mouth, Qiao Yue's heart stirred.
Everyone had a voice they liked, and Qiao Yue was no exception.
To her, Qiao Jing's voice was like a spring in cold winter, while this person's voice was like the best wine on summer nights. Just listening to it made her intoxicated.
The man took off his sunglasses and looked at Qiao Yue with a smile in his dreamy eyes.
"So, you are my fifth brother Qiao Yue?"
"Yes."
Qiao Yue flashed a smile at the man, causing the man to raise his eyebrows and size Qiao Yue up with interest.
"The soft skin and tender flesh make you look like a girl. Kid, what's wrong with your neck?"
Although the man was sitting in a car, his aura wasn't diminished at all. His gaze did not feel frivolous. Overall, Qiao Yue had a pretty good impression of this man.
"Qiao Ze, only good things will make you wake up so early," sneered Qiao Jing before Qiao Yue could answer Qiao Ze.
"Same." When he was talking to Qiao Yue, Qiao Ze was still kind, but when it came to Qiao Jing, not only his words but even his attitude was provocative.
Qiao Ze got out of his car, walked to Qiao Yue's side, and looked inside Qiao Jing's car.
"I can't compare with second brother's business style. When I heard that grandfather wanted to find aunt, I couldn't wait to grow wings so I could bring Qiao Yue back quickly."
Qiao Yue understood the enmity between the brothers of the Qiao family.
The old master of the Qiao family had three sons. The eldest and second son had two sons each, and the third son had two daughters. It could be said that the Qiao family was prosperous.
Because they both had sons, the eldest and second sons were courteous to each other but fought fiercely in private. They both wanted to please the old master so that when the old master passed, they could have a bigger share of the inheritance.
However, in Qiao Yue's opinion, all the grandchildren of the Qiao family were quite outstanding. Why would they need to fight tooth and nail for that bit of inheritance?
Just as Qiao Yue was watching the drama before her in a daze, the flames of war reached her unknowingly.
"Qiao Yue, get in the car."
"Fifth brother, look at how ugly your second brother's car is. Come with third brother. Third brother will take you for a ride and have some fun. We're not in a hurry to go home."
The two of them spoke at the same time. Their eyes met and sparks flew.
If the drama didn't involve her, Qiao Yue would happily watch it from the sidelines with a plate of fruit.
Seeing that they were both waiting for her answer, Qiao Yue beamed and said, "I really don't know how to choose between 2nd and 3rd brother's invitation, so in order to not disappoint you, I..."
Qiao Yue said as she took her bags out of Qiao Jing's car.
Qiao Ze's eyes lit up when he saw this while Qiao Jing stared coldly at Qiao Yue's face.
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Chapter 4: A Warm Invitation
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Qiao Yue walked around Qiao Ze's limited edition sports car to the passenger seat's side.
Just as Qiao Ze was about to gloat, the two of them saw Qiao Yue stretch out her legs and mounted a motorcycle next to the car.
With a loud vroom, the motorcycle drove off, leaving a trail of dust behind it.
"Ahem!"
Qiao Ze's face was covered in dust as he coughed a few times and stared blankly at Qiao Yue's departing figure.
"He, he left just like that? On a motorcycle?" Qiao Ze muttered in disbelief.
Qiao Jing lowered his eyes behind his glasses, casting a shadow over his face.
"Drive," ordered Qiao Jing.
The car started moving slowly and Qiao Jing's fingers ran across the photo of the young man on his tablet.
A Dodge Tomahawk? He was wondering just now why there was such vehicle in this small village, and it was casually parked outdoors. He really didn't expect it.
It seemed that the boy they were bringing home to the Qiao residence would bring them a lot of surprises. Qiao Jing adjusted his glasses and the corners of his mouth lifted slightly into a subtle smile.
Qiao Yue rode the Tomahawk and sped on the road, wind whooshing past her ears. She remembered that it was a few years ago that she was forced to learn how to drive. She almost broke a leg when she learned how to ride this.
After she learned it, she fell in love with the feeling of being in sync with the wind, soaring freely.
About two hours later, Qiao Yue's Tomahawk stopped in front of the Qiao family's manor.
Qiao Yue looked at the grounds in front of her and secretly compared it to her own residence.
"Yes, it's bigger than mine but not as big as Godfather's manor."
Not long after Qiao Yue stopped in front of the manor, a servant came to welcome her. The servant sized up the travel-worn young man suspiciously.
The second and third young masters said that they were going to pick up the fifth young master today but why was the fifth young master like this? Also, the second and third young masters were nowhere to be seen yet.
Although the servant was suspicious, he still completed his job and brought Qiao Yue into the villa.
Qiao Yue didn't care about direct or indirect gazes that came her way. She was here to complete her mother's last wish and would leave as soon as it was done.
As Qiao Yue's arrival was too peculiar, the servant did not report her arrival to the old master. Instead, he asked the third Madam, who was at home.
In the servants' eyes, the third Madam was a good-tempered person. After all, she didn't give birth to a son in such a big family and couldn't say much. So, this Madam has always been a person who's not competitive.
"My health hasn't been good lately. Let Xin'er and Ying'er go and entertain the guests! We'll discuss the other things when big brother and the others are home!"
"Yes, Madam,"
The servant then went to look for the two young misses. At the same time, he sighed for the fifth young master. Miss Ying'er had a good temper like her mother, but Miss Xin'er... Sigh!
In the living room, Qiao Yue was sitting on the sofa drinking coffee.
The servant had asked her to wait here just now but she didn't know what or whom to wait for. For old master Qiao? But that's impossible. Shouldn't the servant bring her to the elder instead of letting the old master come over?
Just as Qiao Yue mind wondered, a female voice sounded, "Yo! Where did this country bumpkin come from? Is he here to take advantage of our family? The Qiao family doesn't have any family member or friend with such disheveled clothes and body..."
The girl stopped talking the moment Qiao Yue turned around.
When the girl saw Qiao Yue's back just now, she only saw Qiao Yue's clothes and thought that he was a sloppy-looking boy. She didn't expect Qiao Yue to look so sunny and handsome when he turned around.
But Qiao Xin was dazed for only a second before she said, "Oh, it's the boy from a remote village who says that he's my aunt's son. Who knows if it's true? There are many people who want to be instantly rich these days."
Qiao Ying didn't expect Qiao Xin's words to be so sarcastic. She quickly pulled on her sister's sleeve, motioning her to stop.
Qiao Yue smiled, her expression unchanged in the face of Qiao Xin's ridicule, but her eyes vaguely revealed the kind of care that one had for the mentally disabled.
Qiao Ying didn't know if she was wrong, but she felt that her fifth brother seemed to be disdainful of Qiao Xin's behavior.
"I was invited back by Qiao Jing and Qiao Ze. If Miss Qiao is unhappy with the results, why don't you go and ask your second and third brothers?" Qiao Yue replied politely, her expression unchanged.
Qiao Yue had absolutely no interest in childish arguments.
"You! Your mom had embarrassed the Qiao family by eloping with someone back then! If you still have any self-esteem, you should leave the Qiao residence on your own accord! Don't even think about taking advantage of us!
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Chapter 5: Trouble from One's Mouth
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Qiao Xin saw Qiao Yue's smile and felt even angrier. Even if Qiao Yue's return would make Grandpa happy, her family would gain nothing. Knowing Grandpa, he might even give Qiao Yue an extra portion of his assets. Qiao Xin wasn't going to be so stupid as to share the pie with more people.
Qiao Yue's face turned cold when she heard Qiao Xin mention her mother.
Qiao Ying saw that something was wrong and quickly tried to smooth things over, "Fifth brother, don't be angry. Qiao Xin just doesn't know how to talk properly. Fifth brother, don't lower yourself to her level."
Qiao Yue sneered and said, "I wonder if Miss Qiao has ever heard of the phrase 'trouble from one's mouth'?"
Qiao Xin was frightened by Qiao Yue's cold eyes, but she still clamored, "Are you trying to scare me? Who do you think you are to scare me?"
Suddenly, Qiao Xin had an idea and smiled as she said, "You said that you're a member of the Qiao family. You must have some proof, right? I have something here that can prove that you're not a member of the Qiao family."
When this girl's eyes rolled, Qiao Yue knew that she had thought of a devious idea to harm her. However, she wasn't afraid. For someone who had climbed out dire straits, she wasn't afraid of anything.
"I don't need any proof. If old master Qiao says that I'm not a member of the Qiao family, I'll leave," Qiao Yue replied indifferently.
"Are you afraid? Imposter! When uncle and the others return, they will kill you. Get out of here right now! Men, beat her up and throw her out! "
A few servants immediately appeared after Qiao Xin said that. They looked at each other, not daring to disobey Qiao Xin or to attack the person who might be the fifth young master.
Seeing that Qiao Xin wasn't going to stop until she got what she wanted, Qiao Yue sighed and said, "Alright, tell me how you're going to prove it! You want me to do a DNA test with my mom? My mom passed away a long time ago and didn't leave anything for me. Do you have her hair? I can do the test."
"We don't need to go through so much trouble. Just follow me."
Qiao Xin then walked out of the villa.
Qiao Yue yawned but had no choice but to follow. It was time for her to sleep. She was so sleepy!
Qiao Xin led Qiao Yue to a remote corner of the manor. Qiao Ying also followed because she was worried; there were also two servants behind her.
"This is the place. The snow wolves won't attack members of the Qiao family. Go and try it out. If they attack you, it means that you're not a member of the Qiao family."
Qiao Xin laughed wildly, not hiding her thoughts of killing Qiao Yue.
Qiao Yue glanced at her indifferently. The snow wolf didn't bite its master because it recognized its master after a long period of interaction. The so-called snow wolf recognizing the Qiao family members was just an excuse that Qiao Xin used to fool people.
Not wanting to play such a dumb game with Qiao Xin, Qiao Yue turned around and left. But as soon as she took a step, she heard a rustling sound behind her.
"Rayan, bite him."
Qiao Yue dodged the snow wolf's sneak attack with a roll. Her eyes swept over Qiao Xin, who was watching the drama with excitement.
This crazy woman had actually released all the snow wolves that they kept locked up.
"Rayan, go! Quickly kill him!"
There were six snow wolves in total, and the one in the middle was very obedient to Qiao Xin. As soon as Qiao Xin opened her mouth, it immediately rushed towards Qiao Yue.
The two servants who followed them out were scared out of their wits. They hid behind Qiao Ying and shivered.
In the past, the snow wolves weren't so scary when there's a fence separating them. Now that the gate was opened, they knew how scary these wolves were, especially the one Qiao Xin kept. Qiao Xin would usually feed it lots of bloody meat, even live animals. And now it was following Qiao Xin's order and was going to bite Qiao Yue to death.
"Hurry, hurry and call second brother," Qiao Ying shivered as she ordered the servants. She was also afraid of Qiao Xin's snow wolf. It was too fierce.
Looking at Qiao Xin and Qiao Ying's appearance, Qiao Yue understood somewhat in her heart.
These six snow wolves were probably raised by Qiao Jing and the others, and each of them had one. Now that the other owners of the wolves were not around, Qiao Xin's wolf was leading the pack, causing the other wolves to attack her.
After dodging sneak attacks from the other wolves, Qiao Xin's snow wolf attacked Qiao Yue again, opening its mouth to bite the artery on her neck.
Qiao Ying and the servants closed their eyes in fear. With the snow wolf's speed and strength, no one would be able to survive its attack. They dared not look at the bloody scene and could only pray that Qiao Jing would hurry back and end this farce.