Chapter 161: Homecoming of Old Master Qiao
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Because of the information Trand had provided, Qiao Yue wanted to continue with the investigation immediately, but the old master's trip home disrupted her plans.
Homecoming of Old Master Qiao. By right, the whole family should be there to welcome him, but Qiao Que was injured, and it was inconvenient for her to go to the airport. Qiao Yu, Qiao Ying and all had also school, so the responsibility of picking up the old master fell on the first and the third madams. Naturally, Qiao Jing had to be there as well.
According to Qiao Yu, Qiao Jing wanted to fly the old master back using a private jet, but the old master thought that it was too ostentatious and refused.
Qiao Yue wheeled herself to a floor-to-ceiling window. From there, she'd be able to see them the moment they came home.
Trand had told her that her mother had documents about several international organizations. Although her mother grew up in the Qiao family, she was only an adopted daughter. Even if the Qiao family had documents about these organizations, they would not give them to her. After eliminating the possibilities, the only person who might give these things to her mother was Qiao Yue's father.
Considering her father's job as a military instructor, Qiao Yue suspected that the documents contained information about these organizations' crimes, hideouts, and such.
However, she needed someone to confirm her suspicion. And that person was Old Master Qiao, her maternal grandfather.
Qiao Yue sighed at the thought of this. From her grandfather's previous reaction, he didn't want her to investigate the matter, but she couldn't back down now.
Moreover, she had another suspicion, that these documents might be related to her mother's exile and Qiao Xin's claim that her mother had stolen from the Qiao family.
Seconds and minutes passed. After an hour, the few members of the Qiao family finally appeared at the door. Qiao Yue moved her wheelchair to meet them.
Qiao Xuan and Old Master Qiao didn't look surprised when they saw Qiao Yue in a wheelchair. Qiao Jing must have told them everything on the way home.
Old Master Qiao's eyes were filled with mixed emotions when he heard Qiao Jing explain the reason for Qiao Yue's injuries. There was relief, but also disappointment, as if he had some other thoughts. Old Master Qiao asked Qiao Xuan to push him back to his room as he didn't want to see anyone else.
Old Master Qiao's strange behavior confused Qiao Yue. When she saw Qiao Xuan come out, she went up to him and asked, "Big brother, what's wrong with Grandpa?"
Qiao Yue had a slight frown on her face. She didn't understand why the old master's attitude was so different when he saw her this time.
Qiao Xuan walked to Qiao Yue's wheelchair and patted her head with a smile. "It's nothing. Maybe Grandpa is reminded of your mother."
As soon as these words came out, the faces of the first and third madams of the Qiao family didn't look well.
Back when Qiao Yue's mother was still living at the Qiao residence, she was the one most doted on family member. She didn't look like she was adopted at all, more like a real little princess envied by many.
They were all women from prominent families, but some of them became tools for marriage, while others were pampered like treasures and even found the man they liked.
If it wasn't for what happened later and Qiao Qing's passing at such a young age, they wouldn't have let Qiao Yue return to the Qiao family.
Qiao Yue's eyes lit up when Qiao Xuan mentioned her mother. She asked quickly, "Big brother, do you know my mother well?"
Qiao Xuan smiled and said, "I know her a little, but not too well."
Qiao Jing frowned and looked at his brother. He did not want Qiao Yue to get too involved in matters of the past.
Qiao Xuan gave Qiao Jing a comforting smile and pushed Qiao Yue into the study, without a care for the first and third madams, who were left looking at each other in the living room.
The first madam looked at Qiao Jing and frowned. The third madam looked calm on the outside but was panicking inside.
When she first married into the Qiao family, she hated Qiao Qing and often secretly made things difficult for her. Although the old master didn't know, Qiao Xuan had heard about it a few times. She didn't know if Qiao Xuan would still remember what happened so long ago.
Qiao Xuan pushed Qiao Yue to desk in the study and sat across from her.
Qiao Yue looked into Qiao Xuan's kind eyes and suddenly didn't know where to start. She wanted to know what documents her mother had, what kind of life she had in the Qiao family, and most of all, what the man she had run off with was like.
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Chapter 162: Mother, Qiao Qing
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Qiao Xuan could tell that Qiao Yue needed to figure out where to start, so he took the initiative. "When Auntie left home, I was young and inexperienced. But in my memory, Auntie was a very gentle person."
Hearing Qiao Xuan's words about her mother, Qiao Yue's eyes brightened, and she revealed a beautiful smile. She looked at Qiao Xuan, hoping he would say more.
A soft smile touched Qiao Xuan's lips as he recalled his few memories of his aunt. Even though he did not remember much because of how young he was, this aunt of his left a profound impression on him. She was a woman in love.
His aunt, Qiao Yue's mother, was just like her name. There was a warmth to her that few could compare. She was like the sun on an early summer's day, and all who met her basked in her afterglow.
Qiao Yue's mother was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, so much so that he had unconsciously compared all the girls who had appeared by his side to his aunt. It was not that he had feelings for his aunt beyond family, but after seeing the sea, streams, and lakes, he would always think of her. Such was the impression she left on him as a child.
Qiao Yue listened to Qiao Xuan's story, and her eyes grew dim with a bitter light. Ever since she returned to the Qiao family, she had heard slanderous words, painting her mother in the dark robes of villainy. As much as she wanted to call them out for slander, she could not, which ate away at her heart.
It was unbearable.
"Big Brother, did my mother steal something and get kicked out of the house, or did she run away? Who was the person she eloped with?" Qiao Yue's red-rimmed eyes pleaded with earnest hope as she spoke to Qiao Xuan.
Qiao Xuan was stunned by Qiao Yue's question. He opened his mouth and closed it again as if he was considering his words.
"I don't know much about this matter. Auntie left with her lover and returned to the family a few years later. It was only afterwards that rumours spread of things being stolen."
"Rumors?" Qiao Yue latched onto Qiao Xuan's words like a bloodhound tracking its prey.
Qiao Xuan nodded. "Grandpa said that Auntie did not steal anything."
The facts aligned insofar as their grandfather telling them the same things. Since that was the case, it was likely to be the truth.
"Big Brother, you said my mother left with the person she loved, but you never mentioned that she eloped. What do you mean? Why would Grandpa kick her out of the house if she didn't elope or steal anything?" Qiao Yue asked in confusion.
Qiao Xuan sighed. This was a topic he had a little more knowledge of. On the day his aunt left, his grandfather locked himself in his room for a long time, and when he came out, his eyes were red and puffy.
He remembered asking his grandfather if his aunt would return, but he did not answer. Instead, the old man said, "Don't speak of your aunt anymore. Just treat it as if she disappeared!"
Although he was still young at that time, he could still hear the reluctance and helplessness in his grandfather's voice. It was not that his grandfather had driven his aunt away but that his aunt had no choice but to leave to save the family from trouble.
Qiao Xuan told Qiao Yue everything he knew. Silence fell upon the room.
"Big Brother, have you seen my father?" Qiao Yue asked after a long time.
Qiao Xuan shook his head slightly. "I've never met your father."
The confirmation of something she had known all along caused Qiao Yue's heart to sink into the abyss. Her father was too mysterious, and if he were who she thought he would be, then it was not an identity she dared believe to be real.
While she had never really thought about her father, she still hoped he was alive. It was a strange combination of factors that derailed her investigations. Now, she did not dare dig further into his identity. She was afraid of the truth she would have to confront. Qiao Yue comforted herself with the knowledge that the likelihood of her father being alive was infinitesimally small.
"Xiao Yue?" Seeing Qiao Yue's dazed silence, Qiao Xuan could not help but call out.
Qiao Yue returned to her senses, looking up at Qiao Xuan with her red eyes. Qiao Xuan was stunned. He subconsciously got up to comfort Qiao Yue but did not know what to say. After all, Qiao Yue had not said anything.
After a long while, Qiao Yue spoke in a hoarse voice, "Thank you, Big Brother."
"N-no need to be so polite."
The longer Qiao Yue remained silent, the more uneasy Qiao Xuan felt. Even the usually mild-mannered and calm Qiao Xuan could not help but feel flustered.
Having seen Qiao Yue's mischievous smile, it was hard to reconcile the image with the young woman seated before him. For such a carefree person to suddenly look so cynical... It left him at a loss.
Qiao Yue smiled faintly even as she tried and failed to dispel Qiao Xuan's concerns. She could not make any other expressions right now.
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Chapter 162: The Gentle Qiao Jing
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
"Big Brother, I'll go back to my room first. I'm a little tired." Qiao Yue said softly, her voice a hoarse tremble.
"Alright, I'll send you back," Qiao Xuan said.
"No, that's alright. I'm fine, Big Brother. I-I want some time alone..." Qiao Yue wheeled herself around and left the study. Qiao Xuan wanted to follow but stopped.
Outside her room, Qiao Yue met Qiao Jing. He was waiting by the door. Qiao Yue subconsciously turned away to hide her sorry state from him.
"What's wrong?"
Qiao Jing's question hung in the air, not as cold as it usually was. Warmth emanated from Qiao Yue's heart, and she felt a sting in her eyes.
"It's nothing."
Without looking at Qiao Jing, Qiao Yue slowly rolled her wheelchair into her room. Just as she was about to close the door, a hand reached in, stopping her. Fortunately, Qiao Yue had not forced the door shut; otherwise, Qiao Jing's hand would have been clipped by accident.
Qiao Yue huffed in annoyance, asking, "Brother, what are you doing?"
With his hand through the door, Qiao Jing squeezed in through the narrow gap. Qiao Yue would have been impressed on any other day, but she was not in the mood today.
Since Qiao Jing was already in her room, Qiao Yue did not bother trying to stop him. She manoeuvred her wheelchair over to the bookshelf and picked a book to read.
It was a habit Qiao Yue developed whenever she faced things she found too difficult to handle. While reading, few people would interrupt to get her attention.
She was the sort to brute force solutions to her problems, even if it meant driving her further to a dead end. Hence, she developed this coping mechanism.
Qiao Yue knew it was not the healthiest solution, but it was the best she could manage when all others seemed to reaffirm the prickling thorns that wound their way around her heart.
A hand relieved the token shield she bore, stealing the book from her hands. Qiao Yue looked up and met Qiao Jing's dark eyes, regarding her in solemn silence. A word came unbidden to her lips, "Brother."
"If something is bothering you, don't bottle it up. Speak. Let it all out." Although Qiao Jing appeared calm, concern lined his features and came through in his words.
Qiao Yue clenched her fists, digging her nails into the palm of her hands. She just wanted to be alone. She never asked for anyone's sympathy. So why did Qiao Jing have to force his way into her world when she wanted nothing more than some time to herself?
Qiao Jing knelt, coming eye-level with Qiao Yue, and gently covered her eyes in his large hands.
"If you want to cry, cry. Don't hold it in."
Qiao Jing wore down Qiao Yue's psychological defences again and again. Finally, Qiao Yue could no longer hold it in. Her eyes went dark, and hot tears drew rivulets down her parched cheeks.
As she cried, Qiao Jing's hand remained a firm fixture over her face. Only when Qiao Yue pulled away did Qiao Jing turn around to get a few pieces of tissue paper.
Qiao Yue felt much better. She had always been alone, wondering if her father had passed away like her mother, the fear bred by uncertainty a constant in her life. Still, she held onto the illusion, that tiny ember of hope, only for it to be crushed mercilessly. The pain and sadness she had repressed for years reared their head and lashed out with reckless abandon.
Qiao Jing patted Qiao Yue on her head, asking softly, "Do you feel better?"
Qiao Yue flushed in embarrassment, recalling how she had broken down earlier. She cleared her throat and levelled a question back at him. "Brother, aren't you going to ask me what happened?"
"You'll tell me if you want to," Qiao Jing replied.
Qiao Yue pursed her lips and said, "I heard about my mother and father."
Qiao Yue looked at the floor as she spoke, so she did not see Qiao Jing's frown upon hearing her mention her father.
"Your father?" Qiao Jing echoed.
"Yes... My father is too mysterious. Qiao Xuan said he's never met my father, but that doesn't mean you haven't, have you?" Qiao Yue asked.
Qiao Jing hummed in agreement and did not say anything else. He merely listened as Qiao Yue recounted her childhood.
Qiao Yue was thankful for the listening ear. She had buried so many things in her heart over the years that they spilt over in an unceasing torrent. What was left was numbing exhaustion that reached into her bones.
While she spoke much about her past, there were some secrets she did not reveal. Still, what little she shared of her childhood managed to ease the burdens she had shouldered alone for so long.
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Chapter 164: The Qiao Family's Genes
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Qiao Jing was a good listener. He did not interrupt Qiao Yue while she was speaking, but neither did he make it seem she was talking to thin air.
By the time Qiao Yue finished, it was already evening. One of the family's butlers knocked on the door, informing them that dinner was ready. He invited them downstairs for dinner in the dining room.
The Old Master had returned earlier that day, so the whole family was present. When Qiao Yue and Qiao Jing made their way downstairs, they heard the head butler relating news of the Qiao brothers to the Old Master.
The Old Master had three sons. They were named Qiao Ren, Qiao Yi, and Qiao Li. The one who had caused a commotion in the ward was the Old Master's second son, Qiao Yi. One would expect sons of the Old Master to be wise and virtuous under his strict upbringing, yet, for all the good he tried to instill in them, they all turned wayward.
Qiao Ren should have been an honest and simple man, judging by the name he was given. Instead, he continually accrued romantic debts wherever he went. His marriage with the First Madam was strictly business-related, and only the first two years of their marriage showed any promise. After Qiao Xuan and Qiao Jing, Qiao Ren indulged in debauchery, failing to fulfill his duties as a father.
It was not that the Old Master did not care about what his eldest son was doing; rather, that rascal had fled so quickly that there was nothing he could do to discipline him.
The Old Master's second son, Qiao Yi, was so focused on his business because he did not want to be outdone by his highly capable wife. Qiao Yi's wife rose to his challenge and followed him wherever he went, leaving her two children at home without anyone to care for them.
Meanwhile, Qiao Li, the vice president of the Qiao family's enterprise locally, had not returned to the country in a few months because of pressing business overseas. While Qiao Li was not as rebellious or strong-willed as his two older brothers, he was... mediocre. He did not excel in any field, which often made the Old Master sigh in disappointment.
Perhaps it was due to these three lacking sons that the Old Master liked Qiao Yue's mother, Qiao Qing, best.
The Qiao family's genes were strange in that way. While all three of the Old Master's sons were disasters of different scales, his grandchildren were each more capable than the last. There were times the Old Master wondered if it was precisely these absent parents that the children of his first and second sons were so sensible.
Qiao Yue glanced at Qiao Ze and Qiao Yu, who were looking at their phones. Qiao Yue could scarcely believe that Qiao Ze and Qiao Yu were Qiao Yi's sons.
Now a middle-aged man, Qiao Yue's uncle, Qiao Yi, had dined on the excesses of women and alcohol and was largely out of shape. Although Qiao Ze and Qiao Yu were not what could be described as normal, they were still somewhat reliable and did not seem to be heading in the same direction as their father.
The head butler informed the Old Master that Qiao Ren would be back in three days, while Qiao Yi and Qiao Li would arrive tomorrow.
The old man waved his hand uncaringly. He had long grown numb to the constant disappointment that was his three sons. If it were not for his capable grandsons supporting the Qiao family, he would not know who to pass on the mantle to in his old age.
Parents of other children treated their sons and daughters as treasures, and their children reciprocated as a gesture of filial piety.
Because of what the Old Master's sons and their wives had done, his four grandchildren treated their parents with indifference. Even though the Old Master did his best to fill the gap, it would never be enough to fill the hole they had left in his beloved grandchildren's lives.
Having given his report to the Old Master, the head butler instructed the other attendants to serve dinner. The First Madam, Third Madam, Qiao Xin, and Qiao Ying sat on the Old Master's right, while Qiao Xuan, Qiao Yue, and the others sat to his left.
Qiao Xuan would usually sit next to the Old Master. However, the old man had specifically asked Qiao Yue to sit beside him, so Qiao Xuan acquiesced and sat further away.
While it was just a family dinner, that fact did not mean much in Qiao Xin's eyes.
She glared at Qiao Yue as if trying to flay her skin via force of will alone. It wasn't until someone nudged her arm that she reluctantly looked away.
The mixed feelings of everyone at the table were clear. The Old Master would chat with Qiao Yue only to be interrupted every so often by Qiao Ze. Qiao Xuan and Qiao Jing listened to the stilted conversations quietly. On the other hand, Qiao Yu remained conspicuously quiet throughout the meal.
Qiao Yue had her fill of food while Qiao Xin stewed in anger.
Qiao Xin could not understand why everyone seemed to like Qiao Yue. Even her grandfather was enamored! Why was her grandfather still so focused on her aunt, who had stolen and eloped from the family?
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Chapter 165: Herbal Cuisine
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Qiao Yue was genuinely happy that her grandfather had returned to the country so soon.
As she had not stayed in S-country for long, she did not know what had caused him to fall into a coma. Before she left, Qiao Yue had asked Lu Ying to remind Qiao Xuan to pay attention to the people around the old man.
Seeing the old man hale and hearty, Qiao Yue deduced that Lu Ying did as she asked, passing on her message to Qiao Xuan.
Qiao Yue had returned to the Qiao family to fulfil her mother's last wish. After meeting her grandfather in S-country, she felt she could face her mother's request with greater sincerity.
She could tell that the old man loved her mother from the bottom of his heart; it was as if nothing her mother ever did could disappoint him. Now that the old man was back, taking care of his health was the highest of her priorities, followed by investigating the secrets surrounding her parents.
It just so happened that she could not go to school and needed to recuperate at home. She could use this opportunity to ensure the old man had enough rest.
With this plan in mind, Qiao Yue got to work. She found a recipe in her free time to treat the root of the problem. As the saying goes, food is the fundamental force that drives the body. Pairing the recipe she found with her knowledge of Chinese medicine, Qiao Yue developed a meal plan that she believed would help bolster the old man's health.
It only took one night for Qiao Yue to devise the plan. Her grandfather was recovering from a serious illness and needed to partake in nutritious food that would aid in his recovery. However, due to his age, a delicate balance had to be struck. Too much was as bad as too little. Something mild would be best.
The next morning, Qiao Yue stopped by the kitchen and asked the chef to prepare a few herbal dishes, asking him to add certain ingredients to enhance their taste.
Qiao Xuan woke early and saw Qiao Yue following the chef into the kitchen as he was about to go on his morning run. Curious, he backtracked a little to see what was going on.
"What are you doing?"
The sudden question startled Qiao Yue. She turned around and met Qiao Xuan's probing gaze.
"Big Brother, why are you up so early?" Qiao Yue stuttered, dazzled by Qiao Xuan's handsome features.
Qiao Xuan was handsome in the classical sense and ticked all the right boxes in Qiao Yue's humble appreciation of masculinity. Facing the full brunt of it in the early morning light, Qiao Yue felt like she could gobble him up.
"I usually run in the morning. I try not to miss it when I have the time," Qiao Xuan chuckled as he answered Qiao Yue.
Qiao Yue nodded, giving Qiao Xuan a thumbs up. As a doctor, Qiao Xuan was on call 24/7. Yet, he still took the time to ensure he remained fit. Qiao Yue was impressed. Even she had relaxed from her gruelling workout sessions since returning to the Qiao family. Whether it was school or life with the Qiao family, it was all a vacation to her.
A strong herbal aroma wafted out of the kitchen, drawing Qiao Xuan's attention back to the topic.
"You're up early. Are you visiting the kitchen for a before-breakfast snack? What are you going to have?" Qiao Xuan asked.
Qiao Yue did not expect Qiao Xuan's next question and found herself at a loss for words. She stared at him for what was likely longer than strictly appropriate, but eventually, her faculties returned to her. "I'm not here for a snack! Grandpa has just recovered from a serious illness, and I wanted to see if we could prepare something herbal for him."
"Something herbal? I'm surprised you so much." This time, it was Qiao Xuan's turn to gape in shock, his star-lit eyes flashing with mesmerising light.
"Fifth Young Miss, the congee is ready. Would you like to try it?" Just as Qiao Xuan was about to continue, the chef interrupted.
Qiao Yue grinned cheekily at Qiao Xuan and said, "I know a little..." She pointed at the clay pot. "Would you like to try some?"
Qiao Xuan nodded with a smile. "Of course, I have to try Xiao Yue's porridge."
Qiao Yue's teeth glimmered, bright and pearly. "I didn't cook it. I just asked the chef if he could make something using my recipe."
Qiao Yue was not so shameless as to claim someone else's work as her own. All she had was her understanding of Chinese medicine and some of its applications in meal preparation. For instance, the herbal food she had eaten in the hospital was a recipe she had given Lu Ying. Anything she touched seemed to turn into poison when she cooked. Qiao Yue still recalled her master's suffering as they tested the various recipes she prepared by hand.
Qiao Xuan did not refute her. Upon eating a spoonful of porridge, his eyes lit up, and he praised, "It's smooth and fragrant. It's really hard to make herbal cuisine palatable."
Hearing Qiao Xuan's compliment, Qiao Yue gave the chef her approval.
Qiao Xuan glanced at the small clay pot and sighed. "It looks like there won't be enough for everyone to eat today."
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