Chapter 166: She May Have a Brain, But It Is Nothing to Speak Of
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Qiao Xuan was right; there was not enough for everyone. She had made sure of it.
Herbal congee took a lot of work to make. Furthermore, the sheer variety of ingredients called for a precise amount to be used. It was a delicate balance, which required using a specifically sized clay pot with adequate thermal conductivity.
Most clay pots were not very large, so they helped concentrate the flavours in a dish. This specificity gave the chef pause because he needed to look for a clay pot that would fit Qiao Yue's requirements.
Moreover, the herbal porridge was based on a recipe meant to nourish the Old Master's body – it was not suited for general consumption. Even if she could tweak the recipe, why should she? Qiao Yue disliked the petty tricks of the third branch of the family and did not feel like making food for them to enjoy.
"Big Brother, why don't you ask Grandpa to give you some?" Qiao Yue's eyes formed twin crescents as she spoke.
Qiao Xuan rapped Qiao Yue on the head. "It's fine. Next time, don't forget to prepare enough for the rest of the family."
The family was a sensitive topic for Qiao Yue and considering what the First and Third Madams had done, Qiao Xuan could not blame her. Still, it should not hurt to nudge her gently.
Qiao Yue's eyebrows shot to her hairline. "That'll depend on my mood."
While the two laughed in the kitchen, they did not notice a figure watching them from a window nearby.
Qiao Jing frowned as he considered the two. The air around him chilled in the early morning light. When had Qiao Yue and his brother grown so close?
His fingers clenched, leaving deep marks on his palm, but Qiao Jing did not notice.
At breakfast, Qiao Yue sat next to the old man once again. To her surprise, Qiao Xin did not glare at her; she merely stared at her food, refusing to meet her in the eye.
A glance at the breakfast laid out was enough for the Old Master to note the difference. Immediately, he asked one of the servants why breakfast was not as usual.
Without waiting for the servant to respond, Qiao Xuan said, "Xiao Xue prepared some herbal porridge for you, Grandpa."
"You made this?" The old man seemed to ask, curious to know what Qiao Xuan meant.
Qiao Yue shot Qiao Xuan a look, shaking her head helplessly. "Grandpa, Big Brother's words aren't accurate. The chef cooked the porridge. I merely gave him the recipe."
"What recipe?" The old man asked.
Qiao Yue smiled. "I know a little about herbal cuisine. Grandpa, you're still recovering from that illness, so I asked the chef to prepare something mild but nourishing."
The Old Master beamed, quite pleased by Qiao Yue's thoughtfulness. However, before he could praise Qiao Yue, the Third Madam interrupted, "I didn't know you knew much about herbal cuisine. When did you become so knowledgeable?"
Qiao Yue's smile faded as she turned to the Third Madam. "Is there a problem?"
The Third Madam was more experienced than Qiao Xin and could hide her vicious edge behind a mask of civility.
She offered Qiao Yue a warm and gentle smile. "Qiao Yue is a dutiful child. It's good she prepared breakfast early while thinking about you. However, I'm concerned that this herbal porridge might be too nourishing for you. You've just recovered. It isn't a good idea to eat something too strong for your body to handle."
Qiao Yue eyed the Third Madam expressionlessly, wondering how long she would continue this charade. While it might seem like she was praising her on the surface, the underlying note to her words was an implicit criticism. Filial to a fault but only insofar as one allowed themselves to be drawn into her cunning web of ill-intentioned schemes. The Third Madam probably did not even care about the Old Master's health; she merely wanted to appear as if she cared.
Qiao Yue lowered her eyes, a self-satisfied smirk sprawling across her face. The Third Madam may have a brain, but it was nothing to write home about since she scarcely used it. Did she forget Qiao Xuan had spoken up on her behalf?
As expected, Qiao Xuan intervened. "Don't worry, Third Aunt. I've reviewed all the ingredients used in Xiao Yue's herbal dishes. They won't affect Grandfather's body. The ingredients are warm and nourishing, but they are still mild enough to be safe for Grandfather to consume."
The Third Madam's expression froze. "Ah, I'm glad you were involved in the process, Xiao Xuan. I was worried."
The Third Madam had thought Qiao Yue had found a recipe or two from the internet and wanted to use it to curry favour with the old man. The fact that Qiao Xuan had curated them already meant they were safe. Not only would this gesture alleviate any suspicions the Old Master might have towards Qiao Yue in the future, but it would also serve as a reminder of her attentiveness. Who would have thought Qiao Xuan would check the ingredients? This time, the Third Madam acknowledged that she had shot herself in the foot.
The Old Master nodded in relief and patted Qiao Yue on her shoulder, "Alright, let's have breakfast."
Although he could smell the fragrant aroma filling the air, the old man had thought the porridge would be the same as what he had eaten in the hospital. That porridge may have smelled nice, but it did not have the taste to match it.
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Chapter 167: A Wish
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
The old master, who was mentally prepared, was surprised at the first bite. He ate a few more spoons of the soup. The warmth it provided spread from his stomach to his limbs, making the old master sigh.
"Xiao Yue, your medicinal cuisine tastes excellent. You must have put your heart into it!" The old master said to Qiao Yue with a smile.
Qiao Yue's eyes were bright as she repeated what she had said to Qiao Xuan. "Grandpa, I only provided the recipe. The chef was the one who made everything tasty."
The old master nodded and asked the butler to double the salary of the chef who prepared the meal. The two members from the third family were shocked by the old master's jaw-dropping gesture.
The Qiao family always paid their help well. Their servants' monthly salaries were easily six times of the benchmark salary. Doubling it for the chef would mean an entire year's pay for an ordinary person. Who would have thought that making a meal of medicinal cuisine would make the old master so happy?
"Xiao Yue, although you didn't cook this meal, Grandpa is very happy for your thoughtfulness. Let me know if you want anything. I'll give it to you as long it's within my means." The old master said to Qiao Yue with a smile.
Qiao Yue was stunned. She didn't expect the old master to turn his attention to her in the blink of an eye.
As soon as the old master said this, people at the dining table all looked at Qiao Yue.
"Grandpa, I don't have anything that I want." Qiao Yue said helplessly.
Actually, the old master wanted to reward her but tried to distract everyone by raising the chef's salary first. It looked like his distraction tactic didn't work.
The old master laughed. "Then, I shall leave this offer open. You let Grandpa know when you think of something."
Qiao Yue's eyes lit up as she said, "Grandpa, I can ask for anything?"
The old master nodded and asked in return, "What, you little brat? You've already thought of something so quickly?"
"No, I'm just asking out of curiosity." Qiao Yue revealed a polite smile.
Seeing Qiao Yue smiling happily, Qiao Xuan also smiled quietly, while Qiao Jing's eyes that were staring at Qiao Yue dimmed for a moment. Qiao Ze still looked sleepy; it's obvious that he had stayed up late last night. As for Qiao Yu, he just ate with his head down.
In fact, the old master's words were not just recognition; he granted a wish to Qiao Yue as a form of support. No one would dare to question her status as a member of the Qiao family if she had the old master's support.
In less than two days after the old master's return to the Qiao residence, the surficial balance of power at home had been disrupted. In addition to the third family, there was also Qiao Yue. It's still unknown who would be the one in power at the Qiao residence in future.
After breakfast, the first madam called Qiao Xuan and Qiao Jing away. Before the first madam spoke, Qiao Yue saw Qiao Jing wanting to say something to his mother but held back. Qiao Xin and Qiao Ying were also taken away by the third madam, leaving Qiao Yue, Qiao Ze, and Qiao Yu in the large living room.
Because of the old master's return to the country, Qiao Ze had pushed back his schedule for the next few days so he could be home to accompany the old master. As for Qiao Yu, it's his rest day so he didn't have to go to school.
Qiao Ze yawned, told his brothers that he was going to catch up on his sleep and went upstairs.
As residents at the Qiao residence kept different schedules, the mealtime rules were not as strict. However, since the old master was back, they could not be late for breakfast the very next day, right? Qiao Ze resisted the urge to stay in bed and got up. He really couldn't take it anymore, so he went back upstairs to sleep.
Qiao Yue and Qiao Yu looked at each other and suddenly didn't know what to do. Qiao Yu stared at Qiao Yue for a few seconds before he said, "You even know about medicinal cuisine? Then why didn't you make some for me when I was injured?"
Qiao Yue raised her eyebrows. "I was also injured, and I still haven't recovered."
Qiao Yu tsked unhappily. "Didn't you say that you didn't lift a finger and only provided the recipe?"
"Um... Uh..." Qiao Yue couldn't think of a reason despite a long pause. Her eyes darted around guiltily. Could she say that she was lazy? Although she didn't have to cook the dishes, she had to supervise the chef. She wouldn't have done this if not for the old master.
Qiao Yu was even more unhappy when he saw Qiao Yue's expression. He could guess what this brat was thinking. Didn't he just feel that it was too much trouble? To think that he treated him so well, what a heartless boy!
After arriving at this conclusion, Qiao Yu pestered Qiao Yue to agree to make him a meal of medicinal cuisine. He also wanted to try the herbal dish that made his grandfather sigh.
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Chapter 168: Unfilial Son
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
On medicinal cuisine, it wasn't the rarest taste in the world. It's just that the food that the old master ate while in hospital were more medicinal than cuisine. He was in recovery then but now in health maintenance mode. The medicinal cuisine would naturally taste better. Its strong herbal taste was even more enticing to the old master who had been eating bland food and taking medicine for such a long time.
If it weren't for these reasons, medicinal cuisine wouldn't be a big deal for Old Master Qiao, who had tasted all kinds of delicacies.
Under Qiao Yu's pestering, Qiao Yue had no choice but to agree to his request. In return, Qiao Yu would tutor her.
Qiao Yue expressed that there was really no need.
In the afternoon, Qiao Yue saw Qiao Yi and Qiao Li rush home. One of them looked anxious while the other calm.
Although Qiao Yue had experienced Qiao Yi's tantrum at the hospital, it was the difference between her uncle and his sons, Qiao Ze and Qiao Yu, that left an impression on her.
The one who couldn't wait to find the old master as soon as he came back was the anxious looking Qiao Yi.
Qiao Yue sized up Qiao Li, whom she was meeting for the first time. When she saw Qiao Li, she was sure that there was no problem with the Qiao genes but Qiao Li was so fat that she couldn't tell what he really looked like.
Qiao Li didn't ignore Qiao Yue like Qiao Yi did. Instead, after receiving Qiao Yue's gaze, he walked towards her.
"Qiao Yue, right? You're Xiaoqing's kid." Qiao Li looked at Qiao Yue with a loving smile.
Qiao Yue looked at her uncle and smiled. "Hello, third uncle."
"Hello, my child."
Qiao Yue couldn't figure out Qiao Li's attitude in that instant. The third family had always been hostile to her, so why was Qiao Li's attitude so different?
Qiao Yue looked into her uncle's eyes but didn't notice anything strange. She suspected that either her uncle had hidden his true feelings well or he really didn't have any ill intentions toward her. However, after some thought, Qiao Yue thought that the latter was unlikely, but she had no evidence.
"Third uncle, you must be tired from the flight. Why don't you wash up and lie down for a while? We'll catch up after dinner."
"Alright," Qiao Li nodded and headed upstairs to the third family quarters.
Qiao Yue was confused by Qiao Li's actions. She said those things intentionally to Qiao Li. She was just an "outsider" who had just arrived at the Qiao residence and yet she used the tone of the master to say such things to a person who had lived here for decades. Anyone would feel uncomfortable, but Qiao Li was very calm.
Qiao Yue stared at Qiao Li's back and couldn't help but sigh, "Trouble seems to be endless."
When Qiao Yue went upstairs and walked by the old master's room, she suddenly heard a loud crash inside. Qiao Yue's brows twitched, and she quickly walked over.
The door wasn't closed tightly, and that was why Qiao Yue could hear the sound of something breaking.
"You b*stard!" Qiao Yue heard the old master's angry scolding inside the room.
Qiao Yu roared back, "Dad! Why are you so biased? You're willing to help Qiao Ren, who's a useless piece of sh*t, but why are you so heartless when it comes to me?"
"I helped Qiao Ren because I can't let him starve to death! And you? What do you want my help with? You actually want me to help you import those dirty things into our country!" Although the old master was still scolding his son, his breath was unsteady.
Qiao Yi didn't care about the old master's condition and continued to talk back.
"It's just once, what's the big deal? I'm in a life and death situation right now, and Qiao Jing withdrew the funds just like that, without giving me any time! What can I do? Dad! I'm your son too, you've already helped the others, why can't you help me?" Qiao Yi yelled hysterically at the old master.
"You! You!"
Qiao Yue heard her grandfather's breathlessness and rushed in. While calming the old master's breathing, she pinched his philtrum acupoint to prevent him from fainting.
"Grandpa, take a deep breath and calm down."
When Qiao Yue rushed in, she saw the almost fainting old master and quickly caught him before he fell to the ground.
The old master gradually calmed down under Qiao Yue's comfort. With his wrinkled hands, he patted Qiao Yue's arm that was soothing and stood up with Qiao Yue's help.
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Chapter 169: Dirty Business
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Everything happened within minutes and Qiao Yi had no time to react. Although he wasn't filial, it wasn't to the point that he wished his father dead. He was also stunned when he saw that the old master almost fainted.
The old master recovered from his fainting spell and struck the ground with his walking stick.
"Qiao Yi, just give up! If it's that kind of business, I won't give you a single cent even if your business goes bust. Get lost now and don't appear in front of me!"
The old master didn't give Qiao Yi any face and ordered him to leave.
Qiao Yi glared fiercely at his father. As though it wasn't enough, he glared at Qiao Yue one more time he left indignantly, slamming the door behind him.
Although Qiao Yue was curious about what business Qiao Yi was doing, she didn't ask in view of the old master's condition.
Qiao Yue helped her grandfather on to a chair and pressed on his acupoints to relieve the tension.
The old master exhaled two mouthfuls of turbid air before he slowly said, "Xiao Yue, go and rest. Grandpa would like some time alone."
Qiao Yue nodded silently and left her grandfather's room. She wanted to know what Qiao Yi had done to make the old master so angry.
Before dinner, Qiao Yue vaguely heard Qiao Yi borrowing money from Qiao Li. Because they were quite far away, Qiao Yue didn't hear the result, but from Qiao Yi's expression, he probably failed.
As for the kind of business Qiao Yi was into, Qiao Yue found out before she went to bed. Reading the information sent by YQ, Qiao Yue's lips curled into a cold smile.
No wonder her grandfather was so angry. Qiao Yi was engaged in human trafficking, prostitution, and whoring. He'd identified a country that valued men over women, bought women at a low price, and then sold them back in C-Country. He'd also pick out the good-looking ones, package them, and send them to inappropriate places.
Qiao Yue tapped her fingers on the document. It said that after Qiao Jing withdrew his investment, Qiao Yi encountered cash flow problem, which led him to such dirty business so he could recoup his business. However, Qiao Yue didn't think so.
To be able to perfect the supply chain in a short time with only one remaining step, which was to sell the merchandise in China, how could this be triggered by Qiao Jing's withdrawal of capital? Also, based on what YQ said, Qiao Yi had done everything discreetly. YQ only managed to find out what Qiao Yi was doing by tapping his wife's phone.
It's probably not a spur of the moment decision when Qiao Jing withdraw all the money he had invested on Qiao Yi within a day. Could Qiao Jing have found out something too?
Qiao Yue drummed her fingers on the table as she smiled. Her second brother must have a lot of secrets!
The atmosphere at the Qiao residence was somber with Qiao Yi and Qiao Li's return. Qiao Yi had come back home before his wife to ask for help from the old master. He didn't expect to be rejected so harshly by his father. His wife was still waiting there, so he had to go around begging for help.
The two brothers, Qiao Ze and Qiao Yu, didn't have an easy time in the past few days either. As Qiao Yi's children, they had naturally been asked by their father for help. But how could the old master not know the kind of person his son was? He had long told his grandsons what their father was up to.
The boys had decades of education and their own conscience on one hand and their parents' coercion on the other. They didn't even dare to stay at home. They would occasionally come back to accompany their grandfather, but as soon as they heard that Qiao Yi was home, they would instantly disappear without a trace. Qiao Yue felt tired for her brothers.
Qiao Yue wanted to help, but the country that Qiao Yi was in did not prohibit the trafficking of women. Instead, these transactions were an important source of income for the country. A country that acquiesced to such trafficking was basically rotten to the core, and it would be a daydream to expect them to do anything.
Sighing, Qiao Yue walked to the floor-to-ceiling window with a coffee. It looked like they would have to wait for Qiao Yi to make the first move, and then deal with his actions one by one.
It wasn't that she didn't want to rescue those women, but there was no way to rescue them. However, no matter what, she shared her grandfather's sentiment. They couldn't let those women enter C-Country.
In the pitch-black and starless night sky, every room in the Qiao family mansion was brightly lit. Most likely, not many were able to sleep peacefully because of Qiao Yi's matter.
They were all members of the same family, but they had different thoughts. No one knew who's actually thinking about the future of the Qiao family.
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Chapter 170: Anxiety Resolved
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
On the fourth day after the old master's return, Qiao Yue finally met her alleged playboy first uncle.
Qiao Ren's appearance indeed earned him the right to be a playboy. Unlike Qiao Xuan's gentleness and warmth, or Qiao Jing's aloofness, Qiao Ren exuded a bad boy aura. He was slightly frivolous but not offensive. His actions were measured, and he still carried with him the upbringing of a prominent family.
Qiao Yue sized up her first uncle with a little surprise in her eyes. After meeting Qiao Yi and Qiao Li, she never expected Qiao Ren to be like this.
As for Qiao Ren, he was obviously stunned when he met Qiao Yue. After the old master introduced them, he only greeted Qiao Yue coolly. This surprised Qiao Yue. She thought that Qiao Ren would say something to her, but he didn't.
The first meeting was just an interlude. The next few days were relatively peaceful, and Qiao Yue seemingly entered early retirement.
She woke up early every day to prepare medicinal cuisine for her grandfather. During the day, she would either study or accompany the old master. After dinner, she would take a walk with the old master. Basically, all her attention were on her grandfather. The old master's health improved under her meticulous care.
As for Qiao Ren and his brothers, they didn't cause any trouble recently. Qiao Ren was well-behaved and basically stayed home. He didn't go out to party, but his relationship with the first madam was cold. Occasionally, he would stare blankly at Qiao Yue's face.
Qiao Li knew his place and often went to the Qiao corporation to oversee things, while Qiao Yi was eager to do something. But as soon as he tried, he was caught red-handed by the police of C-Country and brought to the police station along with his merchandise.
"According to the latest from the police, Wang and Zhou colluded with foreign criminal gangs to smuggle abducted women into the country, while Li and Sun waited to receive these women at the border of Bai County in F-City. Zhang and Wu were responsible for selling the abducted foreign women to the rural villages in N-City and other places..."
When the old master saw the news, he could not help but slap his thigh and cheer, "As expected of the C-Country police, they are so efficient!"
As he said this, he glanced at the ashen-faced Qiao Yi and added, "One must do things with a conscience. If one keeps thinking about making ill-gotten money, one will get into trouble sooner or later."
Qiao Yue chuckled as she listened. She had heard from Chu Jia this morning that the person who had received the information from her had called to share the good news last night. He said that he had been recognized for this operation and would be promoted soon. This meant that their men could gradually infiltrate the police force.
Qiao Yue didn't forget to sigh in her happiness. Qiao Yi had really gone against the wind and committed crimes.
The conclusion of this matter seemed to have resolved an anxiety for the old master; he even had an extra bowl of rice.
After the news, Qiao Yue watched other television programs with the old master. Seeing that no one was paying attention, the third madam gave the first madam a look. The first madam frowned slightly but didn't say anything.
While the old master was recuperating, Qiao Yue's injuries were also healing. Because of Qiao Yi's example, the others dared not stir up any trouble. However, because of the old master's favoritism towards Qiao Yue, the atmosphere at the Qiao residence was tense, like a string wound so tight that the slightest movement would snap it.
Just like today. When news about the old master bringing Qiao Yue to the company for an inspection tour broke, everyone at the Qiao residence was shocked. Except for the few family members who couldn't leave school, everyone was present.
Qiao Ren and the first madam sat on opposite sides, looking nothing like a married couple. The first madam kept eyeing her husband to sit with her, but he ignored her.
Qiao Yi sat gloomily on the sofa, his eyes giving Qiao Yue hateful glares from time to time. Qiao Li and the third madam seemed to be on good terms, sitting together and occasionally leaning close to chit-chat.
The old master slowly descended the stairs, his old but dignified eyes scanned the people waiting in the living room. "You guys are home too?" The old master's gaze fell on Qiao Xuan and the other two grandchildren.
Qiao Xuan smiled gently and said, "Grandpa, we have no objections to your suggestion. It's just that your health isn't good, so we wanted to accompany you for the inspection. If you don't like it, we can hang back."
Qiao Xuan specifically mentioned that the old master was not in good health. He didn't just say that for the old master's benefit, but for the others.
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