Before Departure, A Casual Chat with the She-Devil

"Xu Mo!!!!!!"

This night, Xu Fuqiang was furious.

Xu Mo's filial piety was so strong.

It made Xu Fuqiang explode with thunderous rage!!!

Heads may roll, blood may spill.

But some jokes simply cannot be made.

In the northern seas, there was a man named Fuqiang, whose seven-leather whip stretched thousands of miles.

This night.

Was destined to be sleepless.

It began with young Xu.

And ended with young Xu.

In the end, seeing Old Xu gasping for breath.

Still chasing relentlessly.

Xu Mo couldn't bear it.

After all, he still needed his father's approval.

So he obediently returned.

When Xu Fuqiang saw young Xu coming back,

His health and stamina bars instantly refilled.

It was clear the old man was furious.

A storm of lashes rained down.

Only after a long while did it finally stop.

Who knows how much time had passed.

It made young Xu start to wonder.

Was this more about Old Xu projecting his personal grudges?

Like back when Xu Mo was in school and had a string of girlfriends.

Or last night's incident.

In any case, after the beating,

Xu Mo was unharmed but had to pretend to be in excruciating pain.

Xu Fuqiang knew when to stop.

Father and son reconciled as if nothing had happened.

The next day.

Xu Mo woke up early.

Prepared an extravagant breakfast.

Ate a few bites hurriedly and left.

After the family finished dinner,

Xu Shi, who had been in high spirits, finally lost her composure.

"Mom, Dad, my god, you actually agreed to my brother's request? With that face of his, who wouldn’t recognize him?!"

Xu Shi argued indignantly.

Last night, Xu Fuqiang returned.

He and his wife, Su Ting, talked for a long time.

They discussed Xu Mo's abilities.

After much deliberation,

They finally agreed.

As for Xu Mo's makeup skills,

They felt no need to mention it.

Mainly to keep their precious daughter from bothering Xu Mo.

Every parent hopes their child will soar to greatness.

Xu Mo's transformation was more than welcome.

At least he wasn’t the same careless slacker anymore.

This brought immense relief to Xu Fuqiang and Su Ting.

This time, letting him venture out alone to manage the business,

Without any help, was meant to temper his character.

The Xu family's wealth was vast, and behind their small household were countless families—fathers, mothers, or both—who had worked tirelessly.

The Xu family was thriving now.

But what about the future?

Even with Zhou Qiaoqiao by his side, they weren’t at ease.

If Xu Mo became stubborn, Zhou Qiaoqiao would likely yield to him.

And if he squandered the family fortune, wouldn’t generations of effort be wasted?

So they wanted Xu Mo to suffer.

To witness the harsh realities of society.

Instead of idling as a spoiled rich kid.

"Xiao Shi, you’re not a child anymore. It’s time to consider marriage."

Su Ting put on a stern face.

At this,

The young woman flushed red with frustration but could do nothing, irritably ruffling her hair.

"Mom, didn’t you say we’d talk about this when I’m thirty?"

"Men can wait, but women can’t! Men age like fine wine, women age like wilted flowers."

Su Ting sighed.

Given her daughter’s looks,

And the Xu family’s status in Magic City,

No one would ever reject her.

Even if Xu Shi were seventy or eighty, there’d still be reckless young men lining up to worship a wealthy woman.

Su Ting didn’t want Xu Shi to regret it later.

Xu Shi said, "Then let me do something too, just like my brother—build my own career. That should be fine, right? And I’ll support myself."

Su Ting hesitated but finally nodded.

"Fine."

Who understood Xu Shi’s personality better than her own mother?

Xu Shi was stubborn as a mule.

She wouldn’t turn back until she hit a wall.

Once she set her mind on something,

She’d cling to it relentlessly.

Su Ting gave up.

Meanwhile.

Sifang Yixiang Teahouse.

The location was perfect, the decor elegantly classical.

With flowing water and serene landscapes,

It had everything.

Guests who came here always found their minds settling,

Enjoying a rare moment of peace in the bustling city.

Inside an exquisitely furnished private room.

"You’ve really made up your mind?"

Zhou Qiaoqiao’s delicate brows furrowed slightly, her long lashes fluttering.

Her voice was tender.

Three days apart, and he saw her in a new light.

After just a few days,

Xu Mo felt his wife had grown even more beautiful.

Xu Mo nodded without hesitation. "I have."

During this time following the script,

He had experienced many ups and downs.

Mostly downs.

And very few ups.

Ahem...

In any case.

The world was vast.

Now that he didn’t have to follow the script,

Xu Mo wanted to explore.

Zhou Qiaoqiao suddenly laughed, her smile like a celestial maiden descending with an irresistible allure.

"Then why even tell me?"

Xu Mo chuckled. "Didn’t want you to worry. Oh, and I’m ditching my old number. The new one’s just for you."

"Not even telling your parents?" Zhou Qiaoqiao smirked, sipping her tea.

Then she peeled a blue grape and popped it into her red lips.

"Ugh... so sour."

"Like I said, just for you. And why eat sour grapes? I’ll get you fresh ones." Xu Mo peeled one and tasted it, smacking his lips. "Sweet. What’s sour about it?"

He continued peeling grapes for her,

Placing them neatly on her plate.

Zhou Qiaoqiao’s willow-leaf brows relaxed, and she took another bite, her worries melting away.

"Hmm, you’re right. Maybe that first one was just bad."

Xu Mo accepted her explanation.

After peeling the last grape,

He gestured at the table full of blue grapes.

And sighed.

"You say you’re dieting, but this is all grapes. No other fruits?"

"Mhm, I’ve been craving grapes lately. What, you want something else? I’ll have someone bring it."

Zhou Qiaoqiao turned, her smile breathtaking.

Xu Mo shook his head. "Not what I meant. I’m worried about your nutrition."

Zhou Qiaoqiao tossed another peeled grape into her mouth and wiped her hands with a handkerchief.

"Unnecessary. I hired a nutritionist."

"Oh? Why hire one when the best is right in front of you?"

"Enough of that. So, how long do you plan to be away?"

"I’m not going for fun. I’m going to prove myself."

"Haven’t you already done that?"

"Eh???"

"Ahem... I mean, with your acting, the volcanic mud skincare formula for Yang Jingying, and that song 'Let Go'..."

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