1215: Take A Stance

Take A Stance

"Raelle is here!"

"There was a need to announce that?" asked Raelle to Xiang Weimin.

"Of course! When esteemed people enter, you need to say it out loud."

"Brother, don't talk."

Grandfather Xiang looked at Mu Chenyan and Xia Zhao who came right after Raelle and Shui Xian. So, he asked, "What were you two doing outside?"

"Flirting," the answer came from Raelle.

Mu Chenyan gave her a look, "Elle, I told you, it wasn't flirting."

"I only believe in what I see," answered Raelle.

"You couldn't find a better place to flirt," Grandfather Xiang said. "You had to do it at the entrance?"

"Elder Xiang! You also don't believe in me?"

"Raelle's words sound much more believable to me right now." He paused and, seeing Mu Chenyan's expression, added, "In fact, we don't mind you flirting. Forget it. I won't even mind the place. You can do it wherever you want."

"You are ganging up on me now?"

"Nope," answered Raelle and Grandfather Xiang simultaneously.

Mu Chenyan narrowed her eyes at them, "You grandfather and granddaughter duo are really getting out of hand. I'll deal with you both."

"Oooh... I'm so scared!"

"Elder Xiang!"

Grandfather Xiang laughed at her reaction and raised his hands in surrender, "Okay. I won't do it again. Isn't that enough?"

"What's my nephew doing out there? And who let him stay with the Major? What if her silliness rubbed off on him?"

Xiang Weimin pursed his lips before saying, "They are having an information exchange."

"Who is sharing the information?" asked Raelle. "I refuse to believe that Major is the one sharing information."

Xiang Weimin smiled, "She really isn't the one. She is playing the role of an enthusiastic listener today."

"That's good. Then you leave her with Justin more. It'll help in cultivating some patience in her."

"I'll listen to you."

"Isn't it too much to discredit my girlfriend like this while she isn't here?" asked Zhai Yanjun as soon as he entered. 

"Are you gonna stand up for her?" asked Raelle.

Seeing her, Zhai Yanjun lost half of his momentum and sighed, "I want to. Can I?"

"Try it."

Before he could say anything, Xiang Wai's voice came, "What's going on here?"

"Your boyfriend is trying to take a stance for you," said Raelle.

Xiang Wai looked at Zhai Yanjun with a bit of complicated emotion and part sweetness as she said, "I appreciate the gesture but let's not do it in front of my family. Even I don't have the courage to stand up for myself in front of these people."

"You're making it sound like we are bullying you in this family," commented Raelle.

"How is that possible? I have the best family."

"Don't lie. We are not considered the best."

Xiang Wai rolled her eyes, "Just because we don't fall in the definition of the 'supposed' best family doesn't mean we aren't the best. Whatever we are, at least, I think it's the best."

Raelle turned to finally look at her and said, "Spend a little more time with Justin from now on."

"Why?"

"I feel like his intelligence is getting to you."

Xiang Wai's lips twitched, "Are you saying that usually, I'm a fool?"

"I didn't say it. But I can't possibly stop you from admitting it either."

"Okay, okay! Everyone is here. Just take your seats already."

With that order from Grandfather Xiang, everyone found their seats. Only Justin was left by Raelle's side as he excitedly greeted her and told her what he did today. He shared his experience look genuinely happy. 

"Do you wanna sit with me to eat?" asked Raelle.

Justin hesitated and looked over at Xiang Weimin before shaking his head. "I'll sit over there," he answered as he pointed towards Xiang Weimin. 

Obviously, everyone was more than happy to let him do so after all, it only meant his bond with his father was getting stronger and stronger.

"Dad, what are you doing here?" asked Zhai Yanjun to his father.

"If you can be here, why can't I be?" asked Zhai Kuijun in return.

"I have a proper title," replied Zhai Yanjun. "I'm Wai's legitimate boyfriend. What are you?"

Zhai Kuijun gave an angry look to his son and wanted to bite off a piece of flesh right now. This son was really becoming more and more hateful. 

"He has thick skin, that's why he is here," said Mu Chenyan.

Zhai Kujun knew that no matter what this person would definitely speak. She was really the biggest hurdle in his relationship right now. She was always looking for a way to jab at her. But he couldn't do anything about her either. He could say a lot but he really couldn't at the same time. 

After all, if there was a person who loved and cared about Yue Yue without expecting anything in return, it was Mu Chenyan. And he knew what and how much she had done for Yue Yue. How could bring himself to even raise his voice at her or say a word to her?

Wouldn't that be asking for more trouble?

Even Yue Yue won't let him see the end of it if he said anything to Mu Chenyan.

"I'm not thick-skinned, I'm also a legitimate pursuer," said Zhai Kuijun.

Xiang Hulin snorted at his words.

Zhai Kuijun gave him a look, "What? What are you laughing at?"

Xiang Hulin shook his head and said, "I'm just enjoying myself."

"Seeing my predicament?"

Xiang Hulin nodded without any hesitation. 

Grandfather Xiang coughed to get everyone's attention, "What are you all doing? It's okay to act like this in normal times. But how can you do it right now? That too, in front of a child. What impression would you leave on him? Is this what he is gonna learn from you all? Behave like adults. Even Justin is more sensible than all of you combined!"

"The younger the generation, the higher their status," commented Raelle.0

Grandfather Xiang looked at his granddaughter helplessly, "I wasn't talking about you."

Justin was looking at everyone very curiously. Whether he understood everything happening around him or not, he definitely was paying attention to everything and everyone in interest. It was rare for him to see such a lively scene. Even though everyone was talking against each other, none of them had any malice. 

Even a child like could him tell that they were really just joking and teasing each other. Justin found it very interesting. He drank the juice that Xiang Weimin handed to him while enjoying the scene around him. 

He neither had any stage fright nor did he feel any shyness around these people. All of them talked to him gently and lovingly. He could feel their kindness towards him which made him even more confident.

"Chenyan, ask them to serve the meal."

"Yes!"

Mu Chenyan pressed the button to ring the bell. Once it was done, she looked around and said, "Haiz! In this room full of people, I can still feel the void. My poor godson."

Xiang Wai rolled her eyes, "Aunt, I think it's good he isn't here." She was more than happy that Hyson wasn't around. In fact, she was the only person in the room who was happy that he wasn't here. After all, Hyson only had a beef with her. Who else didn't love him in this room apart from her?

Zhai Yanjun held her hand, "How can you say that? My brother is so nice." He was obviously the big brother who wanted to say how good his brother was. But the other person was his girlfriend so he still had to speak cautiously. He could only tread carefully between these two people. It was so tiring.

"Only to you. No, he isn't even nice to you. Only you think he is nice with your big brother filter on your eyes."

"Wai, my son is really not that bad."

"Uncle, you also have a thick filter on your eyes. Get rid of it as soon as possible. Otherwise, it won't be good."

"Don't you have a lot to say about my best friend just because he isn't around?" asked Raelle. "Would you like to repeat yourself once he is around?"

Xiang Wai turned her face, "Why can't I? Huh? Do you think I'm scared of him? I ain't scared of no one!"

"Everyone has a problem with someone in this room," Mu Chenyan rubbed her forehead. 

Xia Zhao patted her head saying, "I think it's alright. It's lively like this. Don't you think so?"

Mu Chenyan looked into his eyes and could only silently agree with him. Soon, the server brought one dish after another to serve and filled the big round table instantly with a wide array of food. The color of the dishes was pleasing and the aroma was tempting. Everyone finally stopped throwing comments around and focused on the food in front of them.

Even if they had to say something, they kept it in for a while and only focused on the meal.

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