After this matter, just as Wang Guan and the other two emerged from the noodle shop, a luxury sedan pulled up in front of them. In an instant, a door opened, and the middle-aged driver inside, beaming, called out, "Xiao Yu, Fourth Master sent me to bring you home."

"Thank you, Uncle Lin," Qiao Yu smiled, then turned back. "Let's go. Why don't you two come over to my place for a look?"

As expected, Wang Guan and Bei Ye raised no objections, following Qiao Yu directly into the sedan. They watched the driver navigate through the city, eventually reaching the outskirts. . ” “ .

It seemed Qiao Yu’s home was quite far; even after reaching the suburbs, the car didn't stop, continuing deeper into the area. After about half an hour, it slowly drove into what barely resembled a village.

The reason it didn't look like a village was that while it retained the outward structure of one, the houses within were modern concrete and steel city dwellings. Near the base of the mountain, there was even a luxurious villa.

However, what surprised Wang Guan was that the middle-aged driver bypassed the villa entirely, driving slowly until he stopped in the very center of the village.

Wang Guan was even more astonished now, for before him stood a dilapidated siheyuan courtyard house. Its blue bricks and gray tiles exuded an ancient, rustic air, so much so that describing it as rundown wouldn't be an overstatement.

"This is where my grandfather lives."

Qiao Yu opened her door and got out, explaining bluntly, "He's very nostalgic... Alright, fine, he's just a stubborn old man. He has a villa but insists on clinging to this place. None of us can do anything about it, so we just let him be."

Just then, Qiao Zhishu darted out from within the courtyard, declaring triumphantly, "Sister, I heard you badmouthing Grandpa! Careful, I'll tattle!"

"Go ahead and tattle," Qiao Yu glanced sideways, her slender finger making a sharp snipping motion. "But be careful with your tongue."

"There you go again... So violent, no wonder you can't get married..." Qiao Zhishu ducked his head, daring only to complain in his mind, absolutely never voicing it aloud to her face.

"Ouch!"

Suddenly, Qiao Zhishu clutched his forehead, crying out indignantly, "Why did you hit me..."

"Your eyes were darting around—I knew you were cursing me internally. If I don't hit you, who will..."

Qiao Yu glared, then flicked Qiao Zhishu’s forehead before ignoring his feigned wails and leading Wang Guan and Bei Ye straight into the courtyard.

Once inside, Wang Guan realized the siheyuan was only decrepit on the outside. In reality, the interior was spotlessly clean and tidy, possessing a quiet, comfortable feeling. Thinking about it, it made sense; he was just nostalgic, not trying to torment himself. For a billionaire family, unless they were misers like Grandet, they certainly wouldn't neglect their own comfort.

After walking in the courtyard for a while, they passed through an archway, revealing the main hall. Before even stepping through the doorway, Qiao Yu called out clearly, "Grandpa, I'm back."

There was no immediate response from the hall. Qiao Yu stuck out her tongue, smiling slyly, "Looks like he's angry. But don't worry, watch how I coax him..."

As she spoke, Qiao Yu guided the two inside the main hall. Wang Guan followed her gaze and saw the room was furnished very simply. The four walls were painted a stark white, devoid of any ornamentation.

In the center sat a table and a few chairs. On the largest chair, the Grand Tutor's seat, an old man sat boldly, legs spread wide. His white hair was sparse, his face deeply lined, and his skin was sallow, resembling an old farmer from the countryside [Dizun☆Wuxianghuang].

However, he wore a meticulously tailored dark gray Zhongshan suit, and held a long, thick pipe whose bowl was larger than a fist. Coupled with his intensely sharp eyes, which seemed capable of seeing through everything, it was clear this elder was far from ordinary. The reputation of Qiao Fourth Master of the Jinyang Qiao family was certainly not mere boasting; it was genuine prestige.

Of course, it was uncertain whether this prestige commanded respect or fear. In this region, if Qiao Fourth Master stomped his foot, the ground might actually tremble—that might not be hyperbole.

"Grandpa, I'm home."

This time, Qiao Yu’s voice carried a hint of coquettishness. "And I've brought you a gift... tobacco shreds specialty from Cuba—I had it custom-made for you..."

As she spoke, Qiao Yu opened a small, square box. Inside, it was filled to the brim with golden-yellow tobacco.

Even Wang Guan, who never smoked, found the aroma captivating. Qiao Fourth Master, needless to say, felt an immediate stirring of desire.

One second later, Qiao Fourth Master's stern, icy expression instantly melted, a slight smile touching his lips. Yet, feigning lingering anger, he grumbled, "You think such a tiny box can bribe me?"

"How much more do you want?" Qiao Yu raised her delicate eyebrows and scolded him back, "Don't you think about whether your body can handle it..."

"Fine, something is better than nothing," Qiao Fourth Master sighed, then snatched the box of tobacco with lightning speed. After carefully tucking it away, he maintained his cold expression. "You actually still know how to come home..."

In that brief moment, Qiao Yu whispered to interrupt him, "Grandpa, we have guests. Give me some face, okay?"

"...Mm," Qiao Fourth Master immediately changed his demeanor, becoming pleasant and kind. "It's good you're back. You must have suffered outside. Look at you... you’ve gotten so fat..."

"Grandpa!"

Qiao Yu instantly erupted, grinding her teeth. "Where am I fat?" She could tolerate being told she gained a few pounds, but she absolutely forbade anyone—even her own grandfather—from mentioning fat or plumpness. That was her greatest taboo.

"Silly girl, what's wrong with being plump? You were a chubby little thing when you were small," Qiao Fourth Master chuckled. "If you don't believe me, I still have photos from back then..."

"Ah!"

Qiao Yu felt like she was going mad, stamping her foot and threatening, "If you mention it again, I’m running away from home right now."

"Suit yourself," Qiao Fourth Master’s smile remained fixed. "If you leave, I’ll immediately use your childhood photos for missing person reports and have them broadcasted on major television stations..."

"How cruel!"

At this moment, Wang Guan, who had been stifling a laugh, felt a chill, recognizing the shrewdness of Qiao Fourth Master. By observing the surface, he grasped the core issue, instantly finding Qiao Yu's fatal weakness. It was no wonder that when Qiao Yu, who was studying in America, heard Qiao Fourth Master planned to personally fetch her back, she immediately abandoned her resistance and obediently returned home.

Of course, Qiao Yu was no pushover either. Seeing bribery fail, she instantly switched tactics, becoming pitiful and whimpering softly, "Grandpa, I know I was wrong..."

"Save it," Qiao Fourth Master waved his pipe dismissively. "Why put on an act in front of family? Keep crying like that, and you'll get a rap on the head."

Hearing this, Qiao Yu stopped pretending. She sat down defiantly, puffing out her cheeks. "This won't do, that won't do, you can do whatever you want, but I absolutely refuse to go on blind dates."

"I never intended for you to go on a blind date. I just wanted you to meet a few more people," Qiao Fourth Master adopted a gentle tone. "Xiao Yu, seeing as you didn't just drag some random man back claiming he was your boyfriend, I won't press you about sneaking off to America."

He then nodded toward Wang Guan and Bei Ye. "Don't be stubborn with me. You should introduce your friends."

Wang Guan took the cue and stepped forward to pay his respects. "Hello, sir. We are Xiao Qiao's university classmates."

"This is Wang Guan, and this is my good sister Bei Ye's boyfriend," Qiao Yu introduced them, motioning for the two to sit.

"You should have mentioned beforehand that you had guests," Qiao Fourth Master nodded kindly, then complained, "If Zhishu hadn't told me when he got home, I wouldn't have known you brought friends. We aren't prepared for anything."

"They are just here for sightseeing; no preparations are needed," Qiao Yu replied with a sweet smile. "Just let me show them around the mountains and water."

"That works too," Qiao Fourth Master smiled back. "However, we also have guests arriving at the house. You can take them sightseeing as well."

Wang Guan noticed from the side that the grandfather and granddaughter shared an identical smiling expression and similar tempers. It was no wonder Qiao Fourth Master doted on Qiao Yu so much. For Qiao Yu, however, this concern felt like pressure.

"Grandpa!"

Seeing her shield easily dismantled, Qiao Yu lamented that the older ginger was spicier, yet she was deeply displeased. "It’s awkward for me to take my friends sightseeing with a stranger. Let my little brother entertain them. He just got dumped anyway, so he needs company."

"Sister, why drag me into this when you're already in trouble?"

At that moment, Qiao Zhishu poked his head out from the doorway, looking indignant. "You can barely save yourself, what business is it of mine to get pulled into your mess?"

"You brat, scram!" Qiao Fourth Master immediately snapped. "Go to the West Courtyard and invite the guests over."

"Oh."

Qiao Zhishu quickly complied, then winked at Qiao Yu, a look of schadenfreude on his face, and darted away.

For this, Qiao Yu’s teeth itched with suppressed anger. She muttered under her breath, deciding that once this troublesome situation was resolved, she would make sure that young punk paid dearly for daring to provoke her.

"Xiao Yu," Qiao Fourth Master said with sudden interest. "Your guests also studied abroad, just like you. You must have a lot in common."

"Is that so?" Qiao Yu secretly rolled her eyes, her tone cool. "There are two types of people who study abroad. One wears Western clothes but keeps a Chinese heart. The other is a banana—their way of thinking is already Westernized, and they might have even changed their nationality..."

"Xiao Yu, you haven't met him yet. Don't think so badly of people," Qiao Fourth Master sounded displeased. "Do you think Grandpa would set you up? To be blunt, before introducing anyone to you, I have investigated his entire lineage—including the details of his daily life. Only those with a clean background and no bad habits are qualified to be my granddaughter's husband..."

That was certainly impolite... In that instant, Wang Guan silently mourned for the unknown gentleman, lamenting internally that being the son-in-law in a powerful family was no easy feat.