Children raised in prestigious families, even at the age of eight, were typically proficient in languages and the arts, especially piano.
Though Yuli's mental age was only eight, playing a fluid piano piece was no trouble for her.
As the melody echoed through the hall, everyone finally realized that the Song family's little girl was no longer the mindless simpleton she once was. While she still possessed a child-like innocence, she was undeniably sane.
When the song ended, the girl politely curtsied to the guests, holding up her skirt, and then happily skipped over to Jiang Xuxu like a little butterfly.
"Sister, did I play well?"
Jiang Xuxu was relatively tolerant toward children. She nodded and praised, "Not bad."
She had only missed two notes.
For a girl who had just recovered and was trying to recall things learned eight years ago, it was quite an achievement. Xuxu didn't have obsessive-compulsive disorder; she wouldn't nitpick over such details.
Witnessing their interaction, the guests finally snapped out of it. It was clear now: the rumors of Jiang Xuxu curing Song Yuli were absolutely true!
In an instant, the way the guests looked at Jiang Xuxu became much more intense. It seemed the Jiang family was about to produce a truly remarkable figure.
Lu Xuexi hadn't expected the Songs to vindicate Jiang Xuxu so quickly, even before she could use the situation to her advantage. She couldn't understand why the couple was so eager to please an eighteen-year-old girl. Weren't they afraid of becoming a laughingstock?
Regardless, those who had been making sarcastic remarks earlier now kept their mouths shut.
Seeing that someone else had already delivered the face-slaps for her, Jiang Xuxu didn't care to argue with those petty people. However, she did find the atmosphere quite boring.
Perhaps thinking about obsessive-compulsive disorder had cued a certain bigshot, as Jiang Xuxu felt her phone vibrate in her clutch. She opened it to find a message from Chu Beihe.
Although they had added each other as friends, they had only exchanged two sentences so far.
[Jiang Xuxu: Chu, what time are you coming back tonight?]
[The Golden Light Bigshot: Business trip. Returning tomorrow.]
[Jiang Xuxu: Okay, I can draw all night.]
Xuxu was curious why the bigshot would contact her first. She opened the message to see a photo.
The Little Fat Fox was being held up by one hand, its grape-like little eyes staring longingly at a certain someone radiating a golden aura.
The bigshot's message was brief: "Come pick him up."
Jiang Xuxu: ...
Her fox had broken out again to steal someone else's man!
Without hesitation, Jiang Xuxu made an excuse to use the restroom and walked out of the hall toward the Chu Family Villa.
However, just as she stepped out of the main hall, a voice she didn't want to hear called out to her.
"Xuxu."
Jiang Xuxu turned to see Pei Yuancheng standing nearby, holding a bag. Dressed like an elegant noble, he was clearly there for the teacher-appreciation banquet as well.
"If you're attending the banquet, just go inside."
Even though they had cleared things up, Jiang Xuxu had no reason to bar him from the Jiang family's event. Besides, she wasn't the only guest of honor today.
As Jiang Xuxu turned to leave, she heard hurried footsteps behind her. Pei Yuancheng caught up to her, explaining, "I came here specifically to find you."
Jiang Xuxu raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
This time, Pei Yuancheng didn't give her that "Just admit you like me" look. He seemed much more normal. Seeing Jiang Xuxu looking at him, he appeared slightly awkward.
"Thank you for letting me see my grandmother. I misunderstood the previous situation."
Jiang Xuxu nodded. Her meaning was clear: As long as you know.
Just as she thought she had finally shaken off the nuisance that was Pei Yuancheng, he continued, "I know you never liked me, but I think I've truly fallen for you. Don't worry, I've completely broken up with Guan Ruirui. This time, I want to pursue you wholeheartedly..."
Jiang Xuxu: ...
It was her fault. She had overestimated Pei Yuancheng's intelligence. The man apparently couldn't understand human speech.
"I thought that after everything was explained, you would keep your distance or even act as if we were strangers. But you're here saying such nauseating things. It seems you've determined not to let me go."
Jiang Xuxu looked at him blankly, her voice laced with coldness.
Pei Yuancheng frowned, feeling she was being too dramatic. He just liked her and wanted to pursue her. How did that equate to not letting her go?
Putting aside the past, didn't he have the right to pursue a girl normally? He felt she was just misunderstanding him.
"Xuxu, I'm not trying to harass you, but you can't deny me the chance to pursue you, can you?"
His tone was helpless, and he had lowered his stance significantly.
But Jiang Xuxu's patience had run out.
"I don't like repeating myself."
Saying this, she suddenly took a finger-sized Mini Talisman from her clutch. Unlike her usual yellow ones, this one was grey.
She held the tiny slip of paper between two slender, pale fingers. Her rounded fingertips had a soft pink hue, making the simple action look remarkably beautiful.
For some reason, Pei Yuancheng felt a sense of panic.
Jiang Xuxu glanced at him coldly, her voice indifferent. "Since you've made up your mind and won't listen to my rejection, you should experience it with your own body."
The moment she finished speaking, she flicked her wrist, and the Mini Talisman flew straight toward his face.
Pei Yuancheng was startled. He had seen her summon his grandmother's soul with his own eyes. He instinctively raised his hands to protect his head.
However, the moment the Mini Talisman reached him, it vanished into thin air.
He froze. Before he could react, Jiang Xuxu had already walked past him and out the Jiang family's gates.
Pei Yuancheng patted himself down and looked around. Finding nothing out of the ordinary, he let out a huge sigh of relief.
It seemed Xuxu was just trying to scare him. He knew she wouldn't actually attack him.
Pei Yuancheng let out a short laugh, his smile a mixture of helplessness and affection.
Walking not far from the gate, Jiang Xuxu felt a sudden chill crawl up her spine, giving her goosebumps. As she wondered why, a bright golden light flared up to her side.
She turned her head to see Chu Beihe standing there, with a well-behaved Fat Fox crouching at his feet.
One man and one fox were both staring at her.
Jiang Xuxu blinked, her first thought being
The bigshot didn't just see all that, did he?
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