Sylas Ren glanced at Quentin Hua, then at Evan Hua, shaking his head. Could it be that all the men of the Hua Family are hopelessly devoted to their wives? Thankfully, his surname is Ren!
But he forgot that the blood of the Hua Family also runs in his veins, so he can't escape this fate either. He'll only understand when he meets the one destined for him!
Because Quentin Hua's status is untouchable, Raymond Lei, though constantly ignored, doesn't dare say a word. Quentin has made it clear he won't fight for the Hua Family's assets, so Raymond knows better than to offend him now!
Joyce Du clenched her sleeves tightly at the scene. She just couldn't understand why her cousin would fall for a two-year-old girl. And then there was Kathy Ren—Joyce had tried so hard to please her these past two days, but Kathy remained cold and distant. Roxy Shangguan wouldn't even acknowledge her, yet Joyce insisted on approaching. Wasn't this just humiliating herself?
Wendy Hua glanced at Quentin Hua and Roxy Shangguan, then at Joyce Du, before lowering her head, lost in thought. Maybe she felt she was no longer worthy of Sylas Ren. Since returning, she hadn't looked at Sylas even once.
Charles Hua saw Quentin Hua letting Raymond Lei seize the Hua Family's assets without resistance, even seeming to indulge him. His face darkened. "Quentin, how can you let him take the Hua Family's property? That's yours!"
Quentin Hua frowned slightly, displeased by the way he was addressed. He replied coldly, "If it's mine, I have the right to give it to whomever I wish!"
"You..." Charles Hua glared at him, but then seemed to think of something, suppressing his anger and speaking in a defeated tone, "Do you hate me?"
Quentin Hua didn't answer, because breakfast had arrived.
Seeing Quentin Hua's attitude, Raymond Lei felt relieved and said, "Today, for the sake of the Hua Family's master, I won't make things difficult for my father-in-law. I'll give him three days to settle the accounts. After that, I'll send someone to take over!" His excessive politeness felt almost mocking at this moment.
Next, Hua Yiyun, fearing that Ren Qianqian might be lured away again by Roxy Shangguan, hurriedly left the Hua Mansion. Meanwhile, Raymond Lei, though generously giving Evan Hua three days to decide, chose to stay at the Hua Mansion, as if worried Evan might flee during those days.
Evan Hua had no choice but to seek out Sylas Ren, hoping he would change his mind. Roxy Shangguan, feeling annoyed, decided to drag Sylas out early in the morning. Unexpectedly, even at this hour, they ran into unwelcome company. Joyce Du spotted them and exclaimed with delight, "Cousin, Roxy, are you heading out shopping too? Wendy and I were just about to go out ourselves. Let's go together!"
Wendy Hua glanced at Sylas Ren, lowered her head, and showed neither her previous disdain nor any verbal insults. Roxy Shangguan frowned slightly; this version of Wendy felt even gloomier than before.
"Wait for me..." Before Sylas could refuse, Evan Ren dashed out from his own courtyard. He didn't feel the slightest reluctance about his parents leaving—perhaps he was simply used to it.
This family was always so carefree. Months or even a year apart never seemed to matter; when they met again, it was as if no time had passed at all.
Evan Ren approached, glanced at Joyce Du, and joked, "Miss Du, why do you always wear a veil? I don't remember you having this habit before!" He tapped his head, pretending to think hard, then suddenly exclaimed, "Ah, I remember now! There are guests at the Hua Mansion, and since Miss Du isn't yet married, it's only proper to cover up." The reference to 'guests' was clear enough.
But when Sylas Ren and Evan Ren were previously at the Hua Mansion, Joyce Du hadn't been the least bit reserved. Now, her sudden modesty was clearly a precaution against Raymond Lei!
After Wendy Hua returned yesterday, Joyce Du kept her company, mostly because Raymond Lei was busy and had no time for Wendy, so Joyce didn't have to worry about running into him.
She kept comforting Wendy, expressing concern and listing Raymond Lei's virtues to cheer her up. Evan Ren had overheard much of it, which was why he was teasing now.
Joyce Du had spoken so highly of Raymond Lei, yet she herself was wary of him. In an instant, all her previous words seemed hollow. Joyce glared at Evan Ren, unable to hide her annoyance, then glanced anxiously at Wendy before huffing coldly, "Sir Ren, I'm heading out now. The streets are crowded, so what's wrong with wearing a veil?" As she spoke, she shot a furtive look at Sylas Ren, but Evan Ren caught it right away.
Evan Ren burst into laughter. He knew this woman wasn't truly kind; was she really comforting her friend? No, she just wanted to show off her goodness in front of Sylas Ren!
Joyce Du grew even more annoyed seeing Evan Ren laugh, but she forced herself to hold it in.
Once his laughter subsided, Evan Ren asked with a puzzled look, "I remember Miss Du didn’t go out yesterday, right?"
Joyce Du hadn’t gone out yesterday, yet she still wore her veil.
"You..." Joyce Du was so exasperated she wished she could sew Evan Ren’s mouth shut.
If Wendy Hua were her old self, she might have quarreled with Joyce Du over this, but now she simply said, "Joyce, let’s go."
Roxy Shangguan had been hanging onto Sylas Ren’s neck, watching the drama unfold. Seeing the show end, she withdrew her gaze with a hint of disappointment. "Sylas, let’s go together!" she said.
With Evan Ren around, they could just enjoy the spectacle—Joyce Du probably wouldn’t have the energy to bother them.
The group left the house and strolled along the street. Though it was still early, the roadside stalls were already getting lively.
Walking beside Sylas Ren, Joyce Du remarked, "Usually it’s not this busy at this hour. But today, everyone’s out early because there’s something exciting happening."
Hearing this, Sylas Ren said nothing, but Roxy Shangguan’s interest was piqued. She turned and asked, "What’s the excitement?"
Joyce Du smiled kindly at her, as if Roxy weren’t her love rival at all, and replied in a gentle tone, "Today, Master Xu’s family is hosting a son-in-law selection. Since the Xu family is renowned for medicine, Master Xu wants a son-in-law skilled in healing to inherit his legacy."