Chapter 358 - Are You Keeping This From Xiao Qi Too?
Chapter 358: Are You Keeping This From Xiao Qi Too?
Although Grandpa Sheng wanted Mu Qiqi to yield her position to Miss Gu, he had to repair his connection to her and Sheng Xiao before that—he wouldn’t have a chance to reach Mu Qiqi otherwise.
Because he knew very well that the more heavy-handed he was against Sheng Xiao, the more likely he would retaliate.
Naturally, he shouldn’t be offering an olive branch to those two for no reason. Given how intelligent Sheng Xiao was, would the old man not be directly letting him on his plans and affording him to exploit it?
He must set the scene meticulously if he did not want to arouse Sheng Xiao’s suspicions.
Moreover, he could repair relations with them while connecting the family to Miss Gu at the same time.
Meanwhile, Sheng Xiao had called home his second brother to be groomed as Huang Yao’s leader. His excuse would be Jing Yun’s return to the Xu family, and he needs someone capable to share the workload.
Second Brother had always yielded to Sheng Xiao’s competence, and worked overseas diligently in recent years, never once trying to goof off.
And now that Sheng Xiao had summoned him, he promptly got himself a replacement in his foreign post.
That being said, Sheng Xiao’s opinion was that his Second Brother had more than enough ability but lacked ruthlessness. Still, that was no major problem, and at least much better than a lotus eater like Sixth Brother.
And thanks to Sheng Xiao’s excuses, Grandpa Sheng was unable to see the signs, not to mention that he was naturally delighted that another grandson was returning to the country. The old man would never have guessed that not only was Sheng Xiao smarter than he gave him credit for, but he was more prudent too.
After all, did the old man not believe he was causing suspicion when he went without telling the family, or who he was meeting?
The old man only presumed that he had control over everything.
***
In the evening, after Mu Qiqi and Sheng Xiao had dinner together, both of them sat in the study, preoccupied with their respective affairs.
Sheng Xiao then looked up at Mu Qiqi from behind, smiling as she wrote her report. With a single scoop from his long hands, she was caught in his embrace. “We’ll meet someone at the airport tomorrow. He’s the second brother of the Sheng family.”
From the look of his face, Mu Qiqi knew that Second Brother probably was not corrupted, what with Sheng Xiao going to the extent of receiving him from the airport. “You told him to return to help you after Jing Yun left?’
Sheng Xiao grunted a soft affirmative. Until now, he never had leaked the tiniest hint to Mu Qiqi.
Mu Qiqi studied Sheng Xiao carefully then, and then smiled slyly. “Are you hiding something from me?”
Sheng Xiao became thoughtful at her words. “How could you tell?”
“Who else could read your mind?” Mu Qiqi snorted. “I just have the feeling…”
“You felt nothing. Now scoot into the bath.” Sheng Xiao patted her head. “I’ll bring you to visit Aunt Su on the way tomorrow.”
“Alright.”
Sheng Xiao’s smile widened as he watched her got up.
What he hoped most to protect eternally was his little one’s smile and her devilish attitude. He hoped that she wouldn’t change just because she has to face the Sheng family.
He had promised Shen Jianchuan before that he would make Mu Qiqi happy with the Sheng family.
Now, however, that wish might prove unachievable. The effort he had exerted upon the old man could have been used to build an empire from ground-up—with that being the case, why keep fighting that battle?
When Mu Qiqi got upstairs, Sheng Xiao lowered the documents in hand and gave his father-in-law a call. “I’ve read through the group’s resume. This person named Xu fits my requirements.”
“You really know how to pick’em.” Shen Jianchuan laughed. “Xu Che is ex-special forces, even though it doesn’t really take some stunning competence to be your assistant. Anyway, I’ll arrange for you to meet with him… but are you really planning to tell Qiqi nothing?”
“She would know when the time comes.”
Since it was the arms industry, the scene would no longer be Huang Yao where strength in management and knowledge of precious stones were needed. Sheng Xiao picked Xu Che because the man would know his weapons, which most assistants wouldn’t be. Moreover, Xu Che could both hold his own and protect Qi’er if anything unexpected happened.
“Good kid. Alright, he would report to you in two days.”
Be that as it may, the single person Sheng Xiao should contact regarding his plans was his own mother. Even so, he knew that Mama Sheng would cast doubts in his arrangements, which was why he wouldn’t tell her purposefully.
***
The next day, the young couple went to the airport.
And the moment she met Second Brother, Mu Qiqi immediately understood why Sheng Xiao would hold some extent of regard for his brother.
Since they were cousins, they naturally shared some resemblance.
And Second Brother’s eyes were clear and bright: he was a person with a big heart, with a glance at him enough to see that he fit Sheng Xiao’s bill.
“And you would be the youngest sister, Qiqi?” Second Brother said, extending a hand to Mu Qiqi. “Your reputation precedes you. Like thunder.”
Mu Qiqi returned the hand handshake, grinning. “You flatter me.”
“I’m really guilty I can’t make it to your engagement. Still, it feels like I’m in a completely different world after so much stuff happened to the family when I’m overseas. Especially Jing Yun… you must not be used to having Jing Yun gone, surely?”
“What do you think?” Sheng Xiao lifted a brow at Second Brother.
“Well, I’m back. I can take over his duties as your assistant…”
“No. I have another person in mind for my assistant. You are a better fit for another post.” Sheng Xiao said mysteriously.
Second Brother appeared suspicious, but he had always submitted to his Eighth Brother’s mind. Moreover, if he really had to deal with smart people, he was afraid that he wouldn’t be able to replicate the tacit understanding between Sheng Xiao and Jing Yun.
Moreover, even though the two cousins were both wearing tailored black suits and shared the same tall, slim figures, Sheng Xiao alone exuded an air of danger from inside out.
Meanwhile, the old man was very pleased to have another grandson return home, preparing a scrumptious dinner to welcome Second Brother home from the long trip.
As usual, the old man acted as if Mu Qiqi did not exist, focusing instead on sharing some mundane delights with his grandson. Naturally, him not bothering her was already a great blessing to Mu Qiqi.
Nonetheless, she did not know that this was when the old man’s attitude towards her began to change.
After dinner, Mama Sheng winked once at Sheng Xiao, and the two went out to the golf course.
“Sheng Xiao, do you have some other motive, getting Second Brother home and touting him for Deputy CEO?”
“Mothers know best.” Sheng Xiao grinned at her. “Mother, don’t you know the old man had been meeting certain mysterious characters without telling the family?”
“What is he up to?”
“You would have to ask him about that.” Sheng Xiao answered meaningfully. “In the end, I have to prepare a path to retreat for you and Qi’er. From now on, tell the Sheng family nothing, or Qi’er for that matter.”
“Are you keeping this from Xiao Qi too?”
“She would definitely feel guilty towards the old man if she knew.” Sheng Xiao said, putting his hands into his trouser pockets while looking out to the distant plains.