They were seated next to grandpa and grandma. She briefly exchanged glances and a nod with Qiu Yeh who was seated next to Qiu Wen. Opposite them were Francesca and her parents who were seated next to Mrs. Tang. While the guests chatted happily, the sight of them instantly made Xue Ting who was tired lose her appetite.

As Qiu Wen excused himself to the washroom, Francesca eyed Mrs. Tang to start their bold plan. She lifted a leaflet on Qiu Yeh's jewelry competition.

"Qiu Yeh, your company is holding this jewelry designing competition?" Qiu Yeh was surprised at Francesca's sudden act but he played along to see what was in the plan.

"Yes." He answered solemnly.

"Wow, hope you get to find great designers to join your company." Francesca hinted as Xue Ting was listening and wondering what competition it was. Joy who often participates in such competitions would definitely be interested but Xue Ting was also thinking its' best if Joy didn't this round.

The further she kept her babies away from the Tang family and its acquaintances the better it was. However, this time the bait was aimed at Xue Ting and she couldn't escape.

"Not exactly looking for suitable designers. Just a competition to polish new talents. Of course, if there are good ones why not." Qiu Yeh was explaining from a business perspective as Francesca smirked and dropped the leaflet in front of Xue Ting.

"For you. You should be aware of such events since being married now. You should be aware that Ryan is keen on art. So, take some interest in it." Francesca said sarcastically as she rolled her eyes.

Xue Ting upon seeing Qiu Wen returning, quickly took the leaflet away from Qiu Wen's sight for fear it might agitate him or he might misunderstand. Qiu Yeh was beginning to be suspicious the moment Francesca pass the leaflet to Xue Ting as he raised an eyebrow but pretended not to notice as Qiu Wen sat back with them at the dining table.

In the midst of the dinner, Xue Ting was having some broccoli and felt her plate had too much rice. A tug on his arm was felt as Qiu Wen turned to look at his wife who was close by to his face. "Could you help me finish some rice? It's a little too much." Xue Ting whispered as Qiu Wen instantly took her plate and take over some rice. He knew all along her habits were the same and she had never changed one bit. Whenever she was tired, she would lose her appetite and soup was her best friend. Unfortunately, there wasn't a sign of soup on the table that night.

Having grandma seeing that she frowned. "How can my granddaughter eat so little? You have to eat more… Only then you can bear healthy grandchildren for me…" Granny was already scooping for Xue Ting a roasted drumstick and some bean curd.

"Thank you… thank you, granny, I will help myself. Granny, you should have some too." Xue Ting scooped over some vegetables for Granny, feeling bad and shy at the same time.

"Eat more, alright? Wen Wen, make sure you give me a grandchild faster…" Granny said in a stern voice as Qiu Wen drew Xue Ting closer to him while sensing Francesca being furious.

"We will try really hard just for you granny!" He smiled sending both his grandparents into laughter of joy.

It certainly made Xue Ting feel awkward and uncomfortable as she repeatedly told herself in mind that she already did only that she couldn't let any of them know the truth.

Francesca's parents who had finished their meal started to move away from the table with Qiu Wen's grandpa for tea on another corner when she felt bad that her plate was still quite full. She didn't realise how close she was sticking to Qui Wen's side when her chest accidentally brushed over his arm.

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"Sorry…" She blushed as she eyed her food with a frown. Qiu Wen pulled her closer to him instead as he leaned in on her who was blushing even more after noticing her restless self.

"You ate too little. Are you not well?" Qiu Wen whispered as she shook her head.

"A little tired…" She twitched her brows as he smiled. He instantly helped her out but couldn't let her leave with a half-full stomach.

"You can have the drumstick, it's' fine…" She said as he took it over to his plate. Surprisingly, he chipped some of the meat and fed her. She hesitated at first but thought it was only right to bite it since there were many eyes looking at them.

"So sweet! Ting Ting, you really changed him. Thank you so much!" Granny commented as Mrs. Tang and Francesca watched in hatred.

"Fake…" Francesca blurted out.

"Miss Wei, if you think you have an issue, you are most welcome to leave." Qiu Wen retaliated in sarcasm.

Xue Ting quickly held his arm to calm him down. "Wen Wen…"

Qiu Wen didn't barge as Francesca snarled even more. "Do not disrespect my guest." His mother sounded him as he stared back at her fiercely.

"Do not insult my wife." With that, he stood and dragged Xue Ting away from the dinner table.

"Wen Wen! Finish your dinner first!" Granny was calling out as she began to fidget.

"Qiu Wen…" Xue Ting was tugging on his arm to stop him. She felt bad for Granny as she tried so hard to pull him but he was way stronger than her.

"Wen Wen…" She called out as though a plea which send his steps to immediate stops.

He turned around to face Francesca and his mother with one last snarl before he send words of comfort to the elders.

"Sorry granny and grandpa, we need to make a move first. We will come to visit you again soon alright." He bowed to his grandparents before he dragged Xue Ting out of the house. Xue Ting could only nod at the old folks with an apologetic look.

"Qiu Wen…" She called out as they walked off the steps to the gate. It was enough of an act before she let out a strong force and let her arm free.

"Ouch!" She squealed a little as the sudden force send her arm freed but Qiu Wen accidentally scratch her. He didn't notice it as he was too furious with his mother.

"You take a taxi home first. I have other events." He said primly as he entered his car and drove off.

Xue Ting had to walk to the main streets which was quite a distance as she cursed at Qiu Wen and her rotten luck. Fortunately for her, being extremely exhausted, Qiu Yeh managed to catch up with her as he drove by the side of the pathway she was walking.

"Hey…" Qiu Yeh greeted Xue Ting who bent a little to peep inside the car and smiled noticing it was Qiu Yeh.

"Hey…" She chirped sweetly. "Hop in…" He instructed as she nodded.

While she settled in the car, Qiu Yeh decided he should take her to the nearby night market to cheer her up a little after the event earlier.

"It's a distance to walk to take a taxi outside. Sorry, my lousy brother hasn't been back for long so he didn't know." Qiu Yeh apologised.

"Ah, that's fine. Just drop me somewhere I could get a taxi easily." Xue Ting said politely.

"Don't worry I will send you home. Before that, let's get some fresh air shall we?" Qiu Yeh said as he stopped his car in front of a night market which Xue Ting was surprised that it existed in the nearby neighborhood.

"Come…" Qiu Yeh urged as Xue Ting alighted skeptically.

Qiu Yeh protected her from the crowd as they strolled along toward the florist's uncle. Qiu Yeh often tipped him heartily as being a regular. He bought the flowers for his office's amenities but tonight, he decided to use them to cheer Xue Ting up.

"Qiu Yeh, you're here!" The uncle greeted Qiu Yeh who smiled and nodded. "Yes, uncle. The usual please but keep them inside a huge bouquet tonight." Qiu Yeh instructed as the uncle smiled widely noticing Xue Ting standing by his side.

Xue Ting watched him paying the uncle a lot. "Oh my… Qiu Yeh that's more than before. In that case, I will give you my whole cart. This must be your girlfriend. She is so lucky to have you!" Xue Ting blushed at the uncle's statement.

"She is my sister-in-law, uncle." Qiu Yeh corrected nonchalantly.

"Oh, oh I am sorry. Sorry miss. Qiu Yeh rarely brings any guests and he is always here alone. Sorry, I was mistaken…" The florist's uncle apologised.

"It's alright, uncle." Xue Ting smiled as the uncle quickly wrapped up the bouquet and passed it to her.

"Thank you so much, Qiu Yeh! You really don't have to tip us so much every time…" The uncle said as Qiu Yeh chuckled.

"Don't worry about it, uncle. Enjoy a hearty meal with your family!" Qiu Yeh said before guiding Xue Ting down the path where they bought some snacks and found a seat facing the river to enjoy.

Xue Ting's mood no doubt was lifted as she breathed in the huge bouquet of flowers combination and the lilies' fragrance was still the one which outstood the entire bouquet. Somehow, the simple gesture not only warmed Xue Ting's heart but also Qiu Yeh's day as he enjoyed a moment he had always wishfully thought of.