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Chapter 236: We’re Not Close—Drop the Act

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Watching the two of them act in perfect sync, George Xu’s expression turned sour. Still, he managed not to erupt in front of everyone—this was a banquet, after all. If he lost his temper, he'd only embarrass himself.
“I know you’re still angry with me, but that’s fine, I understand. You’ve moved out for so long and haven’t come home—is it really your plan to cut all ties with me?”
Claire Xu couldn’t help but give a cold laugh. How could he say that with a straight face? He was the one who threw her out—since when did she become the one breaking things off?
Truth be told, she had often wanted to cut ties with the Xu family. But blood wasn’t something you could just sever; even at their worst, she’d still be responsible for his retirement and, eventually, laying him to rest. (Note: In Chinese culture, children are traditionally responsible for their parents’ support in old age and their funeral rites.)
“Don’t worry. I won’t break things off with you. When you’re old, I’ll still be the one taking care of you.” She didn’t say the last two words out loud—the end—because today was a birthday banquet, and it would’ve been terribly inauspicious.
George Xu couldn’t stand her sarcastic tone, his face growing stormy. If they were at home, the two of them would probably be locked in another shouting match.
“Qingqing.” A voice called out from behind.
Claire Xu turned to find Mr. and Mrs. He approaching.
She greeted them politely, “Uncle, Aunt.”
Lauren Shaw followed her lead and addressed them as well.
Mr. He looked at George Xu, his face wearing a courteous smile. “You must be Mr. Xu, right?”
George Xu nodded in surprise. “Yes, that’s me.”
He wasn’t really acquainted with the He family. Even when they’d bumped into each other at events before, they’d never exchanged greetings. Their families had never worked together, and the Xu family was no match for the Hes in terms of wealth.
Still, he’d heard of them. The Hes were renowned for their low profile—rarely holding grand banquets like this, and certainly never inviting the Xu clan. George Xu had been genuinely surprised when he received the invitation. In fact, this was his first time ever attending a He family event.
Mr. He’s smile broadened. “I happen to have something I’d like to discuss with you. Do you have a moment?”
“By all means.”
“It’s like this… My son is quite fond of your daughter, and since both of them are at a good age, I was hoping to discuss their betrothal with you.”
Mr. He was a forthright man, getting right to the point—which only left George Xu more confused.
“He likes my daughter?” Could it be Hannah Xu he was talking about? His first instinct was that it must be Hannah Xu, not Claire Xu.
Delighted, he said, “My daughter is gentle and thoughtful—a real filial girl. It’s about time for her to settle down. When did Young Master He meet my daughter, though?”
Hannah Xu could never keep secrets. If anything had happened with the He family, how could it be so well-hidden?
Mrs. He chimed in with praise, “My son, Henry Mills, is always singing your daughter’s praises to me. He treasures her dearly! I was just telling Mrs. Xu about it earlier—didn’t she mention it to you?”
Judging from George Xu’s stunned look, it was clear May Lee hadn’t said a word.
But the more he listened, the more it felt wrong. It sounded like they weren’t talking about his beloved Hannah Xu after all.
“Young Master He is fond of Claire Xu?”
“Yes, our whole family is very fond of Qingqing,” Mrs. He repeated, her tone more insistent.
“Claire Xu?” George Xu was momentarily dumbfounded—he’d never even considered the Hes might have their eyes on Claire Xu.
Mr. and Mrs. He couldn’t help but pick up on the undercurrents in his reaction.
Claire Xu gave a cold, mocking half-smile. “Surprised?”
George Xu snapped out of it and hurriedly explained, “N-No, that’s not it, Qingqing. Why didn’t you mention this to me earlier? I nearly made a fool of myself.”
Watching his hypocritical performance, Claire Xu just smiled without a word.
Mr. and Mrs. He exchanged glances. So things really were that tense between the father and daughter.
“I was the one who told her not to mention it.” At some point, Henry Mills had appeared behind them. When Claire Xu saw him, a strange peace settled inside her, and for a moment she just wanted to fall into his arms.
George Xu understood immediately. No wonder he’d just seen Henry Mills greeting guests—so he was the ‘Young Master He’ all along.
“You rascal, letting Claire Xu suffer like that!” Mrs. He scolded gently.
Henry Mills stepped up beside Claire Xu, unabashedly taking her hand.
“Qingqing, do you blame me?”
The corners of Claire Xu’s lips twitched. This guy really was putting on a show, shooting her such cheesy looks. But with Mr. and Mrs. He right there, she restrained the urge to tug away and answered properly, “Of course not.”
George Xu looked rather awkward—he’d once turned up his nose at Henry Mills for being ‘poor’, but now, feeling exposed, he couldn’t even meet the man’s gaze.
Lauren Shaw stood quietly on the sidelines, enjoying the drama.
That was until Yancy Shaw came over, slipped an arm around her waist, and whispered into her ear, “Still reluctant to leave? Planning to wade into other people’s family matters?”
“I’m just watching, not meddling,” Lauren Shaw replied stubbornly.
This little troublemaker—always getting into things, but he had a soft spot for her.
Lauren Shaw was only tagging along because she’d worried Claire Xu might get the short end of the stick. But now that Henry Mills was here, she was reassured. She took Yancy Shaw’s arm and let him lead her away.
“You tired yet? Want to go home early?” Yancy Shaw was concerned she might be worn out—it was getting late. He slipped his arm more securely around her waist as they made their way out.
But after just a few steps, someone called out to them.
“Lauren Shaw, wait!”
Lauren Shaw stopped and turned. Xiao Pei was approaching, clinging to Zhu Xun's arm.
Yancy Shaw instinctively tightened his hold around her waist.
“Let me introduce you—this is my university classmate, Lauren Shaw. And this is her husband,” Xiao Pei said, introducing Zhu Xun.
Zhu Xun had met Lauren Shaw once before, at the art show. He wasn’t familiar with Yancy Shaw, but still offered a polite smile.
“This is my boyfriend, President Zhu of Feican International,” Xiao Pei went on, almost as if she wanted everyone to hear. Lauren Shaw couldn’t hide her disdain—she really couldn’t understand what Xiao Pei was trying to prove. All to climb higher, huh? It was ridiculous.
Frankly, she wished she didn’t know Xiao Pei at all.
Zhu Xun, for his part, played along, escorting Xiao Pei as they mingled.
“Shengsheng, let’s get dinner someday? My treat.”
Watching Xiao Pei’s fake, posturing act, Lauren Shaw smirked, making no effort to be polite. “We’re not close. Let’s not pretend.”
There was no need for her to play along.
Xiao Pei’s face fell. “Suit yourself. Call me when you’re free—my treat.”
With that, she hooked her arm through Zhu Xun’s, striking a pose worthy of a lady of the house, oblivious to all the mocking stares around her.
Lauren Shaw couldn’t help but laugh. “She’s got guts, I’ll give her that.”
Yancy Shaw snorted. “That’s only because she hasn’t experienced what the Zhu family’s really like.”
He was right—the Zhu family was far more complicated than Xiao Pei could imagine. Earlier that night, she’d embarrassed Mrs. Zhu at the banquet. Knowing Mrs. Zhu’s temper, there’d be no letting this go.
But as for how things would end for Xiao Pei, Lauren Shaw honestly didn’t care. Whatever happened, it was Xiao Pei's own choice.
She was just puzzled—why had Xiao Pei brought Zhu Xun over to introduce him to all of them? What was she after, exactly?