On a night with a dim moon, while ordinary people had already gone to bed, the Xiao family estate was still brightly lit. This was not Mo Yu's first time attending a family dinner, so he was quite familiar with the place.
However, upon arriving, Mo Yu was surprised to see an unexpected guest: his grandfather, Butler Mo.
Butler Mo, an old servant who had worked for the Xiao family for decades, was a respected elder in the family. Despite his high status, he was usually not included in family dinners. But tonight, he was not only attending but also sitting in a position of honor next to the Great Elder of the family.
As Mo Yu entered, both men immediately turned their attention toward him.
Butler Mo's gaze was warm and gentle, with a hint of relief and emotion, as if he were witnessing his child's growth. The Great Elder's previously indifferent expression became serious and solemn as he scrutinized Mo Yu with hawk-like eyes. After a moment, he nodded slowly with a hint of satisfaction.
Feeling the weight of their gazes, Mo Yu's unease grew. Could this mean...
"Hey, Xiao Yu, you're here. Please, have a seat." Noticing Mo Yu's discomfort, Xiao Zhan gave a strange expression, then cleared his throat to break the awkwardness and gestured for him to sit.
Mo Yu nodded to his grandfather and scanned the hall, surprised to find that among all the seats, only one was available—next to Xiao Yu.
Realizing what his family had in mind, Mo Yu sighed slightly and smiled.
"Looks like today's event won't be easy," he thought. Mo Yu was not the type to shy away from challenges.
With this in mind, Mo Yu walked over and sat down beside Xiao Yu.
As soon as he sat, Mo Yu caught a faint, pleasant fragrance. He noticed that Xiao Yu had dressed up for the occasion, changing from her usual college uniform into an elegant blue long skirt. Her figure, especially her long legs, was accentuated by the dress. Under the light, she radiated a captivating charm.
Xiao Yu seemed to sense Mo Yu's presence and her body stiffened slightly. Her usually lively demeanor turned subdued.
At the dinner table, Mo Yu glanced sideways at Xiao Yu, who was eating silently across from him. He noticed that her teeth made a slight crunching sound while eating.
A hint of resentment was visible on her pretty face, though there was also a trace of shyness.
The other guests in the hall observed the pair with interest. Mo Yu and Xiao Yu made a perfect couple, a handsome man and a beautiful woman, seemingly ideal for each other.
Xiao Yu, with her tall figure and stunning blue dress, exuded a mature charm that outshone everyone else.
Mo Yu, despite wearing a simple blue shirt, had a handsome face with sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes. His quiet and distinguished demeanor, combined with his captivating black eyes, made him stand out.
Some even called him the most handsome man in Wu Tan City. While the title of the Xiao family's "dragon" might be mocked by other families, no one disputed Mo Yu's claim to being the most handsome.
Under the admiring gazes of the crowd, Mo Yu remained composed, while Xiao Yu grew increasingly flustered.
"Cough." Xiao Zhan, sitting in the upper seat, cleared his throat, looked around the hall, and finally focused on Mo Yu and Xiao Yu. He smiled and began to speak.
"Tonight's family gathering is to make an important announcement."
As Xiao Zhan's voice echoed, everyone's attention shifted to Mo Yu and Xiao Yu, sensing the significance of the moment.
Xiao Zhan continued, "After discussions between the Great Elder and Steward Mo, the two families will officially become in-laws starting today! And Xiaoyu and Yu'er are officially engaged!"
Mo Yu was taken aback and then managed a bitter smile. He had been planning to address the matter eventually, but he hadn't anticipated the family's eagerness to resolve it so quickly, especially involving his grandfather.
The Dou Qi Continent also values parental consent and matchmakers in marriages. Previously, the Xiao family's patriarch had arranged a marriage with Nalan Jie, which only concluded after three years and Nalan Yanran's visit.
Now, Mo Yu found himself unexpectedly entangled in a marriage arrangement.
He did not hold his grandfather at fault. After all, even though his grandson was successful, he was still part of the Xiao family. It was significant for him to marry the Great Elder's granddaughter. Mo Yu's father had also married into the Xiao family, though his wife's status was much lower than Xiao Yu's.
Once Xiao Zhan made the announcement, all eyes were on Mo Yu and Xiao Yu.
The boys envied Mo Yu, who had won the hand of Wu Tan City's most beautiful girl. The girls looked at Xiao Yu with envy, especially Xiao Mei, who clenched her hands in frustration. She had once dreamed of marrying the handsome and talented Mo Yu but now saw herself bested by Xiao Yu.
With the clan leader's announcement, the atmosphere in the hall grew lively and exciting.
"Cousin Mo Yu, I didn't expect you to end up with this tigress," Xiao Yan said, approaching Mo Yu with a gloating expression.
Xiao Yu's eyes widened in shock, and she wanted to retort but found herself at a loss for words. A hint of panic flashed in her eyes as she glanced at Mo Yu, and her face flushed red.
Seeing this, Xiao Yan was amused. He thought to himself, "Could cousin Mo Yu have some secret to winning over girls? Maybe I should ask him for advice."
As Xiao Yan pondered, Xiao Yu, unable to endure the awkward atmosphere, glared at Mo Yu with a mix of emotions. She gritted her teeth and said, "I'll be waiting for you at the family's back hill in an hour!"
Without waiting for anyone to react, she lifted her skirt and hurried out of the hall, leaving behind a lingering fragrance.