The Billionaire's Hidden Affection-Chapter 336: The Man Who Picks His Feet 3_1

As soon as Yan Xixi ran downstairs, the arms that had been embracing beneath the old banyan tree opened.

She threw herself into his embrace, inhaling that long-missed, familiar, warm scent, and laughed heartily.

He held her tight. "Xixi, I’m sorry. You were wronged again tonight because of me."

The sense of grievance in her heart vanished without a trace.

She said cheerfully, "Let’s go, Xiaojue. I’ll treat you to supper."

He asked softly, "Why do you want to treat me?"

"Because I didn’t get you a birthday gift today. Honestly, Xiaojue, I completely forgot. I’ve been preoccupied with when to resign and how to open the shop. It totally slipped my mind."

He chuckled. Yan Xixi never celebrated her own birthday, often even forgetting it, so this was very typical of her.

He’d known she would forget, which was why he’d wanted to give her a surprise. Unexpectedly, the surprise had turned into a scare.

When the large plate of grilled oysters and the delicious fish congee were served at the barbecue restaurant, the two ate with great gusto.

Huang Xiaojue put down his chopsticks. He watched her eat the steaming hot fish congee with gusto, her cheeks flushed. The faint scar was still visible on her forehead where her hair had been brushed aside. He felt a pang in his heart. She had already suffered so much grievance, yet his mother still piled on with such harsh words.

He smiled. "My mom always thinks I’m some kind of ’Jade-Faced Little Flying Dragon, handsome as a jade tree in the wind, exceptionally dashing, talented beyond measure, more beautiful than Pan An, a pear blossom overshadowing all begonias’... you know the type."

PFFT! Yan Xixi nearly spat out the fish congee in her mouth.

Huang Xiaojue continued seriously, "She believes no woman in this world is good enough for her son—me!"

She giggled.

Then, he said softly, "Xixi, she can’t see your good qualities. In her eyes, you’re full of flaws. Honestly, I’m often ashamed of her harshness."

As their son, he couldn’t directly confront his parents. However, he could choose to avoid the brunt of it.

"Xixi, I don’t want you to keep suffering such grievances. After we get married, we just won’t live with my parents."

She was taken aback.

Whenever Huang Xiaojue’s mother caused trouble, Huang Xiaojue was always the one most hurt in the end. Regrettably, very few mothers-in-law in the world understood this.

"Xixi, my mother has always spoken harshly. Now that she’s older, she’s become especially stubborn and won’t listen to any advice. Don’t take her words to heart."

Yan Xixi stuck out her tongue. "I’ll just turn a deaf ear then."

He praised her enthusiastically, "Exactly! That’s the way! No matter what she says, don’t pay her any mind, and don’t acknowledge it. After a while, she’ll find it boring herself."

Yan Xixi had long understood this: with some people, the more attention you pay them, the more worked up they get. Conversely, silence was the greatest contempt for an adversary. She held fast to one principle: for people like Huang Xiaojue’s mother, you should never try to please or change them. Just ignore her and see how she carries on.

He handed her a set of keys.

She asked in surprise, "What’s this?"

"The shop space has been rented. It’s in an excellent, prime location with high foot traffic and ample suppliers nearby. The renovation company will start next week, and it’s estimated to open for business next month."

She wanted to say something, but she just toyed with the keys in her hand, a stinging sensation welling up in her nose.

Truthfully, ever since Huang Xiaojue’s mother started making a fuss, she had considered giving up. She’d even secretly resolved tonight: if Xiaojue didn’t call her, she would definitely break up with him this time.

She didn’t even realize she’d been slowly "brainwashed" by that stranger from the messaging app—she was no longer willing to make endless compromises and concessions based solely on the word "love." Not even for Huang Xiaojue!