Rebirth: A Cinderella's Counterattack

Chapter 296: Chapter 278: The Real Big Shot

”This is my home; don’t be nervous, everyone in my family is really easy to get along with.” Chang Xi led the two to the most conspicuous spot in front of the courtyard. Although it was only three levels, Luo Qianqian felt several pairs of eyes on her as soon as she arrived.

”I always feel like someone is watching me; it’s a bit scary, like the grand courtyards in TV dramas.” Luo Qianqian pursed her lips and smiled, seeing a Volkswagen parked in the yard. She wasn’t foolish enough to think that this car represented the family’s financial power, a glance at Chang Xi’s own car was enough to get a hint.

A soldier was standing outside the door. Seeing Chang Xi, he quickly saluted, ”Young Miss!”

”Xiao Zhang, how many years has Grandpa not gone out to play chess?” Chang Xi waved her hand casually and asked, ”Will you trick me into making barbecue later? I’ll save a plate for you.”

Seeing the soldier’s appearance at the door, Luo Qianqian roughly understood what kind of people Chang Xi usually interacted with. Just like Xiao Zhang, he looked muscular. No wonder Chang Xi knew at a glance that Wild Wolf’s build was okay and didn’t mind his dark skin; after all, wasn’t everyone here dark?

”No, no one has come over today either.” Xiao Zhang nodded with a smile in his eyes, seemingly very much looking forward to that plate of meat.

”Alright.” Chang Xi beamed and called into the house, ”Mom! Mom!! Mom!!!” each call louder than the last.

”Shouting as soon as you get back, what’s the matter? Run out of money again?” A stylishly dressed woman opened the door. Seeing the two people behind Chang Xi, she paused slightly, then smiled, ”Are these friends of Little Xi? Come in, come in, quickly.”

Luo Qianqian looked suspiciously at the woman in front of her and Chang Xi, tugging at Chang Xi’s sleeve, ”Is this your sister?”

Chang Xi’s face was lined with frustration; she had clearly called her ’mom’ just now, how did she become ’sister’? Her eyes surveyed her own mother, comparing her to other people’s mothers. Was her mom really that young?

Seeing Luo Qianqian and Chang Xi’s gazes, the woman paused, checking her own outfit, but found nothing amiss.

”What’s wrong? Come in.”

”Mom, Xiao Meng thinks you are my sister...” Chang Xi looked at herself, ”Aren’t chubby people supposed to look younger? How could she think you are my sister?”

Hearing Chang Xi’s words, the woman felt even more fondness toward Luo Qianqian, stepping forward and taking Luo Qianqian by the hand, ”You are such a sweet talker,” leading her into the room.

Luo Qianqian smiled, ”Hello, Auntie.”

”Hello, I didn’t expect my child could find such a young friend. Young means innocent, so no need to worry about getting hurt, but with my child’s mind, who’s tricking whom?”

”Ye Liang, come in quickly.” Chang Xi followed her mom’s steps and noticed Wild Wolf was still dawdling behind, she quickly pulled him along, ”The barbecue my mom makes is really tasty.”

The woman holding Luo Qianqian’s hand smiled helplessly, ”I was wondering why you would choose such a place to hang out; turns out it was for the food. Wait here, Auntie will go right away.”

”Auntie, there’s no need...”

”Don’t be polite with Auntie, you guys sit first.” The woman smiled as she walked towards the kitchen, then made a phone call to her husband and son, instructing them to come home for dinner and to bring some fresh meat over, before she took the meat out of the refrigerator and started cutting it slowly.

Luo Qianqian had wanted to help, but just as she sat down quietly on the wooden chair, the elderly gentleman who had been sitting silently stood up and asked, ”Do you play chess?”

Luo Qianqian was taken aback, and nodded hesitantly, ”Hello, Grandpa, I know a little bit about Go, but as for Xiangqi and military chess, I know them; they don’t know me.”

”Come and play with me for a while.” Seeing the old man pointing to the table next to his wooden chair, with a chessboard on it, she nodded slightly, taken aback.

”Then, please teach me, Grandpa.”

By the time Chang Xi had brought Wild Wolf inside, Luo Qianqian had already started playing chess back and forth with the old gentleman. Her chess skills had also largely developed from watching Grandpa at the Luo Family.”

”Wow, Xiao Meng is so bold to play with my grandpa.” Chang Xi’s eyes widened. ”My grandpa is famously a terrible chess player; the worst punishment in our family is to play chess with him for a day.”

Luo Qianqian and the old gentleman both heard what Chang Xi said. The old man turned his head and glared fiercely at his loving granddaughter, while Luo Qianqian remained expressionless and continued playing the game. In such moments, pretending not to hear was the best approach.

The game soon ended, with Luo Qianqian narrowly beating the old gentleman. He chuckled, ”Hey, I almost won! Let’s play another round.”

Just then, someone knocked on the door; the meat had arrived, and Chang Xi went to open the door.

Luo Qianqian chuckled while playing chess, while Wild Wolf stood aside watching his sister, shaking his head; she was nothing like his own sister. His sister was a woman of action; making her sit down to play chess like this would drive her insane; yet, strangely, her favorite hobby was actually playing the lute, which seemed to transform her into someone else. However, that child was no longer here.

”Did Chang Xi bring you back to meet the parents?” the old man asked Wild Wolf, who was watching the game. He glanced over a few times, nodding subtly, as if to say the young man looked like he could be a soldier himself.

Wild Wolf looked embarrassed and didn’t respond.

”Grandpa, it’s your move. If you get distracted, you’ll lose,” Luo Qianqian said with a light chuckle.

”Coming, coming,” the old man hurriedly bent over. ”Where was I?”

”Here,” Luo Qianqian pointed gently at a spot and said.

That was when Wild Wolf finally relaxed.

Just as the old man placed his piece, he thought of asking Wild Wolf something else but was preempted by Luo Qianqian making her move as he did, while lightly laughing, ”Grandpa, a true gentleman doesn’t comment during a game. Brother probably doesn’t want to disturb your enjoyment, so why don’t you finish your questions, and then we can continue?”

The old man quickly shook his head, just as Chang Xi, who had gone to the kitchen to deliver some meat, returned. They continued playing quietly.

In the end, Luo Qianqian won.

”Another round...”

”What again? Grandpa, my friend rarely visits, can’t you let us have some fun?” Chang Xi quickly came to Luo Qianqian’s rescue. ”You can’t beat those old timers, so you pick on kids.”

”Hmph,” the old man held a grudge.

”It’s okay. Grandpa wants to play, I’ll keep him company. Playing with you isn’t much fun, is it? You’re nearly in your thirties, and I’m just shaking off my teenage years on the road to my twenties. Plus, you don’t seem like the type who likes handsome pop singers from the clothes you wear, so what kind of topics could she possibly discuss with you?”

”The young lady is good,” the old man nodded with a face full of satisfaction. ”But old man me should digest his food first, there will be meat later.”

”Grandpa Chang, take care,” Luo Qianqian watched the old man walk towards the outside of the house, softly bidding farewell.

The old man paused, turning back to look oddly at Luo Qianqian.

Chang Xi was also stunned for a moment, wondering if this military man really didn’t recognize the person before him. He quickly said, ”My grandpa’s surname is Wei, I and my mom share a surname.”

Luo Qianqian’s eyes widened. Wei? Could he be the former army commander that grandpa once mentioned?????

”Grandpa Wei, I’m sorry, I didn’t know...” Luo Qianqian quickly bowed deeply to apologize.

”It’s okay.” Seeing the sincerity on Luo Qianqian’s face, he nodded and smiled warmly.

Seeing his grandpa’s smile, Chang Xi knew his grandpa had accepted Luo Qianqian and quickly suggested, ”Grandpa, Xiao Meng was thinking about joining the military. Would you like to take Xiao Meng with you to build some rapport through training?”

Luo Qianqian’s eyes widened; she didn’t have the courage to cozy up to such a person!

Wei Shuwu nodded, glanced at Luo Qianqian, and said, ”After dinner, I’ll talk with your friend. What’s there for her to do hanging around with an old man like me?”

Luo Qianqian nodded repeatedly, her mind whirring. This could not be verified by others, but perhaps not by the Wei Family. It would be better not to trouble Chang Xi regarding what she was seeking, lest they discover something...

Indeed, Luo Qianqian was not overthinking it; there were already people investigating her and Wild Wolf. A friend of the commander’s granddaughter is not a role just anyone can assume.

”Xiao Meng, when my dad comes back, I can let you touch a gun,” Chang Xi said proudly.

Luo Qianqian was taken aback, then nodded with a smile. It wasn’t that she hadn’t handled a gun before, but it was a kind gesture from Chang Xi.

Wild Wolf’s expression became even more serious, not expecting Chang Xi’s significant status, and now he was in a dilemma.