Yan Xi did not live in the Yao family for long, and her previous impression of Mr. Yao was that he was always stern and unsmiling.
But now, after seeing Mr. Yao's true colors, Yan Xi only felt he was terrifying.
However, she had no chance to turn back. She wanted to know what secret that voice recorder held that made Mr. Yao so nervous, so she had to pretend to go along with him.
Mr. Yao sized up Yan Xi, very pleased with her.
Yan Xi was Yao Wanqi's biological daughter, and she was also Fu Yan Ting's wife. If Mr. Yao could use Yan Xi against Fu Yan Ting, it would be easier.
Thinking of this, Mr. Yao's lips curved upwards unconsciously.
"Old Sir, you called for me, is there something?"
Yan Xi asked cautiously.
"Miss Yan, you have suffered grievances during your time in the Yao family, but please understand, I had no choice. As you know, as the foremost family in the capital, how many eyes are watching the Yao family? I have to be extremely cautious."
But none of this is an excuse for the evil deeds you've committed.
Yan Xi thought silently in her heart.
On the surface, she showed no expression.
"Miss Yan, I have a very good personal relationship with Yan Ting, or rather, with the Fu family in general. But I know you were forced to marry Fu Yan Ting, and your maternal family treats you poorly. If you don't mind, I can accept you as my adopted granddaughter. Coincidentally, my daughter also likes you very much. This way, the Yao family will be your backing in the future. If Fu Yan Ting dares to bully you, the Yao family will not let him off."
"I appreciate Mr. Yao's kindness, but I need to think about it carefully."
Yan Xi was not swayed by Mr. Yao's words.
However, these words were overheard by Yan Xiao.
Yan Xiao had intended to ask Mr. Yao for help but saw Yan Xi entering Mr. Yao's room. Yan Xiao didn't know Yan Xi's intentions, so she hid in the shadows and eavesdropped. Upon hearing Mr. Yao's conversation with Yan Xi, Yan Xiao's hands trembled with anger, and her face contorted grotesquely.
Yan Xiao had to establish herself in the Yao family and had to see Yan Xi dead. As long as Yan Xi was in the Yao family, she was a threat to Yan Xiao.
She absolutely would not allow someone who threatened her status to survive.
Yan Xiao narrowed her eyes, a murderous glint in them.
Her gaze fixed on Yan Xi, like a slithering venomous snake.
Mr. Yao did not rush Yan Xi to make a decision.
After Yan Xi left Mr. Yao's study, she fell into deep thought.
Mr. Yao's mind was truly unfathomable.
Before, when Yan Xi discovered his voice recorder, he nearly took her life. Now, he changed his tune, appearing amiable and wanting her to be his adopted granddaughter.
Yan Xi knew, of course, that things were not that simple.
That day, Yan Xi had only fleetingly heard Mr. Yao say something on the voice recorder, but she seemed to faintly hear the sound of Fu Yan Ting's second uncle coughing.
Yan Xi was not very sensitive to sounds, but when Fu Yan Ting was in a coma, his second uncle had visited him. Because of his ambition, Yan Xi had paid some attention to him, so she remembered his voice.
Could it be that Mr. Yao was colluding with Fu Yan Ting's second uncle?
Mr. Yao himself had said that he had good personal relations with the Fu family.
Logically, it was normal for Mr. Yao and Fu Yan Ting's second uncle to know each other, but why did Yan Xi feel something was amiss?
Yan Xi pondered in her heart, could Fu Yan Ting becoming a vegetable be related to them?
Yan Xi dared not speculate further.
On her way back to her room, Yan Xiao saw a servant secretly crying. Yan Xiao asked indifferently, "What are you crying about?"
"Reporting to Miss, it's nothing, I'm not crying."
The servant dared not meet Yan Xiao's gaze, but her red and swollen eyes betrayed her.
Yan Xiao did not intend to let the servant off so easily. Yan Xiao asked indifferently, "I'm asking you, why are you crying?"
"Up from the East Gate, there is a steep hillside. With the recent heavy rains, several people have already died."
It was said that up the East Gate, there was a small house filled with treasures. The servant's boyfriend, wanting to marry her but unable to afford the betrothal gifts, had developed a crooked idea to steal some jewelry to sell and use the money as a betrothal gift.
Little did he know, after going up, he encountered the muddy path, and a utility pole on the mountain had collapsed, crushing him. Her boyfriend had died.
After hearing this, Yan Xiao's lips curved upwards, and a sinister plan began to form.
She never expected the Yao family to have such a place. Of course, she had to let Fu Yan Ting and Yan Xi go and have a good look.
Yan Xiao could have been less cruel to Fu Yan Ting. All of this was forced by Fu Yan Ting.
She loved Fu Yan Ting so much, yet he openly protected Yan Xi, causing her to lose face.
Yan Xiao could not swallow this indignity. Thinking of this, Yan Xiao became crazed with jealousy.
However, all that was irrelevant now. Yan Xiao's lips curved slightly. She went to Fu Yan Ting's room. The door was not locked. Yan Xiao pushed it open gently. Upon seeing Yan Xiao, Fu Yan Ting's cold eyes showed displeasure, and he said indifferently, "Who let you in?"
"Yan Ting, I know you don't want to see me, but there's something I must tell you."
Yan Xiao recounted the events to Fu Yan Ting.
However, Fu Yan Ting did not believe a word Yan Xiao said.
Yan Xiao did not expect to be met with such a cold reception after her warm approach.
She said faintly, "I admit, I was very jealous of Yan Xi before, and I wished something would happen to her. But when something truly happened to Yan Xi, I felt very sad, after all, we lived together for so long. Yan Ting, you can choose not to believe me, but ask anyone in the Yao family, they all know this back mountain is dangerous."
"You can leave now."
Yan Xiao was surprised that despite her elaborate performance, Fu Yan Ting remained unmoved. Where had she gone wrong?
Had she guessed wrong? Was Fu Yan Ting's affection for Yan Xi merely a facade?
Did he not love her that much?
Yan Xiao wanted to say more, but seeing Fu Yan Ting's chilling gaze, she trembled and dared not continue. If Fu Yan Ting became ruthless, who knew what he would do.
Although Yan Xiao was unwilling, she did not dare to stay any longer and left Fu Yan Ting's room dejectedly.
After Yan Xiao left Fu Yan Ting's room, she didn't know if Fu Yan Ting would go to the back mountain, so she didn't leave immediately but hid in the shadows to observe Fu Yan Ting's actions.