Chapter 120

The next day, after lunch, Qiao Zhongguo took his family to the Xiao residence.

Since they had sent invitations yesterday, Xiao Hongda timed it well and waited with Mrs. Xiao at the door.

Soon, the Qiao family turned the corner and appeared in front of the Xiao family.

Xiao Hongda, in his casual blue attire, had a handsome face and a tall figure, looking extremely refined and amiable.

Seeing Qiao Zhongguo on horseback, he fiercely pinched his hand to suppress the surge of joy.

The fact that the second son of the Qiao family had formally become his disciple had already been publicly acknowledged in front of the emperor, so almost everyone in the capital knew about it.

At this moment, who knows how many pairs of eyes were secretly watching them.

Qiao Zhongguo and his two sons dismounted, then turned to help Qiao Madam and Qiao Jiaojiao down from the carriage. Only then did the two families exchange greetings.

Xiao Hongda did not show excessive warmth, just thoughtfully invited Qiao Zhongguo and his family inside.

After entering the residence and with no outsiders present, Mrs. Xiao immediately affectionately linked arms with Qiao Madam, her face full of joy.

“Madam Qiao, I didn’t get the chance to thank you in person for what happened at the Huigu Temple last time. You must stay for dinner tonight.”

Qiao Madam already knew about the friendship between her husband and General Xiao, and also knew that she would be related to Mrs. Xiao in the future, so she smiled and agreed.

“Madam Xiao, there’s no need to be so polite. There’s no need for thanks. Now that our second son has become General Xiao’s disciple, we’ll be visiting each other often in the future.”

Seeing the intimacy between her mother and Mrs. Xiao, Qiao Jiaojiao couldn’t help but smile inwardly.

Not only that, once her second brother married Mrs. Xiao, their Qiao and Xiao families would be connected!

In the main hall, the two sisters of the Xiao family were waiting.

Seeing this, Mrs. Xiao waved to them.

The two sisters of the Xiao family immediately approached and greeted Qiao Zhongguo and Qiao Madam respectfully.

Qiao Tianjing stood behind her father without looking around.

Qiao Diyi was also well-behaved, but as long as he thought that Miss Xiao was right in front of him and he could see her if he lifted his eyes, his heart would feel like it was being scratched by a cat.

Miss Xiao didn’t dare to act presumptuously in front of her father. She greeted them properly, then waited until she was standing aside before stealing a glance at Qiao Diyi.

It was strange.

Ever since Qiao Diyi turned his back on her last time, she felt like Qiao Diyi had become attached to her.

Sometimes when she was eating, the dishes in front of her would turn into Qiao Diyi.

Sometimes when she was practicing martial arts, the spear in front of her would turn into Qiao Diyi.

She felt flustered. When she rolled over on her bed, even the bed curtains turned into Qiao Diyi.

She panicked, wondering if she had been cursed by Qiao Diyi?

But when she told her sister about this strange thing, her sister just looked at her and laughed inexplicably.

Now, seeing Qiao Diyi in front of her, she felt that he seemed a bit tanned, and he seemed a little taller.

Qiao Diyi was very sensitive. He vaguely felt someone’s gaze on him, so he dared to look over.

At that moment, Qiao Diyi suddenly felt a sense of enlightenment. It turned out that what was scratching at his heart wasn’t a little cat, but Miss Xiao!

“Cough!”

Qiao Zhongguo suddenly coughed heavily, startling Qiao Diyi. He quickly withdrew his gaze.

“Second son, aren’t you going to come and pay your respects?”

If they weren’t outside, Qiao Zhongguo would have kicked him in the butt long ago!

They had agreed to come and pay respects, but he ended up ogling someone’s daughter. Even if Old Da was his sworn brother, he still needed to give him a good scolding!

Feeling the murderous intent in his father’s eyes, Qiao Diyi quickly walked to the hall and knelt down in front of Xiao Hongda.

“General Xiao, Diyi is simple-minded and impulsive by nature, but he’s tough-skinned, resilient, and can endure hardship. Please don’t look down on him and accept him as your disciple!”

“From now on, I’ll be your master for a day, and your father for life, Diyi—”

“Cough!”

Qiao Zhongguo coughed heavily again, hastily interrupting Diyi’s words.

He knew his second son’s character very well.

If he didn’t stop him, this kid would’ve called Old Da his dad right then and there!

That would be too abrupt—

“Cough, General Xiao, my son is dull-witted. Please, enlighten him without reserve.”

General Xiao’s eyes glinted with a hint of amusement.

Qiao Zhongguo’s second son was just like him when he was young—a chip off the old block!

Thinking about this, General Xiao felt extremely pleased with Diyi. He stood up and personally helped him to his feet.

“That’s enough, no need for such formalities. I accept you as my disciple.”

Diyi was overwhelmed with excitement and whispered, “Thank you, General Xiao—no, thank you, Master!”

Qiao Zhongguo couldn’t help but smile.

Seeing his second son and Old Da standing together gave him a sense of deja vu.

Following the formalities, Diyi bowed, served tea, and the ceremony of becoming a disciple was completed.

Mrs. Xiao understood her second daughter’s thoughts well. The silly girl hadn’t realized her feelings yet, but she seemed to be quite pleased with the boy.

At this moment, Mrs. Xiao carefully observed Diyi, her eyes more discerning as she looked for a potential son-in-law.

But since the Qiao family’s second son would be visiting frequently in the future, there was no rush to make a decision.

The afternoon was still young, and Mrs. Xiao suggested taking Mrs. Qiao to the backyard for a stroll.

Mrs. Qiao was worried that Jiaojiao would fall asleep soon, so she left her with Qiao Zhongguo.

As the women left, General Xiao suddenly spoke up, “Mr. Qiao, there’s something important I’d like to discuss with you. Would you mind joining me in the inner hall?”

Qiao Zhongguo gladly agreed, instructing his two sons, “Sit and have some tea.”

Then he picked up Jiaojiao and followed General Xiao into the inner hall.

Once the door was closed, General Xiao turned around with a smile on his face.

“Old Qiao, you really spoil your daughter. I came to chat with you, and you’re still holding her?”

Qiao Zhongguo chuckled, “Old Da, you don’t understand. Jiaojiao is the apple of my eye!”

Jiaojiao: ?

[Wait a minute! Old Qiao? Old Da?]

[This… it sounds like General Xiao and Dad are very familiar!]

As Qiao Zhongguo spoke, he gently placed Jiaojiao on the soft couch in the hall, then turned around and hugged General Xiao.

It wasn’t an exaggeration. Jiaojiao felt like she heard the sound of their chests colliding!

“Old Da! I’ve missed you so much!”

Qiao Zhongguo pounded General Xiao’s back heavily, his voice filled with joy and a hint of trembling.

Jiaojiao had never seen her dad so excited!

General Xiao didn’t hold back either. The two of them hugged each other tightly, pounding each other’s backs. They looked like long-lost friends reunited, or even like separated family members!

Seeing this, Jiaojiao’s eyes widened in astonishment.

The author is amazing!

Her dad and General Xiao, these two big shots, are like brothers, but the story didn’t mention their relationship at all!