Chapter 410: Sweet Talker

"More wine!" Tang Wai said as his gaze landed towards Lyca, who just walked inside the house. His eyes instantly widened as he strode towards his favorite niece. "Lyca!" Obviously, his eyes were glued to her clothes. "You little pretty thing! You have gotten even prettier now that you — Oh? Is this your husband?" Tang Wai beamed and held his hand in front of Shen Qui. "Call me Uncle Wai… if you need any help with your wardrobe, I will definitely be there to assist you."

"Uncle Wai… are you saying that my husband doesn't look good in his clothes?"

"Eh?" Tang Wai froze. "She can speak now? Tang Nini! Your daughter can speak now!?"

"Tang Wai… she just doesn't like talking to you!" Another man walked towards them. He was taller than Shen Qui with broad shoulders and large muscles. "I am Tang Er. You can call me Uncle Second. Let me take a look at you." He didn't wait for Shen Qui to say anything as he already touched Shen Qui's shoulders. "Strong biceps, you know martial arts? How about we learn from each other?"

"Tang Er, you are still as brute as ever." Tang Wai scoffed, displeased at his brother's behavior. "Lyca dear… why don't I show you my new— "

"Tang Wai… behave yourself," the stern voice of a woman made Tang Wai grin.

"Of course. I'm leaving now."

"…" Unable to believe his ears, Shen Qui looked at Lyca, who just shrugged in response. Then he saw a woman who was about five foot ten, just a few inches shorter than Tang Wai. The woman walked towards them. Her short-cropped hair wasn't able to affect her elegance and grace as she approached them with her long maxi dress.

"She's Major An, Uncle Wai's wife," Lyca said in a voice that only Shen Qui heard.

"Hello… I am An Qui. Please forgive my husband's weird behavior. He owns a clothing line and is somewhat excited every time he sees good-looking people. He likes to see them wear his clothes." The woman smiled. She then gave Lyca a short hug and shook Shen Qui's hands. "Tang Second, father is looking for you."

"Is he?" Tang Er didn't wait for her to respond as he turned his heel and walked back towards the house.

"That man likes to spar. I had to lie to him so he won't ask for a friendly match." An Qui smiled.

"He already asked him," Lyca said.

"Hmmm. Just as expected." She eyed Shen Qui. "No need to be scared of him. He looked like a giant, but his heart is soft. The man always cries every time he and his wife watched Titanic." An Qui laughed. "Ops. Don't tell him that you know." Her laughter echoed at the pillar pathway that would lead them to the entrance of the mansion.

On their way, Tang Nini joined them as she was waiting for Lyca and Shen Qui to arrive. "Your grandfather said that you go to the study that moment you arrived." Tang Nini said. "He wanted to meet Shen Qui."

"Hmmm." Lyca nodded. The atmosphere inside was very festive. Many of her cousins were playing some board games, while some were just talking and near the bar where the alcohol was located. When Lyca came in, the noise died down almost immediately.

They looked at her before staring at Shen Qui.

"Hey, introduced him." Tang Ruyi whispered at Lyca. "It's too awkward."

Lyca, on the other hand, just shrugged. Instead of saying anything, she held Shen Qui's hands and pulled him towards her grandfather's office. Usually, everyone in the room would continue what they were doing. They were already used to Lyca's ways. They knew that she doesn't like talking.

She would play chess with them without saying anything except asking for food. She would sit down and close her eyes during a gathering. Aside from Tang Ruyi, who likes to sit next to Lyca and Tang Jinyi, Lyca's other cousin just ignored her or tolerated her laziness.

But not this time.

"Eh? Where do you think you're going!?" Tang Jinyin appeared in front of Lyca, blocking their way. His gaze was glued towards Shen Qui.

"To grandfather," Lyca answered.

"Without introducing him to everyone?"

"Are you grandfather?" Lyca asked.

Before Tang Jinyi could say anything, Shen Qui's already held his hands in front of him.

"Shen Qui. I assumed you are Tang Jinyi? My wife's elder brother?"

The frown on Tang Jinyi's face instantly disappeared as he nodded. "Did she tell you that?"

"No. But… judging from your glare at me, I am assuming that you care for my wife a lot. Thank you so much for taking care of Lyca."

Tang Jinyi forgot all the words that he wanted to say as he shook Shen Qui's hands. He continued to smile. "Very good! As an elder brother, it is my task to protect Lyca at all costs. There's no need to mention it."

Lyca rolled her eyes inwardly. It is really a blessing that Shen Qui is very good with words.

"I heard that your chess is excellent?" Shen Qui asked.

"Of course," Tang Jinyi lifted his chin. "Did Lyca tell you that?"

Shen Qui smiled but didn't say anything. Tang Jinyi was playing chess when they arrived. "I know that Lyca got her chess skills from you."

"That is true. I taught her chess." Tang Jinyi nodded. "How about we— "

"We're going to see grandfather." Lyca interrupted him. This stupid was really showing his stupidity. Lyca could still remember when he met her when she was Tang Xi. He was acting like Lyca would steal Tang Ruyi. Now, just a few words from Shen Qui, and he was already smiling and acting close.

Lyca couldn't take it.

"Then let's play chess after you meet grandfather! Go! I won't stop you anymore!" Tang Jinyi said then he words towards Tang Ruyi, who was sitting on the couch.

"You should find a man like that. Elegant and knows how to respect his elders."

"…" Tang Ruyi could only shake her head in embarrassment. Tang Jinyi still didn't understand that Shen Qui was purposely flattering him to make him leave! What a stupid man!

"I never thought she would marry someone charismatic." The woman who sat next to Tang Ruyi spoke. Her eyes were still on the stairs. "And good looking too. I heard he didn't come from any influential family? How did uncle and aunt agree to let him in the family?" She leaned towards Tang Ruyi and continued to gossip. "I also heard that they just did it to avoid Mr. Long from the Long Family? Do you think that's true?"

"Tang Fangmei!" Tang Ruyi looked at her. "Are you sure you will gossip these kinds of things with me?"

"You— Hmph!" Tang Fangmei crossed her arms across her chest. "I was just saying he is a bit good-looking! Why are you acting like that? It's not like I would steal him!"

Tang Ruyi snorted. "If you do something like that, uncle Wai will strangle you. You know how much he liked Lyca."

"I don't understand why my father liked her so much. Hell… I don't even understand why you like her too much. When it comes to age, I am closer to you and her. Her parents spoil her a lot. They give her everything she wants."

"Are you saying that aunt and uncle don't give you anything?' Tang Ruyi asked. "I am sure that Uncle Huang Sheng Hong and Aunt Nini don't give Lyca money. She has her own funds. How about you? I heard you are still accepting allowance from Uncle Tang Wai. Now… who spoils who?"

"You— "

Tang Ruyi rolled her eyes. "You're just jealous your father wanted her to model. I heard you only got the role because she declined?"

"Tang Ruyi! You are going overboard!!!" Tang Fangmei stood and immediately walked out of the living room. Seeing this, Tang Ruyi let out a burst of evil laughter. What a clown!

Meanwhile, Lyca's assumption about the things that her grandfather would say to Shen Qui didn't happen. In fact, since they got inside, her grandfather just calmly talked to Shen Qui without showing any of the strict behavior that he consistently showed to Lyca and everyone else.

The loud laughter of her grandfather brought her back from her stupor. She looked at Shen Qui then at the old man. She was in a daze earlier that she didn't know why her grandfather was laughing. After listening for a few seconds, Lyca discovered that they talked about the competition that Shen Security just won.

"Of course, everything happened because you have a brilliant granddaughter. Mr. Tang, I think Lyca actually inherited her mind from you."

"Ah, such a sweet talker! Stop calling me Mr. Tang. Just call me grandpa instead!"

"…" Lyca lowered her head. It seems that she was worried for nothing!