“Fourth Sis, tell me the truth. Which stage have you and Ian progressed to?”
Dou Xiangling quickly stuffed an orange into Dou Yurui’s mouth with the intention of stopping her from talking. At the same time, she guiltily took a peek in Ian’s direction. “Second Sis, don’t talk nonsense. Ian and I are just friends.”
“Who would believe that?” Dou Yue’er said, “Brother Ian has invited all of us here and even I am suspecting that he wants to ask you out but was worried that you might reject him. Therefore, he had asked all of us out so that you would willingly come too.”
“Oh ho? It seems like you have keen eyes,” Dou Yurui said, “It’s obvious that’s the case.”
She then turned to Ian who was currently conversing about the economy with the three other men. She called out to him, “Ian.”
Dou Xiangling did not manage to stop her.
Ian turned his head to look in their direction.
“Ahem…” Dou Yurui cleared her threat and ignored Dou Xiangling who was pulling her back. “Since you are the Count’s successor, you must have many other family members. I just wanted to ask, what if you married a woman you like in the future but your family disapproves of the both of you? What will you do?”
Ian thought about it seriously and answered, “In our family, what we rely on are our capabilities. As long as I am sufficiently strong enough, no one would dare to oppose me from marrying the woman I like.”
Speaking of this, he turned to look at Dou Xiangling and there was a gentle glint in his eyes. “Only an incapable man would allow his family to make the decisions on his behalf regarding his marriage.”
Dou Yurui liked hearing such words. However, she still asked, “What if your family found a suitable marriage partner before you manage to introduce the woman you like to them? Moreover, that marriage partner is a young lady with a background similar to yours and you are unable to refuse?”
“There’s nothing that cannot be refused. If I am unable to, it would mean that I don’t love the person I wish to marry enough. If I really wanted to marry her, other women could not possibly have the opportunity to be a stumbling block between us.”
Dou Yurui was satisfied with his response.
She asked, “Ian, have you ever liked anyone before?”
Her question resulted in everyone staring at Ian.
Dou Xiangling felt embarrassed and ashamed.
What were all these questions her Fourth Sister was asking?!
Ian was still looking at Dou Xiangling as he answered, “No, I haven’t.”
Dou Xiangling looked at him with slight traces of surprise.
Ian shrugged and said frankly, “Xiangling has been to Country M in the past and she should have heard of some things related to me.”
Ian continued speaking, “I’m not the first in line for the Count’s successor. My Brother was worried that our abilities would threaten him, so he would often do some little tricks in private. In order to avoid getting involved, I would basically stay in the winery.”
Dou Yue’er asked, “Brother Ian, other than the winery, could it be that you have a lot more identities? And in fact, you’re actually a big shot.”
Ian revealed a charming smile. “It’s not to the extent of being a big shot. It’s just that I have other hobbies.”
“Like?”
“Hmm… I like playing the violin and I have occasionally participated in performances. I go by the codename Y.”
“Ah… You are the Violin Prince, Y!”
Dou Yue’er was interested in music and so she was very familiar with musical talents in the music circle.
She covered her mouth and screamed in excitement.
The rest were unfamiliar with Y and all of them stared at Ian with bright gazes.
Ian smiled at them. “It’s just a name that the public randomly came up with.”
A few of them were silent.
However, Dou Yue’er was so excited that she quickly stood up and sat down next to Ian while staring at him with a fangirl expression. “Brother Ian, why do you wear a mask every time you perform?”
“I’ve never thought about heading in the direction of music and it’s only a personal hobby of mine. I don’t like to be bothered.”
The fangirl Dou Yue’er had started bombarding Ian with all the questions. Dou Yurui who was sitting next to Dou Xiangling sighed. “Such an excellent man. Fourth Sis, you have to grab hold of him, or else, where could you possibly find someone like him in the future?”
Dou Xiangling looked at her with a complicated expression.
Dou Xiangling suddenly came to a realization and knew why Ian had called her brother, and sisters over.
Dou Yurui wriggled her eyebrows and said, “You should stop worrying too much. This one is really much better than the previous one. If you miss out on such an excellent man, you won’t meet a man like him again in the future.”
Dou Xiangling lowered her eyes and did not answer her.
Dou Yurui did not insist either. She leaned forward to grab some fruit and just then, her phone rang.
She took out her phone and looked at the caller ID. Subsequently, she stood up and headed to the side to answer the call.
She came back after ending the call and said to the rest, “I have to leave first. You guys have fun.”
Dou Yunhao was worried and he asked, “Are you going somewhere to do an autopsy again? I’ll go with you?”
“No need.” Dou Yurui put away her phone and walked over to grab her coat. “I’ll head over there myself. It’s just at Pinghe Road. My colleagues will be waiting for me along the way.”
When Dou Yurui was working, she usually did not need her family to accompany her. According to what she said, the places she went were all full of dead bodies and as someone who is a person of justice, she was not afraid of anything. However, there was no need for her family to follow her and get involved with all these things because of her.
Dou Yunhao was still worried and he said, “Then give me a call when you are finished. I’ll come over and fetch you.”
Dou Zerui said in agreement, “That’s right. Perhaps we might just be making our way back home when you’re done.”
Dou Yurui thought about it and nodded. “Ok.”
She left after that.
Those that remained continued chatting and drinking. All of them seemed to be used to Dou Yurui leaving in the middle of gatherings.
Everyone stayed in the bar until 11 p.m. and Dou Yurui still did not give them a call. Dou Xiangling ended up calling her and got to know that Dou Yurui was most likely unable to go home tonight.
Dou Yunhao said, “It’s very late, let’s go back.”
He stood up and the others also followed suit.
The men had had a few drinks and Ian walked over to Dou Xiangling’s side before he asked, “Xiangling, are you all going to be busy in the following days?”
Dou Xiangling nodded. “Yes, starting from tomorrow, we will be preparing for the New Year’s Eve dinner and everything else for the New Year.”
Elder Dou was a retired Headmaster of M.Uni, her four Uncles were professors. When the time comes, there will be many people coming to the Dou Family’s residence to give their greetings and as such, they will become very busy.
Ian was a little disappointed. “Then can I ask you out?”
Dou Xiangling turned red at his question. She slightly lowered her eyes and said, “I don’t think I will have the time.”
Ian nodded and responded. “It seems like I have to spend the New Year alone.”
Dou Xiangling opened her mouth. She thought for some time and said, “We will be going out on New Year’s eve.”
Ian revealed a smile. “Ok.”
The group went out of the bar. As the men had all drunk alcohol, the task of driving landed on Dou Xiangling.
Dou Xiangling went to drive the car over and Dou Zerui suddenly said to Ian, “Ian, thank you for inviting us to the bar tonight. I’ll buy you a drink next time.”
Ian was filled with joy at his words. Was this considered as him being recognized by Xiangling’s brother? He readily promised. “Ok.”
Ian’s car arrived first but he did not leave right away.
Instead, he waited for Dou Xiangling to drive their car over, and watched them get in the car, and drive away before he sat inside his car.
Dou Zerui looked at the car behind them and asked Dou Xiangling with a smile, “Sis, is Ian trying to court you?”