"I misspoke, I misspoke, it was wrong."
Before Xia Wei Liang could explain, Xiao Yi called.
"I know about Liu Yao Zong's situation. I've already arranged for a lawyer to communicate with the police station. It's a criminal case, so he can't be bailed out. But you don't have to worry. The police station is very humane now, and he'll get dumplings tonight."
Xia Wei Liang didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Such a serious matter was delivered with a comedic touch by him.
"He's innocent," she said. "I'll help him!"
Xiao Yi knew her well and said "Mm" before adding, "I know. Do whatever you want. I'm here for you."
Xia Wei Liang pursed her lips and lowered her eyes, smiling. "Oh."
When she looked up, she saw the few people opposite her leaning in, listening. She immediately composed herself and said grandly, "Okay, I understand. Let's leave it at that."
After hanging up, she glanced at them. "He's just so clingy."
Nuomi stifled a laugh. "Tell me about it! You have the perfect film emperor persona, but you have to go down this path of devotion. It's making the public uncomfortable."
Song Yuan added, "Yeah, it's quite distracting."
Director Du glanced at them. "What do you two know! Does the film emperor act like that with everyone? Why hasn't he been gentle with me! The key is who it's directed at, understand?"
Nuomi took it as a lesson. "This isn't something we singletons should understand!"
Xia Wei Liang checked the time. "Alright, nobody's going home tonight. Let's make dumplings here."
"Coming right up!"
Director Du said, "I've already informed my family. Today, I'll celebrate the New Year with my little sister Liang!"
Song Yuan said, "I've already kowtowed."
Nuomi asked, confused, "Kowtowed that early?"
"Mm, I said I had something important to do, so I pressed all the elders onto their chairs first."
Xia Wei Liang: "..."
Nuomi: "..."
Director Du: "..."
What Song Yuan didn't explicitly state was that in her family, actions spoke louder than words. With so many elders, could they really just be pressed onto chairs? If she didn't show her true abilities, she might be the one to be subdued before she could even subdue them.
Just then, the doorbell rang again.
"I'll get it!"
Nuomi ran to open the door and was stunned by the person standing outside. "Uh… Sister Wei Wei, hurry over here!"
"What's wrong?"
Xia Wei Liang walked over and was also frozen in place.
Su Hui stood outside with gift boxes. Seeing her, she smiled and said, "Mom missed you."
Xia Wei Liang opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but her words got stuck in her throat.
Su Hui turned around. "Hey, why are you standing there? Hurry up and come over!"
Xia Wei Liang peeked and saw Xia Chengye walking over awkwardly, glancing at her before quickly looking away. "I... I just came with your mom to see you."
Su Hui was also generous. "I asked him to come. He's all alone in such a big house, it's quite pathetic."
Xia Chengye glared at her. "Who, who's pathetic? I'm as free as can be on my own!"
"Yes, you're the freest."
Su Hui ignored him and went to link arms with Xia Wei Liang, pulling her inside. "Let Mom see what you've prepared."
Xia Wei Liang responded softly. Although the misunderstanding was cleared up, what had happened still created a barrier between them.
But she could see Su Hui trying to bridge the gap, so she played along with a smile. "I did prepare quite a lot, but none of us know how to cook them."
"Mom knows, that's why Mom is here!"
Su Hui seemed delighted. She took off her coat, rolled up her sleeves, and went into the kitchen.
During this, she also greeted Brother Yuan and Nuomi. "Oh, Director Du is here too?"
"Ah... I, I was afraid Xiao Liang would be too bored spending New Year alone, so I came to join the fun."
Su Hui nodded and said sincerely, "Thank you, Director Du."
"Oh, you're too kind saying that. This is what we senior staff should do."
While they were being polite inside, no one paid attention to Xia Chengye, who was standing by the door.
He stood there awkwardly, unsure whether to leave or stay.