Old Duan snorted, "Annoying, just like your master!"
Lan Yuxi playfully twitched her nose, "You are also my master! I think I'm more like you."
"Pfft—" Duan Senze couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Duan Yuting also turned her face away with a smile.
Old Duan poked Lan Yuxi's forehead in annoyance, "You little girl just knows how to provoke me! I'm hungry, let's eat quickly!"
Nan Xiao stepped forward to shield Lan Yuxi behind him, "Master, you should change your clothes first, and then you can eat."
Old Duan glared at him, "You wife-slave, where's the spirit I had back then!"
"Nyah nyah nyah..." Lan Yuxi poked half of her little head out from behind Nan Xiao, "I heard that Nan Xiao's skill at doting on his wife was learned from you."
Old Duan raised his palm to hit her, but Nan Xiao quickly pushed her little head back.
Everyone was amused by the old man and the young girl, and even Duan Ting, who rarely smiled, couldn't help but chuckle.
Old Duan, unable to hit Lan Yuxi, finally huffed and returned to his bedroom.
Lan Yuxi smiled at Duan Yuting, "Aunt, my master is like this, always saying one thing and meaning another. Please don't take it to heart."
Duan Yuting smiled and nodded, "I'm not angry. If I were to get angry with him, I would have died of anger eight hundred times already."
Duan Senze chuckled and gave Lan Yuxi a thumbs-up, "Sister-in-law, you're the best! Only you can handle my Third Uncle."
"I've just gotten thick-skinned from being scolded by him." Lan Yuxi smiled and helped Duan Yuting up, "Aunt, let's go to the dining room. My master will be out soon."
Duan Yuting smiled and stood up, "Let's go. After breakfast, you two can go to work earlier."
Nan Xiao turned his head, "Aunt, I have nothing to do this morning. I'll stay home with you. Xi Bao, you don't have class this afternoon. I'll go out after she gets back."
Duan Senze quickly refused, "That won't do. You are all busy people, you can't skip work to accompany us. If that's the case, I'll take my aunt and cousin to a hotel."
"Senior Brother, I'm not staying back to accompany you; I really have nothing to do this morning." Nan Xiao smiled at Duan Yuting, "Aunt, you go to the dining room first, I'll call the children down."
Duan Yuting smiled and nodded, "Go quickly, don't delay Shi Kuo and Shi Han from going to school."
Duan Ting had been silent but had been observing the interaction between Nan Xiao and his wife. If every family could be as loving as them, marriage wouldn't be so frightening.
She observed Nan Xiao and Lan Yuxi, while Luo Wanqi and Qiao Yisi were observing her. Lan Muguo and Nan Qiyue, on the other hand, were only focused on their own affection, shutting everyone else out.
After breakfast, Lan Yuxi personally sent Shi Kuo and Shi Han to school, as they were starting for the first time and she had to handle their enrollment.
After finishing with the children, Lan Yuxi arrived at the academy just in time.
As soon as she finished her class and walked out of the classroom, Miao Siqi's call came in precisely on time.
"Yuxi, I'm really satisfied with Duan Ting, but I'm afraid she won't like Jiaqi."
"How about we invite Jiaqi brother and Dad Luo to our home for dinner tonight? We won't mention blind dates, just let them get to know each other first."
"That's a good idea! But your Jiaqi brother said he's been very busy lately and will be staying at the research institute for a while. I'm afraid I can't call him back."
"I'll figure it out. You don't need to worry about it." Lan Yuxi put her lesson plans back in the office and headed straight for the parking lot.
On her way back, Lan Yuxi called Luo Jiaqi.
"Jiaqi brother, I want to eat your steak."
"Sure, I'll make it for you tonight when I get back."
"Then come back early. We have steak at home. Oh, by the way, the medicine you're making for me isn't urgent anymore. Don't just be busy making medicine and not come home. If Auntie finds out you're so busy you can't come home because of me, she'll get mad at me."
"Don't worry, even if she finds out, she won't scold you."
"That's hard to say. I always feel like Auntie hasn't been in a good mood lately."
"...She's been taking her anger out on me."
"What bad thing did you do to upset her so much?"
"She's forcing me to go on blind dates. I refused just now, and she chased me, scolding me for two days and two nights. I had no choice but to pretend to agree to go on a blind date."
Lan Yuxi's mouth twitched. So this guy had only pretended to agree. Luckily, Duan Ting was at her house. Otherwise, if he stood her up, it would be a miracle if this marriage proposal succeeded!
"I'll talk to Auntie later and ask her not to scold you anymore."
"Then I'll have to thank you properly. It would be best if you could persuade her to change her mind. I don't have time for blind dates right now. I'm overwhelmed with work at the research institute."
"I understand. With Wanqi pregnant, all the burdens have fallen on you alone. How about I find you a helper?"
"A helper? Someone from Qiao Yisi?"
"No, it's a junior sister of Nan Xiao's, a PhD in biochemistry. She just resigned from her job abroad and is looking for a job back home."
"A woman?"
Lan Yuxi said indignantly, "What's wrong with a woman? I'm a woman too! Besides, that girl is no ordinary girl. She was a core member of the previous research institute. If it weren't for her mother wanting to return to her roots, I wouldn't have been able to poach her."
Luo Jiaqi became interested when he heard this, "Which research institute was she from before?"
"Storm."
"Storm!"
"Yes, if you can't keep such a talent, the loss will be huge!"
"As long as you invite her to the research institute, I'll handle the rest!"
"Okay, it's settled! Wait for my good news!"
After Lan Yuxi hung up, she called the Duan family patriarch.
"Second Senior Uncle, how is your health recovering recently?"
"Yuxi, after taking the medicine you prescribed, I've completely recovered, but my legs are still a bit weak, and I can't walk long distances. If I could walk long distances, I would have gone with them this time."
"Don't worry, you were bedridden for so long, you need to recover slowly. When Senior Brother returns, I'll bring you more Chinese medicine..." Lan Yuxi paused, and said apologetically, "I originally wanted to develop some proprietary Chinese medicines for you, but my friend is pregnant, and only her brother is shouldering all the responsibilities at the research institute, so he's too busy."
"Your research institute is short of people? You should have said so earlier! Duan Ting is working in this field, and since she's back, it's better to work for family than for others, don't you think?"
"Sister Ting is very sought after. My humble institute might not be able to afford such a distinguished guest."
"You absolutely can! Wait a moment, I'll call her right away."
Old Duan, the family patriarch, was also impatient. He hung up the phone as soon as he finished speaking.
Lan Yuxi's lips curved into a sly, triumphant smile.