Xiao Yi's steps halted, and he saw Fang Zheng and his wife, with a reluctant Fang Hao in tow, approaching quickly.
He instinctively glanced at Fang Qingzhu beside him.
Fang Qingzhu hung her head low and shook it, "I don't want to see them..."
Having said that, she walked straight into the courtyard.
Xiao Yi stood in front of the main gate, like a guardian deity, watching the three people approaching closely.
Seeing Xiao Yi, Fang Zheng and the others cursed silently, but still put on a brilliant smile, "Xiao Yi, you're finally back!"
Liu Yun, who had never shown a good face to Xiao Yi, said affectionately, "Xiao Yi, you've been with our family for so long, and Qingzhu's dad and I have been busy with clan affairs and haven't found the time to see you, you're not upset with us, are you?"
Xiao Yi did not respond, but said indifferently, "Qingzhu doesn't want to see you, please leave."
"Uh..."
Fang Zheng and his wife exchanged a look, their smiles fading as their gazes darkened.
In their view, they had lowered their stance enough, and Xiao Yi should be grateful and flattering them.
But now, Xiao Yi was completely disregarding them!
A flash of anger went across Fang Zheng's eyes, but remembering the task given by Fang Tianhao, he suppressed his fury and spoke softly, "Xiao Yi, even if my wife and I have done something wrong in the past, that's all behind us now. We're family, any misunderstanding can be cleared up if we just talk it out."
With that, he aimed a kick at Fang Hao, who was scowling beside them, "What are you standing around for? Hurry up and greet him!"
Fang Hao reluctantly mumbled a greeting, "Brother-in-law..."
Obviously, he was extremely reluctant to call Xiao Yi his brother-in-law!
In his eyes, Xiao Yi being called brother-in-law was a stroke of fortune unbeknownst for eight generations!
But as soon as the words left his mouth, a disdainful snort from Xiao Yi came forth.
"What are you, that you deem yourself worthy to call me brother-in-law?"
"You!"
Fang Hao's face fluctuated with varying shades.
Reluctant to come and plead with Xiao Yi, the mockery from Xiao Yi made his anger rise uncontrollably.
"I called you brother-in-law as a courtesy, so don't be ungrateful! Isn't it just good luck that you got Elder Yan's support? You really consider yourself something special?"
Fang Hao's face was full of mockery, his voice laden with sarcasm, "Elder Yan is merely using you as a tool, and when you're no longer of value, see if he still bothers with you! Without Elder Yan, you're just a worthless piece of trash!"
"Shut your mouth, how dare you talk to your brother-in-law like that?"
Only after Fang Hao had finished speaking did Fang Zheng rebuke him with a feigned displeasure, smiling, "Xiao Yi, don't stoop to Fang Hao's level!"
Xiao Yi's expressionless face watched the three like they were a bunch of clowns.
If he had really intended to stop Fang Hao, would he have waited for him to finish?
Xiao Yi sneered, "If I really stooped to his level, he… would already be dead!"
"Xiao Yi, you're going too far!"
Fang Hao's eyes widened as his vital energy surged, and his fists crackled with energy.
A body full of vital energy, ready to burst!
"Enough!"
From inside the gate came Fang Qingzhu's cold reprimand, her expression frosty as she stared at the three, her voice trembling slightly, "What are you doing here?"
The actions of the three at the birthday banquet had already deeply wounded Fang Qingzhu.
Fang Zheng frowned, quite displeased with Fang Qingzhu's attitude.
Stepping forward, Liu Yun presented a beaming smile, "Qingzhu, your father and I have come to tell you great news! Your grandfather has agreed to let Xiao Yi enter the main residence. From now on, our family can live together again!"
Fang Qingzhu frowned slightly, finding the smile she once thought was kind on Liu Yun's face now disgustingly insincere.
A glint of icy disdain flashed in her eyes as Fang Qingzhu said lightly, "It was he who banished Xiao Yi from the main residence, and now it's he who allows his return. Don't you find that laughable? What exactly do you take Xiao Yi and me for? Tools at your beck and call?"
"How dare you talk to your parents like that?"
Liu Yun's face stiffened.
Accustomed to Fang Qingzhu's obedience, she had lost her patience, commanding with a fierce face that left no room for refusal, "Help Xiao Yi pack up, and move back to the main residence with us!"
In the past, although Fang Qingzhu was a pampered lady, favored by all, and esteemed, she was extremely filial, always obedient to her parents' words.
When Liu Yun spoke, Fang Qingzhu dared not refuse!
But now, Fang Qingzhu shook her head, "We're fine here, we won't be going to the main residence."
"You wretched girl, not even listening to your own mother?" Liu Yun's face darkened as she raised her hand to slap Fang Qingzhu's face.
Slap!
The slap came so unexpectedly that everyone was taken by surprise.
Fang Qingzhu's head was snapped to the side from the hit, a crimson handprint on her delicate cheek, a trickle of blood seeping from the corner of her mouth.
Her eyes filled with confusion and helplessness!
This was the first time in her life that Liu Yun had hit her!
Fang Qingzhu looked incredulously at Liu Yun.
"What's with that look? I gave birth to you and raised you, not to mention hitting you, if I told you to die, you'd have to obey! Go pack your things this instant, and come back to the main residence with us!" Liu Yun said domineeringly, her face grim.
Fang Qingzhu took a deep breath, her heart growing colder, but her expression was resolute, "I'm not going back!"
"You wretch, you're seeking death!" In a rage, Liu Yun raised her hand to deliver another slap to Fang Qingzhu!
But just at that moment...
Slap!
Xiao Yi moved swiftly, shielding Fang Qingzhu and grabbing Liu Yun's wrist, returning a slap across her face!
With that slap, Liu Yun saw stars before her eyes and blood trickled from the corner of her mouth!
The voice of Xiao Yi, as though coming from the depths of hell, also carried coldly through the air.
"Get lost!"