Chapter 22: Wang Gege
There was a young woman standing at the doorway, beaming with a bright smile as she waved toward Xie Rong.
"Gege!" She called again while hurrying inside.
"Grandmother, Father." She quickly bowed in greeting before looking back toward Xie Rong.
Meanwhile, Wang Gege slowly lowered her head. "Ah..."
She returned her attention to the envelopes in her hands and quietly flipped one over, "That’s why sometimes I don’t like my name..."
The moment she heard "Gege," her brain instinctively reacted. Unfortunately, the person being called was clearly not her.
Moments like this always reminded her of her mother.
"Mum, why did you name me Gege?"
Back then, her mother had looked unusually serious.
"The character is not that ’ge’." She had flicked Wang Gege’s forehead, "It means beautiful songs and joyful laughter."
Young Wang Gege nodded. Then asked, "Can I change it?"
Her mother had immediately chased her around the living room with a slipper.
Even now, Wang Gege felt the name itself was perfectly fine. The problem was that every time someone shouted "Gege," she instinctively turned around.
Just like now.
Wang Gege glanced over and saw that the young girl was already standing beside Xie Rong’s chair.
"Gege, did you finish your tea ceremony?" Xie An’an asked eagerly.
The excitement in her voice was impossible to hide, "Then can we—"
"An’an." Old Madam Xie’s voice interrupted her immediately.
The young girl paused and looked over, "Grandmother?"
Old Madam Xie sighed helplessly. "How many times has this old woman reminded you already?"
Xie An’an blinked.
The elderly woman glanced toward Wang Gege before looking back at her, "Your brother is married now."
Only then did Xie An’an seem to realize something. She quickly turned toward Wang Gege.
"Oh!" The surprise on her face appeared completely genuine, "I forgot Sister-in-law was here."
The words immediately made Wang Gege look up.
Xie An’an smiled brightly at her. The smile was open and cheerful, carrying none of the careful politeness everyone else seemed to use.
For some reason, Wang Gege found herself liking the girl instantly. At least, this one looked much easier to understand than the blindfolded Ancient CEO sitting nearby.
"You forgot?" Old Madam Xie asked.
Xie An’an laughed awkwardly and rubbed the back of her neck. "I was too excited."
Then she quickly bowed toward Wang Gege. "This younger sister greets Sister-in-law."
The greeting was somewhat rushed. Even so, Wang Gege could tell she was trying.
"It is alright."
The moment she answered, Xie An’an’s eyes immediately brightened again. Just like a puppy that had received permission to approach.
Meanwhile, Old Madam Xie shook her head helplessly. "This child..."
Despite her words, there was a faint smile on the elderly woman’s face.
Clearly, this was not the first time Xie An’an had caused a commotion after rushing into a room.
Throughout the entire exchange, Xie Rong showed very little reaction. He neither appeared annoyed by Xie An’an’s sudden arrival nor particularly pleased by it. As always, his expression remained frustratingly calm.
Wang Gege glanced between the two of them. Then she quietly nodded to herself, "So, Young Master Xie has a younger sister..."
The words were spoken softly. Unfortunately, she seemed to have forgotten that a certain blindfolded man possessed unusually sharp hearing.
"Not exactly." The answer came almost immediately.
Wang Gege blinked and turned toward him.
At the same time, Xie An’an’s smile froze slightly. The change lasted only for a moment.
"Oh." Xie An’an lowered her eyes.
The cheerful excitement from earlier seemed to dim slightly.
"It seems I have disturbed Gege again." Her voice had become much quieter.
Then she stepped back and bowed, "This adopted daughter will take her leave first."
As she turned to leave, a sharp sound suddenly echoed through the room.
"Enough."
Everyone froze. Even Wang Gege instinctively straightened her back.
Xie Rong’s father had stood up. The usually reserved man frowned deeply.
"Rong’er." His voice carried obvious displeasure, "How many times must I tell you?"
The room instantly became quiet.
Meanwhile, Xie An’an lowered her head further. As though she had already grown accustomed to this scene.
"You may not share blood, but An’an grew up in this household." Master Xie looked directly toward his son. "In this family’s eyes, she is your younger sister."
A heavy silence followed. Wang Gege’s eyes immediately moved between the father and son and instantly she sensed something unusual.
She sat quietly in her seat, suddenly feeling as though she had accidentally stepped into a family drama she knew absolutely nothing about.
Xie Rong remained silent. The reprimand from his father seemed to have produced no visible reaction.
For a few moments, nobody spoke.
Then, without warning, Xie Rong rose to his feet. The movement immediately drew everyone’s attention.
His robes fell neatly as he straightened. "Shen Taotao."
The sudden sound of her name instantly pulled Wang Gege from her thoughts.
She looked up. "Hm?"
"Come." He said and turned.
Wang Gege blinked. "Come? Where?"
Her question was left unanswered as Xie Rong had already turned and begun walking toward the courtyard entrance. As though he was completely certain she would follow.
Wang Gege stared at his retreating figure. "Ah..."
She immediately stood up. Then quickly gathered the gifts she could carry with both hands.
The thick envelopes disappeared into her sleeves while the rest were carefully hugged against her chest.
"Grandmother, Father, this daughter-in-law will take her leave first." She quickly bowed her head. Then, without waiting any longer, hurried after the departing Young Master.
"Young Master Xie, wait for me!"
Unfortunately, the man showed no sign of slowing down. The sight instantly made Wang Gege grind her teeth.
"Young Madam, let this servant help." Qing’er hurried over from behind and barely managed to catch up with her.
"Ah—thank you, Qing’er." Wang Gege immediately passed several of the gifts into the maid’s arms. The load on her hands instantly became much lighter.
"Ask Chuntao to bring the rest back to my courtyard later." She smiled and continued walking.
However, Qing’er did not answer immediately. The hesitation on her face caused Wang Gege to stop.
"What’s wrong?" She asked, slowing down her pace.
"Young Madam..." Qing’er lowered her voice slightly, "Chuntao said she was suffering from a stomach ache since last night."
Wang Gege’s brows immediately furrowed. "Again?"
Qing’er nodded, "This servant has not seen her since this morning."
The concern on Wang Gege’s face deepened slightly.
Although she had only known Chuntao for a short time, the girl had been serving diligently these past few days.
A stomach ache lasting from last night until now did not sound normal. "Do you know where she is?"
Qing’er shook her head, "This servant has not been able to find her."
Wang Gege glanced back toward the courtyard behind her, taking a few moments to think before she decided, "Then ask someone else to help you. When Chuntao returns, tell her to come find me."
"Yes, Young Madam." Qing’er instantly bowed her head.
Only after receiving the answer did Wang Gege quicken her pace again.
"Young Master Xie!" She called out while hurrying forward, "At least walk a little slower!"