The heart of Mrs. Lu gradually sank. Sister-in-law Zhang didn’t see Ding Lan, nor did she see the bracelet glowing. This bizarre situation was witnessed by her alone! Mrs. Lu lowered her gaze thoughtfully. The bracelet on her wrist, smooth and jade-like, emitted a mysterious glow under the dim light of the carriage, as if it possessed some magical power that inexplicably calmed her. This was given to her by Xia Mian. When she gave it to her, Xia Mian had said she should always wear it! Following Xia Mian’s advice, she indeed wore it all the time, initially intending to show off the bracelet gifted by the future granddaughter-in-law. However, unexpectedly, this bracelet saved her life tonight! This future granddaughter-in-law was truly not simple! Mrs. Lu squinted her old eyes deeply, a complex and inexplicable light flashing within them. Xia Mian and Lu Zechuan left the restaurant but didn’t return to the Lu Family immediately. After all, they hadn’t had dinner yet! The night of late autumn was a bit chilly, so Xia Mian suggested going for hotpot. Lu Zechuan naturally went along with her. The two went to a well-known hotpot restaurant in the Capital City. Shortly after entering, Xia Mian received a call from Ji Hua. As soon as he heard Ji Hua was coming over, Lu Zechuan’s face darkened. He wondered why it was so difficult for him to just have a meal with Xia Mian? Every time, something had to come up. Did everyone dislike seeing him and Xia Mian on a date alone? "Ji Hua has run into some trouble." Xia Mian smiled apologetically at Lu Zechuan. "Please don’t be too hard on him." Lu Zechuan kept a stern face and uttered a light "hmm." While they spoke, the hotpot ingredients were served. Lu Zechuan and Xia Mian ate hotpot while waiting for Ji Hua. Just as both were half-full, Ji Hua finally charged in. Upon entering and smelling the aroma of the hotpot stew, Ji Hua’s appetite was piqued instantly. He asked the waiter for extra bowls and chopsticks, joined them in having hotpot, and started talking about the troubling matters at home. "Miss Xia, my family has been rather unlucky recently. Could you come over and have a look? Could it be we’ve provoked something we shouldn’t have?" Ji Hua asked with a respectful look in his eyes. In wealthy families, there’s often a strong belief in spirits and such. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have hired masters to oversee the opening and location selection of businesses. Xia Mian took a sip of juice and then slowly said, "I’ll go to the Ji Family tomorrow afternoon." Relief washed over Ji Hua’s face, "Then I thank Miss Xia in advance!" Xia Mian smiled slightly and joked, "No need to thank me, but perhaps cover the bill instead." Ji Hua swallowed a spoonful of lotus root starch and immediately agreed, "Of course!" When asking for assistance, one shouldn’t expect help for free, right? However, Lu Zechuan, with a stern face, spoke in a low voice, "No need for him to pay." It’s not like he couldn’t afford her; why should Ji Hua pay for the meal! Xia Mian giggled at Lu Zechuan’s proud demeanor, finding her previously sour mood from the challenging reception party lifted. "Alright, we won’t let him pay!" Xia Mian smiled sweetly, echoing Lu Zechuan’s stance. The eldest young master of the Lu Family was a bit fussy and needed some coaxing. Just as Ji Hua was about to use his chopsticks to get some meat, he was fed a mouthful of the couple’s public display of affection, instantly making the meat in the pot lose its flavor! "Mr. Lu and Miss Xia truly are a talented and beautiful couple, a match made in heaven!" Ji Hua said, slightly enviously. He envied how Lu Zechuan and Xia Mian could so seamlessly become a couple without caring about others’ opinions. Meanwhile, the girl he liked... Thinking of Gu Zhi, Ji Hua felt a pang in his heart. His parents would definitely not approve of Gu Zhi’s status. Moreover, with Gu Zhi’s complicated relationship with his sister, having an outcome with Gu Zhi seemed exceedingly difficult. The taste of unrequited love is extremely bitter! "Does Mr. Ji have something on his mind?" Xia Mian noticed Ji Hua’s low spirits and turned to the dejected-looking Ji Hua. Ji Hua forced a smile. "No, it’s nothing..." Xia Mian gazed at Ji Hua’s face for a moment, her expression turning solemn, "Mr. Ji, your love life isn’t very smooth!" Ji Hua’s expression changed slightly, and he bent his head to eat, concealing his inner panic. Xia Mian couldn’t help but add a few more words, "If it’s not a good match, don’t force it. What’s meant for you hasn’t come yet, and what isn’t yours is unreachable!" Ji Hua’s movements paused; indeed, he couldn’t grasp it!! If you can’t hold the sand, you’re better off letting it go! Ji Hua’s mind suddenly cleared, and he finally smiled again, "Miss Xia is right! I understand now." Xia Mian gave a low nod and said no more. After the meal, Ji Hua took a taxi back to the Ji Family, while Xia Mian and Lu Zechuan returned to the Lu Family. Early the next morning, after returning from a morning exercise together, Xia Mian and Lu Zechuan had breakfast, then headed directly to the Shen Family. Xia Mian wasn’t one to procrastinate. Since she already had suspicions about Murong Shuang, she wanted to find out the truth. Today, the Shen Family was extraordinarily quiet. The gatekeeper opened the door for them and immediately went about their business without saying a word. Both Lu Zechuan and Xia Mian felt an odd air throughout the Shen Family; Shen Fei, who usually tended to the vegetable and flower seedlings outside, was nowhere to be seen in the estate. However, they didn’t make too much of it, considering this was the Shen Family. What could happen to Shen Fei and his wife in their own home? Yet, as Lu Zechuan ventured further in, his feelings grew heavier. Normally, as soon as he walked in, his grandparents would come out upon hearing his arrival. But now, they had reached the villa’s main hall without sight of either of them. Xia Mian’s brows furrowed slightly, suddenly sensing, "That man is here!" At the moment she stepped into the villa hall, she sensed the imprint she’d left on Gu Xiang! Xia Mian turned and headed outside. As soon as she exited, she saw Murong Shuang hurriedly walking toward them. Spotting Xia Mian and Lu Zechuan, Murong Shuang’s face flashed a trace of panic, which quickly returned to normal as she wore her usual affable smile, "Ah Chuan, you came? Why didn’t you let Grandma know beforehand?" Lu Zechuan’s dark eyes narrowed slightly, his voice low, "We came by on our way. What are you busy with, Grandma? Where’s Grandpa?" Murong Shuang’s demeanor was evasive. "Not busy with anything, just preparing to brew wine in the cellar!" Staring at Murong Shuang, if he hadn’t seen her hugging Shen Man so intimately in his mother’s study last time, he might have never suspected anything was wrong with Grandma. But now, he had to question it. Back then, did Grandma take in Shen Man out of sympathy, or did she recognize Shen Man as her biological daughter before adopting her!