Sheng Xiao waved for Mu Qiqi to go to him. When she was in his arms, he gestured at the data with his chin and asked Mu Qiqi in return, “In most situations, children always have a hard time concentrating, which is why their preferences would only be lukewarm. Is there anything you like more than two years when you were eleven?”
Mu Qiqi thought about it, but whatever she liked then would always be stolen by Mu Tangxue. Still, the truth was that she would not like anything over two years, even without Mu Tangxue doing what she did.
Let alone maintaining what few interests or likes she had.
In the end, children would always prefer new things.
“So? You noticed something?”
Mu Qiqi hence picked up the data on the table, and nodded. “If Miss Hu’s IQ is really that of an eleven-years old’s, her preferences are lasting a bit too long.”
“On the other hand, if we submit to the theory that Miss Hu is faking her IQ, being obsessed about just a handful of things would mean she wouldn’t get confused, while showing off her single-mindedness. When she appears to only understand these handful of things, she would give the others an impression that she is stupider.”
Sheng Xiao nodded. In the end, talking to his little one was always easy—she understood everything immediately.
“Even so, she is the only daughter of the Hu family, so why would she play dumb? That would probably have something to do with her accident.”
Sheng Xiao pinched her nose and picked her up as he rose from the chair. “That’s all for today.”
“Aren’t you going to tell Third Brother?” Mu Qiqi looked at him doubtfully.
“Why tell him?” Sheng Xiao said, showing a rare devilish look. Since Third Brother was the one who refused to leave the Sheng family, this has nothing to do with them—Third Brother would have to find out for himself whether Miss Hu was really dumb or playing dumb.
Just like Lu Qianqian and Lin Mu’an, the meddling of others was futile. It was only by standing together in the face of tribulation and developing a foundation of sentiment that certain things would go as smooth as a flowing river.
“By the way, Lin Mu’an has invited us to dinner this weekend…”
“Let’s go. I only have these few friends.” Mu Qiqi replied noncommittally.
Sheng Xiao said nothing else, and simply took his little one to bed. She was still on her period, but even so, he was unable to stay idle.
The lights were already off and his eyes closed, when the little suddenly poked her head out and asked him, “Don’t you want some?”
Meanwhile, the Hu family was very pleased with Third Brother—or in the very least, Hu Ran’s feedback was that she liked that new brother of hers.
With that hint, Third Brother knew that he was not going to escape from the arranged marriage, even though it was not as tragic as he thought.
Soon both families were sitting together to discuss the wedding.
Since Hu Ran’s condition fluctuated, the Hu family suggested skipping the wedding ceremony for the two kids to get married straightaway.
Old Sheng did not disagree, and turned to Third Brother who sat beside him. “It’s your marriage. What do you think?”
“I think we could get married directly too.”
“Well, that’s decided.” Old Sheng nodded too.
“I believe Old Mister Sheng understands Xiao Ran’s condition, which is why we, the Hu family do not require any grand wedding ceremony, or tell the whole world about it. As long as Third Young Master could take good care of Xiao Ran, I am satisfied as a father.”
In other words, everyone else just needs to know that the two families were having a marriage of convenience. They would not need extensive preparations, only to be mocked by others when it happened.
“But I’m afraid the Sheng family would wrong Xiao Ran in having her marry into our family so simply.”
“As her father, I could decide for her on this matter. You don’t have to concern yourself, Old Mister Sheng.”
In other words, the Hu family were wary that outsiders would instigate rumors if they held a grand ceremony, thereby hurting Hu Ran again.
“Very well… we could skip a grand reception, but we should at least have a few cocktails after our children registered their marriage.”
“That’s for certain…”
Through it all, Third Brother was sitting in middle and did not voice his opinion at all.
He did not have any grounds for protest anyway.
In fact, a simple registered marriage incidentally spared him from forcing himself to smile.
“Well, Third Brother, now pick an auspicious day to register with Xiao Ran.”
“Alright.”
Third Brother remained perfectly compliant from start to finish.
“Don’t worry, Old Mister Sheng. I would treat Third Young Master as my own son, what with my whole family only having one daughter.”
Old Sheng’s face bloomed into a smile at his words.
“Well then, I’ll prepare a bridal chamber for them then…”
Bridal chamber…
Third Brother felt repulsed at those two words. Even though Hu Ran’s body had matured, her IQ remained eleven years old, and Third Brother felt that he could not make a move on her.
Even if he had done his best to treat Hu Ran as an equal, any man would feel resistant against the idea.
“Third Young Master, please take care of Xiao Ran from now on.”
“Don’t worry sir. I’ll do my best to protect her.”
Papa Hu nodded and clapped Third Brother on the shoulder.
That being said, the person who was most pleased about the marriage was Hu Ran’s stepmother. After all, when she married Papa Hu, she had agreed to care for Hu Ran as her own daughter and must not bear her own child.
It was why she had pulled every trick she could in hopes of killing Hu Ran again.
Still, now that Hu Ran was being married off, could she not discuss about having a child with her husband?
She’ll never believe that Papa Hu would not want a son to inherit his estate. Without Hu Ran making a mess of things at home from now on, it was a matter of time for her to get a son, what with her flair for intoxicating men.
In fact, Hu Ran herself was not a part of the discussion about the wedding.
Xiu, her maid only mentioned it whilst helping her with her handicrafts, and naturally mentioned that Hu Ran would be moving out as well.
Hu Ran’s eyes brightened a little once she thought of that outcome.
After all, she has to ensure her own safety beforehand, and only then would she have a chance of chasing her evil stepmother out of her home.
“Young Mistress, Xiu is really about worried about you. Think about it, you’re marrying to the Sheng family where you’ll be all by yourself… what would you do if the Third Young Master didn’t treat you well? And you know nothing about boy-girl relationship, and there’s no telling what could happen then…”
Hu Ran could not help wanting to laugh, and wondered if Xiu meant that Third Brother would be reluctant to touch an imbecile like her.
Still, that thought made her a little expectant about her future.
In fact, Hu Ran had the intention for a prank… which Third Brother would frequently on the receiving end soon.
Meanwhile, the rest of the Sheng family had naturally learned that Third Brother would soon register his marriage with Miss Hu.
Still, did a marriage of convenience between two such important families had to be conducted under such hushed circumstances?
Nonetheless, the old man looked at Sheng Kai with a smile. “It’s the Hu family’s idea… perhaps they are afraid that Third Brother would find it embarrassing and try to annul the engagement.”