Chapter 123 - Cold Xi Ana

They soon reached Xi Mansion and because the way here isn't a main road traffic jam didn't become a hindrance this time.

Lim Yi Sheng stopped the car on the parking space and even though they still haven't gotten out of the car they could see that there are few servants who are working on their toes inside the mansion. Its as if they were preparing for a feast.

"It seems that grandfather made a big deal out of it." Xi Ana said nonchalantly as she got down the car to which Lim Yi Sheng followed suit while holding the gift on his hand.

As they entered the house, they were welcomed by Uncle Mu enthusiastically. Lim Yi Sheng could feel that everyone in this house right now are looking forward to this dinner and this could be shown in their bright and smiling faces despite working on a lot of things.

"Good evening, Young Miss and Young Master Lim. The masters of the house are currently having tea at the receiving hall."

Of course the masters she was pertaining to would be Xi Shendong, Shen Feng, and Xi Chen. "Alright, thank you. Uncle Mu."

"Pardon me for not sending you there as I still have matters to attend to, Young Miss."

"It's not a problem, Uncle Mu. It's not like we'll get lost going to the receiving hall." Xi Ana smiled warmly at the old man in front of them.

"Young Master Lim." Uncle Mu looked towards him as if seeking for permission.

This person is indeed a butler working for the Xi Family for a long time, even from his demeanor one could see the dignity he is carrying as someone working for a well known family. He can almost see Butler Han, the personal butler of Lim Family in him.

"Uncle, you don't have to be this courteous towards me. Don't worry we can handle ourselves."

"Thank you then, Young Miss and Young Master." the old bowed as a sign of respect before leaving.

Meanwhile, the two proceeded on their way to the receiving hall. Lim Yi Sheng placed his right hand on Xi Ana's back as they walk.

When they reached the hall the first one who noticed them is Xi Chen. He immediately put down the tea cup he's holding, stood and walked towards them with a smile.

"Ana Jie, you're here!" when he reached them he gave a big hug to his sister like a child.

Seeing this scene in front of him, Lim Yi Sheng smiled. This enthusiastic way of welcoming his sister looks as if the last time they had an argument didn't happen at all.

On the other hand, Xi Ana looked at her younger brother. "Xi Chen, won't you greet your brother-in-law?"

"Pardon me, Older Brother Sheng."

Lim Yi Sheng smiled, "It's not a big deal."

He knew that whenever this young man's sister is present he would first see her above anything else so he didn't feel as if he was disrespected. It also happens to him whenever he sees his wife so how could he blame Xi Chen over this?

"Xiao Chen, let your brother and sister sit first. They were tired enough the whole day from work so it's not good to let them stand when they could actually sit sooner. You two come and let's have a tea. They are still preparing the meal."

Xi Shendong smiled and motioned for them to sit with them.

"Thank you, grandfather." Lim Yi Sheng said as she lead Xi Ana on the couch.

As they sat, a servantwho's standing near them immediately poured tea for them, and the tea is undoubtedly fragrant.

He was about to present his gift when he saw Xi Ana picked up the tea cup and smelled the tea with a slight from on her forehead. She sniffed for a few seconds before speaking, "This is Da Hong Pao."

She said it as a statement and not question therefore she knew that it is a fact. Furthermore, his wife has a sėnsɨtɨvė sense of smell which makes her able to remember scents more than usual.

Lim Yi Sheng might not be knowledgeable about scents or teas he still knows what Da Hong Pao is, it is very expensive that someone even bought it for $28,000 for just 20g of it.

"I received it from a friend as a gift, you like tea right? I prepared some for you so that you can bring it back home." it was Shen Feng who confirmed what Xi Ana previously said.

This instance gave Lim Yi Sheng a chance to study the man, this is indeed his first time meeting him in person since there was not even a chance they could meet in business gatherings before.

He has delicate features like Xi Chen and the way his back is straight while merely sitting makes him look more dignified than most, he looks like a scholar of the ancient dynasties.

Also, his calm temperament is commendable and almost the same as Xi Ana. They sure don't look like each other but it seems that Xi Ana inherited more on the personality and behavior side of her father.

"The friends must have been very generous to gift something as rare as this." she sipped from her tea cup before placing it back on the table.

"Ana." there was a warning look on Xi Shendong's face which Lim Yi Sheng could not refute since it was indeed a little bit rude of Xi Ana to say it like that.

"I'm just saying. It's fine there's quite a lot of tea at home and there only two of us so it's impossible to consumer everything." there was a cold smile plastered on her face and she isn't even trying to hide it.

This is the first time he saw Xi Ana being so cold like this though he'd heard that Xi Ana is actually like this during business meeting but he had never personally seen or experienced it before. Now that he does he can say that if a person with a weak heart is given this kind of attitude that person would probably break down.

"It's okay, Ana Jie. I can help you consume it whenever I visit." Xi Chen casually said that giving Xi Ana no reason to refuse anymore.

Although there is an innocent smile on his face everyone in the hall is not dumb so they knew that Xi Chen said that deliberately for Xi Ana to accept.

From Lim Yi Sheng's observation, Xi Chen isn't exactly cold nor warm towards their father. It's more like he's lukewarm which is considerable since their father was away most of their childhood.

That episode ended just like that ans so Lim Yi Sheng took the opportunity to give the present he had prepared for Shen Feng. Giving gift is something that would show one's filial piety and of course it I also because he doesn't want to be seen as a lousy husband for Xi Ana in front of his father-in-law.

"Father-in-law, this is a gift I prepared for you which I hope you will like it. Please pardon this son-in-law for not being able to talk to you personally before marrying your daughter."

He presented the gift with both hands as it is a customary action to show respect to the person you're giving the gift to.

Shen Feng accepted the gift with a warm smile and Lim Yi Sheng could feel the fatherly care he naturally has from that smile alone. "You don't have to be so serious, you can just call me father. Thank you for this gift."

Lim Yi Sheng naturally knew that the person evaded the topic but of course he would not pursue it.

"This seems like a bottle of wine, do you mind if I open it now?"

Normally, people who receives gifts do not open the gift in the presence of the giver to avoid putting pressure on the person who gave it a opening a gift in front of everyone makes it the center of attraction. But, it may also be done nonetheless since there is not specific rule that prohibits it.

"Of course not, Father. You can open it with ease."

Shen Feng indeed opened it and he took the bottle out, when he checked it he was a little bit surprised "It's an aged wine. Are you really giving this to me?"

"Compared to having your daughter as my wife, this is only a small thing."

Upon hearing what he said, his father-in-law smiled but didn't comment on it. "This is an aged wine, do you perhaps like wines?"

"I do. I actually have a personal winery but due to circumstances I was still not able to move it to our house. Once I moved it, would you like to take a visit father?"

"If it's not a bother." as he said that he looked at Xi Ana for a while before smiling a little.

Lim Yi Sheng peeked at the facial expression of his wife and he can see that it was calm yet cold.