Hearing Shen Yanli's compliment, Mo Bai got goosebumps all over his back, somewhat regretting his casual comment just now.
What if my master gets angry with me?
Shen Yanli's expression didn't change, but it was clear that Mo Bai was overthinking it.
Shen Yanli agreed with Mo Bai's statement, for when Du Yan was young, she was indeed beautiful. It was precisely this beautiful appearance that led to all her subsequent experiences.
Before long, a carriage stopped at the Du Mansion's entrance, and two people got down from it. One had a kind face and was dressed luxuriously; this was Old Master Du of the Du Family. The other appeared slightly obese and clumsy, with an elaborate attire, albeit slightly inferior compared to Old Master Du. This person was Wang Xicai.
Mo Bai recognized him immediately and couldn't help but tug Shen Yanli's sleeve beside him: "Master, that person is Wang Xicai."
Shen Yanli nodded and gently reminded him: "Quiet, keep watching."
"Mm." Only then did Mo Bai quiet down.
Old Master Du, leading Wang Xicai to the Du Family's gate, was warmly greeted by Du Lingling with a smile: "Father! You're back! I've missed you so much!"
Back then, Du Yan wasn't her original name; her real name was Du Lingling.
Just like her name, Du Lingling was very lively and adorable. Everyone who saw her liked this lively and beautiful girl.
Old Master Du smiled indulgently and patted Du Lingling on the head, laughingly saying: "Lingling, you haven't been seen for a few days, and you've grown quite a bit taller!"
Du Lingling lowered her head with a smile, and Old Master Du introduced Wang Xicai beside her.
"This is Uncle Wang. He will stay with us for a while. Tell Housekeeper Xu to prepare a guest room for Uncle Wang," Old Master Du said to Du Lingling.
Du Lingling nodded her little head and then warmly called out to Wang Xicai, who happily acknowledged.
The Du Family were all kind-hearted people, especially Old Master Du, who often opened charity halls and aided disaster victims, doing all sorts of good deeds and valuing his friends greatly.
Back then, Du Lingling felt that Mr. Wang must be a good man, just like her father; otherwise, her father wouldn't treat him so well.
During his stay at the Du Family, they treated Wang Xicai with the best food and drinks, making him look even more well-fed and cared for.
One morning, Du Lingling was about to climb the rockery in the back garden to retrieve a fallen kite, but she slipped accidentally and fell into the pond beside it.
The pond was deep, and Du Lingling was struggling and getting weaker, but at the critical moment, Wang Xicai disregarded the danger and jumped in to save her.
After this incident, Old Master Du treated Wang Xicai even more as an honored guest and a dear brother, deepening his trust, and even insisted on Du Lingling acknowledging him as a godfather.
With heaven and earth as witnesses, after the ceremony, Wang Xicai truly became Du Lingling's godfather.
Du Lingling felt that this godfather was wonderful, being brave enough to save her life! Indeed, her father's friends were great good people!
Old Master Du and Wang Xicai became sworn brothers, as close as if they wore the same pair of pants.
The Du Family ran a silk business and had prospered in earlier years, being one of the top families in the town. However, in recent years, they had suffered misfortunes and lost a lot financially.
Outsiders were unaware of their situation and only saw their wealth and prosperity, not knowing that the family was like a rotted tree, ready to collapse at any moment.
At this time, Wang Xicai's family was also hit hard by business troubles, creating severe financial issues. He was pondering how to ask Old Master Du for a loan to get through the crisis, but his hospitality made it hard for him to speak.
It was not until a month later that Wang Xicai finally mustered the courage to tell Old Master Du about his difficulties, only to be turned down immediately.
Wang Xicai never expected that although he was the savior of his daughter, Old Master Du wouldn't even lend him money. He thought, what brotherhood is this if he won't even lend money! Such heartlessness!
Had he known then, he wouldn't have saved his daughter!
Though Wang Xicai seemed honest and straightforward, he was actually very suspicious and hypocritical.
After being refused by Old Master Du, he started to have evil thoughts. At that time, Old Master Du had already placed all his trust in him. Being such a simple and kind-hearted person, how could Old Master Du have foreseen how quickly people could turn against him?