Busybody Outsiders With Other's Family's Matter

A/N: After a discussion with my editor today, I've made some important changes. You can re-read Chapters 1-10 or read my explanation in the Auxiliary Chapter. I'm sorry for the inconvenience :)

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"You bought so much."

Leslie glanced at the backseat of the luxury sedan.

Paper bags of all sizes were put there. High-end brand names were embossed on the bags. All of them were in different shades of red, perfect as gifts for the new parents-in-law.

Those were the gifts Calix got along the way to the Xu family's ancestral home. They headed to Blue Moon Plaza to get the items ordered by Edward beforehand.

The staff of each store personally brought the gifts to Calix's car, saving their time.

Fresh fruits, ginseng, health tonics, and high-quality silk were among the gifts. Even though Leslie didn't know the exact amount of money that was exchanged for the gifts, it would surely be a staggering amount.

Haa... It was so hurtful.

Leslie felt a pang of heartache as she acknowledged her previous life's yearly salary still wouldn't be enough to buy all these things.

Calix was putting on the seatbelt when Leslie came up with that remark. Smirking, he looked at Leslie smugly.

"It's my first time having dinner with your parents after getting married. Shouldn't I show them my generosity? They need to know how filial their new son-in-law is."

Leslie tried holding back from laughing but, soft chuckles still escaped her lips. Calix shrugged, still wearing a smug face as he started driving again.

Mimo didn't follow Leslie this time. But, it told her to call its name if needed. The fox toy reassured her that it would appear right after being summoned.

Soon, the car sped down the expressway heading to Phoenix Heights. It would take around an hour from Mapleview Hills. They might reach there in fifteen minutes more.

The Xu family's ancestral home was built in Phoenix Heights during Calix's late great-great-grandfather's time. Since then, the different generations of the main branch have been living there.

Phoenix Heights also was home to some other prominent families due to the auspicious energy rumored to be abundant there. Among them was Xander's family's ancestral home.

"My parents won't be there. They're traveling around the world."

While driving, Calix took the time to tell Leslie about the Xu family. Even though he knew she wouldn't be able to interact with them, he was still willing to fill in the details for her.

"After my dad passed his position to me two years ago, he and my mom started traveling here and there. They only come home during important holidays."

Andrian Xu and Harper Lin were the parents of Calix and his two other siblings. The spouses were renowned for being so loving despite already sharing almost forty years together. 

Unlike most wealthy men in high society who kept preying on beautiful and young women, Andrian was disgusted with the practice.

No matter how alluring and sensual the woman was, no one had ever managed to come in between him and his wife.

"My brother lives in another place with his wife and young daughter. Oh, I haven't told you that he used to be in the military, right? He was a captain of a special forces unit. Sadly, he retired early due to severe injuries."

The thirty-eight-year-old Vernon Xu was the firstborn child of Andrian and Harper. Despite having an excellent intellect and the majority right to be the heir, his interest lay more in the military field.

Instead of sharpening and strengthening his knowledge in business, he enrolled in the military academy. His stellar performance earned him a high reputation.

Vernon passed the heir baton to Calix. The former claimed that his younger brother was far more capable than him. It was the reason why the second son of the Xu family occupied the seat of the CEO and the heir.

No bloody battle of heirship happened between the brothers. It was definitely a rare occurrence in high society.

As Leslie listened to Calix, she couldn't help but imagine how Vernon was as a man. Despite being brothers, the disparity between their fields of interest was huge.

Because Calix was a supporting character, Leslie didn't know much about him and the Xu family. She only learned some insignificant details.

"After your brother got discharged, had anyone tried to make you both butt heads?" asked Leslie in pure curiosity, "Well, if only you can answer me. That's a sensitive question."

Leslie's questions prompted a chuckle from Calix's lips. Briefly glancing at her, he playfully teased her, "Why? Did you imagine our fight for the throne? I'm skilled in martial arts but, my brother can definitely oust me in no time."

"Hehe, I'm not ah," Leslie quickly denied. Her laughter echoed inside the car, "Who knows? Outsiders can be so busybody with other's family matters."

"Hahaha! That's so true! It did happen ah! People are so busybodies!"

Calix guffawed at Leslie's cheeky remark. His loud laughter drowned hers before the sound blended together.

Shaking his head, Calix recounted what happened after Vernon retired from his position in the military. His attention was still on the road ahead, carefully maintaining distance from other vehicles.

"My elder brother had some issues that led to his discharge. He suffered from physical injuries and also PTSD. Some people tried to manipulate him into going against me."

A small group who claimed to be Vernon's supporters emerged from within the Xu family. They boldly declared that Calix shouldn't be the heir because Vernon had returned. It was quite a chaotic time.

Leslie's brows were slightly furrowed. She couldn't believe the audacity of certain people who dared to make these brothers be at loggerheads. It occurred because of their thirst for power.

"Then... what happened?" Leslie's tone quietened. Her curiosity reached another level, "Did your father do something to them? Or, you yourself who settled it?"

Any form of internal strife had to be vanquished before the flames grew even bigger. In this case, the authority should mostly lie in Andrian's hands.

"Hahaha! It's not me or our dad," Calix slowed down the car before stopping at the red light. Grinning, he turned to look at Leslie, "Try guessing who handled those morons."

Leslie blinked. She quietly returned Calix's stare before her gaze was drawn to the moles under his left eye.

Shouldn't he know it was a crime if he suddenly smirked mischievously like that to ladies? No wonder he had a long line of suitors despite being a supporting character.

"..."

Leslie quickly came to her senses. Hesitating, she made a guess, "En... Was it your brother?"

Mischief twinkled in Calix's eyes.

"Bingo."