Chapter 158: Take it or not?

However, the remaining one requirement was also the most difficult.

The specific need was to create a connection between Xia Yu and his daughter An Siyao, allowing them to meet naturally, after which he could intervene and manipulate the situation.

How was that possible? His daughter had always been distant from others, especially men. How could any boy possibly get close to his daughter?

“I heard Zexi said you’re going back to Yaoguang next week, Uncle An? That’s a coincidence,” Xia Yu said.

“You’re also going to Yaoguang?” An Tianfeng became curious. He picked up his juice and took a sip. “What are you going there for?”

“To meet your daughter.”

“Cough! Cough! Cough!” An Tianfeng choked on his juice. “What did you say?”

“The Global New Generation Music Conference—I’m forming a team with An Siyao and Liu Manman. We’ve already agreed to start practicing next week,” Xia Yu explained.

An Tianfeng’s mouth hung open, unable to close for a moment.

Had this final condition also been met?

After carefully scrutinizing Xia Yu, An Tianfeng said, “Well then, that’s truly a coincidence. Call me when you arrive.”

Inside, An Tianfeng was already planning how to create opportunities for Xia Yu.

“You actually joined the music conference?” Zhong Yunze was also surprised. He had just learned about this now.

“I’m just preparing to participate,” Xia Yu replied.

The music conference wasn’t a competition, but rather a stage. All one needed to do was send a performance video and audio recording, along with personal information, to the organizers’ email address and wait for a response.

The conference’s entry criteria required both skill and reputation.

Given that An Siyao, Xia Yu, and Liu Manman had ranked first, second, and third respectively in the District One High School Instrument Competition, their reputation was sufficient. As long as the upcoming performance had no issues, they would likely be fine.

“With a team of the three of you, as long as the music goes smoothly, there won’t be any issues,” Zhong Yunze also knew this. He looked at Xia Yu with envy—it was a global stage.

“Great! You know, back when I was young, I also had a dream of music,” An Tianfeng shifted the topic back to himself. “What university are you planning to attend after graduation? If you want, you can choose any university in Yaoguang.”

“I’ve already been accepted by Hua University,” Xia Yu said.

“Hua University?” An Tianfeng nodded. “Not bad.”

The dinner left all four people quite satisfied. An Tianfeng then suggested other activities, but Xia Yu and Zhong Yunze declined.

Although An Tianfeng spoke mysteriously about these activities, Xia Yu showed no interest at all.

An Tianfeng nodded approvingly again—this boy didn’t go out to fool around, which was a good trait.

At seven in the evening, Xia Yu and Zhong Yunze returned together to the villa.

“How’s your uncle’s situation now?” Xia Yu had waited to ask this until now, since it wasn’t appropriate during dinner.

“I made him return the money he took and then sent him back to his hometown,” Zhong Yunze sighed. “From now on, I’ll focus on taking over An’s projects and turn down other collaborations. They can just forget about it.”

“He’s still your uncle after all.” Xia Yu found Zhong Yunze’s approach reasonable.

“Let’s forget about it. Want to race a bit?” Seeing Xia Yu, Zhong Yunze became eager. He had lost to Xia Yu in many other areas, and even his sister was closer to Xia Yu than to him. Now he wanted to regain his confidence on bicycles.

He continued, “I have five bikes. You can pick any one you like.”

“It’s too late. Forget it,” Xia Yu had absolutely no interest in racing.

Looking at the now completely dark sky, Zhong Yunze also realized that this wasn’t a good time.

“Fine then. Maybe next time,” Zhong Yunze was somewhat disappointed. “I have to return to Yaoguang for school tomorrow. When you come over, remember to call me.”

Zhong Yunze had come specifically to handle company matters. Although the company issues weren’t completely resolved yet, he could now leave the rest to the managers.

“Okay,” Xia Yu agreed.

He returned to his room. A while later, he received a message from Zhong Yunxin:

『Are you coming to Yaoguang next week?』

Needless to say, Zhong Yunze must have told her.

『Yeah』 Xia Yu replied.

『Let me know when you arrive. Let’s go out and have some fun together!』 Zhong Yunxin revealed her true intention.

『Didn’t you get detention at school?』 Xia Yu was surprised.

『That girl Kong Hanyue said she’d grant me leave as long as I’m with you!』 Zhong Yunxin added a proud emoji after her message.

『Okay』 Xia Yu agreed.

After ending the chat with Zhong Yunxin, Xia Yu sent a message to Liu Manman, asking about her specific schedule.

After confirming everything, Liu Manman added:

『My grandma is also in Yaoguang. She wants you to come together.』

『Okay』

Putting down his phone, Xia Yu counted the people he needed to meet in Yaoguang.

Just those he had already arranged to meet included An Tianfeng, Zhong Yunze, Zhong Yunxin, and Liu Ronglan.

When I get there, will I really be able to observe An Siyao properly? Xia Yu fell into thought.

“Brother!” A knock on the door came, followed by another voice—Yue Xue’s.

This was another person coming because of the matter regarding Yaoguang.

Opening the door, Xia Yu saw the girl.

Compared to the thin, timid little girl she had been when Xia Dongyang was still around, Yue Xue had now grown into a pretty and lively young girl.

“Brother, are you going to Yaoguang next week?” Yue Xue asked eagerly.

“Yeah,” Xia Yu replied, placing a hand on Yue Xue’s head.

“Then I…” The girl hesitated slightly.

“You’ll go with your mom,” Xia Yu assumed, thinking she might be afraid of being alone again.

“No,” the girl held onto Xia Yu’s hand. “I want to go with you!”

Compared to Kong Hanyue, Yue Xue wanted to be with Xia Yu more. She might have already found out that this time, her brother wouldn’t be coming back in just a few days.

“But you have your mom.”

“I don’t want my mom. I want to follow my brother!” Unlike Kong Hanyue, who wanted to improve their relationship, Xia Yu was Yue Xue’s true source of trust.

She would only act spoiled and clingy with Xia Yu, while with Kong Hanyue, she played more of a caretaker role.

Since childhood, except for those two days when Xia Yu had gone to Yaoguang for the competition, the two had always been together.

Xia Yu continued trying to persuade her, but Yue Xue just kept shaking her head.

“It’s just Yaoguang. Why do you insist on going with me?” Xia Yu couldn’t help but sound slightly impatient.

Yue Xue let go of his hand. He thought she had finally been convinced, but the tears that followed told him the matter wasn’t over.

Seeing Yue Xue wiping her tears, Xia Yu realized she was still just a thirteen-year-old girl.

Wiping her tears gently, Xia Yu kindly asked, “You don’t want to stay with your mom?”

“What if she doesn’t want me anymore?” Yue Xue sobbed.

Rubbing his forehead, Xia Yu realized he had misjudged the relationship between Yue Xue and Kong Hanyue.

After being treated indifferently for so long, Yue Xue, although holding no resentment, no longer trusted Kong Hanyue.

Leaving her with Kong Hanyue would only make her anxious and fearful.

So, what should he do?