The Master’s Mask Unveiled Again
Chapter 854 - 853 That’s My Dark History

Chapter 854: Chapter 853 That’s My Dark History

"..."

Xiao Qimo felt unjustly accused, "I’ve never carried anyone before. Not men or women, young or old. When I was young, I saw my dad carrying my mom; I’ve watched them so much that I learned how to do it myself."

His words were somewhat pitiable, yet Lu Mian listened with great envy.

A good marital relationship is the greatest wealth of a family.

Children will also subtly learn about love and being loved—how wonderful that is.

"Director Qi, is your mother not well?" she had heard Xiao dad say something like this during the meal and remembered it.

"Mm, it’s a chronic condition. After the RE Factor has matured, I’ll have Team Leader Pan work on my mom’s treatment."

Xiao Qimo didn’t specify what the illness was, and Lu Mian didn’t ask any more questions.

With the RE Factor in mind, she was no longer so worried.

As the two of them walked through the courtyard, occasionally servants would pass by, greet them, and then flee in surprise and delight. Only when they reached a safe distance would they dare to discuss the event.

"It’s the first time I’ve seen the master carry a girl!"

"These two are so sweet, they could give the Family Head and his wife a run for their money!"

"The Family Head and his wife really like Miss Lu, you know. I think Miss Lu is much better than those pampered daughters!"

Several female servants huddled together, chatting excitedly.

A more mature maid sighed, "Alas, Miss Lu’s background isn’t good... The Xiao Family wants to advance in business, but they probably won’t get any help from her family."

"Shh, keep your voice down! Are you trying to get killed? The Xiao Family is already the leader of the clan; they don’t need to marry for business purposes!"

"That’s easy to say, but besides the Xiao Family, there are international financial conglomerates and various powerful organizations. Not to mention the distant, just look at the close by, Xiao Jianli has always been looking for a chance to get back to the center of Xiao Family’s power..."

As Xiao Qimo carried Lu Mian through the courtyard, a servant informed Gui Ping, who then told Qi Zhen.

Qi Zhen and Xiao Huazun stood on the balcony, looking out over the scenery of the estate with contented faces.

"Last year I didn’t even dare think of a daughter-in-law, and this year heaven has given me such a wonderful one. Ah, if only Qimo hadn’t truly fallen for her, I really would have liked to take Mianmian as my goddaughter..."

Qi Zhen expressed his regret.

"..."

Xiao Huazun immediately hugged his wife tightly, privately relieved that his son was somewhat useful; otherwise, he’d have to compete with his goddaughter for a wife in his later years.

"Oh my, let go. We’re not in our room."

"What’s there to be afraid of in our own home."

"..."

While the couple talked on the balcony, Xiao Jianli calmly passed by them on the phone.

Qi Zhen saw him and broke free from Xiao Huazun’s arms, "Dad, are you going out?"

Xiao Jianli paused for a moment, instinctively replying, "Ah, yes. I’m going over to the Calligraphy Academy."

Qi Zhen looked at the phone in the old man’s hand, which was clearly not on a call, and smiled awkwardly, "Then come back early."

"Sure, an old buddy at the Calligraphy Academy said he saw old Lu at the hospital and guessed he might be back; I’m going to check it out." After explaining, the old man hurried away.

Qi Zhen and Xiao Huazun exchanged a glance. Someone who had been away for so many years was coming back?

——

So Xiao Qimo carried Lu Mian, unilaterally enjoying the post-meal stroll.

The Xiao Family’s old mansion had a large courtyard; when she came over during the New Year, she was rushed and didn’t have the time to appreciate it properly.

Now with some free time, Lu Mian finally had the chance to take a tour.

After walking for more than twenty minutes and the servants gradually becoming scarce, Lu Mian, guided by the lights on both sides of the road, saw a small dilapidated building not far away.

The reason it was called a small dilapidated building was mainly because the walls were somewhat decrepit; it was apparent that it hadn’t been maintained for several years.

This kind of small building seemed somewhat out of place in the Xiao Family’s estate.

Lu Mian took a few more glances at it.

She thought that such a place had probably been abandoned, and that normally, no one should come to clean and tidy up.

Behind that tightly closed door, who knew what stories had once taken place.

As Lu Mian was thinking this, the door of the small dilapidated building suddenly creaked and opened from the inside.

Not only Lu Mian, but even Xiao Qimo halted his steps and looked over with puzzled eyes.

From inside the decrepit building, a figure emerged carrying a bunch of keys, making a jingling sound.

"Xiao Butler?"

The one who came out from inside was the Xiao butler. Startled by Xiao Qimo’s voice, he shivered and the bunch of keys fell to the ground.

Especially when he saw Xiao Qimo carrying his girlfriend, he felt it even more surreal.

"Sir, what brings you over here?"

The face of the Xiao butler was full of confusion; it had been many years since Xiao Qimo had approached this area.

After speaking, he realized that his words were somewhat inappropriate, and as he bent over to pick up the keys, he added, "The old master asked me to come over for a quick clean-up. Are you going in?"

Lu Mian quietly leaned on Xiao Qimo’s back, looking continuously into the little worn building.

Xiao Qimo noticed her thoughts, "Do you want to go in?"

"Is it convenient? What’s inside?"

The Xiao butler looked at Xiao Qimo with an inexplicable expression; Xiao Qimo took a deep sigh.

"It’s my dark history..."

Dark history?

Lu Mian seemed to think of something and patted Xiao Qimo’s shoulder, signaling him to put her down. After receiving the man’s permission, Lu Mian decided to have a look.

She wanted to know about his sealed dark history.

"Xiao Butler, please open it."

"Alright." The Xiao butler, both startled and delighted, hastily opened the door again. He turned on the lights ahead and followed Xiao Qimo and Lu Mian inside.

Inside the small dilapidated building was nothing mysterious, just a very ordinary house, with various experimental equipment in each room.

There was a large study room with a floor-to-ceiling bookshelf filled entirely with science books, among which physics occupied the largest proportion.

Lu Mian was not wrong; this was the place where Xiao Qimo once did his physics research.

Was it here that he had painstakingly researched the M-particles?

Lu Mian touched the ring on her neck, on which the M-particle resembled an ordinary black diamond. It seemed ordinary but was a groundbreaking invention in the field of physics.

To Director Qi, it was called dark history, but to her eyes, it was an incredibly shining place.

"So, ever since the M-particles were lost, you haven’t entered since, right?"

Xiao Qimo looked melancholic, "Yes, afterward, Grandpa took care of this place for me."

Lu Mian saw many notebooks in the study, randomly pulling one out, it was filled with dense notes.

She remembered the physics notebook with an "X" on the cover.

Each little detail was a part of Director Qi’s glory.

"What a pity," Lu Mian said, placing the notebook back in its spot.

The Xiao butler beside her hesitated, internally hoping Lu Mian would persuade Xiao Qimo. He didn’t know the specifics but understood that their master was a genius in physics research; it was truly a pity to give it up halfway.

In the end, the Xiao butler remained silent.

If even the master’s parents and grandfather couldn’t persuade him, what change could Miss Lu bring?