Zhi Xi was right. If there was one thing that Lu Wei and Ningtao's visit to the Xi Family Mansion was able to successfully pull off, it was to set the boundaries the Xis couldn't cross. It was utterly necessary to do so.

The Xi family, despite having progressive mindsets, held indescribably unrealistic expectations from their daughters-in-law, and the Six tigers had always known about it. In fact, that was the primary reason they were against Xinguan's relationship through the initial months. Even though they were aware of Xi Chongkun and Li Jungah's admiration for their Kiddo, they couldn't foretell the kind of sacrifices Rong Xinghe would've to make once she'd be in too deep with them.

But Xi Yuan, and the Xi trio, had always been tremendously supportive of Rong Xinghe's dreams. So in the end, the Six men had to give in and accept their love. However, it didn't stop them from discerning the man's family from up close. It was a dangerous game they were playing. Tying the knot with a family as influential as this required intense alertness, for there were innumerable ways in which they could harm Rong Xinghe.

They needed to ensure that no one would so much as even think to lay a hand over their sister. And for that, the Xi family needed to realize the powers behind Rong Xinghe. They needed to know that she'd always have her brothers and Sisters-in-law by her side. Ad infinitum.

____________________

Earlston, Scotland, 20:15;

The next evening, Xi Yuan and Rong Xinghe reached the innocent town of Berwickshire, unknown to the hellfire Lu Wei had unleashed upon the Xi and Luo family not too long ago. They hadn't had the time to check on their families, actually.

Since they were in a foreign land, and out of the media spotlight, they didn't need their security staff to pick them up from the airport. And so, the man had simply ordered one of his drivers in Edinburgh to leave behind a car, at the airfield, earlier that morning.

As the Aston Martin DB11 drove through the relatively silent roads of Earlston, dim and warm lights of small cafes and regular shops blinking back at them, Rong Xinghe rolled down her side of the window, her lips curling up in a relaxed smile. This was perfect. The silence here. The people, and the atmosphere. Everything was just perfección.

From the corner of his eyes, Xi Yuan glanced at the girl and smiled to himself. He knew she'd like it. Reverting his gaze at the three-way road in front of him, he turned the wheels to the left smoothly. The farmhouse wasn't too far from there. Thankfully, he'd ordered his staff to clean and warm it up already. Winters stuck longer for most of the year in Earlston. And Rong Xinghe had just undergone a crucial surgery. She couldn't handle the extremes of the Scottish winters, at least, not yet.

"This is a paradise, Mr. Xi!", the girl gasped as she took in the sight of the huge farmhouse, while the man tossed the keys of the car to the valet at the entrance, holding onto her hands tenderly, "I mean... so grand. And it looks like a palace, you know?"

But most of the buildings in Earlston appeared to be the same. Tall. Rich in history. Lavish. And with spectacular infrastructures. This farmhouse contained around twenty-rooms in itself, along with a widespread lawn. Xi Yuan's grandparents had received this property as a gift from one of the politicians here back in the day. The view here was so peaceful and magnificent that the thought of selling it never occurred to any of them. And so, the gates to this castle aka royal farmhouse would open for none but the Xi family members.

"Come on in.", Xi Yuan smiled at the girl, "I'll make you some tea."

The internals to the place was no less entrancing. It had a vintage air to it. But it wasn't all old-school. Xi Wei had redesigned this place about seven years ago, giving it a rustic as well as a modern look. The furniture was all made of wood but carved off of the finest ones. Teak. Mahogany. Rosewood. They must've hired some skillful woodsmen, the girl thought, for the intricate work over the surfaces of the fitments spoke for itself.

She'd fallen for it. This place, and its beauty. She'd been to Scotland before. For work, and the Youth team. But never alone. Never with a partner. And for some unknown reason, she felt that she'd treasure every second she would spend here. That she'd t cherish Scotland, and Edinburgh, and Earlston, for the rest of her life. The reason was simple. Him.

"Sit here.", Xi Yuan escorted the girl back to the living room after giving her a brief tour of the farmhouse, helping her get comfortable into the dark brown velvet sofa, "I'll be back soon. By then, you could talk to the staff here."

"Go ahead.", the girl smiled at the man.

::::::::::::::::::

By the time Xi Yuan returned with two cups of milk tea in both his hands, the girl had befriended almost the entire work staff he'd hired. Including the Xi family's butler. Lovely.

"Mr. Tang, I'd really appreciate it if you could get me the keys to the underground library the first thing tomorrow.", the girl said to the old man, "Since I have nothing else to do here, I would love to get back to reading."

"Sure, Madam.", the butler nodded obediently. Noticing the presence of his Master beside him, he then bowed to her, "We wouldn't want to intrude your and Sir's privacy, Ma'am. Have a good night."

Xi Yuan waited for the crowd to disappear from his line of sight before he walked around the table, passing the girl one of the cups he'd brought along, "Library? Seriously?"

"What? You know I love to read.", the girl laughed.

"I know. But it can be tiring too, baby, and the surgery--"

"Yuan.", the girl interrupted the man, placing a quick peck upon his right cheek, "Please?"

Now how could he turn down those hopeful pleading eyes? Urgh! "Fine.", the man sighed, his tone defeated, "But sleep when I tell you to. And no tantrums concerning the medications. Alright?"

"Yes, Boss!", Rong Xinghe giggled, sipping the zesty sweet tea in silence, "Hey! Did you get the DSLR?"

"Yeah. Why?", Xi Yuan looked at the girl, puzzled. What the hell was brewing inside that slick little brain of hers now!?

"Nothing.", the girl chuckled, "Just checking."

"..."

Liar, he thought, as he squinted his eyes at her. Why was he having the feeling that she wasn't going to rest here, as they'd originally planned? And that she would go on and cause a lot more trouble in Scotland than she did in Country X?