Mind reading saves the whole family; I'm firmly in the role of a charlatan.

Chapter 397 is an acquaintance.

Regardless of how much harm this incident caused Li Zhaoyang, Du Anrao was quite happy after learning about it, as it at least showed that the fate of the Li family had been completely changed.

The predetermined plot can be broken, and the so-called protagonist's halo is not invincible.

"Speaking of which, cousin, you've known Mr. Xi for so many years, have you ever participated in their family's ancestral worship ceremony?"

Li Zhaoyang's eyelids twitched, and he shook his head awkwardly: "You know that large families like theirs have many rules. Ancestor worship is a major family event, so there are even more rules."

I'm not just idly going to be abused; why would I go and learn their family rules for no reason?
Li Zhaoyang spoke tactfully, but Du Anrao and the others understood immediately.

The two girls were worried that they might make a fool of themselves because they didn't know the rules, but Du Hexuan snorted coldly: "Don't worry, you are guests. They are worshipping their ancestors, and you are just watching the show. If you are really neglected, just turn around and leave. They invited you, not the other way around. Such a big family doesn't even know this basic etiquette. No matter how many rules you follow, it will be useless."

As the group was talking, Xi Jingyue, the host, had been waiting quietly in the airport waiting room for a long time.

"You must be tired after such a long flight. I'll take you home for dinner first. If you don't mind, you can stay at my grandparents' place tonight, and we can go up the mountain together early tomorrow morning."

A few months ago, Mr. and Mrs. Xi completely relinquished control of the company, handing over all decision-making power to their grandson. They then returned to their hometown ahead of schedule, bought a new house, and prepared to retire there, no longer caring about the outside world's troubles.

Xi Jingyue was about to take Du Anrao and the others to the old man's newly bought house. It would only take half an hour to get to the ancestral home from there. They would stay there tonight, which would make it much easier to go to the ancestral home tomorrow.

Du Anrao and the others, trusting Xi Jingyue, didn't think much of it and accepted the arrangement. On the contrary, Du Hexuan's alarm radar went off high. He felt more and more that Xi Jingyue had ill intentions. How could someone invite someone to their home and then let them stay overnight on the first night? He decided not to sleep tonight and keep a close eye on the movements outside his two younger sisters' rooms.

Xi Jingyue was unaware that his seemingly well-thought-out arrangements had led someone to imagine so many different things.

When Xi Jingyue picked up the group and arrived at their destination, it was already completely dark.

Having learned in advance that guests would be visiting today, Xi Jingyue's parents had prepared the meal well in advance, just waiting for the guests to arrive before starting the feast.

"We meet again, do you still remember Auntie?"

Xi Jingyue's mother, who was also the other aunt who "bumped into" Du Anrao and his wife while shopping with Mrs. Li that day, immediately went up to them when she saw them get out of the car, taking the hands of the two girls on either side.

Du Anrao was stunned for a moment, but quickly realized what was happening.

That's right, Xi Jingyue and Li Zhaoyang are cousins, which means their mothers are sisters. Madam Xi is Li Zhaoyang's aunt. No wonder Madam Xi was with Madam Li when they bumped into each other at the mall. It's perfectly normal for the two sisters to go shopping together.

In any case, being able to meet a familiar person in such an unfamiliar place, even if it's just a brief encounter, can quickly bridge the gap between you and calm your uneasy heart.

"Hello Auntie."

"Alright, alright, Zhaoyang is my sister's child, so his younger siblings are naturally our own children too. Since you're here, make yourself at home and treat me like your own aunt. Don't be shy." As soon as Madam Xi said this, Du Anrao and the others all smiled, except for Du Hexuan, whose expression stiffened and who glared at Li Zhaoyang with dissatisfaction.

He and this guy are about the same age, who knows who's older or younger, so how did he become the younger brother?
But considering that this wasn't his own home and he was facing the other party's elders, he had to give them some face and had to suppress his inexplicably strong competitive spirit for the time being.

Mr. Xi and Mrs. Xi fit Du Anrao's image of them perfectly; they were both kind-looking old men and women.

Needless to say, Madam Xi was clearly a wealthy and loving young lady raised by a prominent family; she was mature, intelligent, confident, and poised.

What surprised Du Anrao more was Xi Jingyue's father. Before coming, Du Anrao thought he would meet a domineering old CEO who looked similar to Xi Jingyue, but was older, dressed in a suit and tie and had a powerful aura.

But when we actually met, we found that Mr. Xi not only looked frail and delicate, but also had a refined and scholarly air about him. He didn't look like a businessman, but rather like an artist who had been engaged in academic research for many years.

And this is indeed the case.

"Uncle Xi is actually... a painter?"

"Doesn't it look like it?" Mr. Xi smiled, looking a little shy. "It's just a childhood hobby, and it's not famous. It's normal that you young people haven't heard of it."

"Uncle, you're being too modest. There are many people willing to pay high prices for your landscape paintings; they're practically priceless. And yet you're not even famous. What about those senior artists who graduated from professional academies and have been painting for over ten years without being able to sell their work for a good price?"

Li Zhaoyang's praise made Mr. Xi even more embarrassed. Ms. Xi noticed that her husband was a little reserved in front of these younger people, so she smiled and helped to change the subject.

"To be honest, I've only heard Zhaoyang's parents mention your relationship briefly, so I don't know the specifics."

What Mrs. Xi said was true; she was quite curious about the matter between Du Anrao and Xi, especially about Du Anrao.

During Du Yuxi's years in the Du family, nothing was kept secret. What happened to her, what experiences she had, and what schools she attended could all be found out if one was willing to do so.

On the contrary, Du Anrao, after being taken away by Li Qianxi's birth mother Wang Xuehe and left to be raised by her parents, was taken up the mountain by her master a few years later. She has lived on the mountain for the past ten years or so, rarely going out. Even if they wanted to investigate, they couldn't find out anything.

Some people with ulterior motives couldn't even find out the name and address of Master Du Anrao's Taoist temple. It was as if it had appeared out of thin air in broad daylight, a mysterious place that only existed in people's word of mouth. It was truly terrifying to think about.

"Me?" Du Anrao was taken aback when Madam Xi asked about his recent situation. After realizing what was going on, he smiled slightly and said, "I've been doing quite well these past few years. The environment on the mountain is quiet and the air is fresh. Although I rarely go down the mountain and rarely see strangers, I have everything I need. My master also teaches me my lessons regularly, so I'm not bored at all."

"I see. I wonder where that Taoist temple you used to live in is? When your Uncle Xi and I go on a trip, we might be able to stop by and pay our respects to our family and pray for their safety."

"In the misty mountains of X city, Y province."

"Y Province, X City?!"