The simultaneously surprised and delighted voice had come from a middle-aged man who stood up as soon as he saw her.

“It’s truly been a while, uncle!” replied Xavia with a slight nod.

“Humph! It’s just as they say. When you’re poor, nobody looks for you even if you’re living in a bustling city! When you get rich, however, even the most distant of relatives will come running to meet you, even if you’re living in the middle of a forest! I do wonder if that saying applies to a certain relative of mine who just so happened to hear that my family’s Zion just got promoted!” sneered a woman—seated on one of the couches—before flashing a cold smile as she continued peeling an orange.

Hearing that, several of the other young men and women in the room took turns staring at Xavia contemptuously.

“It’s been so long yet your way of talking never changes, does it, aunt? Now that I think about it, this was also the place where you mocked and embarrassed my mother so much back then, right?” r