NOVEL NEXT Chapter 618: Banquet
Because of Shen Siyuan's visit, Jiang Yingxue specially prepared a new pair of slippers for him.
But what surprised Shen Siyuan the most was that this pair of slippers matched the pair with wear marks that Ruan Hongzhuang was wearing.
Clearly, Ruan Xiangqian and his wife had put a lot of thought into his arrival.
"Would you like me to show you around?"
Seeing Shen Siyuan had changed into the slippers, Ruan Hongzhuang immediately took his arm.
Ruan Xiangqian smiled and said, "Let Ruan Ruan show you around; dinner will take a while to be ready."
"I'll go help out," Jiang Yingxue said immediately upon hearing this.
"You, just wait to eat. Don't make trouble for me," said Ruan Xiangqian as he headed towards the kitchen.
"What do you mean by that?" Jiang Yingxue quickly followed behind.
"Ignore them," Ruan Hongzhuang said, tugging Shen Siyuan towards the rooms.
Shen Siyuan had initially thought that such an old house would be cramped and dimly lit, but after looking around, he found that his assumption was just due to his lack of experience.
Though it was only three bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen, and a bathroom, the space was exceptionally large.
"This house is actually 128 square meters," Ruan Hongzhuang explained.
"This is only 128?" Shen Siyuan couldn't quite believe it.
"Believe it or not, because there is no common area, the space appears much larger," said Ruan Hongzhuang.
"Alright, but this house is really nice."
Apart from the somewhat old-fashioned decor, it was indeed better than many houses nowadays.
"Our parents put a lot of effort into buying this house back then."
Ruan Hongzhuang also took Shen Siyuan to visit her room, which, besides a desk, featured a large bookshelf and a small wardrobe without many cosmetics or luxury items.
Although Ruan Hongzhuang and Shen Siyuan were already living together, this was Shen Siyuan's first visit, so he was arranged to stay in the guest room rather than moving directly into Ruan Hongzhuang's boudoir.
However, the guest room was much simpler in decor and clearly had just been tidied up.
"Our family has a few other residences elsewhere; I'll take you to visit them tomorrow."
Shen Siyuan was not at all surprised upon hearing this; it would have been odd if the Ruan Family had only one residence.
The reason Ruan Xiangqian and his wife chose to host Shen Siyuan here must have been with some small intentions.
They had visited Shen Siyuan's home and knew that he valued family and home, so naturally, they wanted to present the warmest and sincerest side of their own home.
Businesspeople are savvy, and moreover, Ruan Xiangqian and his wife had navigated the business world to reach their current status, possessing a unique insight into human nature.
This was why they chose not to entertain Shen Siyuan in a larger, more luxurious house.
They wanted to showcase the warmest side of their family.
Of course, Shen Siyuan was unaware of this, nor did he need to know.
For when someone becomes powerful to a certain extent, others will always seek to gain favor with them, accommodate them, and present the best side of themselves, even if it's insincere.
Thus, although Shen Siyuan was visiting as a prospective son-in-law for the first time, the roles were reversed, and his future father-in-law and mother-in-law had to show their best side to him.
"Ruan Ruan, Xiao Shen, come out and eat..." came Jiang Yingxue's voice from outside.
Shen Siyuan stood up and walked to the living room with Ruan Hongzhuang, seeing Ruan Xiangqian already seated at the dining table, apron removed, with a bottle of wine in hand.
"Xiao Shen, would you care to drink with me tonight?" He waved the bottle in his hand.
"Sure," Shen Siyuan did not refuse and sat down directly to his right.
Ruan Xiangqian immediately poured him a cup, and Shen Siyuan hastily gestured to indicate he could do it himself.
Such courteous gestures made Ruan Xiangqian and his wife both happy, further appreciating Shen Siyuan's character.
Given Shen Siyuan's current abilities, it was commendable to still maintain his true nature, not being impatient or boastful, and treating people sincerely.
"Usually, there's an aunt who helps at home, but since it's a family gathering today, we let her take a break, so I cooked the meal myself. It's been a long time since I've cooked, and my skills are rusty, not sure how it tastes…"
"Xiao Shen, try this, it's all home-cooked dishes, please don't hold back…" Jiang Yingxue took the initiative to serve Shen Siyuan a dish.
"Uncle Ruan, I toast to you."
Shen Siyuan raised his glass and clinked it with Ruan Xiangqian's.
After both took a sip, Ruan Xiangqian said to Ruan Hongzhuang, "Your aunt wanted to come over when she heard you were here, but I didn't let her."
"Huh? Why?" Ruan Hongzhuang seemed puzzled.
Then instinctively picked up a piece of braised pork from her bowl and put it into her mouth.
That piece of braised pork was placed by Shen Siyuan, with the skin and fatty part already eaten by him, leaving only the tenderest lean part.
Their natural actions made Ruan Xiangqian and his wife even happier.
As Ruan Hongzhuang's parents, they naturally knew that she had disliked eating pork skin since she was young. After eating a dish called "millet meat" as a child, she was haunted by the idea that pig hair on pork skin wasn't cleaned thoroughly, equating eating pork skin to eating pig hair.
Moreover, not eating fatty meat was understandable; after all, controlling weight was important, unlike Taozi, who could still gobble fatty meat.
"It's a family gathering, what would it be like having her here?" said Ruan Xiangqian.
"That's not right, she's not an outsider," said Ruan Hongzhuang.
"I wish she were an outsider; she doesn't listen to me and disputes whatever I say, always opposing me," Ruan Xiangqian seemed rather upset.
Jiang Yingxue glared at him, explaining to Shen Siyuan, "The siblings actually share a good relationship, just have clashing personalities."
"How could you say that? It's not me targeting her. Look, at her age, yet she hasn't considered starting a family, just staying single? The day after tomorrow my elder brother's coming, let's see if she dares to show up…" Ruan Xiangqian seemed increasingly irritated as he spoke.
Shen Siyuan didn't find this rude; instead, it made everything seem more genuine, so he raised his glass again to clink it with him.
After a glass of wine, Ruan Xiangqian's mood appeared much calmer.
He then explained to Shen Siyuan, "Her being single is one thing, but she almost led Ruan Ruan astray; luckily she met you. You have no idea how worried I was about her before."
"What does this have to do with Aunt?" Ruan Hongzhuang defended her aunt.
But clearly, Ruan Xiang didn't think so, directly attributing the blame for Ruan Hongzhuang remaining single and becoming an old maid to her aunt, believing it was due to following her example.
With a smile, Shen Siyuan said, "In that case, I should thank Aunt; otherwise, how would Ruan Ruan be mine now?"
Ruan Xiangqian and his wife paused upon hearing this, then burst into laughter.
"What Xiao Shen said makes sense; our Ruan Ruan remained pure all these years just to wait for you," said Jiang Yingxue with a smile.
"Mom~"
Ruan Hongzhuang was slightly embarrassed by this.
But the look she gave Shen Siyuan was full of tenderness.