NOVEL NEXT Chapter 643: Clever Person
"You're back."
When she saw Shen Siyuan and Ruan Hongzhuang come back hand in hand, Jiang Yingxue immediately greeted them.
"Auntie, good morning," Shen Siyuan said with a smile.
"Good morning, have you had breakfast?"
"We've already eaten," Shen Siyuan replied.
"Then have a seat and enjoy some tea," Jiang Yingxue offered.
Then she took Ruan Hongzhuang aside and whispered, "Why are you so inconsiderate? You didn't come home last night. Don't you know your uncle is coming today?"
"Well, they're here now, right? We weren't late," Ruan Hongzhuang responded.
"It's not about being late; it's about attitude. Your dad is upset about this. Go and calm him down."
"Really? Is he that petty?" Ruan Hongzhuang was a bit surprised.
"It's not about pettiness. Xiao Shen can be overlooked, since he's not familiar with your uncle, so it doesn't matter. But your attitude makes him feel you're being disrespectful to your uncle."
Although Ruan Hongzhuang thought her dad was overreacting, she decided to follow her mom's advice and soothe him.
"Dad, we're back."
Ruan Hongzhuang entered the room and saw Ruan Xiangqian sitting at the desk looking through an album.
Upon hearing Ruan Hongzhuang's words, he didn't even lift his head.
In fact, he knew they were back long ago; the house isn't that big, and it's impossible not to hear them entering.
Seeing her dad ignoring her, Ruan Hongzhuang didn't mind, she went straight over, sat on the armrest of his chair, and squeezed in beside him.
"What are you looking at?"
She leaned over to see.
Ruan Xiangqian snapped the album shut and said irritably, "You still know to come home?"
"Dad, how could I not come back when uncle and aunt are visiting today?"
"You shouldn't have been out last night. What if your uncle came early and couldn't find you?" Ruan Xiangqian scolded.
"But he didn't arrive early," Ruan Hongzhuang muttered quietly.
"That's because I had Xiao Sun drive over to pick them up. Otherwise, judging by your uncle's personality, he might have arrived before dawn," Ruan Xiangqian explained.
Ruan Hongzhuang realized that Ruan Xiangqian had arranged for Sun Yaohui to pick them up, allowing for perfect timing.
"Wow, Dad, you really think things through," Ruan Hongzhuang immediately admired.
"You..."
Ruan Xiangqian poked her forehead disapprovingly.
This daughter is mature and competent outside but remains childish at home.
"Where did you go with Xiao Shen last night?"
"We were at a bar for a while and since it got late, we just stayed out," Ruan Hongzhuang explained briefly.
Ruan Xiangqian, being experienced, clearly didn't believe her. He glanced at her but didn't press further.
Instead, he asked, "Do you and Xiao Shen have plans to have a baby soon?"
"Dad, we haven't even had the wedding yet. It's too early to talk about this," Ruan Hongzhuang said shyly.
"Early? After the New Year, you'll be having the wedding. Time flies, so it's best to plan early."
Ruan Xiangqian always has a reliable plan for everything, and he expects the same from others.
"Let's talk about it after the wedding."
Ruan Hongzhuang said this and got up to leave the room.
"That girl..."
Ruan Xiangqian shook his head helplessly and continued to flip through the album.
His eyes fell on a picture of a little girl, held up by her father against the sunlight, smiling broadly.
The little girl wore a red dress, her hair in a ponytail, and as she smiled, her teeth were visible, though she was missing a front tooth. The image was funny yet brightly cheerful; this girl was none other than young Ruan Hongzhuang.
"Ah, how time flies, grown up already..."
Ruan Xiangqian sighed and closed the album.
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"Big Brother, Sister-in-law..."
Ruan Hongzhuang had just left the room when she heard her aunt knocking on the door outside.
She immediately turned to open the door for her.
"Aunt," Ruan Hongzhuang smiled and greeted.
Ruan Manman peeked inside before entering.
"Haven't big brother and sister-in-law arrived yet?" Ruan Manman asked, puzzled.
Evidently, she knew her brother well and came early.
"No, Dad arranged for Brother Sun to pick them up, so they should be here soon," Ruan Hongzhuang replied.
Ruan Manman furrowed her brows upon hearing this, being perceptive, she sensed something unusual.
But with little information, she couldn't pinpoint the issue right away.
"It's not that far; why not let them come by themselves? It would be faster," Ruan Manman suggested.
"Your brother arranged it. Don't concern yourself," Jiang Yingxue interjected.
"That's strange; sister-in-law gets carsick. Taking the train would be more comfortable, so why have Xiao Sun drive? Isn't that unnecessary?"
"You're so clever."
Just then, Ruan Xiangqian came out of the room and immediately retorted upon hearing.
"Aunt."
Sitting on the sofa, Shen Siyuan stood up to greet her.
Ruan Manman just glanced at him, acknowledging the greeting.
Jiang Yingxue, standing by her side, glared at her before giving a light smack on her back, "Xiao Shen is greeting you?"
Ruan Manman turned to look at Jiang Yingxue and saw her sister-in-law glaring seriously at her.
This made Ruan Manman pause.
Her third brother and third sister-in-law's attitude towards this son-in-law seemed exceptionally favorable, almost excessively so.
Realizing this, she greeted Shen Siyuan again and then pulled Jiang Yingxue aside.
"What's the background of Ruan Ruan's fiance?" she asked, curious.
"He's not her boyfriend; he's Ruan Ruan's fiancé. As long as your big brother doesn't object, the wedding will be held after the New Year."
"So soon?" Ruan Manman was surprised.
"What's soon about it? Ruan Ruan isn't that young anymore."
"But...but they haven't known each other long. Is there such a rush? Is it Ruan Ruan's own wish?"
"Of course, it's her choice. Can we force her?"
Jiang Yingxue said, glancing at Ruan Manman. If coercion worked, they would have forced Ruan Manman, and she'd already have children in middle school.
"But what if big brother doesn't agree?"
"The wedding will go ahead," Jiang Yingxue said resolutely.
Ruan Manman: ...
"What's this guy's background? You two hold him in such high regard, practically pushing to marry your daughter off?" Ruan Manman asked.
"What nonsense are you talking about? Are we people who sell our daughters? They fell in love freely," Jiang Yingxue replied, displeased.
But Ruan Manman didn't believe it, still looking at her doubtfully.
Though the couple wasn't the type to sell daughters, having reached their status, they had schemes and strategies. If he were an ordinary young man, how could they treat him so exceptionally?
Even if big brother opposed, they'd still marry her off, which was exceedingly unusual.
She knew very well the standing her big brother held in Ruan Xiangqian's heart. He was not just an elder brother but akin to a father.
Now, for the sake of this son-in-law, they could disregard even a father's words.
She couldn't believe Shen Siyuan hailed from a common background. Was there something unknown?
Thinking this, Ruan Manman felt even more curious.