NOVEL NEXT Chapter 644 Cunning
"Auntie."
Seeing Ruan Manman come over, Ruan Hongzhuang immediately got up and pulled her to sit beside her.
Among the family elders, if Ruan Hongzhuang were to say who she had the best relationship with, apart from her grandmother, it would likely be this aunt.
Ruan Manman is a non-marriage advocate, with no children, so she genuinely treats Ruan Hongzhuang like her own daughter, buying her all sorts of toys, snacks, clothes, etc., truly indulging her.
As a result, a significant part of Ruan Hongzhuang's personality resembles hers, strong-willed but independent, which is what Ruan Xiangqian worries about the most, fearing Ruan Hongzhuang might follow her aunt's footsteps and stay single all her life.
And as Ruan Hongzhuang gets older, this concern deepens, naturally leading to dissatisfaction with Ruan Manman; every time she visits, she receives a cold reception.
Fortunately, Ruan Hongzhuang finally found a boyfriend, and quite an impressive one at that.
"Auntie, what have you been busy with lately? You haven't visited me in Bin Hai."
Ruan Hongzhuang, like a little girl who hasn't grown up, squeezed in next to Ruan Manman.
"Of course it's all company matters, went abroad several times for business trips, which took quite a bit of time," Ruan Manman said lightly.
But Ruan Hongzhuang knew that the ones Ruan Manman would personally handle must have been significant business negotiations.
"What about you? How is your company doing lately? I heard a while ago that your ships were detained at Halifax Port."
"You know about that?" Ruan Hongzhuang exclaimed in surprise.
Then she reacted: "Did you plant someone in my company?"
Ruan Manman glanced at her sideways, as if saying, "What, not allowed?" with an extremely arrogant flair.
Ruan Hongzhuang knew that her aunt only put people in the company out of concern for her, not because of coveting her small company.
Actually, it's likely not just her aunt; her parents probably have spies too.
But that didn't affect her anger, so she said irritably, "You already knew but still asked?"
"Do you need my help?" Ruan Manman said nonchalantly.
While speaking, her gaze involuntarily turned to Shen Siyuan, curiously observing him.
She saw him sitting on the couch, back straight, demeanor calm and composed, without a trace of nervousness or unease, looking extremely relaxed.
Moreover, he had a very unique aura, one that even the well-traveled Ruan Manman couldn't find words to describe at the moment, decidedly unique.
"I've already handled it. Hey, I'm talking to you..."
Seeing her aunt absent-minded, Ruan Hongzhuang followed her gaze and realized she was looking at Shen Siyuan.
So she immediately got up and sat between them, blocking Ruan Manman's view.
Ruan Manman: ...
"You little girl..."
Ruan Manman was amused, thinking, "Are you afraid I'll fall for this guy?"
She then reached out and pushed her aside.
"Off you go, I want to chat with Xiao Shen."
She was blunt, despite their title of aunt and niece, their relationship was more akin to siblings.
Ruan Hongzhuang didn't mind and laughed as she vacated the seat.
"What job does Xiao Shen do now?" Ruan Manman asked.
Ruan Hongzhuang heard and gave a disdainful glance.
She knows about the problem with my company's ships, how could she not be aware of what Shen Siyuan does?
"Oh, he holds a position at Ruan Ruan's company," Shen Siyuan replied.
Ruan Manman was momentarily stunned, not expecting Shen Siyuan to be so direct as to openly discuss this matter.
If it were an ordinary man visiting the woman's home for the first time, they would make up plans for the future even if they were unemployed, just to leave a good impression, but he was so upfront.
"Well, the salary isn't high; have you considered doing something on your own?" Ruan Manman continued questioning.
"No, it's quite nice now and pretty leisurely," Shen Siyuan replied.
Ruan Manman frowned; being a career-oriented woman, she naturally has a high regard for successful men and doesn't like those without ambitions like Shen Siyuan.
She turned and glared at Ruan Hongzhuang, seemingly blaming her for choosing such a guy.
In her eyes, Ruan Hongzhuang's character, being similar to hers, shouldn't have been so foolish.
Ruan Manman continued, "After you and Ruan Ruan get married, surely you must be the one to support the family?"
"Why?"
"Why do I have to be responsible for supporting the family? Can't Ruan Ruan?" Shen Siyuan replied casually.
Ruan Manman heard this and widened her eyes in shock, never anticipating such a response from Shen Siyuan.
Her anger surged, about to burst out, when a chuckling voice came from beside her.
She turned to see Jiang Yingxue standing nearby, the source of the laughter.
And not just her, as Ruan Hongzhuang also started giggling.
"Insane, you're laughing too, sister-in-law, did you hear what he just said?"
"Wait, are you playing a prank on me?" Thinking of this, she turned to glare at Shen Siyuan.
Shen Siyuan spread his hands and looked towards Ruan Hongzhuang.
Ruan Hongzhuang immediately chimed in, "I earn more, so I'm totally fine with supporting the family."
"Then what's he for?" Ruan Manman said crossly.
"To be my husband." Ruan Hongzhuang sat beside Shen Siyuan, wrapping her arm around his.
"Alright, you're doing this on purpose to annoy me, right?"
Seeing Ruan Hongzhuang speak seriously made Ruan Manman less angry, assuming she was just joking around.
"No, I'm serious, and Si Yuan is serious too," said Ruan Hongzhuang.
Ruan Manman chose to ignore her, instead turning her gaze towards Jiang Yingxue.
Jiang Yingxue smiled, "Ruan Ruan wants it, so I, as a mother, have no reason to object, right?"
Ruan Manman heard this, widening her eyes in disbelief.
"Are you serious?"
"This is just too absurd," she couldn't help but murmur softly.
"What's absurd about it?" Ruan Hongzhuang said, slightly discontented.
"Many excellent men pursue you and you dismiss them, yet you fancy such a guy, what do you see in him?"
"You don't understand him, so how can you claim he's not outstanding?" Ruan Hongzhuang gently patted Shen Siyuan's chest.
"You... you..."
Ruan Manman's feelings were akin to her carefully nurtured little white flower being repotted by a blonde.
"Alright, stop talking; if we continue, your aunt will explode," said Jiang Yingxue from the side.
"Who's exploding? She's your daughter; if you're not worried about her future happiness, why should I, as an aunt, be concerned?" Ruan Manman said, her actions belying her words.
"Alright, aunt, I was just teasing you; don't be angry."
Seeing her aunt genuinely getting upset, Ruan Hongzhuang hurried over to appease her.
Just then, however, Ruan Manman's anger completely dissipated.
Not only didn't she remain angry, but she also wore a smile.
She looked at Shen Siyuan with a smile and asked, "Did you have a hand in my brother and sister-in-law suddenly looking so young?"
Shen Siyuan was quite surprised upon hearing this; truly there are no fools in the world, especially ones like Ruan Manman who are especially clever.
Seeing Shen Siyuan unaffected, she continued, "I don't know you, but I know my brother and sister-in-law, and... this little girl..."
She glanced at Ruan Hongzhuang.
Her words, if simply speaking of Ruan Xiangqian and his wife, wouldn't mean much, but mentioning Ruan Hongzhuang made it somewhat insulting.
The implication was that she thought Ruan Hongzhuang chose Shen Siyuan because of his potential to bring great benefits.
Surely, even if Ruan Hongzhuang was good-natured, at that moment her face showed nothing but anger.
But seeing this, Ruan Manman grew even more amused.
Jiang Yingxue watched from the side, covering her face; this girl was still a bit naive.