This New Year, Huo Qinqi is not coming back.
"It’s the first New Year since Aunt’s wedding, and Uncle isn’t coming back?" Tang Wan smoothly changed her address for Huo Qinqi.
However, Jiang Jinsang still refused to call him Uncle.
"He has a mission and went to the west. He’s planning to save all his leave days so he can take a long vacation next year when Shuci is having the baby, and spend more ti with her." Fan Mingyu explained.
"Those two kids are having it tough." The old lady sighed, "I wonder how Zeyan is doing at the Ruan Family."
"Zeyan is so charming, he must be having a smooth ti."
...
**
At this mont, Qi Zeyan was sitting beside Ruan Daqiang at a six-person rectangular table. He and Ruan Daqiang were seated on the sa side, feeling the pressure from his future father-in-law.
He initially thought of drinking so wine to boost his courage, but since Ruan Daqiang said there was sothing planned for the afternoon and they weren’t drinking, he couldn’t just drink alone, so he didn’t have any.
"It’s best to drink less so you don’t get so drunk that you can’t find your way back to the hotel."
Soone had used drinking as an excuse to linger at his ho several tis, so Ruan Daqiang had to be wary.
"Why are you talking about hotels?" Ruan’s mom laughed, handing a big crab to Qi Zeyan, "Here, eat more."
"Thank you, Aunt." Qi Zeyan accepted it with both hands, "I booked a hotel outside."
"Why stay in a hotel during the New Year? It’s not like we don’t have any empty rooms."
"It’s okay; it’s just at the entrance of the community, very close." Qi Zeyan smiled.
"The chain hotel at the entrance? That one’s expensive; this kid..." Ruan’s mom frowned.
"It’s okay, I was the one imposing, and I just wanted to spend more ti with Xixi, to see her more. I chose a nearby place to be closer, and the price hike during the New Year is normal."
"I really don’t want to cause you any trouble, don’t worry about , I can take care of myself."
"Just stick to your original plan, go about your business."
...
Ruan ngxi sat opposite him, peeling a crab, her eyebrows raising when she heard him.
When did he beco so humble and docile?
Qi Zeyan really wanted to stay at the Ruan Family, but such words shouldn’t co from him. Having navigated the business world for so long, he mastered the art of being strategic by initially appearing nonchalant.
Having worked as his assistant for so long, she knew him sowhat well.
Qi Zeyan applied the tactics he used in business—appear less competent than he is—to dealing with her parents.
Ruan’s mom had always liked Qi Zeyan, and as a parent, hearing such considerate words from soone who’s here for her daughter made leaving him alone at a hotel during the New Year feel inappropriate.
"What are you saying, don’t be so formal." Ruan’s mom spoke frankly.
"Cough—" Ruan Daqiang coughed with a hint of discomfort, constantly signaling to his wife, but she seed to ignore him completely.
"Zeyan, after dinner, cancel your hotel booking. Just stay at Aunt’s house calmly, since we just finished cleaning the house before Xixi’s return, the guest room is ready."
"Cough, cough—"
Ruan Daqiang was almost about to cough up his heart and soul.
"Is your throat uncomfortable?" Ruan’s mom knew her husband too well.
"No, no!" Indeed, in the Ruan Family, Ruan ngxi’s mother was the authority; even if Ruan Daqiang was unwilling, he wouldn’t offend his wife at this mont.
"Don’t just stand there, the crab is getting cold."
Seeing his wife gesturing for him to eat crab, Ruan Daqiang felt a warmth in his heart; it seed his wife still cared about him. But then she said, "Help the kid peel the crab."
"..."
He had originally peeled crab for his wife and daughter, but when guests arrived, they always prioritized the guests. The crab at ended up in Ruan’s mom’s bowl, but all of it went to Qi Zeyan’s bowl in the end.
"Is the crab delicious?" Ruan’s mom thought the Qi Family had high standards and must value New Year celebrations. Seeing Qi Zeyan, she naturally felt more fond of him.
"It’s quite delicious." Qi Zeyan replied.
Ruan Daqiang snorted softly, "Of course it’s delicious when you don’t have to peel it yourself."
Ruan ngxi bowed her head, stifling laughter.
...
Ruan Daqiang originally planned to take a certain young man out for a talk after dinner, but relatives ca by, seemingly having arranged beforehand to use the delivery of New Year gifts as an excuse to specifically see Qi Zeyan.
"Daqiang, you are so lucky to find such an excellent son-in-law."
"He’s really a fine young man."
"I’ve always said, since Xixi was young, she was born with a prosperous appearance, sure to enjoy great wealth."
Ruan ngxi helped serve tea and pour water, thinking what prosperous appearance? It was simply because she was chubby.
Ruan Family’s relatives ca to see Qi Zeyan, and he was courteous, naturally winning everyone’s favor. With such interactions, Ruan Daqiang was left on the sidelines, almost without needing to diate.
He brought plenty of gifts from Beijing, almost every elder liked them, and Qi Zeyan’s good performance made Ruan Daqiang proud.
Ruan Daqiang sat on the side, basking in the complints from relatives, feeling a bit of vanity—who doesn’t want their daughter to marry well?
But at night after dinner, when the family of three would typically chat on the sofa and watch TV, an "outsider" was added. Ruan Daqiang was soaking his feet while watching Qi Zeyan busy cutting fruit.
"Zeyan, stop working, have a seat and rest." Ruan’s mom called him.
"It’s alright, I’m not tired."
Ever since Qi Zeyan arrived at the Ruan Family, he was particularly diligent and polite, rarely idle. Most notably, Qi Zeyan cooked dinner tonight.
Ruan’s mom was surprised and delighted, glancing at her daughter, asking her to cherish him.
The couple returned to their room, Ruan’s mom kept praising Qi Zeyan, "You know, Zeyan had it tough as a child, raised by his grandparents, no wonder he cooks so well."
"It’s alright." Ruan Daqiang stubbornly refused to acknowledge.
"Alright? Didn’t you eat a few more bowls of rice tonight; don’t you realize?"
"I was hungry."
"Hmph—" Ruan’s mom snorted, "Anyway, I’m telling you, it’s not easy for the young man to co here, and during the New Year, don’t sulk. Oh, and prepare a New Year’s money gift for him this year."
"..."
That boy stays at his place, he hasn’t asked him for money, and still needs to prepare a New Year’s gift for him?
"He’s still a kid since he’s not married; as for the amount, weigh it yourself, but keep in mind, whatever you give reflects on your face." Despite Ruan ngxi working, her parents in the Ruan Family always prepared New Year’s money for her.
With Qi Zeyan here this year, he’ll surely be given a share.
"That boy has more money than ." Ruan Daqiang began feeling annoyed again.
Why do I have to give him money?
The next day, he planned to go to the bank to exchange fresh bills as red envelopes, but learned Qi Zeyan had taken his car.
"Why did he take my car?"
"He’s going with Xixi to the Tang Family to deliver gifts, brought lots of things, so I let them take your car."
"I need to go to the bank."
"Walk over then."
"The bank is far, you want to walk?"
"Exercise your body, look at how chubby your belly is."
...
Ruan Daqiang felt quite depressed; driving his car, courting his daughter, staying at his house, in the end, I still have to give him money?
What’s going on?
If he saw how Qi Zeyan reported his progress to Jiang Jinsang and others, he’d likely be enraged.
He only said one sentence:
[Successfully infiltrated.] and even sent a victory gesture emoji.
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