Whatever made him unhappy was clear on his face.
"I know, I’m not a three-year-old anymore, am I really that much trouble? Grandma nags , and now you’re nagging too." Jiang Chengsi sighed, "I’ll just drive there, and once we arrive, I’ll be quiet, is that okay?"
That’s what Jiang Chengsi said, and when they arrived at the Si Family, he did exactly that initially.
...
Guandong Si Family
Coincidentally, when the three of them arrived at the Si Family, only Mr. Si was ho, playing chess against himself.
The Si Family was inford by the Jiang family that a few of their brothers would visit, so he wasn’t surprised.
They’re all respectable families, and since the Jiangs sent New Year’s gifts, the Sies would certainly respond, but he didn’t expect all three brothers to co at the sa ti.
"Let them in."
The Jiang brothers ca to visit today, dressed properly and formally, but not overly so, each with their own distinctive qualities.
"Mr. Si, sorry to disturb you." Jiang Yanting greeted him with a handshake.
"No problem, please sit down."
Jiang Yanting also presented the gifts prepared by the Jiang Family; with just three people in the Si Family, everyone received sothing.
"The old lady is too kind, we just returned to Beijing from another place a few days ago and have been quite busy. I should visit her instead of having her think of us." Mr. Si was very polite, "But my wife and young daughter went out to buy New Year’s goods and haven’t returned, so I thank you on their behalf."
"You’re too kind." Jiang Yanting spoke with a calm and poised deanor, having been seasoned by the business world.
Jiang Jinsang was gentle and polite, while Jiang Chengsi...
Even when dressed formally, he still had an unruly air about him.
Perhaps because his elder brothers were present today, the young man was quite quiet, barely speaking except for greetings.
Rare obedience!
So he too could be so calm.
"The old lady is blessed to have grandsons like you, and your father is luckier than to have sons to support him. I wish my daughter would join the company to help , but she’s not interested in business. It would be nice if I had a son-in-law like you to give a hand..."
The Si Family had few mbers, and he genuinely envied the large Jiang Family.
Being married with children himself, Jiang Yanting knew Mr. Si was purely complinting his ability. He just smiled, "You’ll surely find soone to help you in the future."
Mr. Si just smiled, noticing Jiang Chengsi carefully observing a chessboard to the side, "Want to try a ga?"
"I’m not very good at chess."
"It’s okay, just play casually."
"Mr. Si, perhaps it’s better if we don’t. He doesn’t understand these things." Jiang Yanting rembered Chengsi as soone who would lose at even simple five-in-a-row gas with his own son.
This Mr. Si had thoughtfully left a space for chess at ho, indicating his prowess.
They were there to deliver gifts, not to make a fool of themselves.
"It’s fine, there’s no pressure, just a casual ga." Mr. Si laughed.
Actually, he didn’t think much of Jiang Chengsi’s chess skills, but he was bored and needed sothing to pass the ti.
But to Jiang Yanting’s surprise, Jiang Chengsi played with so semblance of skill. Although he couldn’t match Mr. Si, it was clear that the young man was improving rapidly.
"Studying in private?" Mr. Si made a move, glancing up at the person across from him.
"Just a little, though I’m still not as good as you."
"Interested in chess?" It was rare for a young person to like chess, so Mr. Si looked a bit hopeful.
To his surprise, Jiang Chengsi said bluntly, "Honestly, I don’t like it; it strains my mind. I learned this mainly because I lost so badly last ti at your place. I don’t like that feeling."
"I just thought, if I’m willing to learn, maybe I could win a ga against you soday."
"But don’t go easy on ; let’s just have a fair match."
...
It wasn’t Jiang Chengsi’s first ti at the Si Family; this was his third eting with Mr. Si, so he spoke more freely and didn’t hold back.
He seed to have forgotten that this was the Si Family in Guandong.
"Ahem—" Jiang Yanting cleared his throat softly.
Could he not be so blunt? This wasn’t his own ho.
But Mr. Si found it amusing and burst out laughing...
The people of the Si family had been standing on the sidelines, unable to hear the conversation clearly. Suddenly hearing their master laugh heartily, they looked at each other, not understanding what had happened.
Mr. Si was usually so reserved with his emotions that apart from his daughter teasing him, it was rare to see him laugh so openly and without restraint.
What on earth does this Jiang fourth young master have?
Jiang Chengsi also sensed he had been a bit too outspoken, "Mr. Si, I just..."
If Grandma found out, she’d scold him again for not having "manners."
"It’s okay, young people who won’t give up are great. I like energetic young individuals like you."
He seed to understand why his wife liked him.
After seeing so many people who pretended to please, a genuine person like this wasn’t exhausting to be around.
Jiang Yanting initially thought Jiang Chengsi’s "bluntness" would upset Mr. Si, but it unexpectedly suited him, making him reflect on the way back.
"It’s my first ti eting Mr. Si, a marketplace legend. I didn’t expect his tastes to be...quite unique."
Jiang Jinsang just smiled, "The whole family, their tastes are quite peculiar."
"What are you talking about?" Jiang Chengsi was driving, glancing at the people in the back seat through the rearview mirror, "What do you an by unique taste? It’s because I’m charming. What older person doesn’t like ?"
"Yeah, even Mr. Si likes you." Jiang Jinsang echoed with a couple of sentences.
"Actually, the Si Family are just ordinary people; it’s only outsiders who mythologize or demonize them. I think they are all pretty nice."
It’s just a pity that he still didn’t win a single ga of chess today.
He had asked to not be let down, and Mr. Si truly hadn’t gone easy on him.
At his age, he should be more relaxed, yet he still had such a competitive edge, showing no rcy to a junior like him.
...
Miss Si ca ho with her mother, having bought a lot of New Year’s goods. Seeing her father in a good mood, even in the mood to unpack the goods, it was clear soone had visited.
"Who ca by? Brought so many things, and you seem quite happy."
"The Jiang family’s boys ca; the Jiang family’s old lady sent them over. She’s very generous. Those grandsons of the Jiangs are quite nice. If we had co back a few years earlier, picking one as a son-in-law would have been nice too."
Naturally, the son-in-law he referred to was soone like Jiang Yanting.
"Dad, what are you thinking?" she coughed softly.
"I’m just saying casually; those kids already have families. What can I do? But today I found that old Jiang fourth quite interesting."
Rembering the young man’s vividly expressive face while playing chess, Mr. Si chuckled again.
She was montarily stunned, then heard her mother say, "That young man ca over? I’ve already told you, that kid is quite intriguing."
"Invite him over to play soti after the New Year."
He rarely encountered soone who wouldn’t pander to flatter him. Chatting with Jiang Chengsi was quite enjoyable, not sycophantic, straightforward, like an old friend.
A certain old father humd a little tune, but his singing left his daughter feeling agitated.
Thinking it over, it wasn’t a bad thing. Her father was quite picky, so for him to say he liked a junior was rare. Perhaps if she told her father about sothing in the future, his reaction wouldn’t be too large.
However, admiring and liking soone is different from wanting them as a son-in-law; those are two separate things.
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