After delivering New Year’s gifts to the Si Family, things suddenly got busy.
Tang Wan prepared quite a bit, and together with Jiang Jinsang, went to visit the two elders of the Shen Family. She intended to invite them to spend the New Year at the Jiang Family, and the elderly lady also wished so, not expecting the Huo Family to jump in first.
Huo Qinqi couldn’t return ho and couldn’t fulfill filial duties to the two elders. Liang Yun often took Shen Shuci to visit the elders; as in-laws, they respected the elders greatly due to their old age.
Most importantly, Shen Shuci was pregnant, and everyone’s hearts were naturally focused on her. The relationship between the two families remained well.
...
At the end of the year, Tang Wan took the child and went to the Fan Family along with Fan Mingyu.
Jiang Jinsang’s grandfather’s dentia seed more severe, no longer recognizing anyone. The uncles in the Fan Family feared he might hurt Xiaowai or suddenly do sothing to scare the child, so they were hesitant to let him approach.
However, Xiaowai seed very interested in him, clinging to Tang Wan’s shoulder, giggling continuously.
There might be so connection of blood; while Xiaowai was at the Fan Family, he was quite peaceful.
After leaving the Fan Family, Tang Wan discovered crumpled banknotes stuffed into Xiaowai’s little clothes by the old man.
Fan Mingyu’s eyes reddened, and he hardly spoke on the way back.
However, this New Year at the Fan Family wasn’t exactly calm, because the little cousin wanted to return to Beijing for school.
This was originally good news, but she already had an offer from a very prestigious music school abroad, one of the top in the world.
Parents always want their children to have better opportunities, but the little cousin seed insistent on returning to the country, facing the challenge of choosing schools, leaving the Fan Family busy and dizzy.
"With so many schools to choose from? What’s there to stress about?" Jiang Chengsi clicked his tongue.
The elderly lady snorted looking at him, "Of course they want to choose the school best suited to her! If you manage to get into any school, I’d be thanking the heavens..."
The elderly lady rubbed her cane, recalling the college entrance exam, suddenly rembered sothing.
"Thinking about the college entrance exam makes angry. The day before your exam, you caused trouble for ."
"Grandma, that was over ten years ago! How do you still rember?"
"Can I forget? While others were cramming until the last second, you and Qiqi, the two rascals, started throwing books..." The elderly lady snorted. Seeing Tang Wan was there too, "Wanwan is here, as your sister, I’ll spare your dignity."
The elderly lady paused in her words, Tang Wan beca curious and later asked Jiang Jinsang.
It was said he and Qi Zeyan led a book-throwing incident caught red-handed by their uncle, broadcast school-wide, publicly criticized the day before the college entrance exam.
"Broadcasted across the whole school, didn’t it affect their exam?" Tang Wan was surprised these two were so mischievous in school.
"Do you think they’d care?"
"I guess not."
"But at the ti, Uncle didn’t bother with Fourth Brother, so he was fine. Zeyan didn’t get scolded either; Grandpa settled accounts with him after the exams. He even hid at our house for a few days."
Bringing up Qi Zeyan, Tang Wan naturally cared about him and Ruan ngxi’s current situation:
"They’ve been back in Pingjiang for a few days now, wonder how they’re doing."
...
anwhile at the Ruan Family
After staying a few days, Qi Zeyan beca a familiar presence to Ruan Daqiang. The lad was considerate, refilling his water tily, slicing fruit, and occasionally when they went out, accorded him respect.
The Ruan Family’s evening activities were usually soaking feet, binge-watching shows, or playing cards.
Originally, with three people, they could only play Dou Dizhu.
Since Qi Zeyan joined, Ding Dabao, who returned from running at night, would often hear the sound of mahjong shuffling as he passed their door.
The Qi Family hoped Qi Zeyan’s trip to Pingjiang would win over the favor of the in-laws and finalize matters with Ruan ngxi.
Yet, every evening they called to ask about the day’s progress.
Ultimately, it was always about playing mahjong.
That day, Qi Zeyan was quite pleased saying he just finished playing mahjong, winning over two hundred yuan.
Qi Grandpa had a headache, "Qi Zeyan, don’t forget why you’re there, not to neglect your duties and just play cards!"
"Grandpa, playing cards is to improve relationships."
"Then tell , how is Xixi’s father treating you lately?"
"Very well, tomorrow he even said he’ll take to visit so old friends."
"That’s good, just worried you’re seen as a card partner rather than a son-in-law."
"..."
A card partner?
Yet Qi Zeyan still woke early the next day, followed Ruan Daqiang, carrying plenty before heading out; visiting relatives and friends during festive seasons with gifts was normal.
Ruan Daqiang willing to take him out ant he saw him as family.
Qi Zeyan was quite happy; when heading out, he specially wore his only suit.
Pingjiang doesn’t compare to Beijing; even in the coldest weather, temperatures don’t drop below freezing, wearing a crisp three-piece suit wouldn’t feel cold.
Ruan ngxi leaned by the window, watching the two leave, then turned to her mother, "Mom, who is Dad taking him to see? I said I’d go along, but he wasn’t willing, just said it was a friend."
"Who else, your Uncle Gao, them. When those guys gather, it’ll turn into a midday drinking spree."
"Uncle Gao who runs the martial arts hall?"
"Who else but him."
Ruan ngxi nervously gulped, dood!
Her dad was making a move after all.
While Qi Zeyan sat in the car, oblivious to what lay ahead, still smilingly asked Ruan Daqiang to prepare for who they’d et later.
"No need to prepare anything, just a bunch of n chatting and drinking together. You’ve been in Pingjiang for a while, haven’t brought you out yet; today’s chance for insight."
Qi Zeyan raised an eyebrow, a group of n gathering, to see what insight?
The car parked in a bustling central area; he carried things and followed Ruan Daqiang out, entering a building filled with various tutoring institutions...
In the elevator, Ruan Daqiang pressed the button for the 7th floor.
Qi Zeyan’s pupils slightly trembled, for next to each button were labels indicating what’s on each floor; like the 2nd floor marked as Art Center, the 3rd as so Math Olympiad class, and the 7th, as...
[Children Martial Arts Hall]
He suddenly felt his neatly fitted suit was a bit tight!
What’s coming won’t be avoided!
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