Chapter 398: The Unpredictable Third Child of the Jiang Family, Gossip is Also Inherited (2nd Update)_2
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Qi Family
When Qi Zeyan and Ruan Mengxi came back, the old grandfather was sitting on the sofa, watching some legal affairs program.
"Um..." Ruan Mengxi had just escorted the boss home and was naturally preparing to leave, but as soon as she started to speak, the old man called her over to sit down for tea, "Xiaoruan, sit. You, a young girl, running around with this kid must be tiring."
He was well aware of the trouble his grandson could cause.
"Not tired." Not only was this person Qi Zeyanâs grandfather, but he was also the former CEO of the company, and Ruan Mengxi respected him from the bottom of her heart.
"Donât be polite, sit."
With the old manâs enthusiasm, Ruan Mengxi sat down, but as soon as Qi Zeyanâs rear touched the sofa, he was met with a stern shout, "Did I say you could sit?"
"Grandfather." Qi Zeyan frowned, thinking it ridiculous that the assistant might sit while he, the boss, had to stand.
"Go make Xiaoruan a cup of tea."
Ruan Mengxi felt a sudden jolt in her heart, "Old Chairman, thereâs no need, I..."
How could she dare to have Qi Zeyan wait on her?
"I should pour tea for her? Sheâs my assistant, and youâre asking me to serve her?" Qi Zeyan knew his grandfather was doing it on purpose just to make things difficult for him, using Ruan Mengxi as an excuse.
"Itâs off-work hours now, and sheâs a guest in our house. Is pouring a cup of tea for a guest too beneath you? Have you gotten so above yourself that I canât ask this of you anymore?"
"Fine, Iâll pour the tea!" Qi Zeyan said as he entered the kitchen, poured a glass of water, and handed it to Ruan Mengxi. She quickly stood up, slightly bowing, and accepted with both hands, "Thank you, boss."
"When has the Qi Family ever sunken so low as to serve guests plain water?" the old man scoffed.
"Old Chairman, I like drinking plain water." Ruan Mengxi was already flattered that he had poured her water; she rarely received such treatment at the company and quickly tried to defuse the situation for Qi Zeyan.
"Really?" The old man knew well that Ruan Mengxi was this scoundrelâs assistant and it was normal for her to be fearful, "Look at how youâve scared Xiaoruan, Zeyan."
Qi Zeyan was caught between laughter and tears, thinking it wasnât him who frightened her; it was all the old manâs doing...
"Go on, peel an orange for Xiaoruan to calm her nerves."
"Thereâs no need, really," Ruan Mengxi hastily waved her hands.
"If grandfather says itâll calm your nerves, then eat," Qi Zeyan said as he peeled a small orange and passed it to her, "Here, take it."
"Thank you, boss."
Ruan Mengxiâs heart was racing; if these two men were looking to stir trouble, why drag her into the middle of it?
"By the way, what did you see today at the Jiang Familyâs? I heard that Jiang Zhaolinâs family had completely broken ties with them this time."
"Is Jiang Shuyanâs leg truly beyond recovery?"
"Especially the daughter-in-law from Xiaowuâs family, she wasnât harmed, was she? I heard she even scolded Jiang Zhaolin. Sheâs quite formidable, isnât she? What exactly happened?"
...
Ruan Mengxiâs mouth twitched!
On their way back, the old man had made several phone calls, constantly berating Qi Zeyan for joining the commotion at the Jiang Familyâs at such a time, being too nosy, and now...
It seemed that the old man... was quite nosy himself!
Apparently, that trait could be inherited.
Qi Zeyan shrugged, "I probably know as much as you do; I arrived too late and didnât witness the specifics."
The old man frowned, "You scoundrel, skipped work all day to watch the spectacle, and ended up seeing nothing. What good are you?"
"Looking for a wife amidst the chaos, yet youâre still a step behind everyone else!"
Qi Zeyan seemed to suddenly understand something, and smiled at him, "Grandfather, was the reason you were so eager for me to return because you also wanted to know some insider information not known to outsiders?"
"Get lost, am I that kind of gossip?" The old manâs face remained unchanged, but his tone betrayed a hint of anger touched with embarrassment.
Qi Zeyan nodded quite earnestly. The old man beside him picked up a cushion and tossed it at him, while Ruan Mengxi sat nearby, watching. In fact, their grandfather-grandson relationship was excellent; it was just that her gaze, fluttering and fleeting, had landed on Qi Zeyan.
Usually in the company, she definitely kept things close to the chest, not daring to reveal a hint of emotion.
Only blame it on the Qi Family having such a good atmosphere at the time, and it was also her first time seeing another side of Qi Zeyan at home. Compared to his seriousness and solemnity at work, if not for his side-parted slick hairstyle, he seemed like a sunny big boy...
When you like someone, you canât hide it in your eyes.
The Qi Familyâs old man was originally bickering with Qi Zeyan, but suddenly turned his head toward her, "Xiaoruan, today..."
He had intended to say to her that keeping up with Qi Zeyan running all over the place today, and being a girl, was quite hard, suggesting she go back early to rest. However, upon seeing her gaze, his eyes lit up...
"Mr. President, do you need something?" Ruan Mengxi suddenly returned to reality.
"His parents are not at home tonight; stay and have dinner with me."
"I still have things to handle at the company..." Ruan Mengxi had run out after answering a phone call, indeed leaving behind a pile of urgent office work to be dealt with.
"Work is never done. After dinner, Iâll have Qiqi send you home. Rest well, and everything else can be done when youâre at work tomorrow. The boss is already playing hooky; you should also take a lazy day. After all, if the sky falls, itâs the boss whoâll hold it up."
Qi Zeyan was choked up; what an overstatement...
With the old man being excessively hospitable, Ruan Mengxi found it hard to refuse. It was her first time eating at the Qi Familyâs home, and she felt awkward just sitting and waiting for the meal to be served, so she offered to cook a couple of dishes herself.
"You can cook?" The old man laughed.
"A little."
Qi Zeyan knew that Tang Wan was a great cook, having eaten her cooking himself in Pingjiang, and it was quite good. So he thought to himself, since the two women were friends, Ruan Mengxiâs cooking skills should not be too bad.
The old man originally stayed in the living room watching TV, then went back to his room to rest for a bit. Qi Zeyan went upstairs to change into his loungewear. He hadnât even reached the first floor when he heard a clanking and banging noise coming from the kitchen. He followed the noise.
Was this woman cooking, or putting on a juggling act? What a ruckus!
That scene, he would probably never forget for the rest of his life.
The kitchen was in total disarray, pots and pans thrown into the sink in a mess, a few diced tomatoes lying on the chopping board, and there were eggshells and bits of scallions scattered across the floor of various sizes.
Ruan Mengxi held a spatula, staring at the sink, lost in thought.
Qi Zeyan leaned against the doorframe, raised an eyebrow at her, "Ruan Mengxiâ"
"Huh?" She suddenly turned around, looking perplexed.
"What are you doing? Do I have a grudge against you? Did I make things difficult for you at work that youâre coming to my house to take revenge?"
"Iâm cooking!"
"Are you sure youâre not about to demolish my kitchen? You have such a clever look, yet so clumsy." Indeed, Ruan Mengxi had a naturally smart appearance.
Was he complimenting her?
Ruan Mengxi pursed her lips and suddenly let out a laugh.
Qi Zeyan was tongue-tied; is this person a fool! Sheâs smiling through the scolding?
"If you donât have the diamond, donât take on porcelain work. If you canât cook, whatâs the fuss about?" Qi Zeyan walked over and in no time at all, had tidied up the mess of pots and pans in the sink.
"Iâve seen Wanwan do it, it seemed quite simple." Ruan Mengxi didnât expect to mess up, and it turned out to be Qi Zeyan who came to clean up her mess, "Can you cook?"
"When I was a kid, everyone in my family was very busy, I would make something to eat myself."
Qi Zeyan wasnât adept at cooking elaborate dishes, but he could manage a few home-cooked meals.
Ruan Mengxi obediently stood to the side, occasionally throwing a compliment or two. Having followed him for some time, she was very clear on how to speak to make him happy, saying things like heâs talented in both literary and martial arts, that he was capable of anything, and extremely brilliant.
Qi Zeyan, getting things done with her "cheering" from the sidelines.
And he, hearing her praise, was quite pleased, tidying up the kitchen and then frying up the dishes...