Chapter 1065: Chapter 631: Dating the Jerk? The Whole World Knows (Third Update)
Tang Wanâs attention was drawn to her son, so she naturally had no time to notice Ruan Mengxiâs affairs. Mainly, she was in her confinement period, unable to help much, and could only worry helplessly.
However, amidst the chaos outside and without Jiang Jinsangâs knowledge, Tang Wan decided on a nickname for her son.
When she took the child out, she saw Ruan Daqiang was on the phone, so she lowered her voice.
"The child is full now." Ruan Mama took Jiang Xiaowai with a smile, holding and coaxing him in her arms.
"...Old Wang, if youâre asking me to drink, I donât have time. Iâm not in Pingjiang; Iâm in Beijing visiting my daughter." Ruan Daqiang, afraid the call would disturb the child, was planning to leave the room.
"Iâm not calling you for a drink; itâs to congratulate you."
"Congratulate me on what?" Ruan Daqiang laughed.
"Stop pretending. Itâs about Xixi. You went to Beijing not just to see your daughter, right? Did you meet the in-laws?"
"What?" Ruan Daqiangâs steps halted.
"Weâve been friends for so many years, whatâs with the act? You found such an outstanding son-in-law."
"What on earth are you talking about! Our Xixi isnât dating anyone; whereâs the son-in-law coming from?"
"Why are you yelling at me? Check the news."
Upon hearing this, Tang Wan felt a chill down her neck.
The thing she feared most finally happened.
Even if she intended to cover it up, the matter had blown up so much that some acquaintances of the Ruan family would eventually see the news.
Ruan Daqiang hung up the phone and searched for the news right away. Ruan Mama frowned and asked, "What happened? Why are you so loud? You almost scared the child."
Ruan Daqiang, not bothered to explain, found the news, and was so infuriated that he almost had a heart attack.
What is this?
His daughter with Qi Zeyan? And Yun Hezhi? And Jiang Chengsi? All the news poured in, real and fake, leaving him utterly confused.
How did this turn into using connections to climb up, love triangles, and who got abandoned?
So much gossip, he didnât even know where to start!
At this time, Ruan Mama also came over with Jiang Xiaowai, and upon seeing the news, the couple was stunned.
"Uncle, Auntie, thereâs actually some misunderstanding in this whole situation..." Tang Wan wanted to explain, but didnât know where to start.
"You knew all along?" Ruan Daqiang looked at her.
"A bit earlier than you did."
"And what is the relationship between her and this Qi Zeyan, just like the news says?" Ruan Daqiang had just gone sightseeing and dining with him yesterday, thinking he was a good boss and leader.
This bastard...
Seeing Tang Wanâs awkward expression, he decided not to press her, "No need to say, I wonât make it hard for you."
"Uncle..." Tang Wan felt helpless, wondering how things got so out of hand.
The whole neighborhood knew about this, and Ruan Daqiang was partly responsible. His daughter got a good job and was following some TV drama crew, and he felt proud, bragging to everyone.
So when the news broke, the neighbors didnât need confirmation, they knew it was the Ruan familyâs daughter.
If she could marry into the Qi family, of course, some people would want to curry favor. Ruan Daqiangâs phone was ringing off the hook.
Familiar people wouldnât disturb him at this time; it was all unfamiliar ones trying to get chummy, acting as if his daughter had already married into some wealthy family.
**
Ruan Mengxi was still in the club at this time
She was confronting the troublemaking customers, needing Jiang Chengsiâs approval to handle the discount card, and the staff were hesitant to move without it.
"Just sort out the card, Iâll take responsibility for whatever happens. Iâll explain to the boss." Ruan Mengxi looked at the group of kids not far away.
Thinking to herself, with just a bit of courage, they claim to want to call the police but chickened out, and still want to make trouble?
Her phone vibrated, it was Qi Zeyanâs. Just as she was about to answer, another call came inâher dadâs.
She still didnât know sheâd been exposed and certainly couldnât miss her fatherâs call, "Hello, Dad, have you started eating yet?"
"Eating? How can I eat right now?" Ruan Daqiangâs temper flared up. If Qi Zeyan were in front of him, he might actually tear the kid apart with his bare hands.
Lurking around his daughter, and yet daring to pretend to be a big shot in front of him.
Feigning meekness and gentleness in front of him!
He thought, as a boss or leader, how could one have so much free time? If every employeeâs family was cared for like that, wouldnât he be overwhelmed?
"Dad? Whatâs wrong?" Ruan Mengxi walked out of the lounge with the phone.
"I saw the news."
"Is... is that so? You found out." Ruan Mengxi realized the situation couldnât be hidden and braced herself.
"Not only me, the whole world knows!"
"..."
"Whatâs your relationship with him? You came home heartbroken after a breakup, and suddenly youâre involved with your boss?"
"How can you call it a relationship? Itâs not like what the news says."
"Wait a minute..." Ruan Daqiang seemed to realize something suddenly. He understood his daughter well; she wouldnât change her mind so quickly, even if heartbroken. "Xixi, be honest with me, heâs not that jerk, is he?"
"What jerk?"
"The little jerk who broke your heart before."
"..."
Ruan Mengxi remained silent.
Ruan Daqiang instantly got it, losing his composure. He was already quite chubby, and now with anger rising, he was truly red-faced and thick-necked, "Ruan Mengxi, you silly girl, what are you thinking? How did you end up with this kind of little jerk again?"
"This kid is quite the actor. I went out of my way to flatter him, hoping heâd look after you at work. I didnât mean for him to take care of you in life too."
"After that meal, he even took a bunch of stuff before he left. Now that I think about it..."
Really makes one feel like they fed a dog.
"Dad, can you really believe the stuff online these days?"
"I donât know if itâs true or not, but youâre with this little jerk, and now the whole world knows. My phone wonât stop ringing from neighbors, what do you want me to do?"
"Calm down, youâre still at Wanwanâs home, donât let others see and laugh at you."
"I know my limits; you donât need to tell me. Where are you now? You didnât go out to see him, did you?"
"No, I really have some urgent work to take care of."
"What about that Yun... Yun He, or whatever, whatâs your relationship with him?"
"Even less of a connection. Heâs Wanwanâs client, and weâre just friends."
"So, does that mean youâre really with that little jerk?"
"..."
Ruan Mengxi was dumbfounded; what kind of logic was her dad using?
"After youâre done with work, come and explain everything to me clearly. As for the little jerk, if you two arenât involved, I donât want to see him again."
Ruan Daqiang hung up the phone angrily, turned around, and found a group of people watching him, including Grandma Jiang, Elder Tang, Tang Yunxian...
Feeling embarrassed, he cleared his throat, "Sorry, you must have laughed at that."
The old lady really adored Qi Zeyan. Ruan Mengxi was also Tang Wanâs best friend, and a good kid too. If they really liked each other, the old lady would actually want to help match them up and put in a good word.
But now the news was too chaotic, and seeing the attitude of Ruan Mengxiâs parents, she really didnât dare to mention Qi Zeyanâs name.
She opened her mouth only to say it was time to eat.
Ruan Daqiang was really upset inside. Just before he had praised the young man, and now he turned into a little jerk so quickly, he couldnât quite adjust his mindset. While eating, he almost wished he could chew every grain of rice like it was Qi Zeyan and grind it to pieces.
"Where did Xiaowu go?" The old lady frowned and asked Tang Wan.
"Out for some errands."
Even though Tang Wan was answering the old lady, her gaze lingered on the Ruan couple.
Especially Ruan Daqiang, who was just eating a meal but seemed as if he was out to destroy the world.
Ruan Daqiang wasnât a narrow-minded father. Her relationship with Qi Zeyan was one thing, but now the internet was filled with abuse.
People said she used connections, that Qi Zeyan bought her a car and a house, that he was keeping her, and that she was a two-timer, anyway, all sorts of nasty rumors.
They were just an ordinary family, and now their daughter was being ridiculed and insulted online by strangers. How could he stay calm?
Those comments seemed to act as if they knew Ruan Mengxi, even more than he knew his own daughter!
But since they were at the Jiang Familyâs home, he couldnât show them or others unrelated faces, so he had to swallow it, making the atmosphere at the dining table exceptionally awkward.
Qi Zeyan originally wanted to have the news suppressed, but the more they pressed, the more everyone thought it was true, and the discussion grew even more intense.
It was peak lunchtime, and the traffic was also heavy on the way to the club, making him even more irritated.
If this was another trick from the You Family, using public opinion against him, he must settle this surely.
**
Ruan Mengxi aimed to finish up at the club quickly, get back, and clarify things with her dad.
She thought that giving them discount cards as compensation would solve the issue, but as she politely offered the cards with both hands...
The girl leading, with dreadlocks, took the card, and then...
"Snapâ" slapped it across her face.
The card slid past her chin, with a blunt pain.
"You really come to brush beggars off with this? I have money; I donât need this pathetic discount card." She sneered, "No wonder youâre so confident, even threatening to call the police, turns out youâve climbed to a high branch and have someone to back you up."
The surrounding staff thought the matter had ended, only for the sudden outburst to startle them too. When they came to, Ruan Mengxiâs chin had already been scratched with a red mark.
The atmosphere took a nosedive, and Ruan Mengxi raised her hand to touch her chin, a dimness passing through her eyes...
It seemed today wouldnât end peacefully.