Chapter 988: 988: To Beidu (10)

Chapter 988: Chapter 988: To Beidu (10)

“…” Grandpa Shu almost couldn’t keep his composure, his old face flushed red.

He coughed uncomfortably and noticed Ruan Jie shrinking his neck, visibly afraid of him. Feeling a mix of anger and indescribable emotions, he didn’t actually dislike this grandson.

It’s just that, compared to Ruan Hao, who resembled his late wife, and the endearing Ruan Jiaojiao, this grandson—who takes after Ruan Jianguo—simply didn’t strike a chord with him. To be fair, it’s mostly because this kid resembles Ruan Jianguo too much! Practically a carbon copy, even his timid appearance mirrored Jianguo’s to the point of irritation.

Watching Ruan Jie hurriedly call him “Grandpa,” then zip upstairs in a flash, Grandpa Shu felt an inexplicable bitterness stuck in his chest.

Ruan Jiaojiao felt a bit sorry for her second brother but also understood the knot in Grandpa Shu’s heart.

She shook his arm and pouted, “Grandpa, you’re so fierce. You don’t have to be so fierce. Look, second brother is afraid of you. When he was home, he used to talk about you every day.”

“Really?” Grandpa Shu raised an eyebrow in disbelief. That boy seemed so terrified of him—how could he possibly be thinking about him?

“Of course, Jiaojiao never lies,” Ruan Jiaojiao replied effortlessly.

“…” Grandpa Shu’s expression softened a little.

He glanced at Uncle Liang and asked, “Are the things I asked you to buy last time here yet?”

“They’re here,” Uncle Liang nodded, his face full of gratification. Gratified that someone could finally keep Grandpa Shu, who had been tough his entire life, in check.

“Then take that boy to have a look. Otherwise, someone might say I don’t care about her second brother,” Grandpa Shu remarked.

“Yes,” Uncle Liang couldn’t help but smile.

Ruan Jiaojiao looked at him curiously. “Grandpa Liang, did you buy something?”

Uncle Liang chuckled, “Jiaojiao, go call your second brother. Grandpa Liang will take both of you to see.”

Ruan Jiaojiao immediately nodded, then dashed upstairs to call Ruan Jie. Together with Xiu Xi, the three followed Uncle Liang to the neighboring small building. The three connected buildings were joined by a corridor.

As the corridor lacked heating, despite wearing her coat, Ruan Jiaojiao kept stomping her feet as she walked across. Upon entering the house, she exhaled heavily, already starting to worry about future trips back home. This place was so warm—returning home might feel unbearable in the cold.

Uncle Liang led them into the neighboring building and into a room on the first floor.

As soon as they entered, Ruan Jiaojiao was stunned.

Ruan Jie also exclaimed, his eyes wide in amazement.

“This… so many…” His voice faltered. “These… these are all prepared by Grandpa?”

“Yes, all the gaming consoles available on the market are here. If anything’s missing, Xiaojie can let Grandpa Liang know, and I’ll have someone purchase it,” Uncle Liang said.

“No… no need. This, this is more than enough,” Ruan Jie was overwhelmed with emotion to the point of speechlessness.

To say Ruan Jie didn’t care about Grandpa Shu’s attitude would be untrue. At home, though his position wasn’t particularly strong and he was often criticized by Ruan Jianguo and the Ruanlin family, he understood deep down that both of them loved him. Plus, with nine siblings growing up similarly, it didn’t strike him as particularly unfair.

But Grandpa Shu was different.

Of course, if Grandpa Shu treated him and his eldest brother the same, he probably wouldn’t have felt much.