"Thereâs nothing like that," Jiaojiao shook her head.
Xiu Xiâs expression finally softened, but Ruan Haoâs gaze flickered slightly. When he looked down and met Jiaojiaoâs eyes, he simply smiled gently.
By the time they returned to the private room, most of the dishes had already been served.
People in Beidu are used to starting their meals with soup. A bowl of fresh fish soup had already been ladled for Jiaojiao. She took a sip and immediately squinted her eyes in delight.
Perhaps it was because she had been a cat in a previous life, she naturally loved eating fish. However, her hand had been injured a while ago, and according to the old sayings from their region, fish is considered a "trigger food"âitâs not suitable when one has cuts that are inflamed. So, she hadnât eaten fish at home for quite some time.
Jiaojiao was seated next to Ruan Hao, who had almost entirely taken care of her throughout the meal. This time, even Xiu Xi hadnât competed with him.
Across from them, Shu Jiao, who knew Xiu Xiâs personality well, glanced at him in surprise several times. At the end, she seemed to think of something, lowered her head, and chuckled softly.
The family spent about two hours on the meal. Since the weather was cold, Ruanlin Family and Old Shu shared a bit of medicinal wine, and naturally, Ruan Jianguo had to join them out of courtesy. After finishing her food, Jiaojiao and the others rested on the sofa nearby.
"Big Brother, are you staying home tonight?" Jiaojiao, feeling a bit full, stood behind the sofa, resting her elbow on the edge as she asked Ruan Hao.
Ruan Hao nodded and slipped a piece of fruit into her mouth during the brief exchange.
"I canât eat anymore, my stomach is about to explode." Though reluctant to refuse Ruan Haoâs feeding, Jiaojiao forced herself to eat half a tangerine before she finally couldnât take it anymore and turned him down.
Ruan Hao didnât insist and put the other half of the tangerine into his own mouth.
"Then Big Brother, when will you start your break? How about tomorrow we go with Big Brother to your school and play?"
"I have exams over the next two days. After the break starts, Iâll take Jiaojiao out." Having a clear understanding of his little sisterâs antics, Ruan Hao knew better than to let her run around freely without his constant supervision.
Hearing this, Jiaojiao could only nod helplessly.
Meanwhile, Old Shu had gotten drunk. His health hadnât been great over the past couple of years, and he had quit drinking entirely for several years. Feeling festive today, he broke his sobriety for the first time, opting for medicinal wine, but one cup was enough to make him tipsy.
Whenever Old Shu got drunk, he would become a chatterbox. He kept repeating the same sentence to Ruan Jianguo.
"My daughter is a treasure sought by hundreds, you better treat her well! Otherwise, old man here will take you down!"
Ruan Jianguo, who had his fair share of drinking experience from socializing, wasnât drunk. He quickly nodded at this remark.
Old Shu repeated the sentence several times. Then, spotting Jiaojiao chatting sweetly with Ruan Hao, he suddenly gave a laugh.
His laughter made Ruan Jianguoâs scalp tingle.
He patted Ruan Jianguoâs shoulder with an expression that seemed like reluctant acceptance. "Kid, while youâre poor, ugly, and uneducated, thereâs still one good thing about you."
"What?" Ruan Jianguo, after hearing a string of disparaging remarks, instantly perked up at the compliment and asked eagerly.
Old Shu chuckled slyly, laughing so much that Ruan Jianguo felt his goosebumps rise. Then, they saw him beckon to Jiaojiao, "Little Jiaojiao, come here to Grandpa."
Jiaojiao looked at them perplexedly, noticing their flushed faces and realizing they were likely both drunk.
She ran over and supported Old Shu by his arm.
Old Shu smiled at her first and then turned to Ruan Jianguo, saying, "Take a good look, kid. This is your only redeeming feature, got it?"