He knelt before Old Master Shu, regardless of how drunk he looked right now or whether he could even hear his words, and sincerely said, "Dad, please believe me. I will take good care of Xiaojiao. Life may be tough for now, but in the future, I promise Iâll make sure the two of them live well."
"And even if I make it big someday, I can guarantee that Iâll still treat Xiaojiao with love and care. I wonât ever let her down, no matter what. If I do, you can hit me, scold me, or do whatever you want."
Ruan Jianguoâs heartfelt words moved everyone. Shu Jiao looked at him with slightly reddened eyes. She trusted him, of course, but when a man is willing to kneel before your parents and swear to treat you well, itâs hard for a woman not to be moved.
Ruan Jiaojiao was deeply moved as well. Out of all the people she knew, she had never encountered anyone as devoted as Ruan Jianguo. He treated his wife so wellâeven her godfather Lu Zhiwei didnât treat her godmother Zhao Li to this extent.
Everyoneâs gaze shifted to Ruan Jianguo and Old Master Shu, waiting to see how the old man would react.
As Old Master Shu listened to these words, he remained silent. Everyone assumed he had been touched, which was why he didnât speak for so long. After over ten seconds, they suddenly saw Old Master Shu reach out and shove Ruan Jianguo.
With a cold snort, he sneered, "Make it big? Boy, even if you do, will you ever have as much money as I do?"
He jabbed Ruan Jianguoâs shoulder repeatedly with his finger, his face full of disdain. "Let me tell you, boyâitâs not gonna happen!"
"..." Ruan Jianguo.
"..." Everyone else.
An indescribable expression swept across all their faces. Was his focus completely off?
Shu Jiao gave Ruan Jianguo a helpless look, signaling him to stand up. Old Master Shu was truly drunk, so drunk heâd lost all sense of reason. It was clearly time to take him home.
"Dad, youâve had too much to drink. Letâs go home now," she coaxed gently, reaching out to lift his arm while Ruan Jianguo stood up from the floor to support him on the other side.
But as soon as they touched him, Old Master Shu shoved them away.
He seemed to morph into an entirely different person, pointing his finger in Ruan Jianguoâs face and shouting, "You brat! Get away from me! Donât touch me!" Then, turning to Shu Jiao, he whimpered pitifully, "Xiaojiao, I know. Youâre ashamed of your dad now."
"I knowâyou all despise me. None of you like this old man anymore." He raised his finger, pointing at each person in turn.
First, he pointed at Ruan Hao. "Youâbarely come to see your grandpa all year round. You must not like your grandpa."
Then, he pointed at Ruan Jie. "Why are you so much like your dad? Why canât you resemble someone from the Shu family? Itâd make it easier for me to be kind to you without feeling so guilty, instead of feeling like youâre some kind of traitor. Just looking at you makes me angry!"
When he pointed at Ruan Jiaojiao, though, his expression turned soft, and he smiled warmly, radiating affection. "Such a sweet Little Jiaojiaoâhow could she be the child of that guy? Itâs maddening! Little Jiaojiao, Grandpa likes you. Come live with Grandpa in Beidu, okay? Grandpa is richer than your dad. Your dad is a pauper! He canât take proper care of you. Look how great Grandpa is! Stay here in Beidu with me, okay? Grandpa promises to give you the best of everything."
Finally, when he turned his finger to Xiu Xi, Old Master Shu puffed up his cheeks angrily. "And as for youâdonât think I donât know. Youâre a sneaky brat! Beating me at games and not even showing me some courtesy? No respect for your elders or kindness for the young at all!"