Even though he was mumbling, when he saw there werenât enough dishes, he immediately went to cook a few more for them.
And although the brothers hadnât been drinking, they were still sitting at the dining table, chatting about current events and politics, their voices getting louder and louder.
Jiaojiao listened to their cheerful laughter. Even though their voices were so loud they drowned out the TV, she still felt happy, enjoying these days of gathering together.
She picked up the fruit knife from the coffee table in front of her and glanced at the brothers still chatting over there. She wanted to peel some fruit for them to eat. Halfway through peeling, someone sat down beside her: "Jiaojiao, why are you peeling so much fruit?"
"Auntie." Jiaojiao called out, pointing to the brothers behind her who were still chatting and laughing, "Itâs for the brothers to eat."
"Our Jiaojiao is so considerate." Wu Le praised her, reaching out to take the fruit knife from her hand, and added, "But this is too dangerous, you shouldnât do it. If you cut your hand, it wonât be good."
Jiaojiao smiled and didnât insist, watching Wu Le peel apples one by one, cut them into small pieces, and then take them to the dining table where the brothers were. Naturally, the brothers showered her with compliments, which made Ruan Jianguo at the next table uncomfortable. His face red and neck thick from drinking, his tongue heavy as he spoke with grievance, "Sweetheart, donât I get any? Am I not as good as your brothers?"
"I knew it, sweetheart must not love daddy anymore. My heart is shattered, shattered~." The last three words were drawn out as if singing in an opera, full of resentment.
"..." Jiaojiao.
What else could she do?
All she could do was turn her head and smile, "Of course not, dad. Just wait a moment, Iâll bring it right over."
"Then why wasnât the first plate for dad? Clearly, dad isnât the most important." Ruan Jianguo quibbled.
"Youâre lucky to have something to eat, why so much nonsense." Ruanlin, who was carrying a dish behind them, gestured with her hand and gave a quick tap with the chopsticks. Ruan Jianguo covered his head and didnât dare make another sound, but his eyes grew more aggrieved as he looked at Jiaojiao.
Jiaojiao winked at him, turned back to the sofa, where Wu Le was still sitting. Sheâd heard what just happened and wanted to help peel, but was declined by Jiaojiao, who laughed and said, "Dadâs unhappy, I have to soothe him. Auntie, donât steal my credit."
"You child." Wu Le was amused, ruffling her hair, and didnât insist on helping.
Jiaojiao carefully peeled the apple, and when she was done and picked up the second one, Wu Le, who had been sitting next to her, suddenly leaned over and quietly asked, "Jiaojiao, the people who came to your engagement party yesterday, were they all your classmates?"
"Mm." Jiaojiao nodded.
"That long-haired girl who looked gentle, whatâs her name?" Wu Le asked again.
Jiaojiao blinked, realizing afterwards and raised her head, asking, "Are you talking about Liang Wenjing, Auntie? Sheâs my roommate, a schoolmate, but not from the same class."
"Liang Wenjing, thatâs a nice name." Wu Le murmured the name softly, "Is Jiaojiao close to her? What does her family do? How many people are in her family, where are they from, and how old is she this year?"
Jiaojiao shook her head, pretending to be clueless, and answered, "I donât know what her family does, where theyâre from, or how many people are in her family; I only know that Sister Wenjing is nineteen this year."
"Then..."