Chapter 1773: Side Story – Juniors (36): Hooked, Shocked, Secretly Bringing a Man Home
Chapter 1773: Side Story – Juniors (36): Hooked, Shocked, Secretly Bringing a Man Home
Inside an arcade at a certain mall
After the dinner party, Jiang Jinsang’s second youngest and Jiang Chengsi’s twins clamored to play arcade games. There was no other choice, so Jiang Mutang had to take them over. A few boys gathered around two arcade machines, while Jiang Ruan and Qi Zhiyi were focused on a claw machine, trying to grab a toy.
Jiang Mutang made an excuse to buy drinks for everyone and left with Qi Lie.
"So, tell me, what’s up with Ruan Ruan?"
Jiang Mutang initially didn’t think Jiang Ruan could be in any big trouble, but since Qi Lie insisted on saying there was mortal danger, he had to take it seriously.
"Brother, let’s just drop it." Qi Lie looked troubled, "Actually, it’s nothing major."
"That’s not what you said earlier." Jiang Mutang raised an eyebrow.
"I was just babbling, you know my nature, right? I like to exaggerate."
"But you also love to watch the fun. From childhood to adulthood, you haven’t been short of causing trouble, and I’ve never seen you slip away so quickly."
The more Qi Lie acted like this, the more certain Jiang Mutang felt it was a big deal.
"Alright, just hurry up and tell me."
Qi Lie seemed troubled, hesitated, "Brother, if I tell you, you have to stay calm."
Jiang Mutang just smiled and nodded.
Actually, Qi Lie wasn’t a good person to begin with. Since he was already dragged into the mess, he might as well pull someone else down too. Anyway, if Uncle Jiang came seeking revenge later, there’d be someone to accompany him on the road to hell.
"Brother, it’s really not a big deal, it’s just that Ruan Ruan is seeing someone." Qi Lie scratched a few curly hairs on top of his head.
"She’s seeing someone, why are you running?"
They’re all university students, dating is normal.
"It’s just that her boyfriend is..." Qi Lie coughed twice, "a bit special."
"Is he not a good person? Did he threaten you?" Jiang Mutang couldn’t figure out what kind of person could scare Qi Lie away.
"His last name is Yan."
"And then?" Jiang Mutang didn’t react immediately. After all, it’s not a rare surname. But Qi Lie raised a hand and pointed south, and only then did Jiang Mutang’s brow slightly furrow, "You’re not talking about that Yan family, are you?"
Qi Lie shrugged.
Jiang Mutang chuckled, "Which one from the Yan family? What’s his name?"
This Nanjiang Yan Family, although genuinely reputable, is surely on Yan Chi’s side. But there are many collateral relatives too, like Yan Shaochen and the like. Yan Chi is the youngest child, and when he was minor, many of the Yan family’s affairs were handled by him. He’s a notable figure in Nanjiang, and he has a pair of children.
Anyway, with the surname Yan, those who are known are not just Yan Chi.
As for Mr. Xiaoyan, that’s Third Master Fu’s brother-in-law. Although not familiar or acquainted, in terms of seniority, he’d be a bit higher than Jiang Mutang and the others.
Jiang Mutang naturally subconsciously classified him into the elder category, never thought about him.
Until Qi Lie cleared his throat and mentioned a name, Jiang Mutang was stunned for a moment.
"It’s Yan Chi."
Jiang Mutang froze for two seconds, "The Yan Chi you mentioned, is it the same person I’m thinking of?"
Qi Lie nodded.
"How did they end up together?" Jiang Mutang frowned, "I know the Yan family and the Si family were close, but haven’t they been out of touch for many years? How did the two of them..."
They weren’t originally from the same circle, and with such a generational gap, Jiang Mutang never imagined they could be a pair.
"How do I know? Anyway, that’s how things are right now. The two have been practically glued together all vacation."
"That’s no big deal. He’s single, she’s single. Dating is normal. Why are you hiding?" Jiang Mutang just found it odd. On careful thought, it wasn’t such a big deal.
"It’s just that..." Qi Lie scratched his hair, "they’ve been spending the night together."
"..."
At that time, Jiang Mutang couldn’t help thinking:
This girl Jiang Ruan is really bold, spending the night with a man like that?
Nowadays, society is open. Even pre-marital relations aren’t a big deal, after all, it’s about the two people’s feelings.
"Really, spending the night together isn’t a big deal either..." Qi Lie coughed dryly.
Jiang Mutang raised an eyebrow.
Spending the night together, and this still isn’t a big deal!
"Then tell me, what’s an even bigger deal?"
"They spent the night at Yi Garden, stayed quite a few days, like... living together in your fourth aunt’s old marriage home."
Jiang Mutang suddenly felt a bit dazed.
Staying overnight was one thing — it was her private matter, nothing others could meddle in, but...
To actually bring a man under the very eyes of the family and even stay in her own house, how bold could this girl be?
Yan Chi, overnight, wedding room!
Each one of these things, according to Fourth Uncle’s temperament, could possibly turn Beijing upside down, no wonder Qi Lie wanted to run.
"Brother, I originally didn’t want to tell you, but you insisted on it." Qi Lie took a deep breath, "I’ve held it in for a long time, finally saying it out loud this time, I feel much relieved."
He was no longer all alone, anyhow in the future when Uncle Jiang comes to settle accounts, at least someone else will share the blame.
Jiang Mutang at this moment wished he could get amnesia and never have known about this matter.
That night when he went home, he thought for a long time...
He felt it was still necessary to drop a hint to Fourth Uncle at the Si Family, so the next day, he pretended to pass by and deliberately went to East City.
**
Si Family
When Jiang Mutang was small, he often went to play at the Si Family’s, at that time Jiang Chengsi was quite upset by it, this boy pulling Huo Family’s little rascal with him every day, causing no end of trouble, but after Huo Tinglan enlisted in the army and Jiang Mutang began studying medicine, his visits became less frequent.
It was rare for him to come today, Jiang Chengsi was actually quite happy about it.
"What brings you to our place today?" Still during the National Day holiday, naturally Jiang Chengsi wasn’t at work either.
"Seeing a friend, just happened to pass by." Jiang Mutang still held some pastries in his hand.
"You’re welcome to come over, no need to buy anything." Jiang Chengsi looked at his promising and sensible nephew, as an uncle, he still felt gratified.
"Bro—" Their family’s Xiaojiu and Laoshi had already run out from inside the house.
"Mutang’s here." Si Yushan also came down after hearing the noise, "Chengsi, later give Xiaowu a call, tell him Mutang won’t be home for lunch, he’ll eat with us."
Their families had always had good relations, having meals together or staying over for a few days was commonplace.
Jiang Mutang was also pondering how to give them a warning, after all, this matter was quite complex and involved many facets.
"By the way, since you’re here, help me check out my back, it might be because of the autumn, recently it’s been feeling a bit swollen and painful." Si Yushan rubbed his lower back.
Jiang Mutang nodded, and while checking Si Yushan’s back, Jiang Ruan came downstairs, calling out to her brother.
Jiang Ruan had a sweet and coy look, her voice was sweet too, so in many people’s eyes, she was an obedient good girl, and she did her utmost to play that role in front of her family.
Thinking of how boldly she brought someone right under Fourth Uncle’s nose, Jiang Mutang felt a headache.
Back then, although Fourth Uncle stayed in Aunt’s wedding room, it led to a whole series of subsequent events, but it was by sheer accident, once he learned that the house Si Yushan bought was for Si Qingxiao’s wedding, he moved out.
But this girl, her courage exceeded even her father’s.
She brought someone into her own home.
When Jiang Mutang came today, he didn’t plan to expose the matter, just wanted to give Jiang Chengsi a hint, and chat with Jiang Ruan to see how far things had gone with Yan Chi.
After all, sometimes this girl wasn’t too bright, lest she gets deceived.
While he was contemplating how to bring it up, someone swiftly entered the living room, "Sir, there’s a guest."
"Who is it?" Si Yushan frowned, it was rare for a holiday, he wasn’t keen on being disturbed by trivia or outsiders.
"Mr. Xiaoyan."
"Why it’s him, quickly invite him in." Si Yushan promptly tidied his clothes, and glanced at Jiang Mutang, "Let me introduce you to someone, you’re about the same age, maybe you can become friends."
"This Yan Chi, he’s the son of a friend, a child born late, around your age, a really good person."
"Anyhow, knowing an extra person does no harm."
"He just doesn’t like to talk much, might come across as unapproachable, but in terms of character and personality, he’s very good."
...
Si Yushan didn’t know Jiang Mutang’s real purpose for this visit, he was only thinking of introducing the two.
Jiang Mutang merely smiled slightly, glancing out of the corner of his eye at Jiang Ruan on the other side, she appeared nonchalant, merely saying she was going upstairs to change clothes, showing no trace of abnormality.
She’s sure good at pretending.
And this Yan Chi, to openly pay such a visit.
Jiang Mutang had originally wanted to see what kind of person this rumored little brother-in-law of Master Fu was.
But the development of events was beyond his expectations, and he finally understood why Qi Lie would rather sacrifice his holiday to flee Beijing overnight.