A birthday banquet, all the guests were merry.
After seeing off the guests, the old lady couldn’t sleep.
She suggested playing mahjong.
Bao Mingyuan pondered for a moment, then said, "Then me and a few of the children will stay, accompanying the old lady to play all night."
The old lady specifically instructed, "Don’t forget to keep Ruanruan here."
He asked Bao Jingse, "Where are Ruanruan and Jingse?"
Bao Jingyuan interjected, "The two of them are seeing off the Gu Family’s guests."
She said very pettily, "Su Ruanruan is after all from the Gu Family, she’s not wholeheartedly with us."
"Why do we need to be wholehearted? Are there kebabs?" Bao Jingse tapped her.
He went out to look for Su Ruanruan.
Bao Jingyuan felt incredibly aggrieved.
Tears glistened in her eyes.
Bao Mansion’s parking lot.
Lady Gu dressed in extravagant clothes, draped in a fur coat.
Beautiful and opulent.
She held Su Ruanruan’s small hand and praised, "You did extremely well today! You not only didn’t become a laughingstock, but you truly shook them all."
She added, "With such a formidable concubine around, Mom has always been worried about you being bullied! Now I’m relieved."
Su Ruanruan softly said, "Mom, don’t worry! I won’t let anyone bully me."
Lady Gu extended her jade finger to tap her forehead, "You little mischief! Now I really have nothing to worry about."
At this moment, Gu Ze handed Su Ruanruan a check, "Take this to spend! Don’t let anyone look down on the Gu Family’s daughter."
Su Ruanruan hung her head.
She said bashfully, "Bao Jingse has given me money, he doesn’t allow me to ask Dad or brother for money."
He said, "There’ll be some entertainment later! Keep this money close at hand!"
Ruanruan was naive, she had no idea that socializing as the daughter of a wealthy family could be quite costly.
So Su Ruanruan accepted it!
At this time, Bao Jingse arrived.
He brought a coat for Su Ruanruan to wear.
He said, "The old lady is keeping you to play cards."
Su Ruanruan nodded, indicating she understood.
She said to Lady Gu, "I’ll arrange to have coffee with you and Jiarou another day with Sister Jingse."
Lady Gu, smiling, said to Gu Yuanpei, "Look at her, a girl all grown up is beyond our grasp! To see our own daughter we now have to make an appointment."
With no outsiders present, Bao Jingse boldly put his arm around her shoulder.
He glanced at Bao Jingse, "Are you coming?"
Bao Jingse knew clearly in her heart, Ruanruan was there for her.
Keeping this favor in her heart, she said to Lady Gu, "I’ll bring Ruanruan over when the company isn’t busy."
A character like Lady Gu, how could she not see?
But she didn’t expose it.
—Gu Ze had been noncommittal all along, saying it out loud would not be good for Jingse.
Su Ruanruan and Bao Jingse changed their clothes and went to the old lady’s courtyard.
Qi Meiyu again feigned a headache.
Bao Mingyuan, Bao Ziqi Xia Minglan, and Bao Jingyuan, several people continued the excitement at the old lady’s place.
Seeing the three of them come over, Bao Mingyuan asked them to join.
Housekeeper Wang had long set up the table.
Gui Zhi brewed some high-quality refreshing tea.
As for the mahjong players—
The old lady was definitely getting in on the action.
Bao Mingyuan counted as one.
The remaining spots, Su Ruanruan and Xia Minglan were surprisingly encouraged to play.
The game started, and Xia Minglan already took her seat.
She often accompanied her mother at social events, playing the national game quite well.
Soon, it would be her time to shine!
Su Ruanruan, however, declined, "I don’t really know how to play."
Bao Mingyuan was in a great mood and readily said, "Let Jingse sit by your side to assist you with the game."
Bao Jingse lightly guided her.
Su Ruanruan found herself seated at the mahjong table.
She helplessly glanced at him.
Just about to shuffle the mahjong tiles, Bao Jingyuan pouted, "Su Ruanruan, did you bring money? Dad always plays big! Let’s get this straight beforehand, you can’t use the money left over from the old lady’s birthday celebration."