Su Ruanruan’s face flushed, and her steps quickened.
Bao Jingyuan clamored, "Big brother, you have a girlfriend. If you and Su Ruanruan stay alone on the third floor, your girlfriend will get angry."
Bao Jingyan walked down the stairs slowly, "Get angry?"
Bao Jingyuan seriously replied, "Of course she’ll get angry!"
Bao Jingyan teased, "Then what should I do to make amends?"
Bao Jingyuan eagerly said, "Just keep your distance from Su Ruanruan, big brother!"
A faint smile played at the corner of Bao Jingyan’s mouth.
—Afraid she’ll get even angrier.
When Su Ruanruan came downstairs, Xia Minglan had also arrived.
She also brought a suitcase, as if planning a short stay.
Mrs. Bao spoke gently, "I invited Minglan over."
She intended to get close to Bao Jingyan, saying, "Jingyan can also invite his girlfriend over. The snow scene in the Jing Garden is really not bad this year!"
Bao Jingyan smiled faintly.
He looked at Su Ruanruan and frowned, "You finished packing so quickly?"
In front of others, Su Ruanruan didn’t want to upset him.
She said, "Aunt Gui Zhi packed for me."
Bao Jingyan deliberately picked on her, "You dare to boss Aunt Gui around?"
He added, "Only the old lady can command her, how cozy must you two be to have this clout?"
Su Ruanruan was both angry and embarrassed.
He was clearly taking advantage of her.
On the side, Bao Mingyuan thought he was behaving like an old dog. Can’t Jingyan have a bit more shame?
Xia Minglan, on the other hand, looked downcast.
Her treatment at the Bao Family was far worse than Su Ruanruan’s.
Her heart was not content, as she was supposed to be the future daughter-in-law of the Bao Family!
Yet she didn’t realize, her arrival was abrupt.
Bao Mingyuan didn’t really like it.
Bao Ziqi saved her face, helping her with the luggage to the second floor.
Xia Minglan was going to stay in the bedroom next to Bao Ziqi’s.
Bao Ziqi said in a flat voice, "No."
Xia Minglan opened the door curiously, "Why not? I think the layout here suits an unmarried lady."
"If I say no, then no," Bao Ziqi closed the door.
Xia Minglan suddenly blushed.
She looked at him shyly, "Ziqi, do you want me to stay in your room?"
Bao Ziqi was taken aback.
A faint blush rose on his pale face.
Not because of affection.
He had never thought of anything happening with Xia Minglan...
Luckily, he quickly regained his composure and took her to a bedroom at the northernmost end, "You can stay here."
"The north-facing room! Won’t it be cold?"
"There’s central heating."
Their back and forth left Xia Minglan somewhat disheartened.
After putting down her luggage, they went downstairs for a meal.
During the meal, Mrs. Bao tried to ostracize Su Ruanruan by bringing up Bao Jingyan’s girlfriend multiple times.
Even Bao Mingyuan was annoyed, "Isn’t Ziqi’s issue enough for you to worry about?"
Mrs. Bao immediately fell silent.
Her husband had been very cold to her recently.
On her face, she put on a pitiful and charming appearance.
Bao Mingyuan, always tender-hearted to women, said when no one was around after the meal, "It’s cold. There’s no need to kneel at the ancestral hall for the next few days."
Mrs. Bao’s eyes brimmed with tears again.
It was cold outside, but the bedroom was warm.
Knowing her husband had softened a bit, she went to the bathroom to freshen up.
Bao Mingyuan had the habit of an hour’s nap at noon.
That day, he stayed in the bedroom for a full three hours...
Housekeeper Wang made a fireplace, and the youngsters gathered around for fun.
The old lady also came.
The old lady wanted to play mahjong.
Xia Minglan remembered last time and didn’t want to participate.
Su Ruanruan’s pale slender hands were warmed by the fireplace. She said, "I won’t join this time."
Only then did Xia Minglan show the demeanor of a true fiancée.
She played cards with the old lady, keeping her happy.
Bao Ziqi and Bao Jingyan also joined the table.
Su Ruanruan sat alone in front of the fireplace, holding a book to read.
On the snowy day, she wore a printed wool long dress.
Her black hair draped over her shoulders.
Quietly reading—a true beauty!
Bao Jingyan’s gaze drifted over there from time to time...