Chapter 501: Chapter 401: Is the Birth Mother Indifferent Like a Chrysanthemum? The Young Lady Sabotages Everything 41_3
“No need, no need, you can just eat in a bit, right now I need to maintain an element of mystery!” Madam Xie winked at her and then locked herself back in the kitchen to continue discussing new recipes with the cooking auntie.
Meanwhile, Father Xie reached behind him and fetched a chess set from the cupboard, giving Su Zhiruan an expectant look, “Su girl, how about a couple of games of chess?”
Father Xie was also someone who loved chess dearly. Once, when Su Zhiruan and Xie Yanshang were playing, he peered over the board and, with just one look, he found himself hooked.
Su Zhiruan’s ideas and strategies were simply too exquisite, even his son, whom he thought was very skilled, sometimes couldn’t win against her.
Hence, whenever Su Zhiruan visited, Father Xie would always want to bring out the Go board to have a match or two with her.
Su Zhiruan took a seat opposite him, and the two began their game, while Xie Yanshang went to help in the kitchen.
The whole family was in high spirits.
“Dinner’s ready——” Accompanied by Madam Xie’s loud call, the prepared dishes were quickly laid out on the dining table.
By this time, Su Zhiruan and Father Xie were nearing the end of their chess game.
Su Zhiruan was letting him win on purpose, so the game wasn’t played too fast or slow, after all, she had control over the pace.
“I’ve won,” Father Xie happily placed the last piece, immediately standing up and taking a photo of the board with his phone, “I’m so happy, to have won against Su girl!”
He was aware that Su Zhiruan was going easy on him, but for him, playing such a spirited game of Go was one of the great joys of life.
“Let’s go, let’s go, Su girl, let’s hurry and have our meal!” Father Xie packed up the board, keeping an eye on Su Zhiruan, and had Xie Yanshang take her to wash up before eating.
The whole family sat together for a lively meal, the table laden with a variety of exquisite pastries and small cakes. Madam Xie, looking very happy, excitedly pointed at the little cakes on the table and said, “I made these, you must try them, Ruanruan!”
Around the dining table, the four of them chatted sporadically. The atmosphere at the table brimmed with warmth and harmony.
Unnoticeably, the Xie Family had come to accept Su Zhiruan, treating her as one of their own, even at times when she wasn’t there and only Xie Yanshang was present, Madam Xie and Father Xie would still ask why Su Zhiruan hadn’t come.
During the middle of the meal.
Unexpectedly, an incident occurred——
Suddenly, a vigorous ringing came from the door.
The servant who was standing guard outside knocked on the door and came in, looking somewhat anxious, then immediately said, “President Xie, Madam Xie, it seems… the old master… is at the door.”
Upon hearing these three words, everyone at the table frowned in unison, especially Madam Xie.
“What is he doing here?!” Madam Xie stood up and looked out the window.
“He seldom visits, why would he come all of a sudden today?” From President Xie’s expression, it was clear that he wasn’t too pleased, as he sat there without moving, continuing to eat the food he had taken, chewing thoughtfully.
“Nevermind, let him in.” Madam Xie waved her hand, signaling the servant to open the door for the old master, as it wouldn’t do to leave him standing outside.
The servants standing by the dining table exchanged glances, not understanding why there had been such a sudden change in attitude, which was no surprise, given that the old master had never visited this place before. In other words, they had never seen him in the current Xie Family mansion.
Occasionally, Madam Xie and Father Xie would mention this old master, and all they knew was that he seemed to have a difficult temper and liked to meddle in the younger generation’s affairs.
Su Zhiruan suddenly remembered a phone call from four years ago.
She looked over at Xie Yanshang, only to find that he too was looking her way. In their shared gaze, they both understood what the other was thinking.
Four years ago, because of Xie Yanshang’s uncle snitching, the old master had disapproved of their relationship, but since then, they had little contact with him.
Underneath the table, Xie Yanshang gently took her slender hand, holding it in the palm of his own.
Then he shook his head, signaling Su Zhiruan not to worry, he was there for her.
“You all seem to be getting more and more muddled! Knowing that I’ve come, you’re still sitting here?”
When the old master pushed open the door, this was the first thing everyone heard.
“Why have you suddenly come!” Father Xie glanced at him, put down his chopsticks, but made no move to help him up.
“If I didn’t come, it looks like you youngsters would turn the world upside down!” The old master, leaning on his dragon-head cane, looked pointedly at Su Zhiruan, then snorted to express his dissatisfaction.
“I’ve come today to make an announcement!!” The old master pointed his cane at Xie Yanshang, squinting his eyes as he said, “The girl from the Zhou Family is quite nice; I have already agreed to your marriage with her. You will meet her this afternoon to finalize the arrangements!”
“Dad!” Madam Xie, upon hearing his words, instantly couldn’t hold back any longer. She slammed the table and stood up, “What do you mean by this?!”
Instantly, the atmosphere became tense and confrontational!