Seeing him trying to wriggle out of it, Li Yue was having none of it.
"Ruan Yiyang, you are now one of Lanyue’s stakeholders and a big boss at that. Our brand is going to go global, out of China and into the world. If you can’t even keep your word, how are you supposed to do business?"
Just as Ruan Yiyang was about to retort, he was cut off by Li Yue.
"What do you mean ’you’?" Li Yue accused righteously, "When I didn’t want you to say it, you insisted on speaking up and were eager to give me gifts. Nan Ge and Mianmian were both listening."
Seeing his posture as if he would complain to Nan Ge if he didn’t give in, Ruan Yiyang nodded in frustration.
"Fine, fine, fine, is it just a watch and cigarettes? I have plenty of those at home. Don’t make it sound like I can’t afford to give them."
Having said that, he opened the door and got out of the car.
"Close the door," Li Yue called out after him.
"Close it yourself." Ruan Yiyang, clutching his chest in distress, didn’t look back. He hadn’t checked the almanac before leaving the house today and ended up losing not just his lady but the troops too.
Li Yue shouted at his retreating figure, then got out and closed the car door himself.
Far from being angry, he was actually delighted.
Having gained a sworn sister, a new watch, and a pack of cigarettes, plus a meal cooked by Nan Ge himself, no matter how you looked at it, he was the big winner today.
After returning home, Li Yue told his family about swearing in a sister. Just so happened Li Shiping was there, too. When she learned Li Yue had gained a sister and would be visiting her for dinner the next day, Li Julin seemed somewhat displeased.
He hated the messy customs prevalent in society nowadays. His son hadn’t followed his path but started his own business instead. He had no objection to that and respected his son’s choice.
But he didn’t want his son to be assimilated by the poor customs of society.
Though displeased, he didn’t express his anger outright.
Seeing his father’s unhappy expression, Li Yue knew his father was overthinking and quickly clarified, "Dad, it wasn’t just my idea to acknowledge her as my sworn sister. Nan Ge knows about it too, and that girl’s mom and sister are also acquainted with her. She’s the same girl who sold the dried bamboo shoots last time."
Li Julin doesn’t lose his temper easily, but when he does, it means things are serious.
Li Shiping’s eyes lit up, "Are you talking about Mianmian?"
"That’s right, her." Li Yue nudged his sister with a meaningful look, "The clothes I asked you to buy were for her."
"I knew it! When I saw her in the market last time, I thought the clothes she was wearing looked familiar. It turns out it was indeed the one I picked." Picking up on her brother’s hint, Li Shiping said with a gentle smile, "Dad, that girl is really nice. She’s pretty, sensible, and smart. So young, and she already knows to study while running a business to make money." Tʜe sourcᴇ of thɪs content ɪs 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡⁂𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚⁂𝙣𝙚𝙩
Li Julin’s expression softened a bit after hearing the two of them speak.
Seizing the moment, Li Yue quickly signaled to Xiu Min, who always doted on her son. After giving him a playful scold with her eyes, she turned to Li Julin and said.
"That girl really is nice, and I quite like her."
Li Julin pondered for a moment, then asked with a serious face, "Where is she from? Do her parents know about her acknowledging you as her sworn brother?"
Li Yue had been waiting for just this question and hurriedly took the chance to give a rough overview of Shen Mianmian’s family situation. He was especially vivid when recounting the incident of Mianmian being beaten, painting it as if he had witnessed it with his own eyes, and he concluded with.
"Little Mianmian is currently all by herself in the city, quite pitiable. But she’s a person with principles, who doesn’t want to accept charity and prefers to rely on her own efforts to earn her tuition."