Lu Siyuan had not appeared before the two of them again by the end of the school day, and Yang Xiaoxi complained about him behind his back. She felt that Lu Siyuan was just too heartless.
The excuses he had used to avoid them before were all unbelievable, and now he had disappeared again. They had truly worried in vain for so long.
Shen Mianmian, on the other hand, didn’t mind. As long as Lu Siyuan was safe, that was all that mattered.
Although the bonds of childhood were precious, people inevitably change as they grow.
In the blink of an eye, it was Saturday. Early in the morning, He Nan arrived, accompanied by Ruan Yiyang. Not long after Shen Mianmian acknowledged him as her sworn brother, he had returned to Beijing, and then he had spent a few months abroad for work. He had just come back and was brought over by He Nan.
Having not seen her for two or three years, he only felt that the Shen Mianmian before his eyes was becoming more and more beautiful and dazzling.
"Mianmian, I suddenly feel that the most meaningful thing I did in Licheng was to take you as my sworn sister. Wherever I bring you in the future, I will feel particularly proud. When my parents meet you later, they will definitely be delighted."
Being beautiful and good at studying, she was a source of pride wherever she went!
"Big Brother Ruan, please don’t praise me anymore. If you keep it up, I’ll get a swollen head," Shen Mianmian said with a smile, squinting her eyes, looking even more beautiful and adorable.
"If I were you, I would have become conceited long ago," Ruan Yiyang said with a laugh.
He Nan gave him a look and then asked indifferently, "Are you ready?"
"Yeah." Shen Mianmian nodded. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡⚑𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚⚑𝙣𝙚𝙩
To visit the Ruan Family, she had even bought a new outfit especially for the occasion. Dressing appropriately for the first meeting with the Ruan family was a sign of respect for the elders.
"Since you’re all set, let’s head out!" Ruan Yiyang urged. "My parents have called over my uncle’s family and my cousin. If it weren’t for the fact that my aunt and uncle were not at home, they would be here too."
Telling Shen Mianmian this was his way of showing how much his family valued her.
Upon hearing this, Shen Mianmian’s mouth twitched, and she subconsciously looked at He Nan.
"It’s okay." He Nan raised his hand and ruffled Shen Mianmian’s hair soothingly, "Consider it practice for getting used to such occasions. If you don’t want to speak, just act shy and leave everything to Yiyang."
"Right, just leave it to me. My family is really kind, you don’t need to be nervous."
Ruan Yiyang tried to follow He Nan’s example and ruffle Shen Mianmian’s hair, but before his hand even touched the top of her head, he saw He Nan pulling her away, and he pouted his lips.
Watching the two of them hold hands, he felt something was off but couldn’t pinpoint what exactly it was.
On the way, Ruan Yiyang and He Nan talked about things overseas, while Shen Mianmian felt somewhat anxious. Ruan Lingyu had met her, and Cheng Xining must have said plenty of bad things about her. If Cheng Xining found out that she was the sworn sister of Ruan Yiyang...
Shen Mianmian rubbed her forehead, feeling a headache coming on, realizing she had another tough battle ahead.
Noticing her small gesture, the corners of He Nan’s mouth curved slightly.
Soon, the three of them arrived at the Ruan Family’s home. The homes of Ruan Yiyang and Ruan Yiqian were in the same residential area, just two houses apart. The Ruan’s aunt had gone out early in the morning to buy groceries and had started preparing lunch upon her return.
Everyone was waiting in the living room for the trio. As soon as they reached the doorstep, Ruan’s mother was the first to greet them, and upon hearing the noise, the others also came over.
"Mom, this is Shen Mianmian, the sworn sister I’ve acknowledged."
Almost simultaneously with Ruan Yiyang’s words, Cheng Xining let out a sound of surprise mixed with a hint of anger.
"Shen Mianmian, why is it you?"