Thinking there might be something she didn’t know about, Mother Ruan made an excuse to have Ruan Lingyu and Cheng Xining help in the kitchen, hoping to use the opportunity to inquire about the situation.
Understanding her intention, Ruan Lingyu and Cheng Xining headed to the kitchen together.
"Sister-in-law, Xining, you two knew Mianmian before?" Mother Ruan tentatively asked.
"We met her once at the mall last week, and from what I heard, she’s a university student sponsored by Xiaonan. Unexpectedly, Yiyang also knows her and even considers her his sworn sister. That girl is no simple character!"
Ruan Lingyi spoke meaningfully, a girl of just eighteen or nineteen, yet somehow connected to two prestigious young men from Beijing. Who would believe that she has no ulterior motives?
It was indisputable that the girl was not as innocent as she appeared.
Mother Ruan felt that judging a person solely based on this was a bit too one-sided, "She’s a good student, and it’s not too far-fetched for Xiaonan to sponsor her out of appreciation for her talent. Could there be some misunderstanding here? I just noticed Xiaonan didn’t seem to treat her with any particular interest, just as a little sister, right?"
He Nan was a child they had watched grow up, always sensible, which is why Mother Ruan felt at ease with Yiyang following him. She believed that if He Nan thought highly of a young girl, she must be good.
"Aunt, you’re not aware of Shen Mianmian’s true colors." Cheng Xining became slightly agitated, defending Shen Mianmian, "Shen Mianmian is very cunning. Her study habits are good, but her character is not. That’s why her adoptive parents don’t want her anymore. Nan and my cousin both got fooled by her looks. As an orphan from the countryside, where does she get her income? Instead of living frugally, she wants to keep up with the Joneses, dressing like a young lady, clinging to Nan for a free ride. Do you think such a person can be good?"
In any case, Cheng Xining had made up her mind that Shen Mianmian was not a good person.
"Xining, where did you hear all this?" Mother Ruan asked with a frown, as she thought Shen Mianmian seemed quite well-behaved, unlike what Cheng Xining had described.
"It’s all true. If you don’t believe me, you can go to Licheng and check for yourself. I’m not lying," said Cheng Xining.
Mother Ruan was silent, seemingly pondering the truth of her words, and after a while, she said, "Sister-in-law, do you share the same view?"
"I’ve only met her once, and everything else I heard is from Xining. However, this girl is definitely no simple character. It’s always good to be more vigilant," said Ruan Lingyu.
"I understand," nodded Mother Ruan.
She was a shrewd person herself, not liking to show her feelings openly. Whether their words were true or not, since the person had been brought along, she would need to do the necessary courtesies.
"Alright, let’s not stay here too long. Everyone, let’s go out! We wouldn’t want to seem impolite," Ruan Lingyu led the way out first.
Cheng Xining still looked upset, and Mother Ruan couldn’t help but find it amusing, indulgently saying, "Alright, don’t be unhappy. If you don’t like her, just keep your distance in the future." Get full chapters from 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭·𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘦·𝘯𝘦𝘵
"Aunt, you just don’t understand." Cheng Xining looked aggrieved, "She relies on her good looks to always pester Nan."
Mother Ruan laughed, "Turns out, you’re just jealous? Don’t worry, Xiaonan is a smart kid; he won’t be deceived by anyone. Even if Xiaonan really has any thoughts, your Aunt Fu won’t agree to it either."
Although He Nan and Xining were not officially engaged, both families had tacitly agreed upon their future marriage.