Translator: 549690339
“Let’s talk about that later,” Ren Qian was very surprised, pondering Ren
Jiawei’s phrase ‘born rebellious; “Don’t take your negotiating table attitude towards their family members…”
Ren Qian wasn’t too clear about that book, but seeing Ren Wanxuan and Chen Zhu’s demeanor, he knew it was significant.
“Sir,” the Secretary-General, as Ren Qian’s confidant, was someone people were exceptionally cautious around on regular days. He glanced coldly at the courtyard behind him, but his voice was incongruously respectful as he indicated Ren Qian undervalued himself, “You’ve really lowered yourself for them, but once you’re not present, that entire Ji Family doesn’t even pretend…”
The Secretary-General was accustomed to giving orders.
Over time, he had forgotten that he too had started from the ground up.
He was deferential and cautious in front of Ren Qian, but certainly not in front of others.
Ren Qian was taken aback; he pondered for a long while and naturally had no suspicion of his Secretary, “The Ji Family is established in their ways, and Bai Lian is a bit youthful and impulsive. Can’t you look at the bigger picture and avoid squabbling with them?”
In simpler terms, he felt the Ji Family wasn’t worth his temper.
Ren Qian said softly, “Let’s put off inviting her to the Ren Family for now.” “l understand, sir,” the Secretary-General said respectfully.
He listened to the slightly displeased tone in Ren Qian’s voice and smiled faintly.
The Ren Family had long intended to invite Bai Lian to their household. Today, because of his single remark, the Ren Family shelved the idea.
He was Ren Qian’s right-hand man, skilled in flattery and deceit.
Even Ren Wanxuan had to address him as “Uncle” when she saw him. But nobody dared to show him disdain like Bai Lian did.
After some thought, the Secretary-General pulled out his cellphone and reported the news to Ren Wanxuan.
At the Ji Family.
In the end, Ren Qian’s Secretary-General didn’t stay for dinner, leaving only the family, which was rather harmonious.
Ji Heng placed the wool needle given by Bai Lian at his side, holding in one hand the smoking pipe given by Ji Shaojun, and beside him, the tobacco provided by Ji Shaorong.
Shen Qing and Bai Lian helped bring the dishes to the table.
Ji Shaojun, with a stack of bowls, served rice to everyone from the pot, watching through the window as Ji Heng examined the wool needle closely.
“How did you know today was your grandfather’s birthday?” he whispered to Bai Lian as she came from the kitchen with dishes.
Bai Lian, her head lowered as she carefully carried a pot of soup, her entire being appearing cool in her snow- green dress, smiled, “Isn’t that the reason you secretly bought the smoking pipe?”
“Pure alarmist talk,” Ji Shaojun immediately turned away, unwilling to confront the issue, “When have 1 ever secretly bought anything.”
Bai Lian raised an eyebrow, holding the soup as she left the kitchen.
Shen Qing came in just in time to see her, delicate snow-colored fingers holding the freshly stewed clay pot. She hurriedly spoke up, “Why don’t you use a cloth as a mat? Give it to me, here!”
She took the clay pot from Bai Lian e s hands, “You go set the chopsticks.”
Clearly, a person raised in a wealthy home, unfamiliar with commonsense living.
Bai Lian touched her nose; she hadn’t felt the heat, but obviously, Shen Qing didn’t believe her.
She silently went to set the chopsticks.
At the dining table, Ji Heng sat beside her.
Ji Shaorong and Ji Shaojun were looking at the wool needle Bai Lian had made for him.
Embroidery was falling out of step with the times, so much so that wool needles were nearly obsolete.
With few people using them, there were no shops that could sharpen them in all of Xiangcheng.
It was unclear where Bai Lian found someone to make them.
The bag containing the wool needle was even faintly marked with the symbol of a white tiger, yet none of those present paid attention to this emblem.
If someone from the Ren Family had been there, they would have recognized it immediately—it was unmistakably the White Tiger Auction House’s symbol!
The meal was more peaceful without the Ren Family members.
After dinner, Shen Qing and Ji Shaojun cleared the dishes, “So, did Alian really leave the Bai Family?”
In the kitchen, Shen Qing took the opportunity without anyone else around to ask Ji Shaojun in a low voice.
“Yes,” Ji Shaojun said while he wiped the dishes dry, not lifting his head, “Her household registration has been transferred over.”
“Hey, I say to you Ji Family people,” Shen Qing couldn’t contain her irritation, “What’s wrong with you? Such a big family, even if they don’t like you, wouldn’t it be better not to leave? Drinking the soup is also good. Do you think she’s being silly…”
She stopped mid- sentence upon seeing Ji Heng through the window. Shen Qing snatched the bowl from Ji Shaojun’s hands.
“Get out; I don’t want to see you right now!”
In the afternoon, Ji Heng and the others were going to Purest Street to worship the Tree God.
Bai Lian was going to Jiang He’s place, so she grabbed her backpack, ready to head straight there by car after worshipping the Tree God.
Shen Qing walked behind her, and seeing the three men ahead were not paying attention, she finally lowered her voice, “Why didn’t you agree to what Ren Qian said at noon? It would be good for you too.. Now that you’ve come to Xiangcheng, won’t you have to get by here from now on?”