Zhao Lang made a great impression on Jiang Mingchuan.
As a result, Jiang Mingchuan didn’t even bother going back to the company for the rest of the day, instead slinging an arm around Zhao Lang’s shoulder to chat.
They talked about everything from the company’s current situation to the market, the global political landscape, and finally, history.
After all, Zhao Lang had lived several lifetimes, and although he never lived past twenty in any of them, cumulatively he was over a hundred years old.
With so much experience, he naturally knew a lot.
So he could pick up on every topic Jiang Mingchuan threw at him.
Jiang Mingchuan was quite surprised himself.
He had never had such smooth conversations with peers, let alone a junior.
Jiang Mingchuan, feeling exhilarated, invited Zhao Lang to stay for dinner.
He completely ignored the three glaring looks Jiang Li shot his way.
Before it was even late afternoon, the Jiang Family was bustling with activity.
It was as lively as New Year’s.
The servants bustled about, some tasked with buying groceries, others with preparing the dining room.
"Hurry, go order some flowers and arrange them, something light in color, don’t make it too gaudy."
"Xiao Liu, the old master wants to use the set of blue and white porcelain tableware he collected before; do you know where it’s kept?"
"Is there still time to order seafood now? Or should I just go to the market to buy some directly?"
In the end, even Ji Yanbai was roped in, driving back and forth to fetch things.
Before long, a huge table full of dishes was prepared.
The two youngsters were extremely excited, dragging Meng Wanzhi to the dining area.
"Mom, mom, look at the big fish and big lobsters!"
Meng Wanzhi quickly pulled Jiang Bufan back and made a shushing motion.
"We have guests at home, behave, or you won’t get to eat later."
The guest today was quite significant.
Apparently, he was the eldest daughter’s boyfriend, and his family’s status wasn’t low in the Capital.
They had to present themselves well; they couldn’t afford to be looked down upon.
Once dinner was ready, the old master was the first to sit down.
He immediately seated Zhao Lang to his left.
Jiang Li was also arranged to sit next to Zhao Lang.
Once everyone was seated, Jiang Zhao Yuan noticed something was amiss.
"Why are there still two empty seats? Where are those two Jiang Cheng boys?"
The servant’s expression was somewhat complicated, looking at the old master before quietly replying, "Second and Third Young Masters aren’t feeling well and said they won’t come down for dinner."
The old master furrowed his brow.
He knew these two grandsons too well.
He saw them running and boxing as early as six in the morning today, and over the past year, they’d become quite fit following Jiang Li around. How could they suddenly be unwell?
In the room, Jiang Shixu nervously moved his chess piece.
"What’s wrong?" Jiang Cheng, expressionless, ate one of his pawns.
"Wouldn’t it be bad not to go down for dinner? Won’t Grandfather be angry?"
"So what if he is?" Jiang Cheng said blankly, "Do you want to go down and watch that man fawn over sister?"
Jiang Shixu shook his head.
No, he didn’t want that at all.
"Then that’s settled. We’ll just play chess in my room. No need to go down."
Before Jiang Shixu could make another move, there was a knock on the door.
They exchanged a glance, then Jiang Cheng went to open it.
Behind the door was Jiang Li, with a half-smile on her face.
"I heard you aren’t feeling well," Jiang Li glanced inside and immediately saw the chess set on the table, "Still in the mood to play chess, I see. Doesn’t look like you’re that unwell."
"Sister..." Jiang Cheng immediately lowered his head, "I’m sorry, I was wrong, don’t be mad."
He was ready to be scolded by Jiang Li, but instead, Jiang Li placed her hand on his shoulder.
"It’s alright, if you don’t want to eat, that’s fine. I just wanted to check if you were okay. If you’re alright, I’m relieved."
After saying that, Jiang Li turned to leave, but Jiang Cheng stood frozen in place, overwhelmed by a sense of guilt.
When Jiang Li went downstairs, Jiang Mingchuan and Zhao Lang were already drinking.
Seeing this, Lin Manru glanced at her.
"What’s wrong? Are they still not coming down?"
"It’s fine, let them be. We’ll just leave some food for them and send it up."
But just as she finished speaking, Jiang Li saw Jiang Shixu and Jiang Cheng coming downstairs one after the other.
Jiang Li raised an eyebrow at the two.
"Weren’t you not having dinner? Why are you coming down now?"
Jiang Cheng scratched his nose, looking somewhat embarrassed.
"Um... my little brother Shixu and I are feeling a bit better. We’re both a bit hungry now, so we thought we’d come down for some food."
Jiang Li smiled but said nothing.
She didn’t expose their little scheme, just told them to sit down quickly.
The moment Jiang Cheng sat down, he saw Zhao Lang across the table and nearly ground his molars to dust.
How long had it been? In just a blink, this guy had managed to woo his sister?!
And now he was here, sitting at their family dinner table!
Was he staking his claim?!
Compared to Jiang Cheng’s clear and overt dislike, Jiang Shixu was much more subdued.
His head was down, and he didn’t look at Zhao Lang even once.
He lacked any appetite, fiddling constantly with his knife and fork.
Until Jiang Li placed a meatball in his bowl.
"What are you doing, why aren’t you eating?"
Jiang Li glanced at the meatball, then at Jiang Li, and forced a smile.
"It’s nothing, sister, I’m just not that hungry."
But since it was a dish given by his sister, he had to eat it.
Zhao Lang took note of the reactions of the two young boys opposite him.
He had been aware of their rejection of him since the first day.
He just hadn’t expected these two nearly-adults to be so childish.
Zhao Lang felt a bit helpless, but he was already contemplating how to win over these two younger brothers-in-law.
After all, for his future with Jiang Li to be smooth, he needed everyone’s support.
As he drank with Jiang Mingchuan and served Jiang Li some food, suddenly, the door to the dining room was thrown open with a bang.
Before anyone could be seen, a voice had already echoed inside—
"What? My brother-in-law is here?! Why didn’t anyone tell me? And, Jiang Li, why was I not informed when you got married?!"
Everyone turned to look.
This voice and tone could only belong to Jiang Yan.
Jiang Yan seemed to have rushed back from a film set, wearing his own clothes, but his makeup was only half removed.
Half of his face was dark, the other half white, looking somewhat eerie.
Jiang Bufan immediately screamed in fright.
"Ah! Monster! There’s a monster again!"
Although Jiang Buchen recognized him, the sight still shocked him, and his eyes turned red immediately.