Chapter 260: Chapter 260: Reconciliation Dinner
Chu Muxi’s hand suddenly tensed, and the string of beads wrapped around her wrist began to clatter and bounce away, scattering at her feet, with a few bouncing off the luxury car and rolling beside Chen Qian’s wheelchair.
Chen Qian hadn’t expected Chu Muxi to have such a strong reaction.
From her long acquaintance with her,
Chu Muxi had always been someone who did not wear her emotions on her sleeve, forever maintaining a veneer of calm; this was the first time Chen Qian had seen her lose her composure. Pretending not to see it, Chen Qian continued, “I heard it’s his colleague, they both work at the same research institute, but Jiang Nanshu’s family seems to disapprove of the Third Young Master Jiang’s girlfriend, who is of lower status.”
Only when Chen Qian mentioned Jiang Nanshu’s “family” did Chu Muxi calm down, “She’s been kicked out of the house; who’s telling her all this?”
Chen Qian’s eyebrows lifted slightly, “Of course, it’s Third Young Master Jiang himself who told Jiang Nanshu. He’s looking to Jiang Nanshu for advice on how to get his girlfriend accepted. If successful, they plan to get engaged after the New Year and marry in the second half of the year—of all the Jiang brothers; finally, one is getting married.”
From Jiang Yisen to Yun Chuan, all of them were single.
Maybe the wealthier people are, the later they marry.
She sneered, “I’ve heard that Third Young Master Jiang is very protective of his girlfriend. Not even Jiang Nanshu knows what she looks like, only that she exists. I hope he succeeds. Since the Lu Family Crown Prince isn’t at school these days, I can’t probe for good news. Let’s talk next week; I want to stay in the hospital this week for treatment.”
Chu Muxi’s expression changed again and again.
Thinking back to a few days earlier when she went to find Hemian, only to be turned away without seeing his face, she had waited reluctantly a bit longer before seeing Hemian personally welcoming a woman, also clad in a white lab coat, into his home.
The good-looking man and woman together were particularly eye-catching.
Therefore, Chu Muxi believed most of what Chen Qian said.
She just felt a bit resentful.
Remembering her time at the Ji Family,
If he had a girlfriend, why was he still being so ambiguous and nice to her, giving her the wrong impression!
Chu Muxi took a deep breath, “I’ll transfer money to you for your treatment, and you continue with your classes tomorrow. Qingyan has gone to Port City on business; he might return on Saturday. For now, help me gather information about Hemian from Jiang Nanshu.”
Chu Muxi actually believed such clumsy words!
Chen Qian was secretly startled and felt profoundly disillusioned.
It was as if Nanshu had laid everything out, just waiting for the prey to step in and then turn on each other.
With this thought, she took a deep breath to steady her emotions.
Looking at Chu Muxi’s wrist, “Your beads have fallen.”
Chu Muxi looked down to see the reddish beads rolling in a cluster, like a pool of blood.
Her eyes shadowed, she wearily waved at Chen Qian, “It’s nothing, just remember what I’ve asked you to do.”
After that, the luxury car’s door closed.
Carrying Chu Muxi, the vehicle drove away.
The wind blew, and Chen Qian felt her back soak through.
Nervous, she broke into a cold sweat and wiped her forehead with her sleeve before taking a taxi to the hospital.
Elsewhere.
Chu Muxi was breathing raggedly, feeling as if something was compressing her, making it difficult to breathe.
The driver, concerned, said, “Miss, should I take you to the hospital? Is your asthma acting up again?”
Chu Muxi pursed her lips tightly, shook her head as she looked at the rapidly passing scenery outside the window, “I’m okay; it’s an old problem.”
“By the way, could you get me another string of those amulets? I don’t know if it’s psychological, but without the beads, I’m starting to feel uncomfortable again.”
The driver wanted to persuade Chu Muxi to go to the hospital.
But he knew she was a devout Buddhist who wanted the amulets.
He could only reply, “Yes, but you won’t be able to get it until tomorrow.”
Hearing that she would have to wait until tomorrow, Chu Muxi began to feel even more distressed.
Ever since she returned from the Ji Family, she had had nightmares for a while.
She dreamt that a shadowy figure stood at the head of her bed, clawing and lunging towards her, wanting to possess her body, and each time she would wake up frightened.
Chu Xin, seeing her daughter’s poor spirits, sought out a master to obtain a set of protective beads for her to wear.
She had only been able to sleep soundly these past few days and was out looking for Su Ran and Jiang Hemian.
Suddenly learning that Jiang Hemian had a girlfriend nearly infuriated her to death.
Her eyes were filled with intense malice.
If someone with Jiang Hemian’s talents couldn’t become hers, then she would have to destroy him.
…
Six o’clock in the afternoon.
As late October approached, the evenings always grew dark early.
Jiang Yisen’s car came to take her to Dragon and Phoenix.
There was a reconciliation dinner between the Jiang and Song families that night.
When Jiang Nanshu arrived, it was just seven o’clock, arriving at the private room on time.
Inside there were two large tables.
Jiang Yisen, who was biting a cigarette, sat in the seat of honor, and the always busy Jiang Jingcheng was also present, his face indifferent, eyes cast downward, his attention clearly not on the reconciliation dinner.
Jiang Hemian was there too, propping up his chin, whispering something to Jiang Jingcheng who responded nonchalantly.
Jiang Zhouye was not present; his new company had pushed him into stardom once again, and he was off recording a variety show.
Jiang Yunchuan’s gaze had been fixed on the doorway; upon seeing Jiang Nanshu, his eyes lit up, and he beckoned her over, “Little sister, come sit here.”
Jiang Yunchuan’s words were like a stone stirring up a thousand waves.
The previously comfortable and relaxed atmosphere in the private room suddenly became tense.
At the other table, seated in the place of honor was an older man with silver hair and a rosy complexion, dressed in a precious red, auspicious-cloud patterned Chinese Tang style suit, his high, arching white eyebrows giving him an intimidating air, and droopy eyelids that looked imposing without him even being angry. When he saw Jiang Nanshu, his mouth, which had held a trace of a smile, instantly flattened.
His face was as serious as if he had lost a loved one.
Next to him, a woman leaning on a cane, had a face sour as dirty socks.
Jiang Nanshu recognized them with just one glance.
They were her nominal grandparents.
In her memory, these two old things were not at all easy to get along with.
They were rigid in thought, adhering to rules, priding themselves highly, famous in the Beijing circle as a family of literary tradition.
For her, an untamed granddaughter raised in the countryside without manners, they had already shaken their heads and sighed before even meeting her, remarking that they had raised a failure.
Deficient in affection, abundant in depreciation.
That was their attitude.
Mrs. Jiang sat next to her own parents, elegantly brewing tea for her father.
Around them sat two middle-aged men, Song Shizhao and Song Kexia, and a middle-aged woman who was scrutinizing Jiang Nanshu with a critical eye.
While Mr. Jiang was seated at the other table.
Seeing Jiang Nanshu’s stern face relax slightly, he waved at her, “Nannan, come sit by your dad.”
As soon as Mr. Jiang spoke.
Old Sir Song and Old Madam Song changed expressions simultaneously.
Wasn’t this making it clear that regardless of right or wrong, Mr. Jiang would support Jiang Nanshu?
Jiang Nanshu directly ignored the Song family, walking toward the Jiang family’s table.
Old Sir Song slammed his cane hard against the floor, “Stand still, don’t move!”
Jiang Nanshu continued to walk without expression.
Frustrated, he threw his tea cup toward Jiang Nanshu’s feet, his voice deep and powerful, “You really are defiant.”