78. Toast

The private room at Wuguzhai has an elegant environment and seems to be worth the money, but the most important thing is that the room finally isolates the unpleasantness outside the door.

Afterwards, Jiang Nan took the initiative to add two dishes. These two dishes were discussed by Jiang Nan and Chen Yunsheng that morning, taking into account Jichuan's taste and the preferences of the elders, so as to avoid the situation where the dishes were too light and the other three people except him were not satisfied with the meal.

"Nannan is quite familiar with this?" Hong Qiuping was a little surprised.

"I did some research before coming here," Jiang Nan mumbled, then glanced at Chen Yunsheng. He was pouring tea for Jiang Youhua, oblivious to her words. Seeing he remained silent, Jiang Nan silently added, "Chen Yunsheng's advice," and then she picked up her cup and drank.

Jiang Youhua and Hong Qiuping first glanced at Jiang Nan, then readily thanked and praised Chen Yunsheng. Chen Yunsheng took a moment to adjust, then looked at her with both helplessness and gratitude.

Jiang Nan smiled softly, then pretended that his attention was all on the dishes.

As the dishes arrived, the atmosphere gradually warmed up. Jiang Youhua and Chen Yunsheng chatted, while Hong Qiuping occasionally asked about Jiang Nan's work. Chen Yunsheng didn't talk much, but his timing was perfect, connecting the conversation without overshadowing the conversation.

During the breaks in the conversation, he habitually picked up food for Jiang Nan, and Jiang Nan habitually accepted it. It was not until he noticed the inquiring and gratified looks in his parents' eyes that Jiang Nan and Chen Yunsheng stopped this old habit.

After a while, while Chen Yunsheng and Jiang Youhua were chatting about a story about a local historical site in Jichuan and their attention was not on them, Jiang Nan immediately leaned close to Hong Qiuping's ear and asked in a low voice, "Mom, what's wrong with Auntie today? It seems like she's targeting us more than before?"

Hong Qiuping glanced at Chen Yunsheng, then calmly took a sip of her teacup and gave a vague answer: "What could possibly happen to her? She's still the same."

"I've never seen anyone so eager to cause trouble," Jiang Nan continued to ask, "and that Fan Zijian, the way he looks at people is weird and uncomfortable. Sister Qianqian doesn't even dare to breathe next to him."

Hong Qiuping sighed and lowered her voice even more. "You know your aunt. She's been competitive all her life. When she was young, she loved to compare herself with others. Later, when she got married, she compared her husbands and daughters. Now that she's older, she compares her daughters' jobs, pensions, and sons-in-law. When she sees that you've found someone—well, not bad, will she feel comfortable? As for Qianqian—"

She paused for a moment, a little regretful. "She was very cute when she was little... I heard Xiao Fan has good conditions, but her personality... Well, your sister Qianqian chose her own path, so it's not for us outsiders to say anything."

The words were vague, but Jiang Nan understood something. It seemed her aunt was unwilling to accept her fate, and Guan Qianqian wasn't happy with Fan Zijian.

At this moment, there was a sudden knock on the door of the box, and before the people inside could react, the door was pushed open.

It’s Hong Wenzhen.

She walked in with a smile on her face, a glass of wine in hand, and Fan Zijian followed behind her. As for Guan Qianqian, she lowered her head and walked slowly at the end - but Guan Jianguo was nowhere to be seen.

"Qiuping, come over and toast a glass of wine," Hong Wenzhen turned to Chen Yunsheng, "Xiao Chen, it's our first meeting, so let me toast you."

Hong Wenzhen called his name directly, and Chen Yunsheng had no choice but to stand up. He calmly picked up his teacup and said, "Auntie, I'm driving, so I can only have tea instead of wine. Cheers."

"Hey, how can this be!" Before Hong Wenzhen could say anything, Fan Zijian spoke first. He took the wine dispenser and filled the empty glass in front of Chen Yunsheng with white wine. "As a man, what man would go out to dinner without drinking? Brother Chen, give me some face?"

There was a sense of gangsterism in what he said, and his eyes were inexplicably fixed on Chen Yunsheng, as if he was very curious about Chen Yunsheng.

Chen Yunsheng looked at the glass of wine, then at Fan Zijian, and then gave a polite smile. "Mr. Fan, I'd be remiss not to accept your hospitality." He raised his glass, looked at Fan Zijian, and said, "Mr. Fan, have we met before? It seems like you're trying to confirm whether I'm someone you know."

Fan Zijian was surprised by his directness and was stunned for a moment. Then, he chuckled dryly: "Brother Chen, you're joking. I just think you're a very generous person and want to make friends. Here, I'll drink first to show my respect!" He said as he drank the wine in his glass.

Chen Yunsheng raised his eyebrows slightly, stopped refusing, and drank the wine in the glass.

Jiang Nan frowned as he watched from the side and wanted to step forward to stop it, but was stopped by a look from Chen Yunsheng.

However, despite Chen Yunsheng's signal, Shan Jiangnan still kept an eye on his condition. It was at this moment that she caught sight of Guan Qianqian standing behind Fan Zijian.

Her face was pale, and there was anxiety between her eyebrows, she looked like a frightened bird.

Jiang Nan frowned slightly, annoyed by her aunt's relentless nagging and puzzled by Guan Qianqian's behavior. For years, Guan Qianqian had always been so smug, but this was the first time she'd seen her so anxious. She looked at Guan Qianqian's face suspiciously, then at Hong Wenzhen and Fan Zijian.

Seeing Chen Yunsheng drink, Hong Wenzhen's smile widened and she became more talkative. "Little Chen is such a straightforward guy! Much better than our—" She stopped talking mid-sentence, realizing she'd said the wrong thing. She glanced at Fan Zijian and quickly said, "Much better than our old Guan."

But Fan Zijian's expression still changed.

Hong Wenzhen continued to make excuses: "I mean, Xiao Chen looks like someone who can do great things! Unlike some people who rely on their family--" She became more and more confused. She originally wanted to praise Chen Yunsheng casually, but she forgot that Fan Zijian was right next to them.

"Mom!" Guan Qianqian couldn't help but call out softly, her voice filled with pleading.

Fan Zijian put the wine glass down on the table forcefully. He looked up at Guan Qianqian with an annoyed expression: "Is this the upbringing of your family?"

The words were harsh, and Guan Qianqian's eyes instantly turned red. Hong Wenzhen's face turned pale and blue. She wanted to refute but didn't dare to offend Fan Zijian, so she could only smile awkwardly: "Xiao Fan, look at what you said."

Jiang Nan considered it for a moment. This cousin, although she had often joined her mother in bullying him, was just a little vain, not a bad person at heart.

After making the decision, Jiang Nan put down his chopsticks and said calmly, "Mr. Fan, Sister Qianqian is my cousin. We all know what kind of person she is. Today is a family gathering, so it's better to be careful with what you say."

Chen Yunsheng also responded at the right time: "Miss Guan is gentle and considerate. Mr. Fan is blessed to have such a girlfriend."

Jiang Nan understood and said sincerely, "Yes, Sister Qianqian is beautiful and sensible. She had many admirers when she was in school. Mr. Fan must cherish her."

What she said was half true and half false, mainly to save face for Guan Qianqian.

Fan Zijian was speechless, his expression becoming even uglier. Guan Qianqian glanced at Jiang Nan and Chen Yunsheng gratefully, then remained silent for a moment. Then, as if mustering up her courage, she took hold of Hong Wenzhen and Fan Zijian's arms and whispered, "Mom, Xiao Fan, let's go back. They seem to have some new dishes."

Hong Wenzhen was eager to leave this embarrassing situation and quickly agreed: "Yes, yes, the new dishes are here, let's go back quickly." She almost half pushed and half pulled the unhappy Fan Zijian out.

Guan Qianqian was the last one to leave. Before leaving, she glanced back at Jiang Nan and Chen Yunsheng with a complicated expression and her lips moved as if she wanted to say something, but in the end she said nothing and just closed the door silently.

This little episode chilled the atmosphere in the box for a moment.

Jiang Nan frowned, the strange feeling in his heart getting stronger. Guan Qianqian's last hesitant look didn't seem right.

"This Wenzhen is really..." Hong Qiuping sighed, looking helpless.

Jiang Youhua shook his head and poured Chen Yunsheng a cup of hot tea: "Xiao Chen, drink some tea to sober up. Aunt Nannan is just like that, don't pay any attention to her."

Chen Yunsheng thanked him. Then he took the teacup, sipped the tea, and looked thoughtfully at the wine glass in front of him.

After this incident, the rest of the meal became much quieter. Although Jiang Nan's parents were very satisfied with Chen Yunsheng's response, they were also disappointed by this annoying relative.

Afterwards, Jiang Nan paid the bill and the group slowly walked out of Wuguzhai. Afterwards, of course, Jiang Nan drove again and happily decided to take his parents home first.

On the way back, the four of them discussed their plans for the next few days. Jiang Nan planned to accompany her parents on a tour around Jichuan, while Chen Yunsheng said he had some business to attend to and might not be able to accompany them the entire time, but he would try to make time.

When they sent him downstairs to his home, Hong Qiuping and Jiang Youhua took Chen Yunsheng by the hand and said a few kind words to him before turning around and going upstairs.

Then Jiang Nan started the car again and drove towards the hotel where Chen Yunsheng was staying.

"Do you think my cousin is a little strange today?" Jiang Nan couldn't help but ask the question in his mind while driving.

Chen Yunsheng leaned back in his chair and rubbed his brow. The alcohol made him look more relaxed than usual. "The problem might be with that Fan Zijian."

"Fan Zijian?" Jiang Nan was puzzled. "What happened to him?"

"He kept looking me over," Chen Yunsheng said calmly, "as if he was trying to confirm something."

Jiang Nan was a little surprised: "Confirm? But we didn't see him at the birthday party, did we? Do you remember him?"

Chen Yunsheng was silent for a moment and did not answer directly: "I'll have someone investigate him. As for your cousin, Fan Zijian lacks basic respect for her. If you want to get married, you'd better be cautious."

Jiang Nan thought of Guan Qianqian's forbearance and fear, and felt a little melancholy. Although their relationship was not close, she did not want the other person to suffer.

At this moment, the car passed a busy night market intersection. With the autumn breeze at night, the aroma of various snacks wafted over.

"Stop the car." Chen Yunsheng suddenly spoke.

His tone was imperative, and Jiang Nan subconsciously stepped on the brakes. She immediately realized something was wrong and quickly pulled over to the side of the road. She looked around, a bit confused. "What's wrong?"

Chen Yunsheng realized that his tone was not right and apologized awkwardly: "I'm sorry - I just said that out of habit."

"It's okay," Jiang Nan said in a teasing tone, "That's what a rich kid is like."

Chen Yunsheng was amused by her words, and then he looked seriously at a steaming stall in the night market: "What is that? It smells delicious."

Jiang Nan followed his gaze and said, "That's our Jichuan specialty multi-grain cake. I loved buying it after evening self-study in high school. Do you want to try it?"

Chen Yunsheng nodded, with a childish curiosity in his eyes: "I'm a little hungry."

His aunt's family disrupted his dinner, so he didn't eat much.

So Jiang Nan immediately found a place to park the car, and then she took Chen Yunsheng into the night market.