Rong Zhaonan watched Ning Yuan and his old man chatting and laughing freely, and he couldn't quite describe the feeling in his heart; it was a mix of emotions.
Every time he enters this house, he feels uncomfortable all over; there are too many unpleasant memories...
He couldn't help but hold her hand tightly to ease his discomfort and the pain he felt facing Rong Wenwu.
The next moment, he felt Ning Yuan tighten her fingers without making a sound, holding his hand reassuringly.
Rong Zhaonan felt a warmth in his heart and unconsciously followed closely behind her.
Looking at the petite figure in front of him, he felt somewhat dazed...
It felt like I was back in the countryside, trapped in a cowshed, a dark time when even with all my skills, I was bound by invisible shackles and unable to move.
It seemed like she had been silently blocking my way the whole time.
“Ning Yuan…”
He watched her smile and talk to Rong Wenwu with a complicated expression, and murmured something under his breath.
...
As expected, the banquet featured braised fish in sauce, as well as various Beijing dishes, such as eight-treasure duck and roast chicken...
At Rong Wenwu's signal, Ning Yuan sat to his right, followed by Rong Zhaonan, and He Su sat to Rong Wenwu's left. Aunt Qian, Ye Yuan, Aheng, and Secretary Qiu also took their seats.
He Su glanced at Ye Yuan, seemingly puzzled: "Yuan, where's Dongdong? She's been so excited these past two days because she knew Zhaonan was coming back that she couldn't sleep at night. She volunteered to come down and pick up her brother Zhaonan, but he's not here since we've eaten."
Ye Yuan glanced at Rong Zhaonan and smiled apologetically: "Dongdong is spoiled by us. She was making a fuss about going home just now, so I let her go home first."
He Su was taken aback: "What's wrong? Who made Dongdong angry? She's a sensible child."
Rong Zhaonan remained expressionless and said nothing.
Rong Wenwu glanced at He Su and said, "You're just a kid. If you don't want to come, you don't have to. Why are you making so much noise? There's so much food. Just eat your meal."
He Su was embarrassed by Rong Wenwu, but she was not angry. Instead, she nodded gently and personally took a bowl and ladled soup for him: "Old Rong, don't just worry about me, drink the soup first."
Rong Wenwu took it.
Ning Yuan watched from the side, and didn't see the slightest displeasure on He Su's face, as if she really thought that Rong Wenwu's words were for her benefit.
She couldn't help but admire her stepmother; she was truly remarkable, providing so much emotional support.
"Xiao Ning, this is your first time in Beijing, and we don't have much to offer you, so please don't mind." He Su smiled gently as she served Ning Yuan some food.
Ning Yuan smiled and said, "Aunt He Su, you're too kind. This is already a very generous meal."
He Su smiled and said, "Everyone calls me Sister He Su. Xiao Ning can call me the same as everyone else in the compound."
As she spoke, she placed another piece of fish into Rong Zhaonan's bowl with her chopsticks: "Your dad knew you were coming back, so he fished all night yesterday. Want to give it a try?"
Rong Zhaonan's brows were cold and his expression was undisguised. He instinctively wanted to move the bowl away.
But the next moment, a gentle little hand appeared on his thigh; it was Ning Yuan's hand.
He recalled his earlier neglect of Ning Yuan, and finally suppressed his irritation, expressionlessly letting He Su put the fish into his bowl.
Seeing Rong Zhaonan accept the fish meat from He Su, Rong Wenwu's wrinkled eyes twitched slightly, and his lips tightened.
He suddenly picked up his chopsticks and put another piece of food on Rong Zhaonan's plate. After thinking for a moment, he then scooped out two fish eyes and put them into his bowl.
Rong Zhaonan looked at the fish eyes in the bowl: "..."
"Eat the eyes, sharpen the eyes, and snipe accurately!" Rong Wenwu said sternly.
This was his favorite food when he was little!
Rong Zhaonan frowned, about to use his chopsticks to pick up the fish eye and throw it away. He was no longer the foolish boy who would believe in such things.
But the next moment, he felt Ning Yuan's two slender fingers pinch his thigh.
Ning Yuan looked at the fish eyes in his bowl with some curiosity: "So you like to eat this."
Rong Zhaonan: "..."
He didn't want to talk; he ate with a blank expression.
Seeing his sour face, Rong Wenwu felt inexplicably better.
His gaze towards Ning Yuan softened considerably.
He Su watched from the side with a half-smile: "Our Xiao Ning is really capable, she can handle Zhao Nan. We parents should learn some tricks from the young lady."
Rong Zhaonan loathed her the most, yet he managed to hold back and not lash out on the spot, and even ate the fish she picked up. Tsk tsk, what a spectacle.
This girl really deserves credit; she's incredibly shrewd and clever, unlike Ye Qiu who's anything but a saint.
Ning Yuan looked at He Su: "Aunt He Su, Anan and I are husband and wife. We help each other and make progress together. How can you say that we are controlling or not? Do you usually control Uncle Rong?"
She tilted her head as if curious, looking at He Su.
This stepmother is amazing; whatever she says always sounds witty, humorous, and gentle.
But in reality, every word and sentence is a trap!
He Su was called "Auntie" again, and a hint of coldness flashed in her eyes. Then she heard Ning Yuan's watertight retort.
A helpless smile appeared on her gentle and beautiful face as she looked at Rong Wenwu: "These young girls nowadays are really good with their mouths; I can't win an argument with them."
Rong Wenwu calmly put down the bowl he was holding and said, "If you can't argue with me, then let's eat. Adults shouldn't interfere in children's affairs."
He Su smiled gently and served Rong Wenwu some food: "Alright, eat."
Ning Yuan was filled with admiration. He Su's mental strength was truly remarkable; she could handle any emotion, which was extraordinary.
No wonder Rong Zhaonan couldn't beat him when he was young.
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