As for now...
Ning Yuan glanced at Rong Zhaonan, who had no expression on his face.
Once inside the house, he seemed to have transformed from the invincible Tai Sui back into the thirteen-year-old boy who would raise his quills to protect himself, like a hedgehog.
Rong Wenwu glanced at He Su, his thick, sword-like eyebrows furrowing: "Where's Chao Bei? Her brother's back, and there are so many guests at home, yet she's not coming back for dinner. Is that acceptable? Call her back right now!"
He Su took a handkerchief and wiped her lips, saying gently, "Old Rong, you know that it's not easy to get into the ballet troupe. She's been practicing at school every day to prepare for the selection exam, so she really can't come back."
Ning Yuan watched the couple's conversation from the side and couldn't help but shake her head inwardly...
This kind of old leader, who comes from a military command background, is quite suffocating with his patriarchal style of constantly issuing orders, reprimanding, and questioning, treating his home like a military camp and battlefield.
It would be strange if parent-child relationships were good.
He Su suddenly looked at Ning Yuan and Rong Zhaonan and said with a smile, "Your sister was worried about your return. She specially bought some pastries from Daoxiangcun and sent them over. Take them with you to eat later. Don't blame that girl."
Rong Zhaonan remained silent with a cold expression, not even glancing at her.
Ning Yuan smiled charmingly: "Students are all busy with their studies. Is this a sign of striving for improvement? It's Aunt He who knows how to teach children."
She's honed her sarcastic and unsettling skills in the "tea ceremony" to a high level over the past two years.
Rong Wenwu frowned, suddenly remembering his youngest son whom he had dragged out of the army and thrown into the steel mill for "training," and sneered, "A doting mother spoils her son! Humph!"
But out of consideration for He Su, he didn't continue.
When it came to her son, He Su's smile faded considerably, and she glanced at Ning Yuan indifferently.
That ugly girl is quite cunning; should we try to make her look bad?
If it weren't for her, Xiang Dong wouldn't have ruined his promising future and been sent to a place like the steel mill!
She will definitely return this "generous gift" in full!
He Su placed the deboned fish in front of Rong Wenwu, looking gentle and helpless: "Yes, yes, yes, but we still have you as our strict father."
While admiring He Su's high emotional intelligence in handling awkward situations perfectly, Ning Yuan also noticed the fleeting chill in He Su's eyes that was directed at her.
But she was unaware of the whole affair—Rong Zhaonan had forced Rong Xiangdong to retire to avenge her—she simply wanted to remind herself of this.
Be very careful of He Su, this extraordinary "top-notch stepmother".
Seeing this, Aunt Qian said decisively, "Eat, eat! Old Rong, you finally caught such a big fish. If you don't eat it now, it'll get cold and fishy!"
If this table keeps playing these cryptic games, they really shouldn't eat!
Ah Heng, being the carefree type, casually served Ning Yuan some food: "Little Ning, try this, it's the Peking duck from Beijing!"
He Su remained smiling and gentle, taking care of everyone's meal without saying anything more.
With Aunt Qian, Ah Heng, and Secretary Qiu present, the meal went relatively smoothly.
After finishing his meal, Rong Wenwu received several documents, and Secretary Qiu, along with two other secretaries, accompanied him to his study on the second floor.
Before he went up, he glanced at Rong Zhaonan and said, "You wait here. I have something to tell you."
Rong Zhaonan said coldly, "If you have something to do, then go ahead and do it. I'll take Xiao Ning back first."
Rong Wenwu laughed in anger: "Then why did you come back? You're just here for a meal and then you're leaving. Do you need a meal?"
Rong Zhaonan said expressionlessly, "I don't lack..."
"Who are you talking about me to! I'm your father!!" Rong Wenwu instantly flew into a rage and was about to roll up his sleeves, while the secretaries next to him trembled in fear.
He Su stood with her arms crossed, watching the spectacle with a cold eye.
"Uncle Rong, you go ahead and get busy. Business is important. I want to take a walk in the back garden. I see there are quite a few fruits and vegetables planted there," Ning Yuan said decisively, and forcibly dragged Rong Zhaonan out.
Those who know are father and son, those who don't are enemies. One is used to giving orders, the other is used to disobeying orders, and they can start fighting over just a few words.
She finally understood why He Su could have such power at home. The father and son were like dry tinder; they didn't need any oil. Just a little more fire and they could burn or bite each other to death!
Before, when Rong Zhaonan was a little tiger, his father, the big tiger, could still roar and slap him to intimidate him. Now that the little tiger has grown up, can he still submit to the tiger king's intimidation?
Rong Zhaonan snorted coldly and let Ning Yuan drag him away.
Rong Wenwu felt a lump in his throat, pressed his chest, and turned around with a grim expression, striding into the study.
Secretary Qiu immediately instructed the others around him: "Go and call Dr. Zhang over. The old leader may be feeling a little unwell."
Even though he felt uncomfortable, he noticed that his former boss didn't kick his son out of the house like he used to.
He sighed inwardly, thinking that the Tiger King was getting old and his unyielding temper would eventually change.
He Su watched as Rong Zhaonan was forcibly dragged away by Ning Yuan, her gentle eyes crinkling with a smile. Oh... this stubborn boy really dotes on that ugly girl.
She was looking forward to him being abandoned by everyone. Her child was going to die, and he should suffer too. Brothers should share joys and sorrows!
...
Ning Yuan dragged Rong Zhaonan to the backyard.
"Rong Zhaonan, do you still remember why you brought me back to your home?" Ning Yuan let go of his hand and turned to look at him.
Rong Zhaonan's gaze swept over the backyard.
The yard is different from what I remember. It used to be full of flowers, but now it's planted with cucumbers, loofahs, and various small vegetable gardens, which has a unique rural charm, somewhat like the small cowshed they used to live in in the countryside.
“Rong Zhaonan!” Ning Yuan raised an eyebrow slightly.
Rong Zhaonan said calmly, "I remember, I'll bring you to see him."
"Who is he?" Ning Yuan asked.
Rong Zhaonan paused for a moment, then said, "Rong Wenwu."
Ning Yuan rubbed her temples: "He's your father! You brought me here to meet your family. If you came here to argue, why did you bring me back?"
Rong Zhaonan turned his face away and said coldly, "What kind of father is he? I didn't even argue with him, it was him..."
“Rong Zhaonan, you’re 27, not 17!” Ning Yuan interrupted him helplessly.
Why does he act like he's not thinking straight whenever he gets close to this house? He becomes completely strange!
Whether it's encountering Ye Dong, or facing He Su and Rong Wenwu...
She reached out and turned his face towards her, forcing him to look at her: "Didn't we agree that we wouldn't let the people who caused your demotion be happy?"
Rong Zhaonan looked at the girl in front of him, closed his eyes, and after a while, said in a hoarse voice, "I don't care at all what the old man looks like, I just can't control my emotions when I see them."
Those feelings of despair, helplessness, and anger have been burning like fire in my heart ever since I moved into this house at the age of thirteen.
It felt like I was back in those hellish places, half seawater and half fire, which was suffocating.
He lowered his head, rubbing his face against her palm, his breath coming in ragged gasps: "Isn't that stupid?"
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