The rain started to fall again in the afternoon. Jiang Siyan stayed all afternoon in a good mood, discussing policy issues until it got dark.
Jiang Zhuoli said politely, "Old Cheng, it's getting late, why don't you and Youli stay for dinner?"
Before Cheng Yanzhe could answer, Jiang Siyan stood up first, "Dad, Uncle Cheng, I have something to do in a little while, so I won't stay any longer."
Jiang Zhuoli's expression stiffened, but he couldn't say much in front of outsiders.
On the contrary, Cheng Yanzhe had an understanding smile on his face the whole time. "Siyan, go ahead and do what you need to do. Zhuoli, I won't keep you tonight. I've bothered you long enough. There's dinner at home."
Jiang Siyan continued, "Then Uncle Cheng, I'll go out with you. Please."
As they reached the front door, Jiang Zhuoli suddenly spoke up, "Si Yan, get Youli's contact information. You're about the same age, so you'll have things to talk about."
The rain continued, its crisp sound hitting the ground seemingly echoing the ticking of the clock inside the house. Jiang Siyan stood with his hands in his pockets, showing no intention of taking out his phone.
Jiang Zhuoli's smile faltered, but Cheng Youli suddenly spoke up to defuse the situation, "Uncle Jiang, no need, I already added it when I had dinner with Brother Siyan last time."
Cheng Youli's words were tactful and diplomatic; regardless of their truthfulness, at least the matter was resolved.
Jiang Zhuoli laughed heartily, "You've added me? Great, great, then we should go out and have fun together more often."
Cheng Youli: "Definitely."
It was still raining outside, so the group didn't exchange any more pleasantries at the door. Cheng Yanzhe and his companions were guests, and Jiang Siyan only went back inside to get an umbrella after the car had driven away.
The father and son collided head-on, one angry and the other calm, a scene of utter incompatibility.
Before Jiang Zhuoli could even speak, Jiang Siyan had already opened his umbrella. His nonchalant attitude carried a subtle sense of pressure. "Dad, this is enough for today. If it happens again, I might not give you any more face."
Jiang Zhuoli pointed at his nose, panting heavily, "You brat! What are you saying!"
Jiang Siyan was already used to such reprimands. He glanced at the darkening sky and couldn't help but wonder what the girl had been doing all afternoon, as she hadn't replied to his messages.
Jiang Siyan didn't linger any longer, quickly descending the steps, leaving only the words, "You'd be angry if you saw me, so I won't be in your way."
The black Maybach splashed water in a fan shape, rising and falling, washing away the tracks left by the wheels.
Even after the car had driven far away, Jiang Zhuoli was still so angry that he put his hands on his hips and cursed, "How could I have given birth to such a troublesome son? He's just like his older brother, always trying to go against me!"
Liang Huai initially tried to persuade him, saying, "Alright, there are no two kinds of children in the world. Si Yan has always been like this since he was a child. You didn't just find out today."
Upon hearing Liang Huaihuan defend him, Jiang Zhuoli grew increasingly angry and suddenly raised his voice to rebuke, "Also, from now on, when I'm dealing with him, you better shut up!"
Liang Huai held back for a long time, then suddenly slammed down his cup with a loud "bang!" "Why are you blaming me! He's so grown up, don't you know why he's not close to us? We've been away from home for so long, how long have we been taking care of him? You haven't been very responsible towards him either, and you're blaming me!"
Jiang Siyan was raised by his grandparents on both sides of the family until he entered junior high school.
At that time, both sets of grandparents were still serving in Beicheng. Chiang's parents were transferred to other posts and didn't have enough energy to take care of the two children, so they brought the older one with them.
It wasn't until Jiang Zhuoli was transferred back to his hometown in junior high that Jiang Siyan began living with his parents. However, by then, Jiang Siyan had already passed the age where he longed to be close to his parents.
Furthermore, Jiang Siyan was young and impetuous at that time, and did some outrageous things like climbing on roofs and tearing off tiles. He was also stubborn and wouldn't admit his mistakes even when his bones were broken. The conflict between the father and son started to build up from that time.
When Jiang Siyan returned to Dongfeng Lane, it was already dark. When he walked into the inner courtyard, the front hall was brightly lit, casting a halo of light on the steps.
"Yan-ge'er is back." Aunt Cui heard the noise and hurriedly came forward to take his umbrella, her voice very low.
Jiang Siyan unconsciously lowered his voice as well, "Where are they?"
Aunt Cui gestured with her lips and pointed in a direction, "She's asleep on that soft couch over there."
"Sleeping again?"
With such a reversed day-night sleep schedule, how can one possibly sleep at night?
Aunt Cui explained, "She helped me cook this afternoon, and she's tired."
Jiang Siyan's gaze then fell on the dining table. The dishes were not particularly exquisite in appearance, but their colors looked quite good.
Jiang Siyan was somewhat surprised, "She did it?"
"Yes, the little girl is quick and clever. I just tell her what to do, and she can do it almost perfectly." After an afternoon, Aunt Cui was full of praise for the little girl.
Jiang Siyan smiled and quietly passed through the screen. Under the carved window, Su Er was covered with a shawl and holding a pillow, sleeping soundly like a lazy, sleepy cat.
Jiang Siyan sat down on the edge of the soft couch, gently stroked her hair, and leaned down to call her name in her ear, "Er'er".
Su Er's eyelashes trembled slightly. She wasn't sleeping soundly, but opening her eyes still required some effort.
She turned her head slightly, her nose brushing against Jiang Siyan's cheek, her voice still hoarse from just waking up, "You're back. Have you eaten?"
"No."
Su Er closed her eyes for a few more seconds before sitting up, propping herself up on her arms and leaning on Jiang Siyan's shoulder. She said, "Then I'll eat some with you."
Jiang Siyan held her head, "Don't sleep anymore?"
Su Er struggled to open her eyes, "If I sleep any longer, I won't be able to sleep tonight."
The distance from the soft couch to the dining table gave her ample time to clear her head, and in that moment, Aunt Cui also warmed the dishes up again.
Su Er picked up a small meatball for him, looking at him with clear eyes, "Try this, is it good?"
After savoring the meatballs for a while, Jiang Siyan, under Su Er's expectant gaze, slowly said, "Hmm, Aunt Cui's meatballs are quite good today."
"I did it!" Su Er pointed to her face, a smug smile on her face. "Aunt Cui taught me. It's my first time making it. Aren't I amazing!"
"You did this?" Jiang Siyan pretended not to believe him.
Su Er immediately grabbed Aunt Cui's hand, urging her to testify, "Aunt Cui, tell him, did I do it?"
The older they get, the more mischievous they become. Aunt Cui glanced helplessly at Jiang Siyan and had no choice but to play along, saying, "It really was you who did it."
Jiang Siyan made an exaggerated expression, "That amazing?"
Su Er punched him with some disgust, "Aunt Cui told you in advance, didn't she? You two teamed up to lie to me, and your acting was terrible."
Jiang Siyan burst into laughter, showing no sign of guilt at being caught. "I can't fool you at all, can I?"
Su Er cleared his throat, his deliberately low voice sounding like that of a highly respected old professor.
She patted Jiang Siyan on the shoulder and shook her head with feigned regret, "Comrade Jiang, your acting skills still need improvement!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com