Chapter 1371 - 896: Wanting to Refuse Yet Welcoming
Jiang Nian didn’t care about this at all, so he didn’t refute. In fact, there’s no point in denying it.
On the contrary, it would backfire.
When it really comes to that, just leave it to his mom to handle. Rather than worrying about these things, it’s better to talk about something useful.
After all, the chaotic scene has already exploded. He is already a wasteland, with no risk of further collapse.
However, Jiang Nian didn’t stupidly take the bait. Whether agreeing or denying, it’s not a good idea.
He thought for a moment and directly changed the subject.
"My mom quite misses you. She bought everything for her fridge and went to the market for fresh produce."
"Aunt Li is indeed very nice," Xu Qianqian paused for a moment.
"We brought gifts for Uncle and Aunt," Song Xiyun chimed in, "Two big boxes, almost all of them."
"Hm." Jiang Nian smiled.
Among the three, there’s no need for thanks, but they can’t quite return to the past, although there was a past.
Home.
The two girls went home first to drop off their luggage and found the place spotless, feeling somewhat incredible.
"How about it, all cleaned by me." Jiang Nian boasted, claiming all the credit.
At this moment, there’s no need to be humble. As for the stuff in the fridge, he had already eaten it all.
Unfortunately, the two girls didn’t appreciate it.
"Oh."
"Pretty good."
Jiang Nian: "..."
Forget it, brought this on himself.
Don’t get angry.
"You guys tidy up first. Call me when you’re done," he said. "I’ll head back to lend a hand."
"Otherwise, my mom will scold me again."
The status at home is really not as good as the dog’s. Living with constant tension every day, it’s sigh-provoking.
As for where the tension comes from?
Don’t ask.
"Why would Aunt Li scold you?" Xu Qianqian asked, confused and curious.
"Nothing much, being scolded means love," Jiang Nian said and slipped out the door, nowhere to be seen.
In the living room, the two girls looked at each other.
"It’s cleaned pretty well."
"Yeah."
"Coming back doesn’t feel cold and lonely, and there’s food. Just Jiang Nian, a bit of an eyesore."
"Just ignore him for a bit."
"True."
The two grumbled for a while and then started tidying up. When talking about the apartment, the feeling was different.
"Is he living across the hall too?"
"He didn’t say, but with what I know about him, probably not close by, should be some distance."
Upon hearing this, Song Xiyun hesitated.
"Will Uncle and Aunt overthink it, thinking it’s us...?"
"No need to worry," Xu Qianqian said, "They’ll just blame Jiang Nian, it won’t affect us."
On the other side.
The meal was already cooked, filling the table. Just the drinks included four or five bottles.
The big bottle type, kids love it.
Jiang Nian couldn’t hold it in anymore, "Mom, there’s only a few of us, so many drinks, are we raising fish?"
Those who don’t know might think there’s a table of guests.
"Shoo, shut up," Li Hongmei said, "Go get that plate of peanuts from the kitchen."
"Oh oh."
As soon as he entered the kitchen, dawdling, he heard a commotion from the living room, his mom’s surprised voice.
Most likely the two girls arrived, carrying gifts.
Sure enough, as soon as he went out, he saw Li Hongmei ushering the two girls, "Come, come, have a seat, let’s eat."
"Alright."
"Thank you, Aunt."
Five people sat in a circle, Jiang Nian sat next to Xiao Song. Keeping a distance from his mom, just to avoid a beating.
Old Jiang usually doesn’t say much, but at times like these, he doesn’t hide. With a drink in hand, he stood up, smiling as he spoke.
"Throughout the year, a festive reunion. Except for Xiao Nian, you all are good kids, promising."
Jiang Nian was holding Sprite, grinning foolishly. Upon hearing his dad’s words, he suddenly couldn’t hold it in anymore.
What does it mean, except for himself?
The rest of the words were quite general, just how when away from home, take care of each other, cause less trouble.
The last point was aimed at Jiang Nian.
Jiang Nian: "...."
The two girls stifled their laughter, but they came back precisely because Jiang Nian’s parents were understanding.
Otherwise, who would want to sit at a table with the older generation? Stuffing blessings and the like would only be more awkward.
There were communal chopsticks on the table.
Li Hongmei served the two girls some dishes, when Jiang Nian stood up to serve himself, he got scolded.
Jiang Nian: "???"
Really need to escape the original family.
Few of them ate and drank, not finished until eight-thirty. The two girls wanted to help tidy up but were refused by Li Hongmei.
So, the two simply returned to the apartment across the hall.
Jiang Nian wanted to follow, but his mom dragged him back. Only after washing the dishes and cleaning up was he let go.
.....
Night falls.
Zhen Nan doesn’t have the habit of staying up for the new year, the elders lay in their bedroom, watching the Spring Festival Gala, making small talk.
"Did that kid actually buy a house?"
"Hm."
"Such a big matter, didn’t even discuss it with us. Really has toughened wings, can’t be controlled."
Li Hongmei complained for a bit and suddenly said.
"Used not to allow a second child, now that we’re older, the house feels cold and lonely....."
Old Jiang suddenly felt alert, looking at his wife.
"What?"
"I’m talking about that kid," Li Hongmei said, "I think Xiao Song seems willing too."
"Don’t think wildly, that’s not possible," Old Jiang said. "They’re young and naive, after all."
"In the future, it’ll be different. I think Qianqian is quite good, known well, smart and sensible."
"I know that, of course," Li Hongmei muttered under her breath, turning to browse her phone, inexplicably melancholy.
The kid seems to have someone outside too, these chaotic connections, getting involved in this, probably won’t have a good reputation.
Sigh, truly sinful.
Old Jiang didn’t think that much, each generation has its own fortune. Anyway, if they come about, he’ll just bring them up.
Financially, that’s not an issue anymore.
Meanwhile.
Jiang Nian stayed at the apartment across for a while, coaxing Xu Qianqian and them to set off fireworks, taking along to stroll through the night market.
By the river, fireworks burst one after another.
After a while, the sound of police sirens rang out. The three were scared senseless, got in the car and fled with the crowd.