Chapter 2161: She’s Not Someone You Can Afford to Offend—Go Apologize (Part 3)
Ruan Jiaojiao didn’t answer. She just frowned at Feng Nianian standing in the doorway. She didn’t like Feng Nianian, so of course she wouldn’t invite her to her own birthday party. Even when Duan Qianyang came, he’d only brought Duan Qirui, not Feng Nianian. Ruan Jiaojiao had no idea how she’d shown up—just happened to run into them?
Usually there were staff guarding the entrance of the karaoke hall, but today Ruan Hao had rented out the whole place for Ruan Jiaojiao. People had been coming and going all afternoon, so the staff had stopped keeping watch. Feng Nianian and the two girls with her had just walked right in.
The karaoke room was lit with neon lights, all kinds of colors, a bit dim. As soon as she entered, Feng Nianian instinctively swept a glance over the place, didn’t see the person she wanted to find, and only then did her gaze fall on Ruan Jiaojiao, who was standing right by the door.
She walked over, stopped in front of Ruan Jiaojiao, and smiled openly. "Jiaojiao, I heard from Uncle that today is your birthday. Happy birthday, this is a birthday present for you." As she finished, she took a palm-sized little gift box out of her handbag and, seeming a bit embarrassed, added, "It’s nothing very expensive, I hope you won’t dislike it."
What Feng Nianian said was, it had to be admitted, very skillful.
Because she knew very well that, given her relationship with Ruan Jiaojiao, they were nowhere near the level of attending each other’s birthday parties and exchanging gifts. Over the years, she could count on one hand the number of times she’d even seen Ruan Jiaojiao, let alone had any real connection with her.
But as soon as she said those words, especially that one "Uncle," she piqued everyone’s interest. And since she and Ruan Jiaojiao looked somewhat similar, it made people even more curious whether she might be related to Ruan Jiaojiao.
And that last line about hoping she wouldn’t dislike it also cut off Ruan Jiaojiao’s escape route for refusing the gift—if Ruan Jiaojiao didn’t accept it, then she would be "disliking" it.
Looking at Feng Nianian standing in front of her, acting like they were especially close, Ruan Jiaojiao frowned. She had just opened her mouth to speak when she saw Feng Nianian’s eyes suddenly light up, her face blooming into a smile as she looked past her and called sweetly, "Axun."
That "Axun" was shouted loud enough, instantly drawing everyone’s attention in the karaoke room.
Before they could even react, they saw the girl’s eyes light up again as she called out, "Cousin."
Cousin?
Everyone was utterly stunned.
They looked at Duan Xi, then at Feng Nianian.
Calling Duan Xi "Cousin"? Didn’t that mean she was from the Duan Family?!
Everyone’s gaze turned curious. Even the few people dancing over there stopped moving and all looked toward them.
Jiang Xun stepped out from the crowd and came to stand in front of Ruan Jiaojiao. He was immediately grabbed by the arm by Feng Nianian. His brows furrowed, and he instinctively wanted to shake her off, but the next second, as if thinking of something, his gaze fell on Ruan Jiaojiao.
Seeing that, as expected, her brows had drawn together, he felt a flicker of delight. He decided his earlier guess had been correct, and in an instant changed his mind, letting her hold onto him. Then he said to Ruan Jiaojiao, "I was the one who asked her to come. She’s Duan Xi’s cousin. Today’s such an important day, so I invited her over. Jiaojiao, you don’t mind, right?"
Don’t mind, right?!
Of course Ruan Jiaojiao minded!
But there were so many classmates and friends behind her, and Feng Nianian had just publicly announced she was Duan Xi’s cousin. Duan Qianyang treated her so well—if she showed a bad attitude, people would definitely get the wrong idea. She could only force a smile.