Chapter 2348

Chapter 2348: Chapter 2348

The Ruan Family, in certain matters, is actually rather "superficial."

They’d already been satisfied with Xia Qia, and now seeing how much importance she placed on Ruan Jiaojiao, that satisfaction only grew.

In the Ruan Family, their "superficial" hope was that whether it was Ruan Hao’s wife or Ruan Jie’s wife, both would value and dote on Ruan Jiaojiao, so that when they were old and gone, Jiaojiao could continue to be cherished by her two older brothers.

Even Shu Jiao had this same "superficial" way of thinking.

The gifts, at the very beginning, naturally couldn’t represent everything, but they at least showed that Xia Qia took Ruan Jiaojiao seriously, so the Ruan Family was very pleased.

As for Ruan Jiaojiao herself, aside from those two awkward chance encounters, she actually quite liked Xia Qia too.

And the red envelope the Ruan Family gave Xia Qia—since she was already the partner Ruan Jie had settled on, the daughter-in-law who would be marrying in within the next three months—they directly gave her an 88,000 yuan "entry" red envelope.

On the fifth day of the New Year, Ruan Jie brought Xia Qia over to the Shu Family as well. Gu Zichen called Shu Jiao to confirm their intentions and, under the old Mr. Shu’s instruction, they also gave a red envelope of the same amount.

Just like that, the relationship between Ruan Jie and Xia Qia was considered settled.

That same day, Ruan Jiaojiao also went with Duan Xi to the Duan Family to pay a New Year visit.

Ruan Jiaojiao and Duan Xi had been in Beidu for four years, but this was the first time they were going to the Duan Family for New Year’s greetings; in previous years, it had always been Duan Qianyang personally coming to the Ruan Family.

This time, however, Duan Qianyang had fallen ill, and quite seriously at that, so he couldn’t go out into the cold.

The old Mr. Duan had already passed away for several years, and there was nothing in the Duan Family that Ruan Jiaojiao and Duan Xi still felt they needed to tiptoe around, so the two of them went over.

When the car drove into the Duan Family’s villa, Ruan Jiaojiao couldn’t help covering her mouth as she burst into laughter.

Because she saw Duan Qirui dressed all in white, both hands in white gloves, holding a cigarette in one hand and a transparent sun umbrella in the other, standing under a big tree with a blank face as he reached out to light firecrackers.

The moment the firecrackers were lit, he used the sun umbrella to shield his upper body, probably afraid the firecrackers would fly onto him. 𝘧𝓇ℯℴ𝓂

At the main gate, Duan Xin was supporting Duan Qianyang. When they saw the two get out of the car, he immediately helped Duan Qianyang over to greet them.

Ruan Jiaojiao pulled Duan Xi along as they walked over, calling out sweetly, "Uncle Duan, Brother Xin, Happy New Year."

"Happy New Year, Happy New Year." Duan Qianyang’s face was a little pale and he was still coughing from time to time, but seeing the two people he most wanted to see, he smiled from the heart.

Seeing him cough so hard that his back bent, Ruan Jiaojiao immediately tugged Duan Xi over. While she herself supported Duan Qianyang, she also instructed Duan Xi beside her, "Brother Xi, hurry, let’s help Uncle Duan inside."

Duan Xin was sensible as well and quickly let go of Duan Qianyang. Duan Xi didn’t like being close to other people, but when it came to things Ruan Jiaojiao told him to do, he usually wouldn’t refuse, so he immediately stepped up to help support Duan Qianyang.

At this, even Duan Qianyang’s eyes were filled with barely contained satisfaction and happiness.

After the eighth day of the New Year, Ruan Jie submitted a marriage report to his superiors; barring any surprises, it would be approved after the first lunar month, and the Ruan Family also began preparing their wedding.

Ruan Jie was three years younger than Ruan Hao; he was twenty-five this year, so getting married wasn’t considered early.

Since he’d already settled things, and over on Ruan Hao’s side, after Wen Shu’s last visit he hadn’t come again—now that even Ruan Jie was settled and there was still no news from Ruan Hao, the Ruan Family couldn’t help asking him about it.