Pampered by Short-Lived Bigshot-Chapter 1108 - 653: The Ugly Daughter-in-law Must Meet the In-laws, Reduced to a Mere Tool (Third Update)
In preparation for the full month celebration for the crooked-necked tree, the entire Jiang Family became exceptionally busy.
Especially Jiang Jinsang, who was so busy he barely had time to breathe; the child was restless at night, and he couldn’t get a peaceful night’s sleep.
Jiang Chengsi initially thought that after delivering the invitations, he would have nothing more to do. However, the old lady said he was the only idle person in the family and asked him to help out. Not only did he bring wine, but he also threw himself into it completely.
But to celebrate his little nephew’s full month, he took the opportunity to launch a series of discount promotions at his bar club and ended up making quite a lot.
**
While the Jiang Family was busy, the Qi Family looked on enviously, especially Mrs. Qi, who would often visit the Jiang Family to see the child.
She wished the child in her arms was her grandson.
"Zeyan already has a target in mind. If you want to hold a grandchild, it’s just a matter of these couple of years," Fan Mingyu said with a laugh.
"What’s the use of having a target? I haven’t even met my daughter-in-law yet."
"You haven’t seen that girl yet?" Fan Mingyu was a bit surprised. "That girl is pretty and has a nice personality. She often comes over to keep Wanwan company, and a lot of the toys in this room were bought by her."
"Don’t worry. Maybe the time isn’t right for the young ones to feel comfortable meeting yet, but it will happen sooner or later."
Mrs. Qi just smiled.
She had also mentioned to Qi Zeyan about similar requests to see Ruan Mengxi or invite their family over for a meal or something.
Qi Zeyan, however, looked at her seriously, "Why should we invite them for dinner?"
"You’re dating their daughter. Why shouldn’t the parents of both sides meet?"
"I haven’t officially established a relationship with her yet."
"..."
Fearing his mother wouldn’t believe him, Qi Zeyan emphasized again, "Really, we haven’t established a relationship."
"So you prance down south to publicly declare your love, and you haven’t even secured a status? Besides styling your hair and buying shoes, what else can you do?"
"..."
The Qi couple had been abroad for so long that they had no idea about the number of shoes Qi Zeyan purchased back home. Upon returning, they were stunned—buying shoes and not wearing them, then just displaying them at home? Was he planning on opening a shoe exhibition?
Finding him unpleasant, his shoes naturally became unpleasant as well. They even threatened that if he couldn’t find a wife, they’d throw out all his shoes.
Qi Zeyan also wanted to establish a status soon so that during the full month celebration, he could openly attend as Ruan Mengxi’s boyfriend.
However, with Ruan Daqiang in Beijing, he guarded the whole operation like a fortress. Even with the club’s reopening, Ruan Daqiang personally picked her up and dropped her off from work, giving him no opportunity.
Unable to get close to Ruan Mengxi, the status couldn’t be established.
So at this moment, as Fan Mingyu was comforting Mrs. Qi, all she could do was offer a wry smile.
She couldn’t very well say that her son was still a nameless rogue with no ties, a fact too embarrassing to share. As for those adorable grandchildren, they were dreams not to be indulged in.
...
Tang Wan, listening from the side, noticed that both Ruan Mengxi and Qi Zeyan’s mother were regulars at their home. Remarkably, they had never run into each other.
Yet every time Mrs. Qi visited, she would subtly inquire about Ruan Mengxi from Tang Wan or through Mr. Tang.
After familiarly getting to know her, Tang Wan also asked what requirements she had for a daughter-in-law.
Mrs. Qi straightforwardly said, "As long as Zeyan can get married, it’s good enough. It’s fortunate if they don’t mind our family. How dare I have any demands."
"Even without any formal relationship, it’s already causing their family quite a bother, and I feel so apologetic in my heart."
"Actually, Zeyan’s father and I want to invite them for dinner, not so much to meet them but more to apologize."
While speaking, Mrs. Qi couldn’t help but feel a bit helpless.
Tang Wan could tell that the Ruan Family, especially Uncle Ruan, were not as opposed to Qi Zeyan as before. Meanwhile, the Qi Family showed considerable goodwill. Given the mutual interest between Qi Zeyan and Ruan Mengxi, Tang Wan did want to matchmake them.
However, she was currently in confinement, unable to leave home, and could only pass her intentions on to Jiang Jinsang.
"During the full month celebration, I plan to seat them at the same table so they can have more interaction. This was a plan I had already set."
"Sounds great," Tang Wan completely agreed.
**
Even though Ruan Mengxi hadn’t bumped into the Qi Family, Tang Wan did convey the Qi Family’s message to her.
It was simply to let her know there were no issues with the Qi Family. If she ever did marry into the family, there likely wouldn’t be any mother-in-law and daughter-in-law conflicts because the Qi couple seemed quite dismissive of their son...
If the couple ever needed help taking care of children under one roof, fine, otherwise, they weren’t inclined to live with Qi Zeyan.
The most direct evidence of this was that:
Upon returning to Beijing, the couple began helping Qi Zeyan find a marital home.
Presumably, once he gets married, they would kick him out.
Tang Wan said, "The atmosphere in the Qi Family is quite good. If you marry into it, you definitely wouldn’t lose out..."
Ruan Mengxi laughed, "Why do I feel like you’ve become the Qi Family’s spokesperson?"
"I’m still on your side, but I must remind you during your godson’s full month celebration, the whole Qi Family will be there, including Zeyan’s parents and Grandpa Qi. You should be prepared."
Ruan Mengxi, as the godmother of the crooked-necked tree, had to attend the event, and could not avoid meeting the Qi Family.
**
Ruan Mengxi was well aware that although it wasn’t a formal meeting with the parents, she cared about Qi Zeyan and naturally cared about how his parents would perceive her. She particularly chose a weekend and asked Shen Shuci to go shopping for clothes, as Tang Wan couldn’t come out.
She hoped Shen Shuci would provide her with some reference opinions. After trying on more than a dozen outfits, Shen Shuci’s responses were almost always:
"Pretty good, not bad, okay..."
Offering no valuable participation.
Ruan Mengxi was nearly desperate with her when, unexpectedly, as they passed a men’s clothing store, Shen Shuci expressed a desire to check it out. The usually quiet and reserved person had a surprising lot to say when helping Huo Qinqi choose clothes.
From the fabric material to the craftsmanship, even to the cut, she asked very detailed questions.
Watching from the side, Ruan Mengxi suddenly felt she was being treated differently.
"Aunt, I think you’re being especially perfunctory with me."
Shen Shuci glanced at her and casually said, "Did I make it that obvious?"
Ruan Mengxi was exasperated, "The way you talk is becoming more and more like Master Huo."
"Huo Ran said the same thing."
"..."
Originally, Ruan Mengxi went out to buy clothes, but it turned into Shen Shuci’s main event. She ended up buying two sets of clothes for Huo Qinqi, and quite a few things for the Huo couple and the Shen Family seniors.
Ruan Mengxi, initially without having found anything she liked, didn’t buy a single piece of clothing. She ended up being a pack mule for carrying the clothes.
