"Thank you both."
Nian Jiaojiao and Yu Chuan cupped their fists in thanks to the Tong siblings.
Tong Fu waved her hand casually:
"No need to thank me. If you really want to thank me, treat me to a meal next time."
Nian Jiaojiao nodded:
"That's a given."
Tong Fu looked at Nian Jiaojiao's face a few times, hesitated, then said:
"Jiaojiao, if you pass the Tong student exam, remember to let me know."
Although she felt that she and the other scholar were unlikely to pass the Tong student exam, Tong Fu still held a faint hope.
After all,
Dreams are still necessary,
What if they come true?
Nian Jiaojiao replied:
"That's natural. If you have any good news, remember to tell me too."
After a brief exchange, Tong Fu pulled down the carriage curtain and left.
Nian Jiaojiao stood watching the direction the carriage had departed for a while, then turned to enter the Xu residence, only to be startled by someone behind her.
"What are you standing here for?!"
Facing Nian Jiaojiao's questioning, Xu Ruoliu was surprisingly good-tempered, smiling sweetly at Nian Jiaojiao:
"Heh heh, Third Young Lady is joking. I've been here for a while, but Third Young Lady was too engrossed to notice Ruoliu."
Nian Jiaojiao shivered inwardly.
Why was he acting like this?
It was so disgusting...
Seeing Nian Jiaojiao not replying, Xu Ruoliu's eyes flickered, and he continued:
"May I know who was speaking with Third Young Lady just now?"
Nian Jiaojiao replied, not understanding:
"A friend I know, is there something wrong?"
Xu Ruoliu's expression brightened:
"I didn't expect Third Young Lady to have such a wide circle of friends! If I'm not mistaken, that carriage earlier was the Tong family's carriage. I just don't know which young lady from the Tong family is your friend?"
Xu Ruoliu had just returned from visiting a friend and arrived at the main gate when he saw a magnificent carriage approaching from afar.
He hid to the side and saw the Tong family's emblem on the carriage, and that Nian Jiaojiao actually got off this carriage and seemed very familiar with the person inside.
Seeing this, Xu Ruoliu's mind raced, and he approached.
Everyone knew that the Tong family was the number one wealthy family in Shanshui Town, especially their business, Mo Bao Xuan, which was famous. It was said that Mo Bao Xuan had even expanded to big cities like the prefectural capital.
If he could get acquainted with the young lady of the Tong family through Nian Jiaojiao…
Then what was Xu Nan's fiancée worth?
Nian Jiaojiao took in his expression and understood his calculations. She said calmly:
"Fifth Young Master is too kind. Yu Chuan and I haven't had dinner yet, so we'll go in first."
Hearing Nian Jiaojiao say this, Xu Ruoliu eagerly responded:
"Third Young Lady is right. I'll go in and order someone to prepare a meal for Third Young Lady, and we can chat while we eat!"
After speaking, without waiting for Nian Jiaojiao's reply, he hurried into the house.
Nian Jiaojiao: "..."
...
At the dinner table.
Nian Jiaojiao raised her eyebrows as she looked at the lavish meal.
"With so much food, are there still people in the manor who haven't eaten?"
Xu Ruoliu solicitously served soup into Nian Jiaojiao's bowl and said:
"No, no one else, just Third Young Lady and Third Brother!"
Nian Jiaojiao said with a half-smile:
"The two of us can't finish all this food. Don't waste it."
Xu Ruoliu served dishes onto Nian Jiaojiao's plate as he said:
"If we can't finish it, we'll leave it. Third Young Lady worked hard in the exam today and needs to replenish her strength."
Then, he glanced at Yu Chuan, who was silently eating with his head down, a hint of impatience flashing in his eyes.
This idiot!
Why doesn't he say a word for his own brother?
Sensing the gaze, Yu Chuan looked up in the direction of the eyes. Xu Ruoliu quickly changed his expression and enthusiastically placed dishes into Yu Chuan's bowl:
"Come, Third Brother, you eat too. Eat more!"
There was silence at the table for a while. Seeing Nian Jiaojiao and Yu Chuan engrossed in eating as if no one else was present, Xu Ruoliu finally couldn't help but reveal his intention:
"Third Young Lady, you didn't tell me before, who was that friend who gave you the gift?"
Nian Jiaojiao unhurriedly picked up a piece of food, slowly swallowed, and then slowly raised her eyes:
"Oh, you mean from the Tong family..."
Xu Ruoliu nodded repeatedly, looking at Nian Jiaojiao with anticipation.
Nian Jiaojiao smacked her lips:
"Tsk tsk, the weather is dry, my throat is a bit dry..."
Xu Ruoliu was anxious to get an answer and without a second word, poured tea and handed it over:
"Third Young Lady, have some tea."
Nian Jiaojiao took a satisfied sip and no longer teased him, directly saying:
"My friend's name is Tong Fu."
Upon hearing this, Xu Ruoliu was overjoyed, exclaiming his good fortune.
He naturally knew the famous name of Tong Fu.
She was the legitimate daughter of the Tong family!
Which unmarried young man in Shanshui Town didn't know of such a desirable catch?
Xu Ruoliu couldn't quite contain his smile, his voice becoming softer and more delicate:
"Third Young Lady~ Actually, actually I..."
Seeing her hesitant and shy demeanor, Nian Jiaojiao inwardly cried that she couldn't handle it.
She shivered, goosebumps rising on her arms, and forced down her nausea, saying:
"Fifth Young Master, speak your mind."
Damn it, let's finish this conversation quickly!
She really couldn't stand it anymore!
If this continued, the food she just ate would have to be returned to him!
Xu Ruoliu continued to affect a high-pitched voice, looking shyly at Nian Jiaojiao:
"Actually, actually I've long heard of Young Lady Tong's great name and have always... always admired her, but I've never had the chance to meet her. I don't know, I don't know if Third Young Lady could..."
"Oh, no!"
Before Xu Ruoliu could finish, Nian Jiaojiao interrupted him and replied directly.
Xu Ruoliu's expression changed, his smile a little forced:
"Heh heh~ Third Young Lady is such a joker~"
Nian Jiaojiao put down her chopsticks and said seriously:
"Do you think I'm joking?"
Xu Ruoliu's smile completely faltered:
"We're all family, Third Young Lady. Are you sure you want to do this? I just want Third Young Lady to make an introduction, why, why must Third Young Lady do this!"
Hearing Xu Ruoliu's veiled threat, Nian Jiaojiao sneered inwardly.
Family?
He bullied Yu Chuan.
He snatched the carriage.
When had he ever considered her and Yu Chuan as family?
Nian Jiaojiao looked firmly into Xu Ruoliu's eyes and said:
"When I, Nian Jiaojiao, do things, it's not your place to dictate. Besides, am I, Nian Jiaojiao, the kind of person who would harm a friend?"
"You, you, you!"
Xu Ruoliu was so angry that his face turned green and then white.
These words of hers put him in what position?
Did she mean that introducing him to her friend would harm her friend?
Was he some kind of monster?
Nian Jiaojiao, ignoring his feelings, continued:
"If you want to get to know Tong Fu, you can go and get to know her openly. But please don't use my name to find my friends."
Saying this, Nian Jiaojiao stood up, turned, and asked Yu Chuan:
"Are you finished eating?"
Seeing Yu Chuan nod and stand up, Nian Jiaojiao took Yu Chuan and left the dining room.
Watching their departing figures, Xu Ruoliu's expression turned grim.
"Crash..."
Half of the bowls and plates on the table were thrown to the ground by Xu Ruoliu, shattering into pieces.
Nian Jiaojiao!
If I, Xu Ruoliu, ever rise to prominence, I will never forget this humiliation!
And also.
Xu Yuchuan.
You wait too!