"You see, this child has only been away from home for a day, and she's already out of touch with what's going on at home," Jiang Ruanqing said, almost pressing down Wen Sining's arm.
Sweat beaded on her forehead, and there was a panicked look in Jiang Ruanqing's eyes.
Wen Sining moved her arm. "Auntie, you're pressing on my hand."
Just as the atmosphere had slightly eased, upon hearing her words, Jiang Ruanqing jumped up from the sofa like a startled bird.
Rubbing her palm, Jiang Ruanqing forced a smile. "Look at me. I was so flustered that I didn't even notice it was your hand."
Wen Sining placed the orange on the coffee table and said indifferently, "It doesn't hurt. But Auntie, you should be more careful next time. If you did that to cousin, he'd surely reach out to hit someone out of habit."
"Wen Sining, say that again!" Wen Minhao, who had been mentioned, raised his hand.
Whether what she said was true or not, the scene in front of them was the best proof.
The old man had an idea in mind. He coughed discreetly and waved for Wen Sining to come over.
"Grandpa." Wen Sining immediately walked over.
"You can help yourselves. I have something to talk to Sining about. If you need anything, just tell the servants at home," the old man instructed, then reached out his hand for Wen Sining to support him.
As they walked up the stairs, Wen Sining looked back and saw Jiang Ruanqing's pale face.
"Mom, I told you that stupid aunt was just pretending," Wen Minhao said, tugging at Jiang Ruanqing's arm, trying to prove his point again.
Fuming with anger and having nowhere to vent it, Jiang Ruanqing turned around and slapped Wen Minhao hard on the head. "You good-for-nothing! I told you before we came here to keep your mouth shut. All you do is do stupid things!"
She hadn't managed to get her arrangements done, and there was even a risk that the previous things might be exposed.
Wen Minhao rubbed the place where he'd been hit and complained discontentedly, "How can you blame me? It's clearly that stupid aunt. She obviously wants to make us look bad. Why can't you see that?"
Jiang Ruanqing caught sight of Uncle Bai approaching from the front. She kicked Wen Minhao in the calf.
Wen Minhao's knees buckled, and he almost knelt on the ground.
"Mom!"
He let out a cry. Jiang Ruanqing turned around, and the smile on her face sent shivers down one's spine. Wen Minhao wisely shut up. Only then did he notice Uncle Bai approaching.
"The old man has gone up," Jiang Ruanqing said to Uncle Bai.
Uncle Bai had just called Lu Luochen. Hearing Jiang Ruanqing's words, he nodded amiably and glanced at Wen Minhao, who looked disgruntled.
Without saying a word, he turned around and left the living room.
One by one, people left, and only the mother - son duo were left in the spacious living room.
The initial nervousness gradually subsided with time. Jiang Ruanqing walked around like the mistress of the house, stroking the antiques that the old man had collected.
"It's really a waste that that dead girl got all this," Jiang Ruanqing said, looking at the magnificent house.
She was born with a silver spoon in her mouth. After her parents died, she managed to attach herself to the Lu family. If she had known that she would marry Lu Luochen, Jiang Ruanqing would have taken good care of her these years. She wouldn't be so on tenterhooks now, afraid that she might turn on them.
Wen Minhao had one leg crossed over the other, lying lazily on the sofa. He was still holding the half - eaten orange that Wen Sining had left.
"Mom, do you think stupid aunt will really help me get into the Lu Corporation?"
"If you had scolded her less, she definitely would have," Jiang Ruanqing said.
Looking back and seeing Wen Minhao's posture, Jiang Ruanqing rushed over impatiently and knocked his leg off the coffee table.
"This is the Lu family. Sit properly," Jiang Ruanqing said, pointing at his nose. "If you cause any more trouble, I'll teach you a good lesson."
Wen Minhao nonchalantly raised his leg again and even pulled Jiang Ruanqing to lie on the sofa with him. "Mom, calm down. Since stupid aunt is willing to pretend, she surely won't dare to do anything. Besides, we still have something of her parents in our hands."
Hearing his words, Jiang Ruanqing thought something was off. She propped herself up on her arm and covered his mouth. "Don't you ever say these things again. If your father finds out, he'll beat you to death."
Wen Minhao raised his eyebrows and said perfunctorily, "Got it, got it. Get me another orange."
Facing her beloved son, Jiang Ruanqing complained but still honestly served him.
While the mother and son were leisurely downstairs, Wen Sining upstairs was scheming something big.
"Sining, you've been in the Lu family for some time. Grandpa never asked you how you were doing in the Wen family before," the old man said.
"Auntie is very kind. She gave me food and clothes. I was very happy," Wen Sining said, her eyes twinkling like stars and her little hands fluttering as she spoke.
The old man looked at her and nodded with satisfaction. "That's good. Your grandma had such a hard life."
She suffered when she was young and continued to suffer after getting married. When she was old, she had to face the death of her son. The only thing she was worried about should be Sining.
"Grandpa," Wen Sining called out.
The old man looked up, signaling her to continue.
"Auntie has always wanted cousin to work in the Lu Corporation. Actually, cousin is quite good. He can endure hardships. If possible, could you let him be a junior employee in the Lu Corporation? Then he can learn and take over the Wen Corporation well in the future."
"You want him to go to the Lu Corporation?"
Wen Sining nodded.
Jiang Ruanqing had told her that it would be a managerial position, but she had overestimated Wen Minhao's ability.
An ordinary employee position would be just right, preferably at the bottom level, so that he would quit on his own.
"Since you've asked, Grandpa has no reason to refuse," the old man said.
"Thank you, Grandpa."
Wen Sining was good at being coquettish. She regarded the old man as her grandma and got close to him to please him.
When they came out of the study, the people on the sofa moved quickly, but they were still seen by the old man coming down the stairs.
Jiang Ruanqing awkwardly straightened her wrinkled clothes and nervously waited for the old man to come over.
The old man sat down on the sofa seriously, not as enthusiastic as before. "Don't be so formal. Everyone, sit down."
Sitting on the sofa, Jiang Ruanqing's hands kept clutching the cushion under her.
He was fine when he went up, so why was he so serious now? Out of the corner of her eye, she glanced at Wen Sining, and a bad feeling flashed through her mind.
"Just now when I went upstairs, Sining told me something," the old man said.
Thump! Jiang Ruanqing felt as if a huge stone was pressing on her chest, making it hard for her to breathe.
"I heard you're willing to endure hardships?" the old man said, looking at Wen Minhao.
What she heard was different from what she had expected. Jiang Ruanqing's eyes sparkled, and she looked at the old man in confusion.
"The Lu Corporation is recruiting employees recently, but they're entry - level positions. I wonder if you're willing?"
Not really listening to what he said, Jiang Ruanqing quickly replied, "We're willing. The Lu Corporation is a powerful force in Licheng. No matter what position it is, one can learn a lot. Minhao, don't just stand there. Hurry up and thank the old man."
Wen Minhao was pulled up by Jiang Ruanqing.