Little Youning and Little Xicheng shifted their gaze from Ruan Zeer to Chang Jingwan before looking at the owner of the voice walking toward them.
Even though the other young trio were acting calmer than Little Youning and Little Xicheng, they all had their eyes fixed on the lady with glittering eyes.
“What a coincidence, Senior Ruan,” greeted Zhou Feiyi with a smile before peeking at Chang Jingwan and the children. “You guys…are having a jolly time!”
“They’re my nieces and nephews. I’m bringing them for lunch today,” Ruan Zeer replied curtly.
Even the children could feel the difference between Ruan Zeer’s attitude toward this lady and Chang Jingwan.
Despite the well-mannerism, Ruan Zeer was obviously unfamiliar with this lady as though there was an invisible wall standing between them, unlike how he usually treated Chang Jingwan and the children playfully. He would annoy Chang Jingwan occasionally but it was evident that they were close to each other.
Chang Jingwan recognized Zhou Feiyi who worked in University A after passing the postgraduate examination with a rank lower than Ruan Zeer. Postgraduates were normally discouraged to work in a university due to insufficient educational background, and a doctoral degree was the minimum requirement to work in University A. Ruan Zeer, a man of ability and took a successive master-doctor program, was qualified for such prerequisite and University A had invited him over for work. However, Ruan Zeer rejected the offer and became a guest lecturer instead.
On the other hand, Zhou Feiyi was merely a minister in the university’s organization department of the student council without any direct relation to the faculties. Even so, she frequently put in an appearance in the university’s leaders’ presence and had a strong family background with a considerable amount of money donated to the university.
Those who wished to work in the university were usually capable men with decent family backgrounds and intended to have stable jobs. Moreover, it added on to their reputations as well to be able to work in University A.
Thus, Zhou Feiyi basically forced an addition of job vacancy in University A when she had more wealth than ability. Frankly, her overall strength was indeed stronger than average since she was rather competent with good communication skills, and her family background could attract sponsorships for the university’s sake.
Zhou Feiyi was originally assigned as a counselor, but due to her desire for a higher job position, she underwent training as an assistant professor so that she could attain her master’s degree successfully.
Everyone who attended classes would recognize Zhou Feiyi.
Zhou Feiyi was aware of the rumors about the secret romance between Ruan Zeer and Chang Jingwan, but she was unfamiliar with Chang Jingwan’s family background.
Chang Jingwan would not usually follow Chang Zhiyuan to attend any banquet or business entertainment except for the banquets organized by the Great Eight Families.
Chang Jingwan was not being snobbish. Rather, she found it relaxing and felt like she was actually attending her own family’s banquets as she had already familiarized herself with the Great Eight Families due to her relationship with Ruan Danchen. On the other hand, Chang Zhiyuan’s business entertainments or banquets were humdrum where she could only stand idly without much conversation topics to chat with random strangers. Thus, she would rather stay at home and play games than to join such boring events.
This was exactly the reason why Zhou Feiyi did not recognize Chang Jingwan. It was the rumors between Ruan Zeer and Chang Jingwan that went flying thick in the university that piqued her curiosity, and she started paying attention to Chang Jingwan ever since. She noticed Chang Jingwan in lecture halls and knew what she looked like but did not know of the relationship between the Chang family and the Qi family.
Miss Zhou Feiyi would not dare to belittle Chang Jingwan if she realized the superiority in Chang Jingwan’s family background.
Contempt started to well up in Zhou Feiyi’s heart due to ignorance but her expression showed an amused interest when she looked at Chang Jingwan. “This must be Junior Chang Jingwan, right? You’re Senior Ruan’s niece too?”
“…” Chang Jingwan and the children were left speechless.
Zhou Feiyi obviously had no idea about the incident in the lecture hall this morning. Otherwise, she would not be at ease at that instant.
“Hello, Sister. She’s our aunt,” replied Little Youning softly while holding onto Chang Jingwan’s hand with her chubby little hand.
The fact that Little Youning addressed Zhou Feiyi as sister made her feel exhilarated. This cute little girl was so sweet!
On the contrary, Little Youning had another thought in mind. If Ruan Zeer was her uncle, she would be giving an excessive amount of respect to Zhou Feiyi to refer to her as an aunt, whereas Zhou Feiyi’s seniority would be the same as these children if she was addressed as a sister!
“Hello!” greeted Zhou Feiyi with a coquettish tone and a sweet smile on her face.
Little Xicheng rolled her eyes after turning toward Wei Muche, who smiled and stroked her head in return.
Why would some of the adults speak to children with a deliberate coquettish tone? The children could understand the adults who spoke with normal tones too.
“Uncle, I’m hungry. When can we have our lunch?” asked Little Youning while pulling Ruan Zeer’s arm.
“Please excuse us. The children are hungry so I’m going to take them for lunch now,” replied Ruan Zeer calmly before attempting to leave.
“Wait!” yelled Zhou Feiyi. “I’m here for lunch too. Do you mind if I join you guys?”
“Sister, we’re having a family gathering today. We’ll invite you when there are outsiders with us next time, alright?” answered Little Youning with a smile.
“That’s right, my granduncle is coming soon. Are you using this opportunity to meet my uncle’s parents?” Little Xicheng’s smile was so sweet, and the way her dimples crinkled appeared especially cute and innocent. Such a smile was inherited directly from her mother, Qi Chengyue.
Well, Little Xicheng was telling the truth. Ruan Zeer gave Ruan Keshan a phone call just now and Ruan Keshan had promised to join his cute little grandchildren after realizing that they were having lunch at a restaurant near University A.
Zhou Feiyi’s smile froze immediately and complained affectionately, “Naughty kids!”
The restaurant was playing a song called The Joyous-Treasures1 in the background, and Little Youjin started following the music and sang, “Uncle and Aunt are a happy~ family~!”
“…” Chang Jingwan and Zhou Feiyi were at a loss of words.
Little Youning was truly amazed. Little Youjin was indeed Uncle Chengzhi’s son who normally acted cool and quiet but could always strike a critical hit at crucial times.
Ruan Zeer merely stroked Little Youjin’s head and praised him, “You sing well, the musical tones are on point.”
“…” Chang Jingwan almost yelled, “That isn’t the point!” (#`O′)”
Ruan Zeer seemed to be ignoring the embarrassment in Chang Jingwan’s face and held her hand directly while urging the children, “Let’s go for lunch!”
Chang Jingwan could feel the heat radiating from Ruan Zeer’s palm and wanted to retrieve her trembling hand, but her attempt was stopped by the increased grip strength in Ruan Zeer’s hand. Thus, she had no choice but to let Ruan Zeer lead her into the restaurant.
This was the first time Chang Jingwan walked hand-in-hand with an unrelated man in her lifetime…
Chang Jingwan’s ears were flushed red into the shade of ripe strawberries.
Ruan Zeer fought the urge to laugh after he noticed Chang Jingwan’s reaction. The first time when Ruan Zeer met the daughter of Ruan Danchen’s uncle, Chang Jingwan gave him a feeling that she was a quiet introvert who acted with sincerity and without the pride and arrogance of a lady from a wealthy family. Thus, even though they were not closely associated with each other, he knew Chang Jingwan was much better than Chang Jingqiu at first glance.
They got in touch with each other rather frequently afterward. When he realized that Chang Jingwan always sneaked in delicious food for both Youxuan and Youning, this young lady raised his interest instantly. She looked so silly when she bought meat for the kids whenever possible and treated them with all her heart by giving them everything that she could possibly afford.
They developed intimacy between each other after that and Ruan Zeer noticed more interesting facts about Chang Jingwan at that time. She was an introvert when she was around strangers, but there were additions of various funny expressions the moment she was around close friends or family. It almost felt like she was acting silly anywhere, anytime, and she totally had no clue about it too!
Chang Jingwan’s mentality would occasionally downgrade to Little Youning’s level, and they could play together so well that there was absolutely zero communication barrier between them.
Ruan Zeer really liked to see Chang Jingwan’s silly acts.
Exactly like what she was doing at this moment. ╮(╯▽╰)╭
When The Joyous-Treasures song started repeating its chorus, the children sang together while scampering happily, “Uncle and Aunt are a happy~ family~!”
The awkward Zhou Feiyi remained frozen to the spot, and the fact that both Ruan Zeer and Chang Jingwan were walking hand-in-hand almost blinded her senses.
Zhou Feiyi had no desire to have her lunch here and darted out of the restaurant in an instant.
It was only until Zhou Feiyi returned to the university did she learn about the scandal that was going on in Ruan Zeer’s lecture earlier.
A few moments later, Ruan Keshan arrived at the restaurant and was just in time to pay for the children’s lunch. Despite a stomach filled with bean curds, Little Youning was quite satisfied with the lunch that tasted exactly like smooth and meltable meat.
After the children promised to text the adults upon reaching home, they stood by and watched as the children entered the cars and were brought home by their chauffeurs respectively.
Then, Chang Jingwan followed Ruan Zeer and Ruan Keshan back to the university.
Chang Jingwan intended to walk alone, but it would be rude and strange since both Ruan Zeer and Ruan Keshan were close acquaintances, so she had no choice but to follow them.
Glancing at Chang Jingwan who was walking with her head lowered, Ruan Zeer fought the urge to hold her hand in his father’s presence.
Even though Chang Jingwan was staring at the road, she was not actually paying attention and almost fell down after being tripped over.
“How did you stumble when you’re staring at the road while walking?” Ruan Zeer caught Chang Jingwan right in the nick of time as he slipped his other arm around her waist and pulled her into his embrace.
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