Chapter 178

Chapter 178: Lu Shuci's Little Scheme On Saturday, Chu Tang returned to the Ruan residence and had a discussion with Ruan Jiaojiao's doctor. The doctor's suggestion was that having a friend to play with could indeed help with Jiaojiao's psychological condition. Ruan Chutang walked over to Ruan Jiaojiao and softened her voice as she asked, "Jiaojiao, how would you like it if I introduced you to a new friend to play with?" Ruan Jiaojiao pressed her lips together and whispered, "What new friend?" "Her name is Tian Tian. She's a little girl about your age, also a girl, and very cute." "Does Sister like her?" "I do." Chu Tang said with a smile. "Tian Tian is a very well-behaved child, just as well-behaved as Jiaojiao. Sister likes Tian Tian, and Sister likes Jiaojiao too." Jiaojiao smiled shyly and said in a crisp voice, "Then Jiaojiao is willing to become good friends with Tian Tian. If Sister likes Tian Tian, then Jiaojiao likes Tian Tian too." Chu Tang smiled warmly and patted Ruan Jiaojiao's head. "Jiaojiao is such a good girl." Back in her own room, Chu Tang sent Lu Shuci a message. [Jiaojiao agreed. She's not convenient to go out right now. Could you ask when Miss Lin is free to bring Tian Tian over so the two of them can play together?] Lu Shuci replied: [Sure, how about this afternoon?] Chu Tang: [That works. What does Tian Tian like to eat? I'll buy some snacks and fruit.] Lu Shuci sent over the things Tian Tian liked to eat. [I'll ask my aunt what time she's free this afternoon and confirm the specific time with you.] [Okay.] ... Around 3:30 in the afternoon, Lu Shuci drove Gu Tian to the Ruan residence. Lu Shuci held Gu Tian's hand. "Attorney Ruan, my aunt had something to attend to and couldn't make it, so she asked me to bring Tian Tian over." "Alright." Chu Tang said with a smile. "Please, make yourselves comfortable. Jiaojiao is upstairs—I'll go call her down." The servant served tea to Lu Shuci and Gu Tian. Lu Shuci sat down on the sofa. Little Gu Tian was wearing a light pink spring dress today and had deliberately put on the pair of pink hair clips that Ruan Chutang had given her last time. Soon, Chu Tang came downstairs holding Ruan Jiaojiao's hand. Seeing an unfamiliar face, Ruan Jiaojiao hid behind Ruan Chutang, her little hands clutching at Chu Tang's pants, peeking out with her round little head. "Don't be scared, Jiaojiao. This little friend is your new friend, Gu Tian." Chu Tang led Ruan Jiaojiao in front of Gu Tian. Little Gu Tian lived up to her name—her smile was sweet, and her voice was sweet too. "Hello, Sister Jiaojiao. My name is Gu Tian." "This is a gift that Mommy and I picked out together for you." Gu Tian held up a white gift bag in her little hand. Ruan Jiaojiao looked up at Ruan Chutang, her big eyes blinking as if asking for permission. "Take it, Jiaojiao. This is Tian Tian's gift for meeting you." Chu Tang patted Ruan Jiaojiao's hand and said, "What should you say to Tian Tian?" "Thank you." Ruan Jiaojiao said thank you in a soft voice and took the gift bag. "You're welcome." Gu Tian smiled with her eyes curving like crescent moons. "Sister Jiaojiao, from now on we're good friends!" "Mm-hmm." Ruan Jiaojiao smiled too. "Tian Tian, let's go play in my room. I have lots of fun things in my room—we can draw, build blocks, play Ludo, and play with Barbie dolls." "Okay!" Ruan Jiaojiao reached out her hand to Gu Tian, and Gu Tian took it. The two little girls walked upstairs hand in hand—an adorable and harmonious sight. "It looks like they're getting along well." Lu Shuci smiled. Chu Tang watched the two children's cute little backs and replied, "Yes, I never thought of having them play together. It was thoughtful of you." Lu Shuci's eyes held a smile, and his lips curved into a smile line. Of course it was thoughtful—having Tian Tian play with Jiaojiao was just an excuse to find a chance to see you and have more time to talk with you. Remembering what Jiang Shixu had said—"Someone who rejected you once will reject you a second time"—his heart felt tight with frustration. Chu Tang sat down on the sofa. "Attorney Lu, please have some tea. Don't be shy." After saying that, Chu Tang turned to the housekeeper and said, "Nanny Chen, could you please bring some fruit and snacks up for Jiaojiao and Tian Tian?" "Certainly." Lu Shuci took the initiative to bring up work with Chu Tang. "Attorney Ruan, has the court date for the Hengyang case been confirmed?" "Yes, the fifteenth of next month." "How's the preparation going?" Chu Tang replied, "Almost there. There are still a few small issues in some areas. Since you're here today, let's discuss them." "Sure." Lu Shuci said with a smile. "It's my pleasure." Chu Tang had a strong drive for her career, and once she started talking about work, she couldn't stop. Lu Shuci had definitely picked the right topic. The two of them talked for the entire afternoon. The sun gradually slanted westward. Before they knew it, dusk had fallen. Nanny Chen had prepared dinner. Ruan Shaodong and Yang Xuelian were attending an evening banquet outside and wouldn't be home for dinner. Nanny Chen had made dinner for Lu Shuci and Gu Tian as well. Ruan Jiaojiao and Gu Tian had gotten along wonderfully. Ruan Jiaojiao pulled Gu Tian downstairs. "Tian Tian, you should stay for dinner at my house tonight! We can sit right next to each other." "Jiaojiao, I need to ask my mom first—she's still waiting for me to come home for dinner," Tian Tian said obediently. Just then, Lu Shuci suddenly spoke up. "Your mom just called. She said if you'd like to stay here for dinner, you're welcome to eat before heading home." "Really?" Tian Tian's big grape-like eyes lit up. "Then I want to stay and have dinner with Jiaojiao!" Ruan Jiaojiao cheered. "Yay!" At the dinner table, the two little girls sat together. Lu Shuci sat across from them, right next to Ruan Chutang. "Sorry to impose, Lawyer Ruan," Lu Shuci said with a smile. "I lost track of time talking about the case, and now I'm even crashing your dinner." Heaven knows that while his mouth said "sorry," his heart was absolutely thrilled. This was exactly what he wanted. Chu Tang gave a gentle smile. "Don't be so polite—it's just a meal. Actually, I should be thanking you today. It's been a while since I've seen Jiaojiao have this much fun." Lu Shuci replied, "Seeing the two little ones enjoy themselves so much makes me happy too." Aunt Chen brought out the last dish. Lu Shuci shot a glance at his little cousin sitting across from him. Tian Tian's eyes curved into crescents as she looked at Chu Tang and said in her soft, sweet voice, "Sister Chu Tang, can I take a photo with Sister Jiaojiao?" "Of course you can." Gu Tian turned to Lu Shuci. "Brother, can you take the picture for us?" "Sure." Lu Shuci took out his phone and snapped photos of Gu Tian and Ruan Jiaojiao. "The food looks so plentiful today—let me take one too." As he spoke, he snapped another photo of the dishes. In the photo, Chu Tang's profile "happened" to be in the frame. Lu Shuci was very satisfied. The corners of his lips curled up slightly as he put his phone away. After dinner, Lu Shuci drove Gu Tian home. On the way, Lu Shuci praised Gu Tian. "Did you have fun today, Tian Tian?" "So much fun. Tian Tian loves Sister Jiaojiao." "Tian Tian did a great job today. The doll your brother promised to buy you will be delivered to your house tomorrow." He was referring to the photo request. That had been their prearranged plan. Gu Tian was to find an opportunity to ask him to take photos. The reward was an adorable limited-edition doll. The moment little Gu Tian heard she'd get the doll she'd been longing for, she happily agreed. That night, Lu Shuci posted on his Moments. The caption read: Little Tian Tian found a new friend, and I tagged along for a free dinner. The first photo was of Gu Tian and Ruan Jiaojiao together; the second was the shot of the dinner table that "casually" caught Chu Tang's profile. Chu Tang scrolled past and even liked the post. Soon, that post—along with Chu Tang's like—was screenshotted by Zhou Zheng'an and sent to Jiang Shixu. [What's going on?]