Chapter 94

Chapter 94: If You're Not Satisfied, So Be It—It's Not Like She's Marrying You (New) "Yes, exactly." Xu Jingxuan said in a syrupy voice, "She didn't even come to greet you first when she arrived. What's the point of going off to chat with others? She doesn't hold you in any regard at all." The old lady was furious. "This Ruan Chutang truly has no respect for her elders. Not a shred of upbringing. And your mother had the nerve to say she was well-mannered and refined." A smug smile curled at the corner of Xu Jingxuan's lips, but her voice remained soft and demure, playing the part of the dutiful granddaughter. "Grandma, don't be angry. Don't upset yourself over her—your health is what matters most." Elder Mrs. Jiang gently patted Xu Jingxuan's hand. "Xuanxuan is the most filial, the one who cares about me most. A granddaughter is a granddaughter, after all." Xu Jingxuan's smile deepened. "Grandma, then can Xuanxuan stay by your side forever?" The old lady smiled and gave her a sidelong glance. "Silly child, you'll marry one day. How could you possibly stay with Grandma forever? I'd love for you to, but you'll have to marry eventually." I can marry Brother and stay with you forever. Xu Jingxuan didn't say the words out loud. She only smiled sweetly, her voice honeyed as she coquettishly said, "For Grandma, I'd never marry at all." Those words delighted the old lady, who laughed until her mouth couldn't close. As she was laughing, Jiang Shixu and Ruan Chutang spotted Elder Mrs. Jiang, exchanged a few words with the people they'd been talking to, and headed over. Xu Jingxuan said, "Grandma, they're here." A cold snort escaped the old lady's nose. "Finally showing up now." Chu Tang, arm in arm with Jiang Shixu, stopped before Elder Mrs. Jiang and greeted her politely: "Elder Mrs. Jiang." The old lady had told her last time not to call her "Grandma," and she hadn't forgotten. But the old lady's face was full of displeasure, her brows knit in a cold glare. "So formal, is it? Still holding a grudge over what happened at the family dinner last time? I already apologized to Shixu—why are you still so petty?" Jiang Shixu frowned. "Grandma, weren't you the one who told Tangtang not to call you Grandma? She was just following your wishes. Why are you being so unreasonable now?" Chu Tang sneered inwardly. Here we go again, picking a fight out of nothing. Jiang Shixu was her mouthpiece, saying exactly what she was thinking. Chu Tang only smiled faintly and said nothing. The old lady flared up the moment she heard her grandson call her unreasonable. "How dare you say I'm unreasonable! I'm your grandmother! Shixu, being with this woman has corrupted you. Look at yourself—what are you even wearing! And the way you treat me—does that look like how a junior should treat an elder?" Jiang Shixu's expression turned cold as well. "Grandma, why do you keep finding fault again and again? You used to be so reasonable." Elder Mrs. Jiang snorted. "That depends on who I'm dealing with." Chu Tang curved her lips in a silent, mocking smile. Just then, a little girl ran over and grabbed onto Chu Tang's dress. "Wow, a princess! Are you a Disney princess?" Chu Tang was amused by the little girl. She bent down and gently pinched her cheek. "No, I'm not." The little girl looked up at Chu Tang, her big, sparkling eyes full of wonder, and said in a crisp, clear voice, "You are a princess. You're even prettier than the princesses I see on TV." The irritation Chu Tang had felt from Elder Mrs. Jiang moments ago was dispelled by the little girl's two sentences. "Princess, will you play with me?" the little girl asked, full of expectation. "Of course." Chu Tang's voice was soft and warm. "What utter nonsense!" Elder Mrs. Jiang suddenly barked. Guests nearby turned to look at the commotion. The old lady's voice was furious. "I'm still talking to you! How dare you start chatting with someone else? Do I, as your elder, even exist in your eyes?" Chu Tang lowered her head, took a deep breath, then raised it and said seriously, "Elder Mrs. Jiang, I don't know what I've done to offend you, or why you keep targeting me like this. Since I'm such an eyesore to you, wouldn't my leaving be exactly what you want?" With that, without waiting for Elder Mrs. Jiang to respond, Chu Tang took the little girl's hand and walked away without looking back. Jiang Shixu gave Xu Jingxuan a meaningful, chilling look. "If I find out you've been stirring trouble behind Grandma's back, you won't get away with it." Xu Jingxuan put on a wounded expression. "Brother, I didn't." Elder Mrs. Jiang glared at Jiang Shixu. "This has nothing to do with Xuanxuan. Look at how Ruan Chutang treats me—and you still expect me to be satisfied with her?" "Ha." Jiang Shixu let out a mocking laugh. "If you're not satisfied, so be it—it's not like she's marrying you." Elder Mrs. Jiang was beyond reason now, and Jiang Shixu knew there was no point arguing with her, so he didn't waste another word. "You—" The old lady was livid. "How dare you speak to me like that! I'm your grandmother!" Jiang Shixu ignored her and turned to leave. The old lady was panting heavily, her breath coming in ragged gasps. "Grandma, calm down." Xu Jingxuan patted her back to soothe her. "Don't argue with Brother. It's all Ruan Chutang's fault—Brother is just bewitched by her. A woman like that doesn't deserve Brother." The old lady struggled to steady her breathing. A moment later, the old lady spoke in a deep voice, "You're right. A woman like that truly doesn't deserve Shi Xu." A fleeting smug smile crossed Xu Jingxuan's lips. ... Chu Tang played with the little girl for a while, and then the girl's mother came looking for her. "Miss Ruan, I'm so sorry. The child doesn't know any better and disturbed you." The woman's face was full of guilt, her manner gentle and polite. Chu Tang smiled warmly. "It's no trouble at all. Your little girl is very well-behaved and adorable." The little girl looked up at her mother and said in a soft, sweet voice, "Mommy, the princess sister is so pretty. I want to take a photo with her. Can you take it for us?" The woman looked hesitant and turned to Ruan Chutang. "Is that alright?" Chu Tang readily agreed. "Of course." After the photo was taken, the little girl waved goodbye to Chu Tang. Chu Tang returned the wave with a bright smile. Jiang Shixu walked over. "Tangtang, I'm sorry." Chu Tang waved it off dismissively. "It's not your fault. Why are you apologizing?" "I don't know why Grandma is being so unreasonable. She wasn't like this before." Jiang Shixu took Chu Tang's hand and said, "If the conflict can't be resolved, we'll just see her less often in the future. There's no need to put up with her harshness." Chu Tang looked up to meet his eyes. "What if your grandmother opposes our marriage?" Jiang Shixu said, "I'm the one who decides who I marry. Her opposition won't change anything." Chu Tang nodded. "That's all I needed to hear." Chu Tang spotted a familiar figure in the crowd and said, "I'll go keep Xueluo and Yuanyuan company. You can hang out on your own for a bit." Jiang Shixu inwardly thought: Abandoned. The man felt wronged, but he didn't say it. His expression remained composed, his voice calm. "Alright, go ahead." Chu Tang headed toward Zhou Xueluo. Suddenly. Xu Jingxuan appeared out of nowhere and collided with Chu Tang. The wine glass in her hand dropped, and the red wine splashed all over Chu Tang's dress. Xu Jingxuan lightly covered her mouth, her eyes wide and expression exaggerated. "Oh my, Sister Ruan, why aren't you watching where you're going?"