CHAPTER 358: CHAPTER 182: NEW YEAR’S EVE (PART 2)

Shi Fengju laughed lightly, then called over Liu Ya to instruct her something in a low voice. Liu Ya nodded repeatedly and hurriedly chased after Xiuchun.

Before long, Xiuchun returned and said to Mrs. Wang with an ingratiating smile, "Madam, it seems the young master has caught a cold and is feeling a bit unwell, so he probably can’t come. The grandmother has stayed at the banana garden to take care of him and won’t be coming either!"

"How can you not be more careful during the New Year!" Mrs. Wang frowned without suspicion and ordered, "Tell the kitchen to send them a few dishes, and also check if it’s serious. If it’s serious, get a doctor to see to it immediately and have the medicine prescribed and decocted for consumption!"

Xiuchun agreed and went to make the arrangements.

While the whole Shi family was eating the New Year’s Eve dinner merrily, the atmosphere in the banana garden was cold and tense. Shi Yumei and Ren Zhixian got into another argument.

Ever since the day his clandestine purchase fell through, Ren Zhixian resented not only Shi Fengju but also the entire Shi family even more. He had been eagerly awaiting Shi Fenghua’s return, hoping to recruit him into his camp, endlessly boasting about his knowledge to gain Shi Fenghua’s admiration and approval. He wanted to prove to Mrs. Wang and Shi Fengju that he, Ren Zhixian, was truly talented! They should come to him personally to seek guidance for Shi Fenghua!

But how could Shi Fenghua not know what Ren Zhixian really had in mind? Seeing as he was the brother-in-law and Shi Fenghua had just returned, he initially had no choice but to greet him for the sake of formality. After that brief encounter, Shi Fenghua refused to visit again. Ren Zhixian sent for him multiple times, but Shi Fenghua always found excuses to decline. Ren Zhixian was infuriated, silently cursing him for not recognizing Mount Tai and stopped seeking him out, growing even more displeased with the Shi family.

On New Year’s Eve, Ren Zhixian knew very well that everyone was supposed to have dinner together, yet he stubbornly refused to go and wouldn’t allow Shi Yumei to attend either. He was intentionally trying to vex and disgust them, wishing that everyone would end up unhappy!

No matter how Shi Yumei pleaded, begged, or reasoned with him, he refused to budge. Out of frustration, Shi Yumei didn’t have the face to go by herself, so she sulked with a cold expression sitting in the room.

When Xiuchun arrived, the two had just had a heated argument.

Sensing the tension in the room, Xiuchun didn’t dare to speak much and stood to the side with an obsequious smile, saying, "Grandma, the Madam asks that you and the young master come over for the New Year’s Eve dinner!"

Ren Zhixian heard Xiuchun placing Shi Yumei’s title before his own, clearly disregarding him, the head of the family, which made him angrier. He snorted coldly and said indifferently, "Go back and tell your Madam that we are not part of the Shi family; it’s improper for us to join the Shi family for the New Year’s Eve dinner. Forget it!"

Xiuchun was extremely embarrassed and looked pleadingly at Shi Yumei.

Seeing her daring to ignore him, Ren Zhixian became even more irritated and shouted fiercely, "Didn’t you hear what I said? Get out!"

"This slave, this slave takes her leave!" Xiuchun dared not say more and hastily bowed before leaving, giving Shi Yumei a meaningful glance on her way out.

Shi Yumei stood up, ignoring Ren Zhixian’s scolding, and followed Xiuchun out, asking, "Is there something wrong?"

Xiuchun then said with a smile, "The young master mentioned that if the young master is not feeling well, both you and the young master do not have to come over. Later on, he will have the kitchen send over some dishes."

Shi Yumei felt a surge of emotions and gratitude and nodded with a light sigh, "It’s still Fengju who is thoughtful. Go back and tell my mother, just say the young master has caught a chill at the last minute, and we won’t be coming over! I will go over to accompany my mother later in the evening!"

"Yes, this slave will leave first!" Xiuchun agreed and turned to leave.

Shi Yumei stood blankly at the door, gazing at the red plum blossoms in the courtyard, lost in thought for a while before going back into the room to face Ren Zhixian with cool indifference.

Soon, the crackling sounds of firecrackers could be heard, and the faint aroma of food along with people’s laughter and cheers wafted in the air, deepening Shi Yumei’s hidden woes and inner gloom.

Ren Zhixian sneered, "Who are you putting up this act for? No one is holding or stopping you. If you want to go, just go! Hmph, if your family truly wanted to invite us over, they wouldn’t have just sent a maid to casually mention it and be done with it!"

Enraged, Shi Yumei thought to herself, otherwise, what? You’re living in our house, not some outside guest, is sending someone over to call for you discourteous? Do you need my mother to personally invite you?

"Actually, you’re not wrong. We are the Ren family, not the Shi family, and we really shouldn’t go!" Shi Yumei gave him a cool glance, her expression remaining calm and unbothered.

The reaction caught Ren Zhixian, who expected her to become furious, off guard. A surge of anger grew within him as he pondered whether this woman was becoming more audacious, relying on the fact that this was her natal family with people to back her up, becoming increasingly confrontational and disobedient! It is true what they say, like family, like daughter, not a bit untrue!