CHAPTER 562: CHAPTER 562 GIFT

"I was worried before, but now it seems Auntie’s personality is really nice."

"Nice? Silly... never mind, let’s not talk about her. My dad’s coming over this afternoon. You don’t need to worry about him either; he’s a good person too," Shen Siyuan assured.

He initially wanted to say his mom was just a simpleton, but considering she was his mom after all, he decided against it.

Hearing this, Taozi nodded. Meeting Huang Huijuan had given her confidence. She believed meeting Shen Siyuan’s father shouldn’t be a big problem either.

She lowered her head and asked softly, "Does she know about our relationship?"

"She knows; I’ve already told her," Shen Siyuan said.

Taozi, hearing this, blushed slightly, feeling both embarrassed and a bit shy at the same time.

"Did she... did she say anything? She doesn’t... look down on me, does she?"

"She thinks young people’s matters should be handled by young people themselves. As for whether she looks down on you, what do you think?"

Taozi pondered for a moment and then shook her head.

Huang Huijuan is also someone without guile; she can’t hide whether she likes or dislikes someone.

And when she likes someone, it’s equally obvious. Since Taozi entered the door, Huang Huijuan had consistently shown joy and curiosity, something Taozi naturally felt.

"There you go, don’t worry, I’ve got you covered."

Then he changed the topic and asked, "When are you planning to go back to see Grandma?"

Taozi was taken aback at first, then quickly responded, "I’m planning to go back the day after tomorrow. I happen to have a day off and don’t have to work."

"Then I’ll go back with you the day after tomorrow to visit Grandma," Shen Siyuan said.

"Huh?" Taozi was startled, instinctively turning to look towards the living room.

There, Jiang Yingxue and Huang Huijuan were taking out the gifts they brought for Ruan Hongzhuang.

Since they didn’t know about Taozi’s presence beforehand, Huang Huijuan naturally didn’t prepare a gift for Taozi. To avoid her feeling awkward, Shen Siyuan brought her to sit on the balcony.

"Don’t look; Ruan Ruan knows about this and it’s something she suggested," Shen Siyuan said.

Taozi was greatly surprised and deeply touched at the same time.

However, she felt a bit nervous and asked hesitantly, "Do we... do we need to meet my parents?"

"Do you want me to meet them? If you want, I can meet them," Shen Siyuan said.

Hearing this, Taozi hesitated. She felt conflicted, wanting Shen Siyuan to meet her parents and gain their approval, but also worried about Shen Siyuan meeting them. After all, without proper explanations, what would they say when they meet?

There’s no need to worry about Grandma, as through Dou Dou, Grandma knows a bit about her situation.

After much consideration, Taozi finally said, "Let’s not meet my parents for now; let’s see Grandma first."

She was timid. Delaying it for a while was the best she could do.

"Alright, whenever you want. Just let me know," Shen Siyuan was very understanding about this matter.

After all, Taozi had already sacrificed a lot, and he couldn’t let her bear the pressure from her parents alone.

"Thank you," Taozi said with gratitude.

"Silly, I should be the one saying thank you."

Seeing her innocence, Shen Siyuan instinctively reached out and patted her head.

This drew some displeasure from Taozi, as such actions made her seem like a child, and she didn’t want Shen Siyuan to see her that way.

"Taozi, this is for you."

At that moment, Huang Huijuan came over with a silk box, followed by Tang Tang like a little tail, who was holding a beautifully crafted red crocheted rabbit.

No need to guess, this was indeed bought by Jiang Yingxue for her. Not only did she consider Tang Tang, but Mao Sanmei as well.

"Oh? A gift for me?" Taozi stood up with surprise on her face.

"I didn’t know about you before, so I didn’t prepare a gift for you. This was something I intended to keep for myself, but now I’m passing it on to you," Huang Huijuan said, stuffing the silk box into Taozi’s hands.

Taozi hurriedly declined upon hearing this.

Shen Siyuan was also speechless; with such a remark, how could Taozi dare to accept it? Were you really sincere in giving her a gift?

So Shen Siyuan chimed in, "What’s inside?"

"It’s a few porcelain figurines," Huang Huijuan said as she opened the silk box to reveal pairs of porcelain figurines in traditional attire – a bride and groom in wedding clothes, a couple in matching robes, a husband and wife in casual wear, a boy and girl playing...

The figurines were exceptionally detailed, no wonder Huang Huijuan wanted to keep them. Taozi, too, liked them at first glance, instinctively putting herself and Shen Siyuan in their place.

"If you like them, go ahead and keep them. It’s nothing extravagant," Shen Siyuan said.

"Nonsense, these aren’t cheap," Huang Huijuan remarked.

Shen Siyuan: →_→

He seriously doubted whether she was sincere in giving a gift.

Huang Huijuan insisted on giving them to Taozi, but Taozi resolutely refused. Since Huang Huijuan said it like that, how could she take something so close to her heart?

At this moment, a small voice nearby said, "Give it to me~"

Both turned to see, and it was Tang Tang standing on tiptoe, looking up expectantly.

They exchanged glances and burst into laughter, feeling much closer.

"Take it; if she likes them, I’ll get another set for her," Jiang Yingxue walked over and said.

"Really?"

With Shen Siyuan and Jiang Yingxue persuading her, Taozi hesitated.

"Take it; don’t mind her, giving gifts so stingily," Jiang Yingxue snatched the box from Huang Huijuan and stuffed it into Taozi’s arms.

Huang Huijuan immediately protested.

"How am I stingy? Just because you’re generous? Of course, you’re a rich girl; you don’t feel the pinch..."

"Heh, look at you, getting all worked up over two words, acting all petty," Jiang Yingxue scoffed.

Then she turned and walked inside, with Huang Huijuan chasing after her angrily.

"They’re not going to fight, are they?"

Taozi was flabbergasted, thinking how these two could argue over such trivial matters when they were supposed to be close friends.

"Probably," Shen Siyuan said.

Seeing Shen Siyuan’s casual demeanor, Taozi was at a loss for words.

But before she could speak, she suddenly felt a little hand reaching for her box. Looking down, who else could it be but Tang Tang, grinning up at her.

The little one’s eyes were full of desire.

"No, this is mine," Taozi quickly held onto her hand.

This was the first gift from Huang Huijuan, carrying special significance, so how could she give it to Tang Tang?

At this moment, Ruan Hongzhuang came out holding a pair of gold inlaid jade bracelets.

"My mom bought these for us, one each. Choose one," Ruan Hongzhuang said.

This pair of bracelets were intricately crafted, and importantly, they were a left-right pair.

Taozi didn’t immediately choose but looked towards the living room where the two were arguing.

"Aren’t you going to stop them?"

"You have to learn to get used to it," Ruan Hongzhuang said nonchalantly.

Because she was used to it, if they didn’t bicker a few times a day, it wouldn’t feel right.

Taozi: ...

What a wonderfully strange relationship.