CHAPTER 812: CHAPTER 809: MORNING

"Good morning, sister-in-law."

Ruan Manman, who was combing her hair, saw her sister-in-law Chen Yuxiu coming out of the house and immediately greeted her.

Chen Yuxiu rubbed her eyes, then looked up at the sky, and with a face full of surprise said, "Why are you up so early today?"

Though Ruan Manman appeared glamorous and like a strong woman outside, at home she was lazy and easygoing. During rare breaks like the New Year, she wouldn’t get up before ten o’clock.

Knowing her habits, Chen Yuxiu was indeed surprised.

"I told you yesterday that I was going back to Si Ming today," Ruan Manman said.

Chen Yuxiu naturally knew this. What surprised her was Ruan Manman’s unusual enthusiasm, which was very rare.

"Is there something happening at the company?" Chen Yuxiu asked nonchalantly.

"It’s the New Year, what could possibly be happening," Ruan Manman replied.

"Could you be in a relationship? What kind of man caught your eye? Anyway, this is a great thing, I should tell your brother." With that, Chen Yuxiu turned and walked inside.

"Sister-in-law, stop guessing blindly. There’s nothing like that."

Ruan Manman was anxious, worried that Chen Yuxiu would spread the word, making it a big deal. Not that she cared about others knowing, but she was worried her elder brother would seize the opportunity to lecture her. He had always been concerned about her lifelong matters, almost to the point of becoming an obsession. She didn’t want her brother’s mood to be spoiled during New Year.

"If it’s neither work nor romance, why are you in such a hurry to return?" Chen Yuxiu asked with a smile.

Ruan Manman was momentarily stunned, finally realizing that Chen Yuxiu was testing her.

So she calmly replied, "I arranged to meet with a few friends."

"Oh, really?"

Clearly, Chen Yuxiu did not believe her.

But Ruan Manman didn’t give her a chance to ask more and turned back inside.

When Ruan Manman had finished getting ready and came out of the room again,

She found that the two sisters, Ruan Yuxi and Ruan Xiaotong, were already up, and her sister-in-law was washing their faces and combing their hair.

Seeing Ruan Manman coming out of the room, Ruan Xiaotong ran up first.

"Auntie, are you leaving? Wait for us, we’ll be ready soon."

Ruan Manman looked at Chen Yuxiu when she heard this, but she was focused on combing her eldest daughter Ruan Yuxi’s hair, without even glancing at her.

"Aunt is going to Si Ming for something, why are you tagging along?"

Ruan Manman pinched Ruan Xiaotong’s little face.

"It’s fine, you can leave us at Uncle’s house, you go about your business, we won’t disturb you," Ruan Xiaotong said.

Ruan Manman: ...

She even noticed the upturned corners of Chen Yuxiu’s mouth, which were completely undisguised.

Everyone here was clever; Ruan Xiangqian and his wife’s sudden rejuvenation, even Ruan Hongzhuang becoming more charming and energetic, was very unusual.

Last year they didn’t have such changes, yet now suddenly they did. The only variable was quite clear.

Considering Ruan Xiangqian and his wife’s immense regard for their new son-in-law, it was highly likely that this had something to do with him.

Just whether their new son-in-law was a technology mogul or an expert in biopharmaceuticals remained unknown.

Ruan Manman’s eager return, was it truly just to meet friends for a meal?

Chen Yuxiu was utterly unconvinced, as no woman is indifferent to aging, even someone as carefree as Ruan Manman.

She might be even more afraid of aging than most because the prerequisite for carefree living is a healthy body.

While Ruan Manman initially wanted to return to Si Ming alone, she couldn’t find a reason to refuse when her two little nieces clung to her. So after breakfast, she drove off with the two little ones to Si Ming.

"Manman is coming over today?"

Ruan Xiangqian was dissatisfied with his sister interrupting their "family" time.

"Not just her, Yuxi and Xiatong are also coming," Jiang Yingxue said.

Ruan Xiangqian, being a smart businessman, immediately understood the situation upon hearing this.

He sighed, "Everyone’s using their wits on family."

Jiang Yingxue, beside him, also felt helpless. She glanced at the two cuddled up in the living room, whispering, "It’s a tricky matter."

Ruan Xiangqian pinched his brow, feeling troubled. They were all family; it was truly difficult to refuse, but the elixirs were beyond valuable. Being given two for free by Shen Siyuan was already a consideration for their daughter.

If they became greedy, not only would it upset the son-in-law, but it would also put their daughter in a difficult position.

They understood the gravity of the situation very well.

It would be best to avoid mentioning this matter without enough to tempt Shen Siyuan’s interest.

At that moment, Shen Siyuan and Ruan Hongzhuang were looking at clothes on a phone, heads together.

"How about this one?"

"It’s nice; you’d look better than the model in it," Shen Siyuan praised.

"I think so too, but I’m unsure if this style suits me," Ruan Hongzhuang hesitated.

"For a beautiful woman, it’s not about fitting the outfit, but the outfit fitting you. You’ll look good in anything."

"You really know how to talk."

Ruan Hongzhuang kissed him on the cheek and then added the item to her shopping cart, planning to pay for everything later.

Staying home during the New Year without visiting relatives can be quite boring, so Ruan Hongzhuang chose to shop online, not just for clothes and shoes but a lot of random things too.

Not everything she bought had a purpose; some were purely for the novelty.

Luckily, she had the means; in an average household, her spree could lead to serious debt.

Of course, not everything Ruan Hongzhuang bought was for herself. She also bought for Shen Siyuan, Taozi, and even Tang Tang and Mao Sanmei.

Especially for Tang Tang, whom she bought a bunch of clothes, food, and toys.

This year, Mao Sanmei probably wouldn’t need to buy any clothes or shoes for her at all.

Tang Tang was truly having blessings fall from the sky while she sat at home.

Just then, a gust of Yin Wind suddenly blew inside the house.

The curtains, tablecloths, and some decorations swayed incessantly.

Not to mention Ruan Hongzhuang, who was already experienced, even Ruan Xiangqian and his wife knew someone had come to visit.

Indeed, Dou Dou and Duoduo appeared almost at the instance the wind ceased.

"Haha, I’m here again! Did anyone miss me?"

Dou Dou posed with one hand on her hip like a German soldier.

Meanwhile, Duoduo was closing the umbrella in her hand and tucking it behind her. Under the astonished gaze of Ruan Xiangqian and his wife, the umbrella, taller than her, simply disappeared.

"Did you have fun last night?" Shen Siyuan asked with a smile.

"Half and half," Dou Dou replied, lowering her hand.

"What do you mean by half?"

"It’s partly having fun and partly listening to her cry," Dou Dou pointed beside her.

Ruan Xiangqian and his wife, along with Ruan Hongzhuang, were puzzled by this, but Shen Siyuan understood. She was referring to the little girl who had just arrived.

Seeing Shen Siyuan’s eyes on her, she shyly hid closer to Dou Dou but quickly waved her hand and greeted.

"Hi... hello, are you Dou Dou and Duoduo’s brother?" she cautiously asked.

Before Shen Siyuan could respond, the voices of Yuxi and Xiaotong echoed from outside.

"Sister, Uncle and Auntie..."