CHAPTER 838: CHAPTER 835: FEAR OF LOSS AND GAIN

"Taozi and Ruan Ruan have been here all morning. Where did you go? Why are you so irresponsible?"

Grandma was very angry to see Shen Siyuan coming back just in time for dinner, and scolded him like she was scolding her grandson. Well, he really is her grandson.

The imposing demeanor he had this morning was completely gone, as he shrunk his head and wore a beaming smile.

"I just had some matters to attend to."

"During the New Year’s, what kind of matters could you have? Can’t they wait until after the holidays?" Grandma said unhappily.

"Yes, yes, Grandma, you’re absolutely right. I’ll postpone everything until after the New Year. I’ll be home these few days to accompany you, won’t go anywhere."

Shen Siyuan tried to support her, but Grandma pushed his hand away directly, asking him why he was getting so close.

Shen Siyuan: ...

Ruan Hongzhuang and Taozi stood aside and laughed discreetly; it’s quite rare to see Shen Siyuan looking like this—like a helpless punching bag.

Shen Siyuan said he would accompany Grandma, and indeed for the next few days, he stayed home and didn’t go anywhere.

However, Taozi and Ruan Hongzhuang returned home that day.

Taozi didn’t want to leave, but was pulled back by Ruan Hongzhuang, allowing her to visit but not alone.

Ruan Hongzhuang had to return, although the company hadn’t started yet, she couldn’t leave her little aunt, Ruan Manman, alone in Bin Hai.

Though she wasn’t a child who required care, being a guest during New Year’s, it just isn’t very proper to leave her unattended.

When Ruan Hongzhuang opened the door upon returning home, she saw Tang Tang rushing towards them.

"Little baby."

Ruan Hongzhuang bent over and reached out to embrace her, but she pulled away, looking behind her.

Behind her was Taozi, who also tried to embrace her but was similarly pushed aside, as Tang Tang looked beyond her.

Seeing the empty space behind her, Tang Tang showed a disappointed look, pointing beyond the door.

"Oh, no one else?"

Ruan Hongzhuang and Taozi immediately understood Tang Tang’s meaning, and shook their heads with a smile, saying, "Si Yuan didn’t come back with us."

Tang Tang sighed upon hearing this, shoulders sagging, appearing very dejected.

Ruan Hongzhuang gently touched her head, amused, and said, "Do you like your brother that much?"

Tang Tang didn’t understand what she was saying; she just rubbed her head against Ruan Hongzhuang’s palm twice.

At this moment, Ruan Manman came over.

"Little aunt, haven’t you gone out all day?" Ruan Hongzhuang asked.

"No, many shops haven’t opened yet; where else could I go?" Ruan Manman replied.

Her gaze fell on Tang Tang, smiling, "I played with her at home all day. I’m starting to quite like this little one."

"Oh~~~"

Just then, Tang Tang ran towards Ruan Manman, pointing to the living room, pulling her hand and leading her towards it.

Following the direction, Ruan Hongzhuang and Taozi discovered a checkers board on the floor. Ruan Manman had somehow taught Tang Tang, making the duo’s game of checkers quite surprising for both women.

"Han~"

Just a while ago, Tang Tang was drooping with dejection, but now she was cheerful again.

Meanwhile, Dou Dou was half-lying on the sofa, crossing her legs and kicking them up, enjoying the TV. She was living too leisurely and freely.

Unfortunately, something was missing—if only there were some snacks or a plate of fruit, it would be perfect.

At her uncle and aunt’s house, she was treated like a little boss, directing her uncle to fetch her things one moment and her aunt to tell her stories the next.

Thankfully, Dou Dou didn’t need food and drink, otherwise, the two resting at home might feel more exhausted than when at work.

As time passed, Jiang Hongtu and Qi Huilan received more and more information, and became increasingly shocked.

Not only was Yu Donghai dead, but the second-generation leaders of the Four Seas Group were all dead, even Yu Haichao, the fifth in Yu family, far away in Xiajing, was dead.

In just one morning, the high-level people of the Four Seas Group were completely wiped out, throwing the company into chaos, followed by a sharp stock decline.

Even knowing it was their son-in-law’s doing, the couple couldn’t help but breathe a cold chill, finding it unbelievable.

From Bin Hai to Yangcheng, then from Yangcheng to Xiajing, the round trip spanning at least five thousand kilometers, and Xiao Shen managed to precisely kill so many people in just one morning.

His decisive and ruthless actions were both praiseworthy and prompted the couple to gain a deeper understanding of Shen Siyuan.

As for the brutal and bloody means, they didn’t mind; they weren’t saints nor naive flowers, naturally understanding that some things must be done thoroughly. The alternative might bring greater harm.

At times, showing sympathy for others might be the greatest cruelty to oneself and family.

Moreover, Shen Siyuan was so miraculous and mighty, his abilities probably rivaling Immortals and Buddhas. No, this was already beyond Immortal status. Those in mythology were no greater than this.

Henceforth, how can deeds done by an immortal be wrong?

It’s called not knowing destiny, those killed simply facing heavenly retribution, surely they did too many evil deeds.

Thinking this way, it all seemed reasonable.

While the couple whispered, Dou Dou, half-lying on the sofa, suddenly sat up, staring at the living room center, looking guilty.

The couple was startled; Jiang Hongtu cautiously asked, "What’s the matter?"

"Sister Duoduo... hehe..." Dou Dou giggled.

At this moment, Duoduo appeared in the living room.

Seeing Duoduo, the couple was relieved; they met Duoduo before, certainly recognizing her.

"Brother said not to reveal ourselves," Duoduo angrily said.

When Shen Siyuan assigned the tasks, he indeed mentioned not revealing themselves, protecting from the shadows being sufficient.

Duoduo adhered strictly, but Dou Dou chose flexible execution.

Thus, Dou Dou argued, "Sweet Potato said not to reveal ourselves before outsiders, but uncle and aunt are the ones I love the most; they’re not outsiders."

"Oh, this little thing." Qi Huilan was touched by her words.

"Hmph, I’m going to tell brother," Duoduo probed forward, grabbing her.

"Go ahead... tell him..." Dou Dou was evidently guilty.

The couple didn’t really intervene in the children’s tussle, just seeing Duoduo open her umbrella and quickly asked, "Heading back now? Don’t want to play another moment?"

"Not returning, we’re going to Sister Ruan’s house," Duoduo honestly replied.

"Oh, looking for Sister Xiao Yue and Sister Mi Li?" Dou Dou quickly brightened up.

The couple exchanged glances, watching as the two disappeared before them, both sighed.

Actually, they long knew about Ruan Hongzhuang’s existence, even about them living together.

Initially, they learned from the discussions between Tao Guangsha’s couple, feeling troubled upon knowing. Their obedient, understanding, and beautiful daughter, how could she be a mistress? This left them conflicted.

But later, learning about Shen Siyuan’s godly abilities, they started worrying about their foolish treasure, lacking intelligence, having a bad temper, and still being spoiled from childhood. Might she anger Shen Siyuan? Would she be disliked over time, and be cast aside?

After all, there’s no shortage of women, nor of those who are beautiful and smart.

Perhaps Xiao Shen simply prefers dimwits.

Overall, the couple’s feelings continually tangled.

Regarding later events, they learned through Dou Dou, not because Dou Dou was loose-lipped, nor because she was silly, but she was too young; with her small mind, not being a match for Jiang Hongtu and Qi Huilan, two nearly century-old "old foxes."

In just a few words, all Ruan Hongzhuang’s matters were divulged, like tipping out beans.

But knowing is just knowing; they hadn’t means to change anything. The wisest approach is pretending ignorance—as long as they don’t acknowledge it, it doesn’t exist.

They believed this was currently the best approach.

Otherwise, what could be done? Asking their daughter to leave Shen Siyuan evidently wasn’t practical.

Meanwhile, Duoduo and Dou Dou arrived at Si Ming’s home with Ruan Hongzhuang.