Jiang Li glanced at Jiang Shixu, who was tense and anxious behind her, and handed the red tassel spear to a servant nearby.
"Okay, let's go eat."
After speaking, she strode forward.
Jiang Shixu wanted to grab her hand but stopped mid-air.
Aunt Zhang was still waiting at the original spot, looking at him with a smile, "Third Young Master, aren't you going to eat?"
Facing the many gazes around him, Jiang Shixu suddenly felt breathless, instinctively wanting to escape.
Escape into that room where he was alone, devoid of any sound and color.
However, a spirit-like voice pierced through those "terrifying" gazes, clearly entering his ears.
"Shi Xu, come quickly."
Through the layers of obstacles, he saw Jiang Li.
The girl seemed to be emitting a gentle glow all over.
Like his savior.
He hurriedly ran to his savior's side.
Jiang Li naturally held his hand, walking on the path to the dining room.
Jiang Shixu was taken aback.
He always hated being touched by others, but now he didn't feel uncomfortable at all.
On the contrary, the warmth from her palm made him feel incredibly warm.
As if he was tightly wrapped in the warm sun of spring.
With his mind completely calm, Jiang Shixu seriously observed her for the first time.
She was half a head shorter than him, from his perspective he could just see her tranquil and beautiful side face and the slightly trembling lashes.
The light in her eyes was unusually gentle, yet it carried a penetrating power.
Inexplicably attracting.
Jiang Shixu slightly lowered his head, his gaze again fell on the hand holding his, feeling a surge of warmth in his heart.
-
Inside the restaurant.
Lin Manru, already seated, was shocked to the point of almost dropping her chopsticks when she saw her daughter holding Jiang Shixu's hand as they walked in.
"Shi, Shixu? How did you get up?"
Upon hearing the inquiry, Jiang Shixu became anxious again, taking a step back and hiding behind Jiang Li.
Jiang Li didn't force him to answer Lin Manru, instead, she explained gently for him.
"He's hungry, I'll make him a bowl of noodles."
Lin Manru still hadn't reacted.
The last time she saw this child was probably half a year ago.
He always refused to communicate with people, why was he acting so unusually today?
But this was a good thing.
If he was willing to go out and eat, it must mean his condition was beginning to improve.
So should she share this good news with her sister-in-law?
While Lin Manru was still pondering, Jiang Li had already brought out a steaming bowl of noodles.
Jiang Shixu followed behind her like a little tail the whole time.
Jiang Li seemed to understand that it was difficult for him to come out of his shell quickly, so she placed the noodles at the most inconspicuous spot on the table.
"Eat while it's hot."
Jiang Shixu's eyes flickered for a moment, then he obediently nodded, picked up the chopsticks and started eating.
The familiar and warm taste made him feel completely at ease, and he even began to automatically ignore the people coming and going around him.
Beyond the shock, Lin Manru pretended to be lost in thought and sighed.
"I've been a mother for more than ten years but never tasted anything made by my daughter, good for our Shi Xu."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Shixu immediately became nervous and put down his chopsticks.
Jiang Li glanced at him, "Mother, don't scare him."
Lin Manru quickly changed her tone, "Sorry, sorry, Shi Xu, Aunt wasn't being intentional, you continue eating."
Only then did Jiang Shixu cautiously pick up his chopsticks again.
Halfway through the meal, Lin Manru sighed worriedly again.
"I wonder how your brother is doing outside, whether he's eating on time."
Jiang Li's lashes trembled slightly, "Jiang Yan hasn't come back yet?"
"No." Lin Manru replied worriedly, "Your Uncle Jiang mentioned this morning that he completely lost contact with him, that boy is up to his disappearing act again."
"Lili, do you think I should continue to freeze his bank card to force him to come back?"
"No need." Jiang Li replied, "This only treats the symptoms, not the root cause."
We need to come up with a way to make Jiang Yan behave completely.
In the corner, Jiang Shixu had been quietly listening to their conversation, and upon hearing Jiang Yan's "glorious deeds," he slightly pulled at his lips.
It seemed he was less worrisome.
He stayed obediently at home every day and didn't run around.
In this sense, Jiang Li should prefer him more.
-
-
Nighttime.
Ocas Club.
This was considered the largest and most luxurious entertainment venue in the Capital, attracting many young nobles to spend extravagantly because of its high-end facilities and services.
The entire building was extremely luxurious, filled with bright lights and bustling activities.
The VIP box on the top floor was even more extravagant.
Under the dim lights, layers of colorful illusions floated, the music loud yet rhythmic stirring people's hearts.
Gambling and billiards were available, showcasing extravagance to the fullest.
Jiang Yan sat on the sofa in the middle, listening to the talkative banter around him while gently swaying the glass in his hand.
The collar of his shirt was widely open, showing his collarbones and muscle lines freely and explosively, the burgundy fabric casting a rosy shade on his cool white skin, adding allure.
A female server dressed in a sexy bunny girl outfit approached, raising her eyebrows and leaned down to light the cigarette clamped in his other hand.
Grayish-blue smoke rose slowly, moving past the man's wrist onto his enchanting face.
Jiang Yan squinted his peach blossom eyes, and after curling his thin lips, he pulled the female server into his arms.
With a light draw of the nicotine that made people indulge, he slowly exhaled a ring of smoke.
The suited man next to him saw this and immediately teased, "You've been partying for three days, Young Master Jiang is still so enthusiastic, seems you're really happy the engagement with the Qiao Family is canceled."
"Nonsense." Jiang Yan raised a hand to flick the cigarette tip, his brows dyed with a hint of defiance, "I don't want to marry a woman I don't know for no reason."
"Right, right." The suited man said, pouring more wine into his glass, "How could the like of the Qiao Family match Young Master Jiang? It should at least be someone of Su Yinwan's caliber."
Someone else immediately glanced at him.
"Do you really have no perception? Su Yinwan, that woman, usually holds herself in high esteem, not only rejecting our Young Master Jiang multiple times but then turns around and follows Shang Shaojing. What makes her worth it?"
Jiang Yan's eyebrows furrowed slightly, and the interest in his eyes faded.
But the people around him seemed not to notice, continuing their conversation centered around these two.
Jiang Yan irritatedly clicked his tongue and raised his hand to crush the cigarette butt in the ashtray.
The suited man finally stopped talking, laughed awkwardly while draping an arm over Jiang Yan's shoulder, then raised a hand to call in a group of glamorous guests.
"Young Master Jiang, don't get upset, since we're here, let's enjoy ourselves, come, come, you all come over and chat with Young Master Jiang."
A dozen variously dressed women found seats and sat down.
Someone in the crowd grumbled unhappily, "Mr. Huo, are you capable or not? How come the women you pick always look the same? Heavily made up, I'm tired of it."
"Exactly." Another voice immediately joined in, "Can't you find someone naturally beautiful?"
"Hey, speaking of youthful and vibrant, I happen to think of someone." Huo Ziyang burped from the alcohol, his face flushed as he said, "Jiang Yan's sister is quite naturally beautiful, you don't know, at his engagement party, that girl was, tsk tsk, outstanding."
"Huo Ziyang, you must be drunk, right? Jiang Yan's sister? Jiang Li? That girl who puts on makeup like a ghost deserves to be called naturally beautiful?"
"Get Jiang Yan to bring her out, then you'll know, I saw with my own eyes, Jiang Li that girl isn't any less than any woman here, her figure—"