After moving out of the Rong family home, Rong Yu had never set foot there again.
When she was just a few steps away, she had the car stop and walked to the main gate of the Rong residence. As soon as she stood there, the door opened after facial recognition.
Hearing the sound of the door opening, a servant came forward to greet her: "The eldest young miss is back, please come inside."
She took off her coat and walked in. Before she could even speak, she heard the sarcastic voice of Old Master Rong: "Making so many people wait for you alone, who knows where you picked up such a young miss temper... Forget it, it's the New Year, I can't be bothered to scold you. Sit down."
Rong Yu sat down next to Grandma Rong. "How is your health, Grandmother?"
"Same old troubles, nothing serious." Grandma Rong held her hand. "You child, never coming home, you've grown distant from the family. You haven't lost weight though. Here, have a fish ball first."
The old lady was just about to pick one up with her chopsticks.
Old Master Rong quickly spoke up: "Wait a moment, there's still one person who hasn't arrived."
Even Rong Wangtian was stunned: "Who else?"
His whole family was there, both elders were present. As for the other Rong family members, they usually only gathered together on the first day of the Lunar New Year.
"Sorry I'm late." A man followed a servant in. "Old Master Rong, Grandma Rong, President Rong, Teacher Shen, wishing you all an early Happy New Year."
Rong Yu turned to look.
It was a young man in his twenties. As soon as he entered the room, he started handing out cigarettes. Without any regard for the patient and child present, he lit one up right away, filling the air with smoke.
"Let me introduce, this is the eldest son of the Zheng family." Old Master Rong said with a chuckle. "Yaoyao is the second daughter and already has a fiancé. Xiao Yu is the elder sister, this matter should be settled too. It's a good chance to get acquainted."
Rong Ruoyao was stunned.
The Zheng family was considered wealthy in Haicheng, of course, nothing compared to families like the Ji or Hai families, but for the Rong family, it was marrying up.
When had the old master gotten to know the Zheng family's eldest son?
And he wanted to introduce him to Rong Yu?
She glanced at that Young Master Zheng. Very fat, very greasy. She herself wouldn't even look twice at a man like that. Rong Yu probably wouldn't even spare him a glance.
She turned to look at Rong Yu.
Sure enough, Rong Yu's gaze was icy cold.
Rong Wangtian's expression also changed: "Old Master, what are you trying to do on New Year's Eve?"
Old Master Rong smiled: "Isn't New Year's Eve the perfect time for a matchmaking meeting?"
"A matchmaking meeting on New Year's Eve is a bit abrupt." Rong Yu smiled along. "Since the whole family is here, why don't we all pick out a nice feng shui burial plot for the old master together?"
"You!"
Old Master Rong slammed the table and stood up.
"The Zheng family is a prominent household, what makes you think you're too good for them? Do you really think becoming a minor celebrity makes you something special? For Young Master Zheng to take a liking to you is giving you face. Don't be ungrateful!"
"Young Master Zheng, my apologies." Rong Wangtian stood up. "Family matters, we shouldn't make a spectacle for you."
Shen Lin spoke up: "I'll see Young Master Zheng out."
Young Master Zheng left with a flick of his sleeve.
Old Master Rong was so angry he threw his chopsticks: "Who am I doing all this for? It's for the Rong family! This girl has a bit of fame and caught Young Master Zheng's eye. She should seize this chance to marry into the Zheng family. The Zheng family's status is even higher than the Song family's. To become the young madam of the Zheng family, isn't that a blessing she cultivated in her past life?!"
"I'll pass on that blessing." Rong Yu's expression was indifferent. "If the old master is truly concerned for the Rong family, you should hurry and pick out a burial plot, so you can protect the family's wealth and prosperity after you die."
She picked up her handbag and walked out.
"Such ill-bred trash..."
Old Master Rong was so angry he nearly fell backwards.
"This... this..." Rong Wangtian was going crazy.
It was rare for Xiao Yu to come home, and it ended like this. This child probably wouldn't come back ever again.
"Xiao Yu." He chased after her. "Your grandfather is an old fool. Don't take his actions to heart..."
Shen Lin also followed: "The elderly are getting on in years, please don't hold it against them."
"Tch."
A cold laugh sounded.
The Rong couple turned their heads and saw Ji Zhiyuan, wearing a black overcoat, who had appeared at the entrance of the Rong residence at some point.
Ji Zhiyuan's lips carried a mocking smile: "The elder acts without dignity, yet the younger generation is expected to swallow their pride—is this the family tradition passed down through the generations of the Rong family? The Rong family's upbringing has truly broadened my horizons."
Rong Wangtian couldn't even lift his head.
Shen Lin spoke with difficulty: "President Ji is right. We will definitely restrain the elders in our family."
Ji Zhiyuan made a gesture of invitation.
Rong Yu walked towards the car parked not far away. Ji Zhiyuan respectfully opened the car door for her. The moment the door opened, Shen Lin noticed that the old man sitting in the car... could it be Old Master Ji?
Was it just Xiao Yu returning home on New Year's Eve?
Did it require the presence of both Old Master Ji and the eldest young master of the Ji family, two such formidable figures, to personally escort her?
Did the Ji family value their lifesaver this much?
It even seemed to exceed normal human courtesy.
While Shen Lin was inwardly astonished, the car door had already closed and the vehicle drove away.
Rong Wangtian pinched the bridge of his nose.
He had been trying so hard to mend his relationship with his eldest daughter. Why was it so difficult?
Why did the old master have to cause trouble at a time like this...
"No upbringing, no manners, no respect for elders! That wretched girl needs to be taught a proper lesson!"
Old Master Rong was still cursing and grumbling.
Grandma Rong tried with difficulty to soothe him.
Shen Lin hesitated for a moment before speaking: "I'm afraid the relationship between Xiao Yu and the old master can't be reconciled. I think... perhaps we should send the two elders back to their hometown?"
Rong Wangtian was even more hesitant: "Would that be appropriate?"
After the Rong family made their fortune, he had bought two villas in Haicheng. One for him to live in, and one for the two elders, not far apart, so they could often dine together.
The elders had lived in Haicheng for so many years. To suddenly send them back to their hometown, what would the relatives back there think of him?
"More importantly, Qing'an has been spoiled rotten." Shen Lin got to the main point. "The old master often shields him. I have to pick times when he's not around to discipline Qing'an. As soon as Qing'an gets scolded, he runs away from home to the old master's place. It's simply impossible to manage."
Rong Wangtian was still wavering.
Shen Lin shook her head: "Once the New Year is over, send them away. I really can't take it anymore."
While this couple was discussing the matter, the Ji family car had already driven into Hibiscus Manor.
Ji Zhiyuan had called his secretary on the way to investigate the Zheng family.
After parking the car, he opened the door for Rong Yu and reported: "Young Master Zheng once publicly declared that he would definitely marry Great-grandmother... This matter, I've already handed it to the secretary to handle. That Young Master Zheng will learn the cost of making such bold claims."
In fact, the word Young Master Zheng used wasn't "marry," but "score," which was utterly humiliating.
Even so, Old Master Ji was furious: "A Yuan, if you can't handle this matter properly, you might as well forget about the heir position!"
Ji Zhiyuan: "Understood."
Even without the threat concerning the heir, he would have handled it thoroughly.
Did the old master think he was that calculating?
