Chapter 270: Chapter 249: Dramatic

"I’ve heard so much about you from Shaoling. First, Zheng Shaolian took you in as his god-sister, and then after one visit to the Tang family, you changed your name and became Uncle Tang’s daughter... But I have to say, you really do resemble Uncle Tang a bit! Manman, my dear sister, I wonder if you’ve noticed: your life is so dramatic, it could be a stage play!"

Jun Ran always had a light, elegant smile on her face. She looked at Xiao Man gently, speaking in a soft and sweet voice, but no matter how one heard them, her words held no kindness.

"Jun Ran." Jun Rui, who was beside her, frowned slightly and shot his sister a look.

Jun Ran pretended not to understand, looking at her brother questioningly, her expression innocent and delicate.

Jun Rui could only give Xiao Man an apologetic smile. The sixteen or seventeen-year-old boy was dressed in a crisp, navy blue suit. His features were elegant and his disposition was as gentle as jade, giving him a unique and captivating aura. Unfortunately, every boy at this table was exceptionally handsome, each with his own distinct charm, so for a moment, it was hard to tell who stood out the most.

Xiao Man gestured for Tang Haocheng beside her to stay put. She returned the siblings’ exchange with a faint smile and replied, "Sister Jun Ran works at a television station, so you must know a lot about art, right? I’ve heard that drama is a form of art, and art imitates life. So it’s not strange for my life to be dramatic, is it?"

Jun Ran: ...

’Who wants to talk about art? That’s not what I meant at all! What does someone from the countryside know about art!’

"Manman, my dear sister, you’re so pretty, and quite the talker too."

"Not at all. You’re the host; you’re the one who’s truly eloquent."

Pang Xiaoji let out a pfft of laughter. Jun Ran glanced at Xiao Man, then turned to Tang Haocheng. "So, Hao Hao, why didn’t your biological sister, Tang Yaxuan, come back to Beijing for the New Year? I think I saw her the year before last. Cheng Yaji, Pang Xiaoji, you two have seen her too, right?"

Cheng Yaji and Pang Xiaoji nodded in unison. Although Tang Yaxuan wasn’t in Beijing, whenever she returned, the Tang family would bring her to every event. The Gu family would even hold banquets specifically for her. They didn’t just know her; they were well-acquainted.

Pang Xiaoji looked like she wanted to say something. She glanced at Tang Haocheng, then at Xiao Man, and finally stuck the tip of her tongue out before closing her mouth, remaining silent with a smile.

Cheng Yaji, however, followed Jun Ran’s lead and said, "It’s true. I haven’t seen Tang Yaxuan in so long. I remember the last time she said goodbye to me, she said she would be back soon."

Tian Sisi also chimed in, "She’s not coming back this year either? She still owes me a box of Southern Wood Beads! She’s made me wait for two years!"

Jun Ran smiled. "So many people miss her, I see. It’s no wonder. Xuanxuan is truly lovable—pretty, cute, sensible, and well-behaved. I miss her quite a bit too... Hao Hao, and you too, Manman, my dear sister, why didn’t she come back with you two?"

Tang Haocheng and Xiao Man exchanged a look. His gaze swept past Gu Shaoling before landing on Jun Ran’s face. He gave a cool smile. "Sister Jun Ran, you were a journalism major and chose to be a host. If you have news to report, just report it. Why beat around the bush and put on an act? Gu Shaoling has already told you everything, yet you insist on making my sister and me say something in public. Are you doing this on purpose? Is there some special meaning behind it?"

From the moment Jun Ran mentioned Tang Yaxuan, Gu Shaoling had kept her eyes lowered, avoiding the gazes of Tang Haocheng, Manman, and Gu Shaoqin. Now that Tang Haocheng had called her out by name, a blush appeared on her cheeks. She opened her mouth to argue, but when she looked up, she was frozen by the four cold stares from Tang Haocheng and Gu Shaoqin. Although she was still a bit defiant, she knew she was in the wrong. In the end, she simply pouted and stayed silent.

The dozen or so young men and women sitting around the table had been silent before, finding the atmosphere dull. Now, things had suddenly become strangely lively. Zhao Teng and Meng Junheng, who were around Jun Rui’s age, leaned in to whisper to each other. Cheng Yaji, Pang Xiaoji, and Tian Sisi were huddled together, whispering in each other’s ears. The boy from the Bai family, who was about the same age as Xiao Man, was no longer sitting quietly with his eyes downcast. His bright, clear eyes darted back and forth between Xiao Man and Tang Haocheng, and he even offered Tang Haocheng a smile.

The Jun family siblings’ faces darkened. Jun Ran wanted to argue with Tang Haocheng but was stopped by Jun Rui. His expression was firm and unquestionable, his gaze filled with disappointment.

Jun Ran met her brother’s gaze for a moment and actually backed down. She turned to speak with Gu Shaoling, gradually resuming her graceful and elegant demeanor.

Perhaps because everyone had arrived, Mr. Gu stood cheerfully in the center of the dining hall and gave a short speech. Following that, teams of waiters came out with trays, serving dishes to each table. In the blink of an eye, all the dishes were served and the wine was poured. The entire dining hall filled with steam and the aroma of food and wine. Everyone picked up their chopsticks to eat, letting go of the earlier unpleasantness as if it had never happened.

During the banquet, Gu Shaozhen came over and led Xiao Man to the adults’ table, saying it was his grandfather’s wish for her to go and meet a few of the elders who had arrived late. As Xiao Man stood up to leave, she happened to glimpse Jun Ran’s gaze on her. It was gloomy and filled with resentment, and she couldn’t help but pause. ’What is this about? How did I offend you? In both my past and present life, I’ve never even known this person!’

After the banquet ended, on the car ride home, Tang Haocheng told Xiao Man about the Jun Family’s situation. In Beijing, the Jun Family was counted among the prominent aristocratic families. And like the Tang and Gu families, they were deep-rooted, with complex and profound connections.

Xiao Man replayed Jun Ran’s resentful gaze in her mind and subconsciously asked, "Does our family have some kind of feud with the Jun Family?"

"I don’t think so. Old Man Jun often looks for Grandpa to play chess; the two of them get along quite well." As Tang Haocheng spoke, he suddenly said to Xiao Man, "Sis, I haven’t had a chance to talk to you about this—a guy named Bai Junfan went to Ping County to see you, right?"

"How did you know?" Xiao Man had originally planned to ask Grandpa Tang about this after returning to Beijing. Besides the few people close to her, she hadn’t told anyone else. She hadn’t even mentioned it when she spoke to Gu Shaojun on the phone. ’Phone time was precious; why waste it on irrelevant matters?’

"Heh, it’s not just me. Grandpa Gu, Granny Gu, and our own grandparents all know! They didn’t say anything to you, but they’re all wary of the Bai Family!"

Xiao Man was speechless. ’Why are they wary of the Bai Family? Didn’t Bai Junfan say the Bai, Tang, and Gu families were old family friends? And how did they find out about this?’

Tang Haocheng said, "Brother Shaojun told Grandpa Gu about it over the phone, and then Grandpa Gu told our grandpa. Sis, for Brother Shaojun to know what’s happening around you, he must have planted a spy by your side!"

"Who? It couldn’t be Guan Ailan or Mo Linghui!"

"You’d be in trouble if it were them, but Brother Shaojun probably wouldn’t have the heart to let you be betrayed by your best friends. Hmm, you could guess... maybe it was that Director Wang!"

Xiao Man: ...

Tang Haocheng added, "I heard about the older generation’s affairs from Grandpa. The Tang, Gu, and Bai families have always just maintained a cordial relationship on the surface. This Bai Junfan guy... I heard he disappeared for many years and then reappeared. For him to suddenly show up where you were is definitely strange."

If you find any errors ( Ads popup, ads redirect, broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.