novelraw Chapter 0182 The Jiang Family's Beloved
Chapter 0182 The Jiang Family's Beloved
As dusk settles, the city lights begin to twinkle.
The dining room of the Jiang family's old house was brightly lit.
The huge mahogany round table was once again filled with people.
It was the same relatives from three years ago on New Year's Eve, but the atmosphere was completely different.
Gone is the tense atmosphere of yesteryear, and the undercurrents of scrutiny have vanished.
The air was filled with the genuine joy and harmony of a family.
"Ningning, try this fish maw chicken soup."
Jiang's mother took a serving spoon and personally ladled a large bowl of soup for Wen Ning, placing it in front of her.
"Look at your pointed chin, you must not have been eating well these past few years. Drink more to nourish your body."
Wen Ning accepted the soup bowl with both hands, her eyes crinkling with a smile.
"Thank you, Mom. This soup smells so good."
The word "Mom" made Jiang's mother overjoyed, and the smile on her face never stopped.
She not only served soup, but also kept putting food into Wen Ning's plate.
Before long, a small mountain of debris had piled up in front of Wen Ning.
In the main seat.
Jiang's father remained seated, saying little.
But he set aside his usual airs when handling multi-billion dollar contracts and his expression was very gentle.
He glanced at his wife's enthusiasm as she served food to their daughter-in-law and coughed.
"Old Fu."
Jiang's father called out to the housekeeper.
Uncle Fu immediately came over carrying a small sandalwood tray.
On the tray was an antique-style brass key box.
Jiang's father reached out his hand.
He slowly pushed the tray to Wen Ning's side.
"Dad, this is..." Wen Ning asked, somewhat surprised.
"Take it."
Jiang's father's voice was steady, conveying the authority and trust of an elder.
"These are the keys to the old house's storeroom and inner courtyard."
"Your mother has managed things for half her life, it's time for her to rest. From now on, you'll need to take better care of the Jiang family's internal affairs."
The relatives around gasped in shock.
Hand over the keys.
This is the most direct transfer of power within a wealthy family.
This means that from this moment on, Wen Ning has officially become the future matriarch of the Jiang family.
Jiang's mother smiled and nodded beside her, showing no sign of disappointment at being stripped of power.
"Take it. From now on, I'll just play cards and go shopping. You and Aci will take care of all the worries."
Wen Ning looked at the heavy key box.
There was no refusal.
She accepted it readily and nodded solemnly: "Thank you for your trust, Mom and Dad. I will take good care of it."
……
The family dinner continued.
During the meal, the relatives naturally started talking about Wen Ning.
"Ningning is a great artist now."
My second aunt, dressed in a wine-red cheongsam, spoke with a smile.
She had long lost her former sharp tongue, and her tone was now full of the intimacy and flattery of an elder.
"That gold medal in Paris, I felt so proud just watching the news. From now on, the Jiang family's aesthetic sense will all depend on you."
Three years ago...
As a "drama queen" under the system's control, Wen Ning will definitely raise his chin and make his second aunt lose face.
But now, she is no longer the little girl who used vanity to mask her fear.
Wen Ning put down her chopsticks, her smile gentle and graceful.
"Second Aunt, you flatter me."
"Drawing is just a hobby of mine, and I was just lucky to win the award."
She paused, then glanced naturally at Jiang Ci beside her.
"Moreover, without Aci's support behind me, providing me with the best team and resources, I wouldn't be where I am today. This award is half his doing."
Just a few words.
He was neither humble nor arrogant, which demonstrated his strength while also giving Jiang Ci and the Jiang family ample face.
She attributed her success to her husband's support.
This made the elders present feel extremely comfortable.
Sensible, understanding, and has a broad perspective.
This is the true demeanor of a matriarch of a wealthy family.
Auntie nodded repeatedly, beaming from ear to ear.
Just then, a little girl ran over.
She is my cousin's daughter, only five years old this year, with two pigtails.
"Auntie!"
The little girl was lying on Wen Ning's lap, holding a tablet computer in her hand.
"Auntie, I also want to learn to draw. Can you teach me?"
Tong Yan Wuji.
This made the atmosphere at the dinner table even more lively.
Wen Ning looked down at her beautifully sculpted niece.
His eyes were soft.
"Okay. What do you want to draw?"
"I want to draw a big tiger!"
Wen Ning did not give a perfunctory answer.
She asked the maid to bring her paper and pen.
She placed the pen on the edge of the table and picked up an ordinary black ballpoint pen.
Flip your wrist.
The lines are smooth.
However, it was only a few strokes.
Less than two minutes.
A cute, chubby, yet somewhat majestic cartoon tiger leaps off the page.
It even captured the little girl's mischievous look from earlier, perfectly integrating it into the painting.
"Wow--!"
The little girl held the painting and jumped up and down with joy.
"Thank you, Auntie! You're the best!"
The elders around also came over to look, marveling at the sight.
"This painting skill is absolutely amazing."
"Such vivid expression with just a few strokes; no wonder it won the gold medal."
Wen Ning smiled and patted the little girl's head.
The atmosphere was extremely harmonious.
……
But on the edge of this joyous and radiant scene.
There was one person who seemed out of place.
Jiang Ci.
The president of Limitless, a company worth hundreds of billions.
A fearsome figure in the business world of City A.
At this moment, he was sitting alone next to Wen Ning.
A small bone china dish was placed in front of me.
His long, slender fingers, clad in disposable gloves, were peeling a huge Australian lobster.
No one cares about him.
There wasn't even anyone to talk to him.
All the elders were surrounding Wen Ning, asking him all sorts of questions, while the younger generation were surrounding him, admiring his paintings.
He, the legitimate heir of the Jiang family, was completely relegated to the background.
Even their status within the family has been reduced to the very bottom of the food chain.
Jiang Ci peeled a whole piece of shrimp meat.
I was just about to put it in Wen Ning's bowl.
"Oh dear, Aci."
Jiang's mother suddenly turned her head and gave him a disgusted look.
"Don't just stand there. Ningning can't eat all the shrimp you've peeled."
Jiang Ci paused.
"……mom?"
"Go! Go! Go."
Jiang's mother waved her hand, as if shooing away a large, troublesome dog.
"Go to the kitchen and heat up a cup of milk for Ningning. She has a sensitive stomach, so drinking some warm milk at night is good for her stomach."
"Just microwave it for one minute, don't make it too hot."
Jiang Ci looked at the shrimp meat he had just peeled in his hand.
He glanced at his wife, who was surrounded by relatives, smiling helplessly.
He sighed.
Take off your gloves.
There was no rebuttal, nor did he get angry.
"Okay, Mom."
He stood up and obediently walked towards the kitchen.
Laughter from my relatives came from behind me.
"Look at Aci now, how obedient she is to Ningning."
"That's what a good man is like. A man who loves his wife will achieve great things."
In the kitchen.
The microwave oven is making a slight humming sound.
Jiang Ci leaned against the kitchen counter, watching the milk cups spinning inside.
But the corners of his mouth couldn't help but turn up.
Brotherly position in the family?
It doesn't matter.
As long as she's happy, he'd be happy to serve her tea and water for the rest of his life.
……
The microwave oven made a "ding".
Jiang Ci carried the warmed milk back to the restaurant.
He placed the milk next to Wen Ning.
The temperature is just right.
"Have something hot to drink," he said softly.
Wen Ning turned her head.
Looking into his deep, gentle eyes, I picked up the warm glass.
"Thanks."
The dinner was drawing to a close.
The relatives moved to the living room to drink tea and chat.
Only Jiang Ci and Wen Ning remained in the restaurant.
The maid is tidying up the table.
Jiang Ci gently took Wen Ning's hand under the table.
Their fingers are intertwined.
Wen Ning turned her head and leaned on his shoulder.
Looking out at the brightly lit courtyard, and listening to the cheerful laughter coming from the living room.
All of this felt like a warm dream.
"Jiang Ci."
She murmured softly.
"Um?"
He squeezed her hand.
"I feel really good right now."
Jiang Ci turned his head away.
His thin lips brushed against her ear, leaving a very light kiss.
His voice was low and hoarse, filled with gratitude that came from years of hardship.
"Thank you."
He whispered in her ear.
"Thank you for bringing my home back."
Without her, the Jiang family home is just a cold, lifeless house.
She's there.
This is where the true essence of life lies.