novelProgram, Banquet
| ← Ch.412 | Ch.414 → |
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Brother?
Cheng Juan glanced at her.
Cheng Wenru was also stunned."Your brother gave you a little jade hairpin? And one so well-preserved? Are you sure this is your brother?"
"This is a jade?" Qin Ran didn't expect Cheng Wenru to ask so many questions, and she handed the jade casually to her."Take it if you like it. My brother has a lot more."
Qin Ran was nonchalant.
She had a good memory, and although she didn't know what this was called, she remembered seeing several of such hairpins in Giant Crocodile's second collection.
She wasn't interested in this, and neither studied archeology nor antiques. Seeing that Cheng Wenru seemed to know about these things, she directly threw it into her hands.
"This jade is preserved very well." Cheng Juan, who had studied archeology and restored ancient cultural relics before, lightly looked up and brushed his fingers over the celadon-colored teacup in his hand."The color is so bright. It's considered one of the best among jades. Take it, sister."
Jade had already lost its tradition.
All that remained were preserved antiques.
But because of the long time, many had lost their luster. However, the one in Qin Ran's hands were exquisite and rare, and collectors wouldn't even show it to others.
Cheng Wenru hurriedly stuffed the hairpin into Qin Ran."No, I can't ask for this."
This thing was priceless, and the collection value was too high. Even if Qin Ran didn't know much about it and didn't care, Cheng Wenru would still never accept it.
Cheng Juan coldly glanced at her."You don't like it?"
Tilting her head, Qin Ran glanced at Cheng Wenru, whose cold white fingers had paused."If this thing is kept with me, I don't know which day I'll lose it."
Cheng Mu raised his hand and honestly said, "Miss Qin has a pink diamond that rolled out of her suitcase one day. I picked it up."
Cheng Wenru was speechless.
She forcibly accepted this little jade hairpin.
As for the second wooden box, it was much more normal and contained a pearl bigger than usual.
Cheng Wenru sighed in relief.
**
At the same time.
Inside the Cheng family house.
Old Master Cheng ate half a bowl of rice with a radiant face.
Cheng Raohan put down the bowl at the dining table and looked at him."Dad, what's the happy event?"
"Nothing much." Old Master Cheng picked up the digestion tea next to him, took a sip with lowered eyes, and slightly relaxed his imposing expression. His shrewd eyes couldn't hide the hint of joy inside."Ran Ran is coming back the day after tomorrow."
Although Qin Ran had been in Beijing for so long, Cheng Raohan had yet to find out her details, so she was probably very well protected by Cheng Juan.
He only knew her surname, and that Old Master Cheng and Cheng Wenru called her "Ran Ran."
He didn't know anything else.
Cheng Raohan didn't continue to investigate if it was possible to find out. He didn't want to waste too much energy on a woman from the outside world.
But looking at Old Master Cheng's expression, he seemed to like her very much, and his mood had been better recently.
He faintly looked away and nodded without saying anything.
After the meal, Old Master Cheng went to play with his parrot, while Cheng Raohan returned to his wing.
"Eldest Master, the day after tomorrow, all the Cheng family's managers, big and small, will return to celebrate the Old Master's birthday." The subordinate bowed respectfully."I heard that Shi Liming is coming too."
Old Master Cheng was getting older and was in poor health. He always relied on medicine from the Research Institute to continue his life with the Daylily, though his lifespan was decreasing.
Thus, regardless of whether it was a big birthday, managers big and small would come back to celebrate.
Cheng Raohan paused, standing by the window, deep in thoughts."I'll see Shi Liming myself the day after tomorrow."
"Yes, sir!"
The subordinate finished speaking but didn't leave.
After hesitating for a while, he said, "About Miss Qin that the Old Master talked about..."
"Don't worry." Cheng Raohan's voice was light."It's good that Cheng Juan brings her back, so all the hall masters can come back and witness how he has succumbed to beauty and seduction. They'll see if he's suitable to be a Patriarch."
His voice contained a hint of ridicule.
Because of the Second Hall Master, Cheng Juan had gradually risen in popularity among the Cheng family. Cheng Raohan was worried about this, but Cheng Juan had just helped him out.
The Matriarch of a big family naturally had to be of comparable strength. Once Cheng Juan brought her back, he would lose at least half of the people's support.
**
It was Saturday.
Many netizens were looking forward to "24-hours Idol" at 8 pm.
Although Qin Ran wasn't present anymore, Cheng Wenru still watched it because of her brother. She had never met her brother before.
In the Lu family's house.
Lu Zhaoying was lying sideways on the sofa, the studs on his ears reflecting cold light. At 8 pm, he held the remote control and switched to the live broadcast at will.
Qin Ran wasn't there today.
The comments section finally returned to normal.
"Welcome to 24-hours Idol"
"Production crew: I was put in a spot. I can finally show 24-hours Idol. (Cry) (Cry)"
However, halfway through the show, everyone watched as Qin Ling solved the Luban lock without blinking—
"Hahahaha, look at how stunned Film Emperor Qin and King Yan are. Screenshot! Screenshot it! Turn it into a gif!"
"Little nephew: Didn't expect it?"
"Okay, everyone, welcome to 10-hours Idol."
"Production crew:... ???"
"Production crew: Today is another difficult day (Smile)"
"Production crew: cnm??"
"Asking the production crew in a lowly manner. Why don't you decrease the number of IQ questions? Don't you want your program to last longer?"
Lu Zhaoying had already been defeated after seeing Qin Ling read the difficult book in the school doctor's office and wasn't surprised to see this scene.
Behind the sofa, a woman in pajamas and a facial mask came over and grabbed a few purple hairs on his head."Lu Zhaoying, haven't you washed off your purple hair yet?"
"F*ck! Mom, be gentler." Lu Zhaoying stepped back and introduced it to the woman."Let me show you the brother and sister—"
He reached out and pointed to the TV.
The TV happened to show Qin Ling's cold little face and dark eyes.
Mother Lu took a look, tore off the mask on her face, and stood there staring at him for a while.
Seeing that Lu Zhaoying was about to slip away, she reached out to grab his collar and gently said, "Do you know this kid? I won't hit you, tell me."
Certain that he wouldn't be hit, Lu Zhaoying sat down on the sofa."I already told you, he's a brother I know. I've told you so many times."
"You mean Ran Ran?" Mother Lu stood condescendingly.
Lu Zhaoying looked up and waved his hand with great pride."Of course. Do you know them?"
"I want to meet them." Mother Lu glanced at him.
Lu Zhaoying murmured, "Meet her? She won't even dare to answer my phone call... F*ck, f*ck. Mom, I promise you! I'll call her! Make an appointment! I promise!"
**
Sunday.
Cheng Wenru came to pick up Qin Ran at Ting Lan at 8:30 as agreed.
Today was the Old Master's birthday, but it wasn't a big birthday, so he didn't accept gifts from other families and just held a large family dinner. Cheng Wenru wore a white lotus collar shirt underneath and a red ankle-length skirt with a casually put on cashmere coat.
She knocked on the door, stared at Qin Ran's black clothes, and was stunned."Brother, are you so poor that you can't afford clothes?" She turned to Cheng Juan.
Cheng Juan lightly glanced at her."You only rely on fancy clothes."
Cheng Wenru was speechless.
Why hadn't Cheng Juan been bombed yet??
Cheng Wenru drove by herself today. She chased Cheng Juan to the driver's seat and pulled Qin Ran to the back.
Cheng Mu drove another car.
After briefly introducing the Cheng family to Qin Ran, she looked at Cheng Juan again, lowered her voice, and whispered inwardly, "It's a courtyard house, but there's an ancient building not far from the back door. A lot of people are coming today, so it might be too tiring to finish viewing it in a day. It'll be better if you can stay..."
Ting Lan was quite far from the old house. It was the weekend, so there wasn't a traffic jam on the road. They entered the bluestone road after an hour and finally stopped in front of the thick and simple gate with two stone lions.
Cheng Juan pulled out the keys and got out of the car.
At the same time.
Inside the Cheng family house.
In the lobby at the end of the corridor, a few butlers had already arrived. Cheng Raohan got up early today and was accompanying these butlers to drink tea.
Butler Cheng hurriedly came from the lobby, his expression excited and happy.
Realizing there was someone in the lobby, he paused halfway and very politely greeted Cheng Raohan and the others.
As the Old Master's confidant for decades, even Cheng Raohan had to give him face.
The butlers quickly stood up and greeted him.
"Butler, what are you in a hurry for?" Cheng Raohan put down his teacup and looked at him, puzzled.
Butler Cheng bent down slightly, holding a notebook. His old eyebrows couldn't hide the joy in his eyes."Miss Qin is here, I'm going to pick her up!"
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