Chapter 1724: Adorable Mr. Xiaoyan—Stood Up?

Jiang Ruan couldn’t get any useful information from Jiang Mutang, so she specifically asked her father. She didn’t mention who she was sending something to, which led to a misunderstanding by the doting father, thinking his daughter wanted to give him something.

Sese started sending messages in the group:

[Having a daughter is great, a little cotton-padded jacket, thoughtful and warm, knows to care for me.]

Huo Qinqi: [Daughters are indeed thoughtful.]

[The way you say it, it sounds like no one else has daughters.] Qi Zeyan chimed in, his daughter went to a university in Beijing, staying close makes her naturally more attentive.

Jiang Shiyi: [Xiaowu’s family doesn’t.]

Jiang Jinsang: [...]

I wasn’t even speaking, why drag me in?

He just laughed:

[Actually, having sons isn’t bad, at least I don’t have to worry about them being kidnapped. If a girl likes them, I’d be happy. But with a daughter, you have to worry more.]

Everyone in the group: [...]

In fact, except for Jiang Jinsang, each family had a little daughter, and as the children grew up, they all more or less worried about this issue.

It seems like all fathers have this mentality, thinking no one is good enough for their daughter. While finding a suitable partner is a good thing, there’s always concern about her encountering some bad ones and getting bullied.

Losing money is a small issue, but getting taken advantage of and having her heart broken is far worse.

A few minutes later

Jiang Jinsang received a notification:

[You’ve been removed from the group chat by the group owner.]

And the group owner was his brother—Jiang Yanting!

Because of Jiang Jinsang’s words, the once vibrant atmosphere in the group suddenly...

Went completely silent!

Jiang Xiaowu is still the same Jiang Xiaowu...Just as exasperating as before.

As fathers with daughters, all they can do is teach their daughters to protect themselves, or do their best to protect them. When children grow up, meet more people, some matters are simply beyond their control.

Just like now, Jiang Chengsi was still immersed in the joy of his daughter giving him a gift. Little did he know, the gift was meant for...

Another man.

**

On Friday, while Beijing had transitioned to autumn attire, Nanjiang was still sweltering. Jiang Ruan had to be at Yan Group by ten, necessitating an 8 a.m. commute to the city. The meeting was special, involving a senior and an uncle.

She couldn’t embarrass her grandfather and dressed meticulously, even pulling out the cheongsam tailored by Si Qingxiao.

"Jiang Xiaoruan, it’s just an interview, do you need to dress so beautifully?" Her roommate teased, "I tell you now, with Senior Yan’s disposition, no matter how pretty you dress, he won’t spare you a glance."

"I’m not dressing for him."

Jiang Ruan was only worried that dressing too casually would embarrass her family.

"I wonder if he doesn’t like girls?" Her roommate continued the conversation.

"I really want to meet him, I’ve heard so much about him, yet never seen him in person. It’s a real pity."

Jiang Ruan chuckled, "Why don’t you come with me?"

Her roommate shook her head quickly, "I just hope you come back safely today."

...

Jiang Ruan left the dorm with her interview equipment, passed through the dormitory, the teaching buildings, and proceeded to the school gate to catch the shuttle to the city.

This trip unknowingly caught many people’s attention, especially when passing the military training ground. Many freshmen stared wide-eyed, having seen many beautiful seniors but none quite like her.

She was the epitome of innocence and charm, her presence carrying an indescribable allure.

"Who was that just now? A senior from our school too?"

"Seems like she’s a senior from the Literature faculty, Jiang Ruan, but she’s one to admire from afar, not to trifle with, unattainable."

"Why?"

"Take a look in the mirror and you’ll understand."

"..."

At this point, another person chimed in, "Don’t listen to his nonsense, no one pursues her. When she first enrolled, someone confessed with candles to her, but she has a boyfriend reportedly tall and handsome, who visited our school. A goddess claimed, so just look, don’t covet."

"It’s true, beautiful seniors are out of our reach."

Jiang Ruan was oblivious to their discussions, basking in the sea wind while sitting comfortably on the shuttle to the city.

She arrived in the city around nine in the morning and didn’t go directly to Yan Group but went to a pastry shop to buy some tea snacks. She truly didn’t know what to gift, but since it was an interview, bringing food seemed a thoughtful option.

Arriving early at Yan Group, she was stopped at the front desk.

"...You mentioned having an appointment with Mr. Xiaoyan? A student from Nanjiang University?" The front desk staff sized her up.

"Yes, scheduled for ten o’clock to interview him."

"Please wait a moment, I’ll call the secretary’s office to check."

"Okay."

Jiang Ruan sat quietly in the lobby, items in hand, waiting.

The feedback from the secretary’s office was indeed that Mr. Xiaoyan expected an interview, but with a male student, causing the receptionist some confusion as now, a female student appeared.

And a particularly beautiful one, dressed meticulously, claiming to be here for an interview, not only carrying what’s likely the interview equipment but also bringing food.

Nanjing’s most famous pastry shop, where even a tiny piece of bread isn’t cheap; is it necessary for a student interviewer to buy this?

The receptionist found her a bit peculiar, recalling incidents of people pretending to be from newspapers or magazines to exploit opportunities. If they let her in, what happens when the male student arrives? Yan Chi was busy, so they decided to make her wait.

Jiang Ruan wasn’t in a hurry initially, but as time passed, the appointment time swiftly approached.

"It’s already ten o’clock, is he still unavailable?"

"Please wait a little longer."

Yan Chi wasn’t known for his temper, and the receptionist worried about letting the wrong person in, facing reprimand, thus delaying her.

Another call to the secretary’s office, confirming a male student was still expected.

Unaware of their deliberations, Jiang Ruan simply presumed Yan Chi was preoccupied. Since it was pre-arranged, she was on time, her arrival not delayed, so she didn’t feel anxious and patiently awaited...

**

Meanwhile, in the top-floor office

At exactly ten, Yan Chi postponed other work, waiting promptly in the office for the "junior student," but as time ticked on, he glanced at his watch. Ten minutes had passed.

The "junior student" was late.

Perhaps inheriting it from his father, Yan Chi was rather particular about certain matters, such as punctuality!

Given the other party was ten minutes late, today’s interview seemed unnecessary; he got up, readying to leave the office. Originally contemplating inviting the "junior student" for lunch after the interview, as a senior treating after the interview.

But now...

This "junior student" not only lacked perceptiveness but was extremely unpunctual.

No lunch invitation, upon knowing who they are, he might even blacklist them.

Given it’s related to his alma mater, Yan Chi held it in high regard, yet ended up being stood up.

No "junior student" had ever dared to stand him up.

It was no wonder he often heard people say nowadays junior students are formidable, sometimes not respecting seniors, and seeing this, it’s evident.

Yan Chi had postponed other work, even cleared lunchtime, only to be stood up, he disliked waiting for unreliable individuals, thus deciding to leave.

"Mr. Xiaoyan?" asked the secretary, seeing him about to leave.

"Going home."

Since there wasn’t anything pressing, better to spend time with his parents.

...

Jiang Ruan appeared calm yet felt anxious inside, pondered checking with the receptionist again but worried frequent questioning might annoy them, thus patiently waited.

Suddenly, she overheard the reception murmuring: "Mr. Xiaoyan is coming down—"

Everyone prepared themselves; accompanying the "ding—" of the elevator reaching the ground floor, Jiang Ruan looked over at the sound.

Secretly delighted:

He finally arrived!

Knowing he’d be late, he came to personally receive her? Such hospitality.

All her waiting paid off.

She immediately stood, adjusted her clothes, aiming to greet him in the best manner, couldn’t embarrass her grandfather.

Jiang Ruan had seen countless pictures of Yan Chi on the school forum, meeting him in person...

For the first time!

The real him was far more impactful than the photos.

Standing at nearly a meter ninety, long limbs, sharp features, clad in a simple white shirt and well-cut trousers, with a hand tucked into his pocket, conversing with his secretary beside him, even while speaking, his expression was astoundingly sparse, exuding intense aloofness and detachment.

This was her grandfather’s, and her parents’...

Adorable Uncle Xiaoyan?