The Subtle Seduction of My Ex-Girlfriend’s Aunt - Chapter 27

Chapter 27: The Little One Has So Many Schemes, Filing a Complaint…

In Jiang Mei’s eyes, the reason the old man was pulling a sour face was simply because he had tasted the chicken soup sent by his future granddaughter-in-law, and was now back to being annoyed that his own daughter hadn’t found a partner yet.

Of the two chickens Tang Ran sent, Auntie Wang had already delivered one to Song Wuqi after cooking it. For the other one, Elder Master Song specifically instructed to wait until his daughter came home for dinner to eat it. Jiang Mei knew the old man intended to use this to poke at their daughter; she didn’t want him to succeed, so she deliberately had the auntie stew the chicken at noon.

Coincidentally, her daughter actually came back at noon.

Looking at the chicken soup, Jiang Mei remembered something and asked Song Zhixu, “By the way, have you run into Ranran at Shengming Mansion?”

The last time she spoke with Tang Wanru on the phone, Wanru mentioned she was worried about Tang Ran living alone at Shengming Mansion. Jiang Mei told her that Zhixu lived there as well and asked her to look out for Tang Ran. Jiang Mei had mentioned this to Song Zhixu once before, but she knew her daughter was busy and didn’t know if the two had ever actually met.

“Mhm.” Song Zhixu withdrew her gaze calmly and turned to wash her hands.

Jiang Mei followed behind her, advising again, “Since you happen to be in Jiangcheng during this period, look after her more often.”

“I know,” Song Zhixu said, rolling up her sleeves to wash.

“Ranran is a beautiful and sensible child. Your father is thinking of discussing the engagement once Wanru and the others return.” Jiang Mei and Tang Wanru were on good terms and kept in frequent contact. “Time really flies. In the blink of an eye, that tiny little nursing baby has grown up and is about to start a family.”

When Tang Ran was born, her father was away on a business trip, so it was actually Jiang Mei who accompanied the labor. That day, Jiang Mei had taken Song Zhixu to visit Tang Wanru. While they were talking, Tang Wanru unexpectedly went into early labor. When the doctor brought Tang Ran out, it was Jiang Mei who first held her—a fair, chubby little milk-bun, incredibly cute.

After reminiscing, Jiang Mei looked at her daughter and asked tentatively, “Is there really no one suitable around you?”

Jiang Mei had always advocated for freedom in marriage and love; she herself hadn’t married or had children until her thirties, so she never pressured her daughter. She didn’t believe marriage was a necessity, but she felt her daughter should at least experience being in love.

Her daughter had been sensible since she was a child, excelling in both academics and her career, but Jiang Mei always felt something was missing. She knew her own flesh and blood best. Her daughter appeared easygoing and approachable, but in reality, there were very few things she truly cared about in her heart.

Even the massive Song Group wasn’t something she particularly craved. When the old man, wanting to avoid sibling rivalry, favored the son and handed the enterprise to him, she simply started her own business with friends. When trouble arose at home and the old man hoped she would return, she did so without complaint, taking over the mess of difficult affairs.

Whether during her ignorant childhood or her maturing adolescence, her daughter rarely lost her temper or showed rebellion. Even when she first took over the business, Jiang Mei could clearly sense she was under immense pressure, yet she never saw her lose control of her emotions. In the popular slang of young people online, her daughter’s “inner core” was too stable.

But such a person felt too “ethereal,” not grounded at all, as if nothing could truly pull at her emotions.

“Take someone like Ranran, for example. Look how good she is,” Jiang Mei said, trying to guide her. “Xiao Qi got injured, and Ranran specifically had someone deliver free-range chickens early this morning, stewed the soup, and sent it over to her.”

Song Zhixu had one special assistant and three secretaries; half of Assistant Jiang’s duties were that of a life assistant. However, Jiang Mei felt that no matter how well an assistant cared for her, it wasn’t as good as having a partner who cared for her well-being.

Hearing this, Song Zhixu’s hand-washing paused, and her slightly furrowed brow quietly relaxed.

It seemed she had misunderstood Tang Ran earlier. Sending chicken soup was a ruse; filing a complaint was the real goal.

Song Wuqi usually didn’t live at Jingting. If Tang Ran hadn’t sent the chickens, no one in the family would have known she was injured. Given how much her father cared about his granddaughter, once he knew she was hurt, he would definitely investigate why. As for the phone call Tang Ran received yesterday—though Song Zhixu didn’t hear the content—she could guess it was related to Song Wuqi from Tang Ran’s subsequent reaction.

After returning from the hospital, Song Zhixu had Assistant Jiang look into it and discovered Song Wuqi had gone to the hospital after a fight. Recalling her father’s displeased expression, Song Zhixu guessed he also knew about the trouble Song Wuqi caused at the bar.

At this thought, the corners of Song Zhixu’s lips curled up involuntarily.

The little one really has a lot of schemes, even filing a complaint in such a roundabout way.

Jiang Mei rambled on for a while, and seeing no response from her daughter, she patted her arm. “What do you think?”

Song Zhixu turned off the tap and looked at her in the mirror, her voice carrying a smile. “She is indeed quite good.”

Jiang Mei, thinking she had finally reached her daughter, asked joyfully, “Does that mean you’re considering it?”

Song Zhixu just smiled, neither confirming nor denying.

From the chicken soup sent back by the Song family, Tang Ran portioned out a bowl, added some “extra seasoning” [laxatives], and took it to find Song Wuqi. Wearing a fake smile, she watched Song Wuqi eat the meat and drink the soup with great devotion before returning to the office satisfied. As for how many times Song Wuqi ran to the restroom that afternoon, she couldn’t be bothered to care.

As night fell and streetlights flickered on, Tang Ran sat in the rocking chair on her balcony, playing games and chatting with Miao Tiantian. The lights in the living room next door came on, and a few minutes later, a new message popped up on her phone.

Sister Song: “I’m home.”

Smiling, Tang Ran put her phone away, took the food she had been keeping warm in the steamer, and headed out. The doorbell rang. Song Zhixu opened the door to find a radiant, flower-like smile.

“Authentic mountain-run chicken soup. I wonder if you’ll like it, Sister?”

The voice was light and cheerful, reflecting the speaker’s excellent mood.

On a weekend with no work, Tang Ran managed to sleep in for once. After having breakfast in a great mood, she changed into a simple casual outfit and headed out. She had an appointment with Xia Xin’er today to do volunteer work at the orphanage.

Just as Tang Ran reached the elevator, the lock across the hall turned, and Song Zhixu stepped out.

“Good morning, Sister!”

Tang Ran leaned back slightly, greeting her with vibrant energy. A simple white T-shirt paired with light-wash denim, her long hair tied in a ponytail—she radiated youth from head to toe.

Tang Ran walked to the elevator closer to unit 1901 and asked with a smile, “Are you heading out too, Sister?”

Song Zhixu’s attire today was also leaning toward casual: a light blue silk chiffon blouse adorned with an elegant filigree mother-of-pearl brooch, and a high-waisted cream-white embroidered skirt—sophisticated and graceful as always.

“Meeting a friend,” Song Zhixu said, her lips curving slightly.

Tang Ran winked playfully. “I’m meeting a friend too.”

The elevator arrived, and the two stepped in together. Before pressing the button, Tang Ran looked back. “Are you going to the first floor too, Sister?”

“B1.”

Tang Ran pressed B1 first, then the first floor.

Song Zhixu spoke up: “Where are you going? If it’s on the way, I can give you a lift.” Since it was a private gathering, she wasn’t in a rush and could drop Tang Ran off first.

Tang Ran smiled and shook her head. “A friend is coming to pick me up.”

At the banquet, she had agreed with Qiu Yuan that Qiu Yuan would pick her up for the orphanage trip. Just as she finished speaking, Qiu Yuan’s call came in. The elevator reached the first floor. Tang Ran said, “Goodbye, Sister,” and stepped out while answering the phone.

“Qiu Yuan.”

“Wait for me a second, I’m coming out now…”

The elevator doors slowly closed, cutting off the sound of Tang Ran’s receding voice.

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