The Cheng family had strict rules, and Old Master Cheng was a man of his word—dinner had to start exactly on time.
No one dared to question it, not even Cheng Yuan.
They arrived ten minutes early, washed their hands, and waited in the dining room. As for the unpleasantness in the car, they tacitly agreed to pretend it never happened.
In front of others, they still played the loving couple.
Old Master Cheng was the last to enter. He swept a brief glance around and patted the seat beside him. "Xiao Yatou, come sit here."
Jiang Xiao instinctively glanced at Cheng Yuan.
Old Master Cheng said sternly, "Brat, what's with the long face? Do you need to approve her sitting with me for dinner?"
Cheng Yuan curled his lips. "Grandfather, what are you saying?"
He lifted his chin slightly and said gently, "Since Grandfather wants your company, go ahead and keep him company."
No one noticed that beneath the table, out of sight, Cheng Yuan viciously pinched Jiang Xiao's fingers, warning her not to say anything wrong.
Jiang Xiao endured the pain and lifted the corners of her mouth. "Okay, Xiao Xiao will keep Grandfather company."
She lowered her head and glanced at the red marks on her fingers, her heart clenching.
Cheng Yuan was becoming more ruthless with her.
Her face remained calm, but her heart was bleeding. "Grandfather, Xiao Xiao missed you so much."
It was true—she really did miss Old Master Cheng.
The old man smiled. "Grandfather missed you too."
He crooked a finger, and the butler brought up a red wooden box. "Young Madam, this is a piece of jewelry the master specially brought back from abroad for you. Do you like it?"
The box was open, and Jiang Xiao immediately saw the jade bracelet. The texture was clear, and one could tell it was expensive at a glance.
"Grandfather, it's too precious. I can't accept it."
"What's so precious? It suits you perfectly."
"But—" Jiang Xiao glanced sideways at Cheng Yuan, who was looking down, tasting his tea, seemingly oblivious to what was happening.
Old Master Cheng snorted lightly. "What, does he even control whether you accept gifts?"
"No," Jiang Xiao said with a smile. "Alright, I'll accept it. Thank you, Grandfather."
"Good girl." The old man was in a good mood and called out, "Alright, everyone, eat."
At the dining table, apart from Old Master Cheng and Jiang Xiao's voices, no other sounds could be heard.
Old Master Cheng adhered to the rule of not speaking during meals, which was also a family rule.
But now the rule was broken, and Jiang Xiao didn't have to follow it.
Cheng's mother was so angry her eyes were about to pop out. If it hadn't been for Old Master Cheng's insistence back then, she would never have let Jiang Xiao into the family.
In the end, it was still Old Master Cheng who had made the wrong decision.
Half of Cheng's mother's resentment came from Old Master Cheng, and the other half from Cheng's father. She and Cheng's father had a business marriage, living together but estranged for a lifetime, never knowing what love was.
People who had never experienced love found it hardest to see others happy.
Whenever Cheng Yuan was the slightest bit good to Jiang Xiao, the dissatisfaction in her heart would rise, and she would instinctively want to torment someone.
Jiang Xiao was the one she tormented.
She squinted and came up with other ideas.
Jiang Xiao had no idea what Cheng's mother was thinking. She chatted happily with Old Master Cheng, talking about things abroad and things at home.
She shared all the fun and interesting things.
Old Master Cheng laughed nonstop at her stories.
For the first time in a long while, laughter filled the Cheng family dining table. "Ha ha."
Cheng Yuan didn't react much. He had always been like this—cynical in front of outsiders but overly restrained in front of family.
This contradictory side of him made it impossible to guess which was the real him.
Both? Or neither?
Probably only he himself knew.
While talking to the old master, Jiang Xiao occasionally kept an eye on Cheng Yuan's movements. Seeing him put down his chopsticks and wipe his mouth, she also put down her chopsticks and said with a smile, "Grandfather, I'm full."
Old Master Cheng glanced at the porridge, which had hardly been touched, and the dishes. He frowned. "Eating so little? Are you feeling unwell?"
She was indeed a bit unwell.
Jiang Xiao shook her head. "Not unwell. I just haven't had much appetite lately."
"Not much appetite?" Old Master Cheng's brows furrowed again. "A Rong, how are you taking care of her?"
This "A Rong" referred to Cheng's mother, whose given name was Zhang Rong. She was the third daughter of the Zhang family, much loved by her parents.
Zhang Rong said calmly, "It's my fault. I've been negligent in my care. Sun Ma, bring the sea cucumber porridge I made for Xiao Xiao to drink."
Sun Ma acknowledged and came in with a bowl.