Chapter 9: Faces Slapped, The Sound of

Jiang Jianguo and the others finally came to their senses from shock.

They looked at the girl before them, then at the greedy, flattering parents behind her and the dilapidated surroundings; the huge contrast left them momentarily unsure how to react.

This girl… looks completely unlike her parents and this family!

She is clean, graceful, her eyes clear and candid, bearing an indescribable aura.

Jiang Jianguo's worries and doubts were largely swept away in an instant, replaced by great surprise and curiosity.

Li Huijuan and Jiang Nainai grew increasingly satisfied; this girl, flawless in appearance and figure, and especially that gaze—just right! Not like her parents' crooked thoughts.

Da Zhuang and Wang Juhua saw the Jiang Family staring at Su Ruan in a daze, thinking they were stunned, and felt even more smug; Wang Juhua hurriedly pushed Su Ruan: "Why are you standing stupidly? Hurry and pour water for uncle and aunt! No sense of perception!"

Su Ruan was nudged and staggered slightly, her brows briefly furrowed, but she quickly recovered, obediently replying, "Ah, okay."

She turned to fetch the Warm Water Bottle.

"No need to hurry, no need!" Li Huijuan quickly interjected, her tone unintentionally softened, "Child, don't fuss, come sit, come sit."

At this moment she thought only one thing: what great luck has this brat gotten? He actually managed to snag a real treasure!

This girl, not even matching Jiang Ran, would be more than enough for an even better family! Must secure her quickly! Must not let her run away!

Jiang Jiaojiao, seeing her parents' and grandmother's sudden change of attitude, and looking at the poised Su Ruan, out of place with the surroundings, felt a mix of emotions.

She finally understood why her brother had plunged headfirst.

And finally believed that there truly are people who emerge unstained from the mud.

Her gaze at Su Ruan shifted completely from scrutinizing to amazement and a hint of protection she herself hadn't even noticed.

From now on, if anyone dares say this marriage is unsuitable, Jiang Jiaojiao will be the first to refuse!

And Su Ruan's brief stagger and furrow, though fleeting, clearly caught every Jiang Family member's eye.

Li Huijuan's offhand "no need to hurry" carried genuine concern.

What kind of life does this girl lead at home? If she reacts a bit slowly, she gets pushed and scolded?

Jiang Ran's complexion instantly darkened; he stared at the hand Wang Juhua used to push Su Ruan, his gaze chillingly cold.

He didn't care whether she was Su Ruan's stepmother; bullying his daughter‑in‑law in front of him was unacceptable!

Just as he was about to speak, Su Ruan had already steadied herself, as if nothing had happened, and gave Li Huijuan a docile smile.

"Aunt, it's fine, this is what I should do."

After speaking, she turned, picked up the Warm Water Bottle on the table, and prepared to pour water.

That submissive demeanor made the Jiang Family feel even more uneasy.

Such a fine girl, yet in this house she is treated like a little maid.

Da Zhuang, still lacking insight, boasted smugly: "In‑laws, don't think our family's conditions are ordinary, but our family education is strict!"

"RuanRuan, this child—I won't say much else, but she's obedient, sensible, and diligent, top‑notch! When she goes to your family, she'll surely serve Jiang Ran comfortably and keep the household orderly!"

His intention was to praise his daughter, showing his good teaching, but Jiang Jianguo furrowed his brows, Li Huijuan and Jiang Nainai showed reluctance.

This is not raising a daughter; it's basically raising a servant!

Jiang Ran was fuming, his fists clenched with a crack.

His daughter‑in‑law is to be cherished, not taken as a maid to serve!

He sprang up, grabbed Su Ruan's wrist, took the Warm Water Bottle from her hand and placed it on the table, his motion unmistakably forceful.

"What water are you pouring! Sit down!"

His voice was hard, laced with obvious anger, his eyes turned to Da Zhuang and Wang Juhua, his tone both cold and sharp.

"Uncle, aunt, Su Ruan is mine from now on. In our house, without these rules, there's no need for her to serve anyone! She only needs to do what she wants!"

The words were extremely impolite, almost directly slapping Da Zhuang and Wang Juhua in the face.

Da Zhuang's smile froze, and Wang Juhua's complexion turned sour.

Su Ruan looked up in surprise at Jiang Ran, seeing his tight jawline and protective stance, and smiled inwardly.

This little wolfdog looks pretty handsome when he protects his food.

Jiang Jiaojiao also nodded silently, feeling that her brother's words, though a bit sharp, were satisfying!

Jiang Jianguo cleared his throat lightly; although he thought his son's attitude a bit excessive, he actually agreed, and smoothed things over: "Brother Da Zhuang, Ranran may be blunt but not unreasonable. Times have changed; the old ways no longer apply. Kids should support each other; happiness is most important."

His words gave Da Zhuang a way out, while clearly stating the Jiang Family's stance.

Da Zhuang and Wang Juhua's faces turned pale, their hearts choked with resentment, yet they dared not offend the God of Wealth, so they forced a laugh and echoed: "Yes, yes, Factory Director Jiang said, new era, new atmosphere…"

At that moment, with a "clang", the broken wooden door was violently pushed open from outside, breaking the awkward atmosphere.

Su Yanhua, beaming, dragged in a bespectacled, scholarly‑looking young man, who burst in, his voice sharp and bright, full of bragging.

"Mom, dad, I'm back! Look who I brought! My boyfriend Wen Bin! A teacher from Hongxing Elementary School, who came today especially to our house for a Proposal!"

As soon as she finished speaking, she realized the room was full of people, all well‑dressed and dignified, with valuable gifts piled on tables and floor; her smile froze, and she was stunned.

Wang Juhua was also dumbfounded, blurting, "What? Yanhua? Since when did you have a boyfriend? Why haven't you mentioned it?"

Su Yanhua, after her mother's question and seeing the strangers and glaring Betrothal Gifts, felt instantly uneasy and unbalanced.

She slightly furrowed her brows, her tone a mix of complaint and showing off: "Do I have to report every detail about my boyfriend? Wen Bin is a proper cultured person, an elementary teacher, an iron rice bowl! Very promising! Unlike some people who laze around all day!"

Her words hinted at someone, and she glanced faintly at Jiang Ran standing beside Su Ruan.

She had heard yesterday that Su Ruan had gotten involved with Jiang Ran, that second‑rate guy, so it must be this group?

Dressed all pretentious, those things are probably just for show!

Wen Bin, being dragged, felt a bit uneasy by the scene, adjusted his glasses, forced himself to hand over his items, his voice low: "Uncle, aunt, greetings, a token of respect."

He brought the standard set: two bottles of ordinary baijiu, a pack of pastries, and a piece of dark fabric.

To an ordinary family, this Proposal Gift was respectable.

But everything fears comparison!

His items, compared with the Jiang Family's corner‑filled whey, whole pork leg, brand‑new radio, bright silk, looked miserably shabby, like a beggar's.

The surrounding air fell eerily silent in an instant.

Su Dazhuang and Wang Juhua's faces instantly turned the color of pig liver, as if they wanted to crawl into a crack in the ground!

How disgraceful!

Both are daughter Proposal, the contrast is just too tragic!

They were just bragging that Su Ruan had found such a wonderful family, and in the blink of an eye their daughter arrived with this Han Can son‑in‑law and the Betrothal Gifts, the faces slapping together with a loud "slap, slap"!