Chapter 2126: Chapter 2126: The Eighteenth Coming-of-Age Ceremony (8)
Duan Xi nodded.
About ten minutes later, Zhao Li and Lu Zishu came over with Lu Xian and the little boy. The little boy had changed into a different outfit and was following right at Lu Xian’s side, step for step.
His pretty eyes wandered around the Ruan Family’s place and finally stopped on Jiaojiao, his gaze filled with delight and a barely suppressed excitement.
"Grandma Ruan." The last time he came to the Ruan Family, Lu Xian had only stopped at the door and not gone in, and he hadn’t greeted anyone either. Now, seeing the Ruanlin Family’s old lady, he called out a bit apologetically, saying, "I didn’t have time to say hello to you before, I’m sorry."
"It’s fine, it’s fine, we’re all family here, what are you being so polite for." The old lady of the Ruanlin Family waved her hand repeatedly, looking him over, her face full of distress. "You’ve gotten much taller, but why are you so skinny? Must’ve suffered a lot out there. Come on, hurry and eat, I specially made your favorite dishes."
The old lady of the Ruanlin Family truly felt sorry for Lu Xian. Ever since the Ruan Family and the Lu Family became close, Lu Xian and Ruan Jie and Ruan Chi had gotten along well enough to "share a pair of pants." Whenever he had time, he was at the Ruan Family’s place, practically someone she’d watched grow up, no different from her own grandsons. Seeing that he’d indeed shot up, but was tanned and skinny, made her heart ache.
Lu Xian could naturally feel that distress. Smiling, he nodded, then pushed the little boy at his side forward. "Amon, call Great‑Grandma."
"Great‑Grandma." The little boy greeted her, looking adorably well‑behaved.
"Aye, good boy. Are you hungry? See if there’s anything you like. If not, Great‑Grandma will make something else for you." The old lady of the Ruanlin Family said with a beaming smile.
The little boy probably didn’t quite understand everything she had just said. He only stared at her with wide eyes, and as he stared, his gaze uncontrollably shifted over to Jiaojiao on the other side. His little eyes were shy yet nearly jubilant, as if he were forcing himself to tamp down his emotions.
Duan Xi’s gaze swept over the pair, the big one and the little one, and finally landed on the little boy.
Very few people could stand up to Duan Xi’s stare, let alone such a small child. Amon soon found it a bit unbearable, and his small hand clutched at Lu Xian’s pant leg as he shrank back.
Jiaojiao stood beside Duan Xi and reached out to tug at his sleeve. Only then did Duan Xi withdraw his probing gaze.
Lu Xian, as if he hadn’t noticed any of this, kept urging the little boy to greet people. "Amon, call Uncle and Auntie." He pointed at Duan Xi and Jiaojiao.
"Uncle." The little boy continued to call out obediently.
But when his gaze landed on Lu Xian, he looked a little hesitant. His small mouth moved a bit, and in the end, as if reluctantly, he called out, "Auntie."
"Hello, Amon." Jiaojiao bent down slightly to greet him.
Amon looked at her, then immediately ducked back shyly, but he couldn’t bear to move his eyes away from her.
"All right, all right, don’t just stand there, let’s eat first." The old lady of the Ruanlin Family clapped her hands and had everyone take their seats.
This meal was unusually quiet; even Zishu couldn’t manage to liven up the atmosphere. After they finished eating, Lu Xian took the little boy and left first, with Zhao Li following behind. Zishu stayed at the Ruan Family’s place.
"Why aren’t you going home?" Jiaojiao looked at him with obvious dislike.
Zishu took a bite of an apple, pretending not to see Jiaojiao’s distaste. He sat down next to her and started gossiping with great interest. "Do you think that little boy is really my big nephew?"
"Did Brother Xian say anything when he got home?" Jiaojiao happened to be interested in this too.
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