Ten Thousand Soul Banner: Deceased, do you have any unfulfilled wishes?
Chapter 290: Goodbye Uncle Grandpa

Chapter 290: Chapter 290: Goodbye Uncle Grandpa

Shen Siyuan saw Ruan Hongzhuang’s curious and inquisitive look and decided not to hide the truth from her.

Instead, he said with a smile, "Because she thinks you look like her arch-enemy."

"Arch-enemy?"

Ruan Hongzhuang was surprised to hear this and her face showed even more curiosity.

Shen Siyuan pointed her in a direction and continued, "It’s her classmate. There’s no deep hatred, just some past minor disputes that she remembers to this day."

"So that’s it? No wonder she became more friendly after I mentioned my mother’s name. It must be that my mom isn’t her arch-enemy," Ruan Hongzhuang said with a hint of amusement.

"She has a childlike personality, such a simple mind for her age, and expresses her emotions in a straightforward manner," Shen Siyuan commented.

"That’s actually quite nice. It doesn’t feel tiring to be around her, and she’s easy to please," Ruan Hongzhuang remarked.

"You’re right about that. She usually cools off as quickly as she gets mad, a little comforting does the trick, and she doesn’t bear grudges," said Shen Siyuan.

"Not bearing grudges? Arch-enemy? →_→"

Obviously, if one doesn’t hold grudges, then the so-called arch-enemy is a contradiction in itself.

"My dad mentioned that it’s not really an ’arch-enemy,’ just a term they use; it’s actually a falling out between close friends," explained Shen Siyuan.

Having heard this, Ruan Hongzhuang suddenly understood why she always felt Auntie’s gaze was somewhat complex, she couldn’t pinpoint the reason before but now it clicked.

"You’re very observant," complimented Shen Siyuan.

"Of course. In business, one naturally needs to be observant. Though I have benefited from my family’s and Taozi’s family’s influence, I’ve also worked hard, you know?" she claimed.

"Yes, I know you’re capable."

"Of course," Ruan Hongzhuang said, proudly and without a hint of modesty.

"If you encounter any issues you can’t handle or feel unfairly treated, you can talk to me about it," Shen Siyuan offered.

"Mhm."

Ruan Hongzhuang obediently responded, knowing Shen Siyuan had the capacity to assist.

However, she quickly changed the subject, "But I probably won’t need you to step in. Taozi’s family has quite a strong presence in Bin Hai, and in addition, my dad has built a substantial network over the years."

"What does Jiang Taozi’s family do? I’ve always heard you mention them," Shen Siyuan asked curiously.

"Her grandfather was originally in the judicial system of Bin Hai. Her father and several uncles hold positions in various government departments, and her aunts and sisters have all married well..."

Okay, Ruan Hongzhuang didn’t need to go into detail, Shen Siyuan got the picture.

This was basically a political family, intricate and complex. Being born into this family, Jiang Taozi’s parents and elders didn’t have many demands of her, with the probable exception that she marries into a ’good family’ in the future.

This was tantamount to a political monopoly, Shen Siyuan thought, but he kept his opinions to himself as it wasn’t his concern.

Since Grandma’s house was not far away, they had only chatted briefly before reaching the Yu Family Mansion where Grandma lived.

Having called Grandma in advance, she had been waiting at the intersection for a while, and to Shen Siyuan’s surprise, his Grand-Uncle Yu Youcai was also standing behind her with his hands behind his back.

Shen Siyuan hurriedly asked Ruan Hongzhuang to stop the car and then went to greet them.

"Grandma," Shen Siyuan walked up quickly.

"Why are you standing here? You could have just waited for me at home."

As soon as Shen Siyuan approached, Grandma grabbed his hands and inspected him carefully.

"You’ve lost weight, and you look darker too."

Grandma’s eyes, though slightly dimmed, sparkled with joy.

Although she had taken the Elixir Shen Siyuan provided, her age was inevitable, and she appeared somewhat aged, but her health was markedly better, and she stood with a noticeably straighter back.

"It’s true that I’m darker, but I haven’t lost weight," Shen Siyuan stated.

The darkness was due to the influence of gathering the Five Elements Qi, and losing weight was out of the question. In fact, thanks to the refinement of Great Arhat Eighteen Forms, he had become even more robust.

But that’s how elderly people are, always assuming you’ve become thinner, darker, or less energetic, and always believing that children suffer hardships while away from home.

Shen Siyuan turned his gaze towards his Grand-Uncle Yu Youcai and smiled.

His grand-uncle didn’t seem to have changed much since their last meeting.

At this time, Ruan Hongzhuang also came over and greeted Grandma.

"Grandma, hello."

Grandma heard the words and looked at Ruan Hongzhuang with her somewhat murky eyes.

Shen Siyuan only told her he was coming to see her over the phone and didn’t mention bringing his girlfriend, which is why she asked.

"Grandma, this is my girlfriend Ruan Hongzhuang. I brought her today to visit you."

Upon hearing this, Ruan Hongzhuang timely hooked her arm through Shen Siyuan’s.

Hearing these words, a radiant smile appeared on Grandma’s aged face.

"Good, good..." She took Ruan Hongzhuang’s hand and looked her over carefully.

To let her see clearly, Ruan Hongzhuang intentionally bent her body slightly, and Uncle Grandfather was also chuckling from behind, happy for Shen Siyuan.

"The young lady is really beautiful," Grandma said cheerfully.

Then she pulled Ruan Hongzhuang’s hand and started heading into the house.

"Let’s go home, we’ll talk slowly at home..."

Shen Siyuan hurriedly stopped them.

"Grandma, we drove here. The car is still blocking the road. Let Ruan Ruan park the car first."

"Oh, so you came by car." Grandma was still a bit slow to catch on.

Shen Siyuan asked Ruan Hongzhuang to park the car, while he himself supported Grandma to walk back. However, Grandma kept looking back, as if afraid that this granddaughter-in-law would run away.

"Have you taken her to meet your parents?"

"Yes."

"Such a beautiful girl; they must be very pleased."

"Very pleased indeed."

"I am very pleased as well," Grandma said with a chuckle.

"You are satisfied just by one glance?"

"Of course, Grandma knows how to judge people. I can tell she is a good girl at a glance."

Grandma then asked, "When are you two planning to get married?"

"Uh... not so soon."

"Better to get married sooner, have a child. I want to see my great-grandchild before I die."

"Don’t worry, as long as I am here, you will certainly get to see them."

"Yes, yes, my Big Head is very capable." Grandma grasped Shen Siyuan’s hand, all smiles.

"Grandma, don’t call me Big Head," Shen Siyuan said.

"A big head is smart. You are so capable now; it must be because you had a big head when you were little."

Shen Siyuan: ...

After Ruan Hongzhuang parked the car and came down, Grandma pulled Ruan Hongzhuang aside to talk. As for Shen Siyuan, he was already left to the side.

Shen Siyuan took the opportunity to chat with Uncle Grandfather.

"Last time I came back, I did not see you. How is it, still can’t let go of Grandma Qiao Zhen?" Shen Siyuan asked with a teasing smile.

"Eh, how did you know?"

Uncle Grandfather’s face showed embarrassment; fortunately, he was now a spirit, or else his old face would have been flushed.

"Don’t ask me how I know. How is Grandma Qiao Zhen doing? Is her health still good?"

Uncle Grandfather didn’t continue to beat around the bush and sighed, "Not very well. She probably doesn’t have much time left."

"Are her children filial?"

When one grows old, the most important thing is having filial children; otherwise, living is suffering.

"It’s so-so. People aren’t valued when they’re old," Uncle Grandfather lamented.

He continued, "I came back to check on your Grandma; fortunately, I ran into you coming back. I’ll leave in a bit. I hope to accompany her during the last days of her life."

"There’s no hurry, there will be plenty of time in the future," Shen Siyuan said.

Then, with a thought, he directly captured Uncle Grandfather into the Ten Thousand Soul Banner.