Why don’t you tell me bedtime stories? (Part Four)

The afternoon is quiet.
Sitting in a small, air-conditioned shop, watching the occasional passers-by through the glass, I could hear the rustle of store clerks sorting out shelves.
It was as if time had stood still.
Such leisurely time is rare, and Ren Xingliu did not feel bored. Instead, he took out his mobile phone, opened a stand-alone game page, handed it to the person opposite, and said with a smile: “Brother, help me pass this level.” 

Seeing such an answer, Ren Xingliu didn’t say anything more and sat down at the dining table.

This was when Ms. Shen brought up the freshly cooked noodles. The hot aroma filled the room. Ren Xingliu took a deep breath and felt that this morning was considered to be a success. 

Ren Zhu and He Lang also picked up their chopsticks again. But compared to delicious food, their hearts were more moved by Ren Xingliu.

Especially for Ren Zhu, whose heart was brimming with emotions.

When things happened like that, she thought she would never be able to reach an agreement with Ren Xingliu on this matter in her life. He was also worried that Ren Xingliu’s willfulness would affect him.

After that big incident, she thought she would never reach a consensus with Ren Xingliu on this matter in her lifetime. She also became worried about how Ren Xingliu’s headstrongness would affect himself.

Never would she think that suddenly, his attitude had changed.

In fact, Ren Zhu had a vague feeling that there was something different about Ren Xingliu way earlier than today, but this son of hers had too many criminal records, so she brushed it off as his way of deceiving her.

But now, her son was able to stay tranquil and even-tempered in front of He Lang. Did he really mature?

This useless implement of a son used to give her immense migraine. So just the thought that he might really be sensible, even if it was a small amount, had made Ren Zhu’s heart soften. 

She turned her loving gaze at her son beside her, wanting to seize this rare opportunity to have a good talk with him.

However, the emotion went away.

Ren Zhu: “…?”

It was obvious that Young Master Ren didn’t receive his mother’s tenderness, with how fully immersed he was in the world of food. 

Eating his food seriously, drinking his soup attentively, slurping his noodle wholeheartedly, until heaven and man were one. He didn’t even spare them a look.

Looking like he hadn’t eaten his fill for years—this was obviously impossible.

But Ren Zhu had to spend two minutes pondering whether the economic sanctions she had imposed were too harsh. Just how much was he suffering?

Before she could figure it out, Ren Xingliu had finished his bowl of noodles and turned to the kitchen, shouting, “Ms. Shen, another bowl.” 

After making the request, he noticed that Ren Zhu was looking at him with a hesitant expression, so he asked like a good son, “Mother, do you want another bowl as well?”

The urge for Ren Zhu to have a mother-child interaction went away, because it was very hard to feel tender hearted towards this rice tub at the moment. 

Upon a closer thought, it seemed that after the car accident, there was the economic sanction, as well as…the blind dates?

Thinking of this, Ren Zhu felt like she was on to something and asked, “Oh right, how are things with you and that nephew from the Bai Family?”

The Empress Dowager had finally asked!

“Pretty good.” Ren Xingliu replied casually, “I just went with him to meet his teacher yesterday.”

Ren Zhu froze slightly. “Meet his teacher?”

Ren Xingliu nodded and explained, “His parents passed away long ago, so that teacher is a very important senior to him.” 

The subtext was, four up to five, I have already met his parent. We are serious!

Ren Zhu was indeed shocked.

In fact, just as Ren Xingliu guessed, after hearing that he had fallen in love with Bai Juanqiu, Ren Zhu was excited at the moment, but when he calmed down afterwards, he became suspicious again.

In fact, just as Ren Xingliu guessed, when she had heard that he was interested in Bai Juanqiu, although she was overwhelmed at first, once she calmed down, doubts arose once more. 

It was really unlike her son’s style.

But she didn’t interrogate Ren Xingliu during that time. Firstly, she was genuinely busy with work, and secondly, she urgently needed to explain to the Pei Family, so it could wait once everything died down.

So, these days, she had been holding back her troops without moving, even dragging on the further discussion with the Bai Family, just waiting for Ren Xingliu to finally show his tail.

She didn’t expect that not only did Ren Xingliu not change his mind, but he was also that interested in Bai Juanqiu?

While she was surprised, there was bound to be doubts.

He Lang, who had been silently eating noodles, thought of something and mentioned, “Is that why you appeared at Lingde yesterday?”

As soon as he asked, he suddenly realized what he had done and regretted it.

It was a rare occasion for Ren Xingliu to act in such a good temper that he unconsciously relaxed his guard and even struck up a conversation with this young master. 

He Lang abruptly ended his question and continued to eat his food, acting as if nothing had happened and expecting the other party to ignore him.

Yet, it didn’t seem Ren Xingliu cared at all, and he only raised an eyebrow. “Oh, the news sure got to you fast.”

He responded so carefreely that He Lang was somewhat stunned.

Young Master Ren actually answered his question, and he didn’t answer it with burning satire and freezing irony. 

Ren Zhu, however, wasn’t in the loop and asked, “What happened?”

“I was about to tell you.” He Lang gathered his thoughts and said, “The public relations department just sent an email, so you probably haven’t read it yet.”

Last night’s hot search was blazing, and the Ren Empire’s professional public relations team naturally noticed the news on the internet.

However, this matter does not have any impact on the group at present. Asking Ren Zhu specifically for instructions seems to be making a fuss, but after all, it involves the young master, so it is not good not to say anything. 

However, this matter didn’t seem to have any impact on the Ren Empire. Getting Ren Zhu involved would be like solving a small problem with the most advanced calculator. However, this involved the young master after all, so it wouldn’t have been a good idea to say nothing at all.

The public relations department was on top of this. They compiled a report and sent it to Ren Zhu. Knowing that she had so much on her plate, she might have missed it. So, they privately brought it up to He Lang, hoping to use his relationship with her to notify her.

Which was how He Lang knew it earlier than Ren Zhu.

Only then did Ren Zhu open the email. After reading the report, her face instantly turned stern and said, “Why didn’t you tell me when this happened?” 

Ren Xingliu feeling both amused and ironic. “It’s not like this was a big deal.”

Besides, how was telling her now too late?!

By the time he woke up, things were already over. So, what was there to say?

Ren Zhu took a deep breath. “You’re right.” 

Compared to those that Ren Xingliu had caused before, this matter was indeed not a big deal, and the result was not bad. A few days ago, Ren Zhu probably wouldn’t have asked, but now, for some reason, he was worried that Ren Xingliu would be wronged.

Compared to other things Ren Xingliu had caused before, this matter was indeed nothing, and the result turned out to be fine. If it had been a few days ago; Ren Zhu probably wouldn’t have bothered to ask, but right now, for some reason, she was actually worried that someone had wronged Ren Xingliu.

Even after this matter was done, Ren Zhu wasn’t able to find peace inside.

It seemed that Ren Xingliu really went to see Bai Juanqiu’s senior? 

Could it be possible that this brat has finally changed his way and was serious about that nephew from the Bai Family?

If that was the case, it wasn’t good to keep the Bai Family dry in the air.

Ren Zhu mulled for a moment and reminded, “Your grandfather should be back in a few days. Check when Bai Juanqiu is free, so you two can visit your grandfather together.”

Mr. Ren went on vacation a few days ago, otherwise, Ren Zhu wouldn’t have been able to impose sanctions on Ren Xingliu so forcefully.

Now that the old man was coming back soon, it was about time for him to meet Bai Juanqiu.

Ren Xingliu had anticipated this and said, “I’ll ask him.”

The matter was settled just like that.

Breakfast had come to an end. 

When everyone’s chopsticks were down, everything still felt so surreal for Ren Zhu and He Lang—the three of them managed to have such a harmonious meal.

There was no table being flipped, or arguments breaking out.

Although she wanted to savage this rare moment, she had a schedule to keep and could only say reluctantly, “Then we’ll be off first.”

After a moment of hesitation, He Lang also spoke up, “See you next time.” 

“Wait.” Ren Xingliu shouted after them.

Ren Zhu and He Lang turned around and saw Ren Xingliu’s twisted expression. He frowned and said, “Well, do you guys—”

The two of them instantly became nervous at the situation.

Was the calm demeanor from before just an illusion. Was this what was about to come? 

The next second, Ren Xingliu realized something and dropped it, “Never mind, you guys definitely won’t know.”

After that, he turned to the kitchen and asked, “Ms. Shen, do you know if we have any medicine in the house that aids digestion? I might have eaten too much.”

Ren Zhu and Hu Lang: “!???”

So ,was your grim expression from eating too much? 

Ren Zhu was both annoyed and amused. “Are you a fool?”

Ren Xingliu shook the pot off calmly and chided, “It’s all Peng Hui’s fault!”

It was to celebrate Peng Hui’s car flipping over, he rewarded himself with two more large portions!

Ren Zhu: “…” 

He Lang: “…”