Pampered by Short-Lived Bigshot

Chapter 1336 - 765: The Jiang Family’s Rescue Plan and the Formidable Support Think Tank (Part 2)

Si Yushan took a deep breath and looked at his daughter once more. His expression was much more serious than before.

"When he came to our house during the Lantern Festival, your reaction was strange. Was it because of him?"

Although Tang Wan helped cover it up, thinking about it now, there were still a lot of things that felt off.

"Yes."

Si Yushan frowned, "So during the Lantern Festival, when he came to our house for dinner and mentioned having someone he was pursuing, it was you?"

Si Qingxiao didn’t speak, which was as good as admitting it.

You Yunzhi coughed twice, "Yushan, you even encouraged him back then and gave him advice."

"I remember." Si Yushan pressed his fingers heavily against his brow.

"The last time he came to our house to deliver the screen, you even talked to him about meeting the parents... and gave him lots of advice," You Yunzhi added another jab.

"How was I supposed to know this young guy would be so bold as to chase after my daughter, bringing the pursuit right to my doorstep, and even brazenly asking for my opinion! Think about it, who would be so bold? This brat is just too audacious and wild." Si Yushan suddenly burst out, startling Si Qingxiao.

Perhaps realizing he’d scared his daughter, Si Yushan took a deep breath and softened his tone a bit.

"Have you ever seen anyone inquire about meeting the parents with the person involved?"

"That fourth son of the Jiang Family truly lives up to his reputation, a born rebel who doesn’t follow the beaten path."

Si Qingxiao pressed her lips tightly. When Jiang Chengsi asked her father, she was as taken aback as everyone else, "Dad, then why were you so nice to him and answered all his questions?"

"I thought since this young man had a bad relationship with his parents, he must be having a tough time, especially when it comes to important life events like marriage, maybe no one is there to advise him."

As a father, Si Yushan viewed him as a younger person needing guidance.

"Since he asked me, it was a sign of trust. I thought, why not help if I can?"

"I never expected him to..."

The more Si Yushan thought about it, the more frustrated he felt.

"Dad, what should we do now..." Si Qingxiao bit her lip, "The Jiang Family is still outside; let’s set aside Fourth Brother, it’s understandable you’re upset with him, but Jiang Uncle and Auntie, and those two kids, they’re waiting too, we can’t keep them waiting forever."

"When did the Jiang Family find out about your relationship?" Si Yushan pressed on.

He remembered hearing Jiang Chengsi say he was his daughter’s boyfriend, and it was dizzying, but the Jiang Family seemed unfazed.

"They probably don’t know. Only Fifth Master and Teacher Tang might have known a bit earlier."

"Let’s stop talking about it now and hurry out to see the Jiang Family off; we can discuss everything else at home," You Yunzhi reminded, "It’s getting late."

**

When the three members of the Si Family entered the hall, the entire Jiang Family stood almost simultaneously. Both sides greeted each other politely and sat down at opposite ends of a table.

Si Yushan was initially filled with anger but couldn’t vent on innocent people, so he just kept glaring at Jiang Chengsi.

But Jiang Chengsi’s reaction was unexpected.

What the hell?

He hadn’t even started talking or making things difficult for him, and the kid already had a bitter melon face?

Could it be he was planning to play the pity card for sympathy?

Or was he provoked by something?

Jiang Chengsi saw them approaching and forced a smile that was rather bitter.

"Mr. Si, Mrs. Si, I might have known about the kids’ situation just a little earlier than you, but I didn’t know Chengsi would be meeting the parents today, truly sorry, besides the birthday gift for Mrs. Si, we brought nothing else."

It wasn’t Jiang Zhenhuan speaking, but Fan Mingyu, her voice was naturally pleasant, and she carried a congenial smile.

It’s said not to hit someone smiling at you, and the Jiang Family’s lowered posture made it hard for the Si Family to vent their anger.

"No problem. Mrs. Jiang, you’re too kind." You Yunzhi could only smile back.

Jiang Zhenhuan coughed softly, prompting Jiang Chengsi to stand and speak:

"Uncle, Aunt, I’m really sorry. I’ve known you for so long but never told you about Xiaoxiao and me, mainly because our relationship hadn’t been long. We wanted to wait until our feelings were stable before informing you."

"But tonight was special; Xiaoxiao was being slandered, and I had to step up to clarify for her."

"We didn’t intentionally hide this from you. If you think I did something wrong or have grievances, feel free to direct them at me. It has nothing to do with Xiaoxiao."

...

Jiang Chengsi’s tone was earnest and serious, leaving Si Yushan with furrowed brows.

This didn’t seem like him.

He had never seen Jiang Chengsi act so seriously before.

His peripheral glance caught the Jiang Family behind him, surmising that with so many smart people around, they must have advised him on what to do.

With such a think tank behind him, this kid was quite lucky tonight.

First point, state the reason for hiding it, maintain a proper attitude;

Second point, explain today’s exposure, not intentional, not meant to put the Si Family in a difficult position;

Third point, take all the blame on himself.

...

The Jiang Family’s strategic plan was to get through the night smoothly, while Jiang Chengsi’s core message was:

Everything for Miss Si; everything from her interest; everything centered around her.

In this way, even if the Si Family held any grudges against him, it wouldn’t be easy to act on them. You can’t blame someone for protecting your daughter, can you?

"By the way, Uncle, Aunt, here’s a little gift I brought for you. It’s nothing valuable, please don’t mind."

Upon seeing these items, Si Yushan’s temper flared up again.

"Uncle, I previously asked you what you like because I’m so fond of Xiaoxiao and wanted to win your favor."

"I know I have many shortcomings, and you might find me not the ideal son-in-law, but I truly adore her and will protect her for life, not letting anyone harm her."

"You can take your time to assess me; Xiaoxiao isn’t aware I directly inquired about your preferences; it was entirely my own idea."

Usually seen as frivolous, Jiang Chengsi suddenly acting so earnest caught Si Yushan off guard.

Even Si Qingxiao felt the man in front of her wasn’t the Fourth Brother she knew, as if someone had swapped identities.

His logic was clear, well-structured.

Most importantly, Si Yushan found that any challenge he wished to voice got stuck in his throat.

With such humility expressed by a younger man, interrupting would make him seem petty.

Si Yushan found himself in a tough spot.

He stared intently at Jiang Chengsi and suddenly noticed the shirt he was wearing looked somewhat familiar.

In such a serious setting, he inexplicably asked:

"Where did you get your shirt?"

Jiang Family: "?"

What’s going on?

Every potential question Si Yushan might ask had been anticipated by his family, which allowed him to pre-emptively address them before Mr. Si had really grilled him.

But why ask such a question?

He subconsciously glanced at Si Qingxiao.

Following his line of sight, Si Yushan looked at his daughter, suddenly recalling the ill-fitting shirt in Pingjiang, disproportionate for his frame — broad shoulder, long, slim waist — not his size at all.

Pingjiang, shirt.

He thought about the timeframe of Qi Zeyan’s engagement; even though it was held in Pingjiang and no one from their circle attended, the news spread in business circles. He considered the approximate engagement time of Qi Zeyan and suddenly recalled his daughter’s intent to spend spring in Pingjiang.

"Did you meet in Pingjiang?"

Jiang Chengsi hesitated for a moment. How did this get linked to Pingjiang? But his expression betrayed him; clearly, they had met.

Si Yushan’s head began to throb again...

While in Pingjiang, he hadn’t noticed anything unusual, like two cups in the living room, or the regular dinnerware set, but he’d assumed it might be a friend visiting or something. In retrospect, those details were quite alarming.

Could these two have lived together?

The Jiang Family also began watching Jiang Chengsi; due to time constraints, he hadn’t detailed the progression of their relationship.

Si Yushan seemed to sense something significant.

Even Si Qingxiao didn’t anticipate her father being so perceptive!

Though it wasn’t that Si Yushan was truly observant or sensitive, once things come to light, previously overlooked details start being examined one by one.

Coming at him persistently.

Could they have been cohabiting?

In Pingjiang, a man and a woman alone, far from home, what could these two have done together?

Could it be...

Had the relationship progressed to unspeakable stages?