Ten Thousand Soul Banner: Deceased, do you have any unfulfilled wishes?
Chapter 405: Clever Taozi

Chapter 405: Chapter 405: Clever Taozi

Taozi was never a foolish girl.

It’s just that everything has been arranged for her since childhood, so she never needed to think for herself.

Therefore, when she saw Shen Siyuan looking so enthusiastic, she sensed something was off.

She blinked and then shyly said, "Grandma asked if I truly like you..."

Huh? Is this something I can hear?

"So, what did you say to her?" Shen Siyuan asked, somewhat speechless.

"Of course, I said I truly do." Taozi blinked her eyes, a smile on her lips.

"And then, what else did Grandma say?"

"Grandma asked when we’re getting married," Taozi said with a laugh.

"Haha..." Shen Siyuan laughed awkwardly.

Suddenly, Taozi reached across the table and grabbed Shen Siyuan’s hand, her face full of hope, "You will help me, right?"

Shen Siyuan heard this and replied, a bit helplessly, "This is something I can’t help with, even if I agree, Ruan Ruan won’t."

"So you’re saying that as long as Ruan Ruan agrees, it’s no problem, right?" Taozi raised an eyebrow, looking mischievous.

Shen Siyuan was puzzled for a moment, but then realized that Ruan Hongzhuang definitely wouldn’t agree. No matter how good the relationship is, it wouldn’t work. He merely pretended to be Taozi’s boyfriend, and even last night, a phone call was enough to sense that jealousy.

So he nodded with a smile and said, "Of course, as long as Ruan Ruan agrees, I’m fine with it."

"Then it’s settled," Taozi laughed mischievously.

She then extended her pinky finger.

"What are you doing?"

"Pinky swear," Taozi said with a cheerful smile.

"So childish."

Yet, Shen Siyuan still extended his finger and made the pinky swear with her.

Taozi was satisfied with this outcome and said proudly, "From today onwards, you belong to me."

"You dare say that in front of Ruan Ruan?" Shen Siyuan glared at her.

Taozi shrank back for a moment but then stood up straight and said boldly, "Just watch me; you think I wouldn’t dare."

She then glanced at the pile of garbage on the table and exclaimed, "Finished eating already?"

"What else?"

Shen Siyuan stuffed everything back into the bag, ready for room service to clean up later.

"I wasn’t full."

"You were distracting yourself earlier."

Shen Siyuan stood up and walked towards the door.

Taozi hurriedly grabbed her bag and followed.

"Where are you going?"

Shen Siyuan thought about it and realized he actually didn’t have any particular place to go.

"What about you? Are you going back to Bin Hai today?"

"No way, I finally took a break and going back means being ordered around like an ox."

"Didn’t Ruan Ruan say you spend your days either watching dramas or eating? What kind of ox is that? An Indian ox?"

"What do you mean?" For a moment, Taozi didn’t understand.

"The happiest ox in the world."

Taozi: ...

"Nonsense, if you’re working, you’re all oxen or horses. There’s no happiness in it," Taozi said angrily.

"No, I used to think my previous job was quite enjoyable," Shen Siyuan replied.

Thinking back, he did miss the days of chatting and joking with colleagues.

"Your previous job was interesting? I’ve never heard you talk about it."

Taozi habitually linked arms with Shen Siyuan as they entered the elevator together.

Once inside the elevator, Shen Siyuan realized.

"Why? You don’t have to pretend to be my boyfriend anymore."

Shen Siyuan tried to pull his arm back, but Taozi held it tight, fearing more friction if he forcibly withdrew.

However, Taozi took the initiative to release his arm.

"So stingy, what’s wrong with hugging? Mainly... mainly afraid of being seen by acquaintances. Let me tell you, I have a lot of friends in Coconut City," Taozi said boastfully.

"No need to stick together constantly."

"Never dated, wouldn’t know."

Shen Siyuan: ...

However, her words made Shen Siyuan a bit curious.

"You’ve really never dated anyone with Ruan Ruan?"

Both are twenty-eight this year, and Shen Siyuan found it rather unusual they hadn’t dated, especially as they are both beautiful women, not something unattractive.

"What? You want Ruan Ruan to have dated someone? I didn’t know you had this hobby? →_→"

Taozi looked at him disdainfully and stepped aside.

"That’s not what I meant, but you do know a lot," Shen Siyuan laughed.

"I don’t know what you’re talking about," Taozi feigned ignorance.

"You haven’t answered my question, though," Shen Siyuan continued to ask.

"How should I put it? On one hand, we haven’t met someone eye-catching, because growing up we were surrounded by too many excellent people. Those in school seemed immature and it was hard to find a match."

"Additionally, enjoying the privileged life brought by our family means taking on corresponding responsibilities; our private lives can’t be too casual..."

"Of course, the main reason is not being interested in these matters. Ruan Ruan was thinking of starting a business since school, and I was too lazy to date because I feel men can’t offer me anything valuable."

Shen Siyuan understood. With their family background, there was a high probability of choosing arranged marriages, considering the family behind it. But if one’s private life is too casual, a marriage might end in conflict, leading to family breakdown.

Call it conservative or traditional, it is beneficial for the family’s development.

Ultimately, it’s up to the two women, not forced upon them; only a contributing factor.

For instance, when Ruan Hongzhuang met Shen Siyuan, she didn’t consider such things.

They had just come out of the elevator when someone called.

"Mr. Shen."

Shen Siyuan looked towards the lounge area and saw Zhong Xiaonan waiting there.

Today, her hair was styled in twin ponytails, not the neat kind but rather messy and casual, paired with her wide-waist denim skirt, giving off a relaxed yet serene vibe.

Like a ray of sunlight in the forest, brightening one’s eyes.

Taozi looked at her with surprise and then, without a word, wrapped her arm around Shen Siyuan’s again.

Shen Siyuan glanced at her and then said, "Why didn’t you let me know you were coming ahead of time?"

"I was afraid of disturbing your rest; anyway, I didn’t have anything specific to do," Zhong Xiaonan replied with a smile.

Seeing her empty-handed, Shen Siyuan walked directly over and sat down opposite her.

Taozi immediately sat down next to him.

Shen Siyuan glanced at her, and she immediately whispered, "I’m keeping an eye on you for Ruan Ruan, to prevent you from acting out."

Shen Siyuan: ...

But he said nothing, instead inviting Zhong Xiaonan to sit and talk slowly.

"The matter you asked us to investigate has results. It’s just some old stories, so there’s no written documentation. I’ll tell you verbally."

"Okay, go ahead."

Shen Siyuan was curious about the past between Sun Xinghai and He Qingyan.