Ten Thousand Soul Banner: Deceased, do you have any unfulfilled wishes?
Chapter 433: Familiar Stranger

Chapter 433: Chapter 433: Familiar Stranger

In fact, without even looking at Ruan Hongzhuang’s attire.

Shen Guiyan could also see that Ruan Hongzhuang was different because her demeanor was vastly distinct from ordinary people.

It is often said that one’s demeanor changes with one’s environment, and children who grow up in privileged surroundings have an innate confident demeanor.

Whether it’s in conversation or in social interactions, there’s a sense of ease and propriety that makes one comfortable, and Ruan Hongzhuang was exactly like that.

The Shen family is actually somewhat similar to Taozi’s family, with the entire family working within the system, making them skilled at judging people.

So she was very curious about how Shen Siyuan and Ruan Hongzhuang met.

In her view, Shen Siyuan might be good-looking, but his family conditions are too ordinary, completely not in the same class as a girl like Ruan Hongzhuang.

If it was just Ruan Hongzhuang being attracted to Shen Siyuan’s looks, she could understand that.

But for the other party’s parents to actually agree to their marriage, and with the wedding set for next March, it was quite surprising to her.

"Where is Miss Ruan from?"

"Si Ming."

"Oh, that’s a nice place, not far from us in Shanghai. You should visit us when you have time."

"Alright, thank you, Auntie," Ruan Hongzhuang replied politely, with a polite smile as well.

"You have such a good demeanor, what does your family do?" Shen Guiyan inquired.

If it were an ordinary day, she might simply say they’re in business and leave it at that.

But now, to give Shen Siyuan face and uphold the family’s image, she naturally couldn’t dismiss it so casually.

So she smiled and said, "We are in the shipping business. You know Eastern Shipping, right? That’s our family business."

"Eastern Shipping?"

Shen Guiyan indeed knew it, and not only her, even Shen Guanchao knew as well, because Eastern Shipping is very well-known in the Yangtze River Delta, a giant in the shipping industry, involved in not only ordinary transportation but also cold chains, steel, minerals, chemical raw materials, and so on.

In short, it’s the largest private shipping company in the country, aside from state-owned enterprises.

"And President Ruan of Eastern Shipping is...?"

"He’s my dad," said Ruan Hongzhuang.

Upon hearing this, Shen Guanchao and Shen Guiyan were even more surprised, and couldn’t help but re-assess Ruan Hongzhuang with several more glances.

Actually, Ruan Hongzhuang didn’t really like bearing her father’s name, making outsiders view her differently, but she couldn’t deny that sometimes it felt really great.

She’s different from others because she never felt inferior or that she was merely a follower just because her father was too outstanding or successful, and she never felt frustrated when people immediately recognized her as Ruan Xiangqian’s daughter.

If luck itself is a kind of capability, then why isn’t having an excellent background also a form of capability?

She took pride in having such a father and at the same time set him as a benchmark to climb heights and trace his footsteps.

This is also why she started her business in Bin Hai immediately after graduating from college.

She hoped to achieve accomplishments no less than her father’s through her own efforts.

After learning of Ruan Hongzhuang’s identity, Shen Guanchao and Shen Guiyan’s attitude towards her became noticeably more enthusiastic.

Shen Guanchao even felt a sense of great relief and pride, believing that this eldest grandson was indeed capable.

With the support of a family as competent as Ruan Hongzhuang’s, Shen Siyuan was sure to achieve significant accomplishments in the future.

No wonder Shen Guanchao would have such thoughts; back in the day, after returning to the city, Shen Guanchao gained prosperity and success by marrying the daughter of a chief due to his good looks.

As for talent, perhaps he had some, but back then, there were many talented young people.

This time, Shen Guanchao had brought many things, and Shen Siyuan couldn’t just stand aside, so he went over to take everything from Ruan Hongzhuang’s hands.

After she let go, Ruan Hongzhuang immediately stepped forward and linked arms with Grandma.

Seeing the natural interaction between the two and their close bond, Shen Guiyan couldn’t help but look at this nephew a bit more favorably.

Originally, she thought that someone of Ruan Hongzhuang’s status, although not necessarily temperamental or unreasonable, would have a strong personality due to her upbringing environment.

But now it seemed that was entirely not the case; Ruan Hongzhuang’s gentle and respectful demeanor made it appear as if Shen Siyuan was the one in the dominant position between them.

After paying the fare, they headed towards Grandma’s house.

It was only then that Shen Guanchao had the chance to carefully look at Grandma Yu Suzhen.

"You’ve aged, how’s your health?" he sighed deeply.

"At my age, how could I not age? But the body’s still okay, no major problems."

At this point, Grandma looked back at Shen Siyuan, waved him over, and Shen Siyuan stepped quickly forward.

Shen Guanchao glanced at him, smiled slightly, and continued, "Then you’re lucky, my health hasn’t been good, I was in the hospital for several months last year."

Grandma turned her head to look at him upon hearing this, noticing his graying hair, hunched and thin figure, indeed not as spirited as she was.

Grandma glanced at Shen Siyuan beside her, then retracted her gaze, and said flatly, "The children are all filial, not too many troublesome matters, simple meals every day, naturally, the health would be better."

Shen Guanchao seemed not to catch the sarcasm in Grandma’s words, simply saying, "That’s why, while I’m still somewhat healthy, I came to see you; there might not be a chance in the future."

Grandma was silent for a moment upon hearing this before she opened her mouth to ask, "How about your wife? Is she well?"

Shen Guanchao replied, "She passed away a few years ago."

Hearing this, Grandma turned her head, somewhat surprised, to look at Shen Guanchao.

At this moment, Shen Guiyan picked up the conversation from the side, "She wasn’t in good health, had a fall, didn’t make it through, and passed away."

Upon hearing this, Grandma didn’t say anything more, just walked ahead, her steps quite fast, even Shen Guanchao had a bit of trouble keeping up.

"Being in the countryside is better, look at how energetic she is," Shen Guanchao said to his daughter who was supporting him.

"Few worries, peaceful and nurturing, the body is naturally well," Shen Guiyan echoed his sentiment.

"I almost want to stay here for a while," Shen Guanchao said in a half-joking tone.

Upon hearing this, Shen Guiyan immediately refused, "No way, both Big Brother and Second Brother specifically warned me not to let you stay too long, though the environment here is nice, the medical conditions are lacking, you still need regular check-ups at the hospital."

Shen Guanchao certainly understood his children’s concerns, knowing this was just an excuse.

Nonetheless, he didn’t press further, and they soon arrived at Grandma’s doorstep. Looking at the clean, neat two-story villa with clear windows, Shen Guanchao said, "Looks like life has really improved."

"Was it built on the site of the old brick house?"

Curious, Shen Guanchao asked Yu Suzhen.

"Yes, Jianjun built it, it’s been several years now," Grandma replied.

Then she invited everyone in to sit. Seeing her wanting to busy herself with making tea for the two, Shen Siyuan quickly went over to help.

"You sit down and rest, leave the rest to me."

"You don’t know how to handle it, I have a plan."

Grandma said as she picked up a vegetable basket and was about to head to the field.

Shen Siyuan: ...

Leaving him at home, he really didn’t have much to say to these two.

From the moment they started walking up until now, Shen Siyuan hadn’t uttered more than three sentences, whereas Ruan Hongzhuang and Shen Guiyan had chatted quite a lot.

It’s better if Mom and Dad come over.

So he quickly took out his phone and called Shen Jianjun and his wife.