The Kitty Became a Cutie and Was Pampered in the 80s
Chapter 1005: Jiang Xun (1)

Chapter 1005: Chapter 1005: Jiang Xun (1)

Later, Xiu Xi might have been influenced and wanted to buy something as well, but was coaxed out of the idea by Ruan Jiaojiao. Only then did the family return contentedly to the garden.

On the day they went to the Jiang Family for the banquet, Old Master Shu, considering that he had to visit the Xin Family the next day and might not be able to handle the fatigue, as well as with some intention of letting Shu Lang take charge of family affairs, asked Shu Lang and Shu Wen to attend in his place.

In such a large family, these kinds of formal banquets were indispensable social rituals.

In the past, Shu Wen didn’t mind such events too much. But this time, it was the Jiang Family’s main house hosting, which meant Jiang Bin, as the intermediary, would take on the role of smoothing things over—and he would certainly be present.

Shu Wen really didn’t want to run into him, didn’t want to go, but after being scolded by Old Master Shu, she had no choice but to go in the end.

The Jiang Family clearly took this banquet very seriously, even arranging for Jiang Bin and Jiang Xun to personally pick up their guests.

In just half a year of not seeing him, when Ruan Jiaojiao came downstairs with Xiu Xi and saw Jiang Xun dressed in a tailored little tailcoat below, she almost didn’t recognize him.

Jiang Xun had grown taller again. He seemed about the same age as Xiu Xi, and Xiu Xi had had a growth spurt in the past couple of years. Yet, unexpectedly, Jiang Xun was still just a touch taller.

He had always been good-looking. Even when he wore tattered clothes in the past, his handsome features couldn’t be obscured. Let alone now, dressed as he was, he looked every bit like a young master stepping out of an aristocratic family, without a trace of his former hard times.

He stood beside Jiang Bin. Jiang Bin was talking to the Ruanlin Family matriarch, whose gaze fell upon Jiang Xun, and she commented with emotion, "Xiaoxun, you’re so different now, it seems like you’ve grown quite a bit taller."

Jiang Bin chuckled, reached out to tousle Jiang Xun’s hair, and motioned for him to greet them.

Jiang Xun had been lowering his head. His downcast eyes flashed with something, but when he raised them, all that was there was a polite smile. "Grandma Ruan."

Just as he finished speaking, he caught sight of Ruan Jiaojiao coming down the stairs nearby.

Ruan Jiaojiao was wearing the cinched-waist coat Shu Wen had just bought yesterday, paired with white ankle boots adorned with studs. Her hair, which she had curled slightly at the temples with Shu Wen the day before, was now tied into a ponytail. She looked adorable and chic, her delicate features making her appear as exquisite and charming as a doll in a display case.

As Jiang Xun looked at her, his eyes darkened imperceptibly.

She was... the brightest and most beautiful part of his entire childhood, so vivid, so dazzling...

Once upon a time, she carried all his most cherished hopes and dreams. He had dreamed of one day living a good life like hers... And eventually, his dream came true. He finally escaped the utterly detestable Xiahe Village, and with it, even the memories of those times began to fade, until they were completely dimmed and extinguished.

He thought that she, too, must have faded away in his memories.

But seeing her now, he realized that wasn’t true, had never been true.

Except... now, when faced with what was once the most beautiful part of his memories, Jiang Xun’s feelings were entirely different. Just as he was reluctant to let anyone bring up those years, seeing Ruan Jiaojiao now brought a flood of his most wonderful memories while also dredging up those he most wanted to bury forever.

Jiang Xun looked at Ruan Jiaojiao, his emotions a tangle of complexities.

Ruan Jiaojiao had been walking ahead of Xiu Xi, but gradually slowed her steps because she felt something strange in Jiang Xun’s gaze as he looked at her.

She slowed down until she aligned with Xiu Xi, only then feeling a sense of relief. She greeted Jiang Bin first, her voice sweet as she called out, "Uncle Jiang Bin."