The Kitty Became a Cutie and Was Pampered in the 80s
Chapter 1030: Pressuring to Marry (1)

Chapter 1030: Chapter 1030: Pressuring to Marry (1)

February 8, 1989, according to the Solar Calendar, was Lunar New Year’s Eve.

It was also the first year the Ruan Family had left Xiahe Village to celebrate. Since there were enough family members at home, Grandpa Shu gave all the servants in the garden the holiday off. Even the four members of the Liang Family were sent home to celebrate the New Year in their own household.

Although Liang Wei’an was already married, and Ruan Jianguo had met his wife, every time Ruan Jianguo saw this man, he couldn’t help but puff up his chest like a fighting rooster, brimming with competitive energy.

Now that the Liang family had been sent home for New Year, the happiest person was naturally him. Early in the morning, he started humming an off-key tune, wielding a broom and cleaning alongside Ruan Jie in their little house, putting on a rather convincing act of tidiness.

Jiaojiao yawned as she got out of bed. When she opened the door and saw the beaming Ruan Jianguo, she couldn’t quite process what was going on.

"My sweet girl is up! Go wash up; your grandma made your favorite sweet rice wine," Ruan Jianguo sang as he grinned and greeted her.

"Oh." Still half-asleep, Jiaojiao responded indifferently and yawned again.

Then, Ruan Jianguo swept her up into a fierce hug, saying, "My sweet girl is so cute! Even your yawns are adorable. No wonder you’re my child! Hahaha!" What followed was an unapologetically ridiculous bout of laughter.

"..." Jiaojiao stood there bewildered.

After washing up and returning to the room, she learned from her aunt that Uncle Wei’an’s family had left, which explained her dad’s undisguised joy.

Jiaojiao could only sigh in resignation. Her dad had been stewing in jealousy for years and still couldn’t let it go. And frankly, she agreed with her aunt’s comment—if it was meant to happen, it would have happened ages ago. Why would her dad still be involved at all?

Still, watching the tall Ruan Jianguo roam around the house, humming with carefree glee, inexplicably lifted Jiaojiao’s mood as well.

After breakfast, Jiaojiao curled up on the sofa and called Zhao Li, who was thousands of miles away.

The Lu Family had installed a phone long ago, and ever since Jiaojiao moved to Beidu, she’d been making calls to Zhao Li almost every other day.

Today, being Lunar New Year’s Eve, she definitely wasn’t going to skip a call.

When Zhao Li picked up and heard Jiaojiao’s voice, she was over the moon. They chatted affectionately for quite a while before Zhao Li inevitably asked when they would be coming back.

Phones back then had poor soundproofing, and as long as someone stood nearby, they’d basically hear everything being said.

Jiaojiao glanced over at Grandpa Shu, who had clearly overheard Zhao Li’s question and was now stiff with tension. Unable to hold back a chuckle, Jiaojiao replied, "Godmother, Jiaojiao will wait until school is about to start before going back. Jiaojiao needs to stay here a bit longer to keep Grandpa company."

"..." Grandpa Shu, whose body had been taut and rigid, finally relaxed. His newspaper, untouched for ages, was now slowly being lifted once more.

"Alright then." Though Zhao Li sounded a little disappointed, she quickly reasoned that since Jiaojiao rarely got to visit her grandfather throughout the year, it was fair for her to spend time with him. She added, "Fine. Oh, by the way, your brother Lu Xian said he has something to tell you. Why don’t you chat with him for a bit?"

Lu Xian has something to say to her?

Jiaojiao blinked in confusion, just as she noticed Xiu Xi—who had been heading toward the adjacent room—turn around abruptly and head in her direction instead. He then sat down beside her in an open seat.

Meanwhile, on the other end of the phone, Zhao Li’s voice had switched to Lu Xian’s.

"Jiaojiao." Lu Xian’s voice was distinct—bright and clear yet laced with a hint of roguishness.