The Kitty Became a Cutie and Was Pampered in the 80s
Chapter 996: Peerless Gentleman (8)

Chapter 996: Chapter 996: Peerless Gentleman (8)

"..." Ruan Jianguo.

"..." Ruan Jiaojiao.

"Dad, you’re drunk. Let’s go home." Shu Jiao said, casting a glance at Ruan Jianguo, signaling him to come up and help support Old Shu. But Old Shu pushed her hand away, his eyes unexpectedly turning red.

Looking at her, he said, "Xiaojiao, Dad is sorry."

"It’s Dad who’s useless. Otherwise, how could you have suffered so much over all these years? You’re even smarter than your siblings. It was Dad who held you back from going to university. Xiaojiao..." As he spoke, Old Shu’s voice became choked with emotion.

Old Shu had always been a man with a stern expression, at least in the eyes of the three Shu siblings.

But no one knew that over the years, the only thing weighing heavily on Old Shu’s heart was Shu Jiao.

Shu Jiao was his first child, and for every parent, their first child carries extra hopes and love.

And Shu Jiao had been so outstanding since she was young. If it hadn’t been for him back then, how could she have spent so many years in the countryside, hastily married off, and even missed the chance to go to university? Even though she was happy now, Old Shu’s guilt had never lessened.

He only held on to his pride and didn’t show even the slightest weakness in front of others, which made it seem as though there was nothing wrong. Toward Ruan Jianguo, he just occasionally gave him some stern lessons.

But in his heart, he truly felt guilty toward Shu Jiao.

Among the three children, Shu Wen had already graduated from university, started working, and co-founded a company with others—clearly, her future was promising.

Shu Lang was part of a nationally significant scientific research institution, and his accomplishments in the future were beyond question.

But only Shu Jiao... so clearly brilliant since she was young, yet she ended up marrying a brute... and living so far away, barely able to reunite even once in years.

Every time Old Shu thought about this, it burned in his chest through the night, keeping him awake.

He cherished Ruan Jiaojiao deeply, wanting to give her the best of everything, including Shu Wen and Shu Lang, who showered the three nieces and nephews with love. Wasn’t all this just another way of showing his love for Shu Jiao?

The Shu Family, no matter who it was, owed Shu Jiao so much.

Normally, Old Shu wouldn’t show this, but after drinking, he couldn’t hold it in anymore, and eventually, his voice became hoarse to the point he couldn’t say anything more.

"Dad, everyone has their fate. I’ve never thought my life was bad. On the contrary, I’m very happy. Really." Shu Jiao said, her eyes red with tears.

Old Shu shook his head and waved his hand, his expression full of guilt and sorrow.

Even though Ruan Jiaojiao was always playful and trying to cheer people up, she couldn’t manage it this time. She had never been a parent herself, so she couldn’t fully understand Old Shu’s feelings. But by putting herself in his place, she could sense Shu Jiao’s love for her, and naturally, she could imagine Old Shu’s deep pain for her mother.

Ruan Jianguo looked at his wife’s tearful eyes, then at Old Shu, who was clearly heartbroken. His fist clenched. He stood up from his chair, bent his knee, and knelt before Old Shu.

Ruan Jianguo was a strong, upright man who wouldn’t bow to the heavens or the earth, having only ever knelt to his own parents.

Now, he knelt before Old Shu. He had always known marrying Shu Jiao was the greatest blessing of his life. It was completely understandable if people thought he didn’t deserve her.

But even so, Old Shu had never genuinely tried to tear their family apart. The three-year agreement hadn’t expired yet, but Liang Wei’an had already married someone else. This showed that Old Shu had long since accepted him.