The Kitty Became a Cutie and Was Pampered in the 80s
Chapter 998: What a Coincidence (2)

Chapter 998: Chapter 998: What a Coincidence (2)

Pointing at each person as he spoke about the past, Grandpa Shu suddenly started wailing again, saying that nobody cared about him anymore, that nobody came to visit him for an entire year, leaving him all alone here like a solitary old man...

At first, everyone found it amusing in a bittersweet way, but Grandpa Shu’s cries soon made all of them feel heavy-hearted once more.

Normally, Grandpa Shu had a strong, prideful personality and would never express these kinds of feelings in front of them.

Every time Jiaojiao called him, he would speak cheerfully, never once bringing up the topic of wanting them to visit him.

This was the first time—the Ruan Family couldn’t help but feel sorrowful. Shu Jiao, especially, was already wiping away streams of tears. Shu Lang had been too busy with his research and hadn’t been back home for the holidays in two years; Shu Wen had been accompanying Grandpa Shu during this time.

And as for Shu Jiao... she’d held back, hesitant because of Jiaojiao, and therefore hadn’t come home either. Thinking about it now, her heart ached deeply.

"Grandpa, Jiaojiao swears, from now on during every winter and summer break, I’ll definitely come to visit you." If her earlier promises had been mere attempts to make the old man happy, this time Ruan Jiaojiao was wholly earnest.

She had always believed someone as strong-willed as Grandpa Shu—whose inner character matched his tough exterior—would never feel this way.

But she hadn’t realized that deep down, the old man had been secretly longing for them to come back. He just never expressed it aloud. If it weren’t for him getting drunk this time, they might have gone their entire lives without knowing.

Grandpa Shu was heavily intoxicated—whether he had heard these words or not remained uncertain. Now, he was groaning about his headache. Shu Jiao quickly wiped her tears in haste and motioned for Ruan Jianguo to help him outside, with Ruan Jie assisting from the other side.

The father and son together had no trouble supporting the old man.

The ladies of the Ruanlin Family—Shu Jiao and Shu Wen—stood at the sides, lending a hand whenever necessary. Ruan Jiaojiao, Xiu Xi, and Ruan Hao followed behind, and the two of them kept Ruan Jiaojiao securely in the middle the entire time. Shu Jiao glanced backward, relieved to see her daughter guarded, and redirected her attention to caring for Grandpa Shu.

Once they stepped outside, the hotel’s staff offered to help, but Shu Jiao politely declined. They reached the lobby, and just as they were about to exit through the main doors, they unexpectedly ran into another group coming in.

The group of four or five people entering was laughing and chatting as they walked. The Ruan Family’s focus was entirely on Grandpa Shu, so they didn’t pay any attention to the other group—until one of them immediately recognized them and called out cheerfully: "Brother Ruan, Sister-in-law, Aunt!"

The Ruan Family turned toward the voice, and Ruan Jianguo’s expression quickly shifted into surprise: "Jiang Bin?"

Standing across from them was none other than Jiang Bin, who they hadn’t seen for half a year.

Jiang Bin looked elated to see the Ruan Family and quickly told the people he was with to go ahead without him. Then he stepped forward, playfully ruffling Ruan Jiaojiao’s hair. "Jiaojiao, don’t you recognize your uncle anymore?"

"Uncle Jiang." Ruan Jiaojiao called out, thinking how small the world could be. Of all places in Beidu, she hadn’t expected to bump into Jiang Bin here—it truly felt like destiny.

"Ah, Jiaojiao’s grown so much taller." Jiang Bin smiled, but when his gaze landed on Grandpa Shu being supported, he hesitated. "And this is...?"

"My father had a little too much to drink and got drunk," Shu Jiao explained, her expression showing some urgency.

Jiang Bin instantly understood. "I see. Then quickly take him home—I won’t keep you. Go on, go on." As he spoke, he stepped forward, politely taking over the doorman’s job, pulling open the hotel’s main door. He added, "An elderly man like your father drinking that much is definitely harmful to his health. Sister-in-law, make sure to call for a doctor to check on him when you get home; this can’t be taken lightly."