Chapter 342: Acting Like You Know When You Really Don’t Is the Most Embarra.s.sing
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Ji Nuan sat chatting with Mo Jingshen’s mother. When Mo Jingshen entered, he saw Ji Nuan appear as though she was being well-pampered.
The living room was quite warm. Not too far away, there was even a fireplace facing her. The little woman seemed to have forgotten to remove her coat. It wasn’t clear if it was because she was embarra.s.sed or if she was warm, but her cheeks were slightly rosy.
Mo Jingshen raised his brows, his eyes curving slightly: “If you don’t take off your coat, we’ll be roasting you for dinner tonight.”
Wan Zhu then finally noticed. She smiled at Ji Nuan. “You silly girl, why didn’t you remove your coat when you came in. It’s around twenty-seven degrees indoors. It’s really warm. Quick, give me your coat. I’ll let a helper hang it up.”
Ji Nuan then rushed to remove her coat, handing it to the helper who had approached and gave the helper a grateful nod.
As though she had noticed the difference from the last time she met Ji Nuan at the wedding, Mrs. Wan Zhu smiled radiantly. “The last time I saw you was at Jingshen’s wedding. At that time, you must have been terrified of meeting new people, weren’t you? Now that both of you have improved your feelings as a couple, do you feel more comfortable with me?”
“It’s true that I was afraid that day. Nonetheless, my att.i.tude wasn’t very polite. I hope you won’t mind.” Due to that incident, Ji Nuan was slightly embarra.s.sed right now.
“I don’t mind, I don’t mind. I also married young. Back when I was marrying in, I also felt very wary against the Mo family’s relatives; I didn’t know any of them, yet they all insisted on coming to greet me. Even though I felt very frustrated, I had to maintain my smile. I understand how you felt very well. Take your time and slowly become accustomed to it.” While speaking, Wan Zhu turned to Mo Jingshen. “Jingshen, are your wounds really not serious? I heard you were hospitalized for quite a while.”
“I’m all right now.” Mo Jingshen was considerably warm to his mother. His tone was unhurried and compared to the way he spoke to Mo Shaoze, the difference was obvious.
“That’s good. It’s been a long time since you came back. Since you brought Nuan Nuan with you, why don’t the both of you stay here for a few days? The holidays should be ongoing in Hai City. If there are no urgent matters, don’t rush to return.”
“We’ll decide later.”
It was rare for Mo Jingshen not to refuse directly.
At this moment, Elder Su, Su Zhilan, and Mo Shaoze came in together. When he saw that Mo Jingshen’s mother was tugging on Ji Nuan’s arm to chat, Elder Su chuckled. “The news of Jingshen’s marriage really came to suddenly. I never knew of it before. Who would have thought that, so coincidentally, I would be lucky enough to meet Mrs. Mo today.”
Hearing his voice, Ji Nuan stood up and nodded politely to Elder Su. “Nice to meet you.”
Elder Su smiled and returned her nod. Although he was smiling, his smile clearly did not reach his eyes. After looking at her, he turned and began chatting with Mo Shaoze, who was behind him. Ji Nuan met Su Zhilan’s gaze. However, as though she had something on her mind, Su Zhilan intentionally averted her gaze. She clearly did not plan meeting Ji Nuan, who Mo Jingshen’s mother was affectionately calling ‘daughter-in-law,’ head-on.
While Ji Nuan sat again, Mo Jingshen placed his coat aside. It had been a while since he last returned to the company, and there was no need for him to maintain the appearance of President Mo. The man was tall and broad-shouldered, and no longer appeared as pale and weak as he did in the hospital. At this moment, he was only wearing a white wool sweater. His smooth trousers perfectly accentuated his long legs. He was dressed in a good style, and in this Western-style home that was not especially decorated for the New Year’s festivities, he was particularly eye-catching. He sad by Ji Nuan’s side against the sofa with an indolent appearance. When he heard Wan Zhu’s pampering words toward Ji Nuan, his lips revealed a hint of a smile. He sat silently to watch them.
It had been years since Mo Jingshen returned home. Even the helpers who had watched him grow up did not know if it was better to call him Young Master Mo or to call him President Mo as everyone else did. One of the older helpers appeared especially happy to see him return. She immediately approached and stuffed a washed, bright red apple into his hand.
With one look, it was clear that this helper had brought him up.
Mo Jingshen did not reject her. He sat there holding the apple in his hand; his fingers were long and thin, with defined joints. Perhaps because he had been hospitalized for a period and did not receive much sunlight, his skin appeared paler than usual. His white skin contrasted clearly from the red apple. He curved his lips slightly and casually chatted with that old helper.
It seemed that only when he was in front of his mother and these old helpers from the Mo family, did Mo Jingshen gave off a different aura. Gentle as a jade, amiable and approachable, he appeared much more warm than usual.
Afterward, Elder Su and Su Zhilan were invited by Mo Shaoze to sit across them for a chat. When they arrived at the topic of Mo Jingshen and Ji Nuan’s marriage, Mo Jingshen’s expression appeared as per normal. His gaze flitted past each of them. “We’re celebrating Chinese New Year today. It’s a day for a family reunion. The main topic shouldn’t be my marriage.”
Su Zhilan continued, “That’s right. It’s Ji Nuan’s first time to the Mo family. She must be unfamiliar with this place. Grandfather, if you chat with Uncle Mo like this, she will surely be uncomfortable.”
“I’m all right, ah.” Ji Nuan replied: “After all, this is also my home. What is there to be uncomfortable about?”
The smile on Su Zhilan’s face faded. She paused for a moment before saying, “That’s good. I noticed that Auntie Zhu is really warm to you; she must be afraid that you would be uncomfortable. Originally, I wanted to let her busy herself with her matters, so I could accompany you to stroll around in the Mo home.”
Su Zhilan suddenly chuckled, as though she had not noticed Ji Nuan’s indifferent expression and cold mask. “The Mo home in America must be very different from the one in Hai City, isn’t it? There are several Roman sculptures that Uncle Mo collected from the eightieth century in the back. I always find it a sight to behold. Miss Ji, would you like to go see it? I’ll lead the way?”
Ji Nuan smiled mildly: “I don’t know much about Roman sculptures. Since Dad intentionally collects them, he must definitely be an expert. It’s better if a novice like me doesn’t go to display my own ignorance. Acting like you know when you really don’t is the most embarra.s.sing.”
“I just wanted to bring Miss Ji out for a walk because I noticed that you weren’t very used to the Mo home’s environment and atmosphere.” Su Zhilan smiled, saying, “We’re just taking a look. How is it related to being an expert or not?”
“If Nuan Nuan doesn’t like it, there’s no need to go look at those things in the back. Those are just small playthings that Jingshen’s father collected years ago. Usually, I’m too lazy even to ask anyone to go clean it up.” At this moment, Mrs. Wan Zhu spoke up: “Nuan Nuan, for the next few days, you should just stay here. There is a lot of time for you to explore home. You’ve only just returned, sit for a while first, and have a good rest. There’s no need to rush.”
Su Zhilan was originally about to continue speaking, but because the one who had interjected was Mo Jingshen’s mother, there was not much she could say. She could only smile: “Auntie Zhu is right. Since it’s your first time in the Mo home, you should stay for several nights. Otherwise, your mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relations may appear as distant as two strangers.”