Chapter 30: Revisiting 'Nightmare' (Part Four)

"Anning, from now on you'll have to call me Auntie," Yang Danning suddenly whispered into Ji Anning's ear.

While chewing on that piece of green vegetable, Ji Anning was lost in thought. Startled by Yang Danning's sudden proximity, she instinctively turned her head and asked, "Shouldn't I call you Little Aunt instead?"

Instantly, the entire dining room atmosphere fell silent...

Ji Anning wished she could bite her tongue off; she lowered her head... and lowered... and lowered it further...

Her head was almost buried underneath the table.

All eyes, except for hers, turned toward Ji Chicheng. Even though everyone understood the old patriarch's intentions, they were still in the dark about his stance. Now that Anning had pierced through that paper window, everyone was curious to see his reaction for themselves.

Ji Chicheng's deep black eyes were fixed on Ji Anning, their icy gaze enough to send shivers down one's spine.

Seeing this, Yang Yufang quickly reached under the table to give Ji Anning a gentle pinch on her thigh, making eye contact and signaling her with a look.

Although she regarded Ji Chicheng as an adversary, the old man still held power for now, and they couldn't afford to provoke him, this revered figure.

Ji Anning heeded Yang Yufang's signal and, steeling herself, lifted her head, ready to say something to dissolve the awkwardness.

The patriarch suddenly spoke up jovially, "Heh heh, for now you should just address each other by name."

The oppressive atmosphere was broken, and Yang Danning, trapped in embarrassment, began to laugh heartily, responding to the old man, "Alright."

Even a fool could understand the patriarch's meaning, and Yang Danning's happiness was palpable.

The mood became harmonious once again. Ji Anning didn't dare to look up; she spent the entire meal head down, eating only the vegetables Yang Yufang picked for her.

As usual, no matter who finished first, everyone had to wait for the patriarch to rise and leave before they could do the same.

After the patriarch finished eating, he put down his chopsticks, looked at Yang Danning, and called out, "Danning, eat a bit more."

With that, he got up and prepared to leave.

"Uncle," Yang Danning suddenly called out to him, "after dinner, I'd like to take Anning to work out. I feel she's too frail."

Upon hearing this, the old man's gaze turned toward Ji Anning. She was bowing her head silently, looking very meek and subservient.

After a while, he finally spoke, "From now on, manage your own time, just don't come back too late."

What? She was going to have freedom to be out in the evenings now?

Ji Anning's eyes brightened. Having just learned a lesson, she didn't dare to show her true feelings, instead rejoicing inwardly with her head still bowed.

The patriarch finished speaking and then turned his attention to Yang Yufang and Lin Yanqin, "You two, come to the study with me."

After giving them instructions, he turned and left without looking back.

Lin Yanqin and Yang Yufang hurriedly got up and followed behind the old man.

Once the patriarch's figure had completely disappeared, Ji Ruoqian pouted unhappily and muttered, "Grandpa really favors her, treating Anning better and better."

She was extremely upset and, in a fit of anger, threw her chopsticks onto the table where they landed on a plate with a 'clang'.

Ji Chicheng was still seated beside them, so Ji Xiangting quickly reached out to nudge Ji Ruoqian, hinting at her to restrain herself.

She had been holding back her frustration while the old man was present and, no longer able to contain herself, stood up abruptly, pointing at Ji Anning and shouting, "Isn't Ji Anning just a child bride? Her parents were so poor they couldn't even afford medical treatment and sold her to our family. Why should she be treated the same as us? If she goes out late at night, what if she fails to behave with propriety..."