Ji Huanlan wasn’t familiar with anyone in the Ji family, so how could she possibly trust them?
It was just that in the current situation, only the Second Branch family could be used for the time being.
If they couldn’t even handle this matter, then they could all pack up and leave.
She didn’t think the Second Branch family would be that stupid.
Shen Xi didn’t continue on that topic. “Going home?”
Going home…
That word was appearing more and more frequently in Ji Huanlan’s life.
She nodded. “Alright.”
Shen Zhai.
“Sir, Madam.”
At the entrance, the Shen family members appeared to have attended some gathering together, as they were all returning at once, coincidentally running into the couple who had just arrived at the doorstep.
Ji Huanlan still maintained that attitude of not being familiar with them.
Shen Xi, on the other hand, was quite amiable, nodding to each of the elders.
It wasn’t that Ji Huanlan didn’t know how to handle people—it was that back at the Ji residence, Shen Xi had stepped up for her and played the bad cop, acting as the villain.
Now she naturally had to maintain the persona of being hard to get along with. This household needed someone that those with ill intentions would fear.
As an outsider, she was the most suitable candidate.
Among the crowd.
Ji Huanlan noticed Shen Ran, and besides him, a woman standing at his side who, though dressed in finery, had a very simple and unpretentious temperament.
That should be Shen Ran’s mother.
Facing the two of them, Mother An lowered her head, speaking respectfully: “Sir, Madam.”
Ji Huanlan only said one thing to her: “Thank you for helping me with the social obligations.”
Mother An was flattered and overwhelmed. “You’re too kind, Madam. Being trusted by you is my blessing.”
See—that was the kind of humility they had. Why couldn’t the Ji family ever learn that?
Realizing that this Second Sister-in-law had spoken to his mother but left everyone else hanging, Shen Ran felt even warmer inside.
He knew very well that this was Second Sister-in-law backing them up—mother and her two sons.
“Second Sister-in-law, dinner is being prepared. You and Second Brother should rest for a bit—it’ll be ready soon,” Shen Ran said.
Ji Huanlan nodded.
The couple went upstairs together, while Shen Ran arranged dinner on the first floor.
Although it was only his first day on the job, Shen Ran was indeed meticulous in his work, covering every aspect thoroughly.
From the small window in the dressing room on the second floor, she watched Shen Ran’s figure downstairs.
Shen Xi wheeled himself over and began searching through the dressing room for a tie and suit. “If Shen Ran were my father’s and my mother’s biological son, I might not necessarily be able to beat him.”
That statement was essentially an admission of Shen Ran’s excellence.
Ji Huanlan was somewhat surprised and turned her head.
She was surprised that Shen Xi could acknowledge someone else’s excellence, rather than being arrogant and unbridled.
Shen Xi didn’t notice her looking at him and continued, “If you’re interested in grooming someone, Shen Ran is a good candidate. I wouldn’t mind. Do whatever you want.”
Ji Huanlan toyed with two peach pits in her hand, smiling with an unreadable expression.
The Shen family members were currently in the neighboring villa, discussing the ancestral rites.
They were inexplicably silent, none of them speaking.
Each of them had their own thoughts.
Because logically speaking, given how Ji Huanlan had caused a scene at her own funeral before, she didn’t seem like someone easy to get along with.
As for Shen Xi, his moods were even more unpredictable—he could destroy his own blood brothers without batting an eye.
Under normal circumstances, these two people coming together would definitely result in a fight.
But after waiting for several days, they still hadn’t received any news of the two of them clashing.
Seeing them today, why did it feel like their relationship was actually pretty good?
Having Shen Xi alone was already a handful for them, and now with Ji Huanlan added to the mix, wouldn’t that be…
“Shouldn’t we ask Shen Xi about the ancestral rites?” someone spoke up at this point.
Eighth Uncle responded with a sour tone, “What’s there to ask? No matter how you look at it, he’s still just a junior.”
That may be true, but right now, Shen Xi was the one in charge of the Shen family.
And he’d even married a wife with formidable backing. Their days ahead… sigh.
“Ancestral rites?”
Ji Huanlan hadn’t been back in the country long. Though she’d heard of ancestral rites before, she’d never experienced them firsthand.
At the dining table.
Shen Ran stood behind them, fully playing the part of the butler. “Yes, Second Sister-in-law. During the ancestral rites, both the head of the family and the head’s wife must be present.”
In other words, this was something Ji Huanlan had to attend whether she wanted to or not.
The same went for Shen Xi.
Ji Huanlan glanced at him.
Shen Ran thought he’d spoken out of turn and immediately lowered his head, shutting his mouth.
But unexpectedly, Ji Huanlan only said, “Have you eaten?”
Shen Ran was taken aback. “Not yet.”
“Sit down and join us.” Ji Huanlan gestured. “Sit next to your second brother.”
Shen Ran forgot to react entirely.
Shen Xi looked up. “Did you not hear what your second sister-in-law said?”
This had probably become the phrase Shen Xi repeated most often at home lately.
Shen Ran didn’t dare delay. He quickly grabbed his bowl and chopsticks and sat down beside Shen Xi with a grin. “Thank you, Second Brother, Second Sister-in-law.”
“From now on, if we run into each other, just join us for meals. Don’t think of yourself as hired help or an outsider. Shen Xi’s surname is Shen, and so is yours.” Ji Huanlan said it casually.
Shen Xi showed no sign of objection.
Shen Ran gripped his chopsticks, his hands trembling slightly.
He’d never dared to dream that someone in the Shen family would treat him this way, would regard him as family.
Shen Ran’s heart churned with emotion as he nodded firmly. “I understand, Second Sister-in-law.”
After eating half a bowl of rice, Ji Huanlan paused. “When do you have free time recently?”
Shen Xi raised his eyes. “What’s the matter?”
Ji Huanlan didn’t look at Shen Ran over there and said offhandedly, “Even though the two of us are a sham couple, we’re still newlyweds. Skipping the wedding ceremony is one thing, but we should at least go on a honeymoon. Otherwise, who knows what those people will be analyzing behind our backs.”
“Cough, cough—”
Shen Ran nearly sprayed out his rice.
What did he just hear?!
A sham couple?!
His second brother and second sister-in-law’s marriage was fake?!
Shen Xi glanced at Shen Ran from the corner of his eye and replied calmly, “Fine. Where do you want to go? I’ll make the arrangements.”
“Shen Ran, are you familiar with Mingyun Cheng? Any good places to visit?”
Hearing his name called, Shen Ran immediately looked up at his second sister-in-law sitting diagonally across from him.
He took a deep breath, trying to stay composed as he answered, “Yes! There are quite a few places. Second Sister-in-law, do you prefer water or something else? I can put together a list for you and Second Brother, and you can pick, then I’ll make the reservations.”
Despite the shock in his heart, Shen Ran absolutely wouldn’t ask about it.
He’d thought he could just pretend he hadn’t heard, but who would’ve guessed—
Ji Huanlan deliberately reminded him, “I already told you your second brother and I are a sham couple. There’s no need to go to real honeymoon destinations. Just a symbolic stroll around will do. Prepare for a five-day itinerary.”
The two of them were both busy people; five days was already the absolute limit.
If they really went on a month-long honeymoon at this critical juncture, the company would likely end up in someone else’s hands.
Shen Ran’s face paled slightly as he nodded slowly. “Okay.”
Later, after Shen Ran had left, Ji Huanlan stood quietly in the living room, watching his retreating figure.
Beside him, Shen Xi sat in a wheelchair, holding a cup of warm water, a faint smile tinged with helplessness on his lips. “Why did you scare him like that?”
Those words, to Shen Ran, were nothing short of a threat.