They had lunch at the old family home.
Xia Ruohan and Jun Lin sat together, with Jun Qingyu and Zhou Ying across from them. Jun Yize sat between the two of them, while Jun Yeting occupied the head of the table.
Sister, isn’t the food here at Grandpa Zeng’s better than what Grandma Wu makes?” Jun Yize asked Xia Ruohan as he ate with his chopsticks.
Xia Ruohan was taken aback by the question. To be honest, the food was quite delicious, but with these three “giants” of the Jun family present, even the most delicious dishes would taste bland.
However, since Jun Yize had asked her, she couldn’t very well not answer, so she nodded.
Jun Lin served her some food, so Xia Ruohan didn’t have to worry about feeling awkward while being served.
“Ruoruo.” Jun Yeting called out to her.
“Hm?” Xia Ruohan immediately looked up at him. “What is it, Grandpa?”
Jun Yeting’s tone wasn’t as off-putting to Xia Ruohan as Jun Qingyu’s or Zhou Ying’s; she could tell he was genuinely easygoing.
“Don’t be nervous, don’t be nervous,” the old man said with a smile. “I forgot to ask you earlier—I heard from Lin that you’re still in college?”
“Yes, I’m in the Fine Arts Department at D University, studying Chinese painting.”
This was probably the only thing Xia Ruohan could take pride in.
She was hopeless at everything else; art was her only strength.
“I thought it was some prestigious school. I didn’t expect it to be D University,” Zhou Ying chimed in sarcastically from the side.
Xia Ruohan lowered her head in embarrassment. D University was a public institution, whereas wealthy families like Jun Lin’s attended private schools.
Jun Lin furrowed his brow slightly and spoke up, “Grandfather loves traditional Chinese painting.”
Jun Yeting had very few hobbies, but he had a particular fondness for traditional things—traditional Chinese painting being one of them. His study was filled with masterpieces by nationally renowned artists, all purchased at exorbitant prices.
“That’s right. Ruo Ruo, when will you bring a painting back for me to see?” Jun Yeting shot a warning glance at Zhou Ying before addressing Xia Ruohan.
Xia Ruohan’s eyes lit up instantly. “Grandpa, you like Chinese painting?”
“Mm-hmm. I have a few old friends at D University—those old men in the Chinese painting class. I wonder which one is teaching you.”
“Professor Yuan Hongsu,” Xia Ruohan replied.
“Hahahaha, what a coincidence! Any student taught by Old Yuan is bound to be a top student.” Jun Yeting couldn’t hide his delight. “Ruohan, come back more often when you have time. I’d love to discuss traditional Chinese painting with you.”
“Is that okay?”
Upon hearing that Jun Yeting knew her professor, a look of admiration lit up in Xia Ruohan’s eyes.
Who was her professor, after all? A nationally renowned master. She’d fought tooth and nail just to get into that class, and now Jun Yeting actually knew him.
Don’t even ask—it just goes to show that Jun Lin really is a huge help!
“Sure. Bring Aze along too. You two can keep me company and chat.”
Jun Yeting had taken a liking to Xia Ruohan from the very first moment he saw her. Especially after seeing how kind his grandson was to the young lady, he knew his grandson had set his heart on her and wasn’t letting go.
He knew his grandson well enough to realize that if he was paying attention to small details like peeling an apple and washing his hands, it meant he was truly serious about her.
“Great-Grandpa, looks like you’ve found a kindred spirit,” Jun Yize said with a smile. “No one in this family understands traditional Chinese painting, but now that this young lady studies art, you’re going to treat her like a treasure.”
“Aze is Great-Grandpa’s treasure too.” Jun Yize’s words cheered Jun Yeting up, and he served him some food.
Zhou Ying, having caught a stern look from Jun Yeting earlier, no longer dared to sneer at Xia Ruohan, though her gaze still carried a hint of displeasure.
Xia Ruohan didn’t dare meet her eyes, instead keeping her head down and eating in silence.
During this lunch, aside from Jun Yeting and Jun Yize, everyone else had their own thoughts running through their minds.