Mr. Xiao, can I borrow your wedding invitation?

Chapter 372 has finally arrived.

The old butler sighed helplessly, "Since that's the case, I won't try to persuade you any further, Miss Fifth. I apologize for the sudden visit tonight, and please take good care of yourself!" He nodded and left.

Xiao Ruonan sat motionless on the sofa, her face looking very unwell. Ning Zhiyuan squeezed her hand.

"Why don't you go back and take a look?"

He knew Xiao Ruonan was just being stubborn.

Xiao Ruonan pulled her hand away, stubbornly insisting, "I said I'm not going back, and that means I'm not going back! Don't say anything more!"

The old residence of the Xiao family.

“…Understood!” Xiao Shen put away his phone with a cold expression.

"How is Ruonan doing?" Su Ying was also keeping a close eye on the matter.

The man slowly straightened his collar. "She refused!"

"Oh? What should we do then? Maybe I should go see her again tomorrow!"

Xiao Shen raised his hand, "No need, I bet she'll be here first thing tomorrow morning!"

In the depths of winter, heavy snow fell again, like cotton wool. The sky was overcast, and the servants moved carefully through the garden, afraid of slipping and falling.

Xiao Shen leaned lazily against the balcony railing, his tall and slender figure draped in a champagne-colored velvet robe, creating a unique and striking sight.

He leisurely stirred his coffee with a spoon, the wisps of white smoke outlining his handsome profile.

Su Ying was stunned and swallowed hard.

She may have been scammed, but who wouldn't be confused by that face? At least the other person wasn't ugly, which was a plus for her.

The man seemed to have eyes in the back of his head, and beckoned to her with his finger as he turned to the side.

Su Ying was caught red-handed while peeping, and feeling a little embarrassed, she walked away dejectedly.

"Look at that!"

Su Ying was startled as she followed the direction of his finger.

Xiao Ruonan indeed appeared at the Xiao family's old residence.

She didn't sleep well all night, but in the end she gave in and put aside her precious dignity. She promised that this was the first and the last time.

"Ruonan? It really is you?" Chen Wanru had seen her long ago and pretended to be very enthusiastic as she took her hand. "I've missed you so much since I last saw you. I've been saying I'd come to see you, but I haven't had the time. Look at you, you've gotten so thin in just a short time. Well, things are different outside than the Xiao family. You must have suffered a lot this time. Honestly, you should have just apologized to the old man!"

Previously, Xiao Ruonan was the darling of the Xiao family. Chen Wanru was very jealous. Since her son was not well received in the Xiao family, she couldn't stand seeing others being well received. After Xiao Ruonan caused this scene, she felt much more at ease. At least her son had one less competitor.

Xiao Ruonan put on a sweet smile, "Thank you for your concern, sister-in-law! Oh, by the way, I heard that Jiayang lost a project and got scolded by Fourth Brother? Fourth Brother is really something, we're all family, why is he so serious? Don't worry, sister-in-law, I'll put in a good word for Jiayang with Fourth Brother!"

Xiao Ruonan left, but Chen Anru's smile froze on her face.

It hurt even more than her sarcastic remarks to Xiao Ruonan. Jiayang, oh Jiayang, if it weren't for you, would I be being ridiculed?
Something that doesn’t live up to expectations!

The old housekeeper was overjoyed to see Xiao Ruonan and quickly led her to the old man's room.

"Master, the Fifth Miss has arrived!"

The old man was resting with his eyes closed when he heard this. He slowly opened his eyes and saw that this was not a dream and that the person in front of him was indeed his most beloved daughter. The old man's pale face finally showed some emotion.

"Ruonan..."

Xiao Ruonan walked over, her expression calm. "I heard from Fourth Brother that you're not following the doctor's instructions, refusing to be hospitalized or take your medicine. What's going on?" The old housekeeper gently closed the door.

Seeing that the old man wanted to sit up, Xiao Ruonan adjusted the backrest for him.

"I'm not sick, why go to the hospital? It'll be the same if I go there, I'll have to take medicine and get injections. I'm too old to take that kind of ordeal. I just can't sleep well, I'll get better after some rest!"

Xiao Ruonan scolded, "If that's the case, you might as well become a doctor. Being so disobedient will only cause everyone to worry, and you'll be the one suffering in the end. Why bother?"

These words brought back memories for the old man. In the past, when he was throwing a tantrum, Xiao Ruonan would scold and correct him just like she was doing now. Sometimes she would even force him to see a doctor. No one else would dare to do that except Xiao Ruonan, and the old man would only listen to her.

"I……"

"Alright, alright, I'll call Dr. Wen right now and have him arrange a ward for you tomorrow. There's no room for discussion!"

Old man: “…”

Realizing her tone, Xiao Ruonan looked a little embarrassed. "Well, I was only doing this because Fourth Brother asked me to. I hope you can understand. Alright, my task is complete, so I won't disturb your rest any longer. Goodbye!"

"Ruonan!"

Xiao Ruonan stopped in her tracks.

"What happened before is in the past. Dad hopes you can come back!"

Finally hearing those words, Xiao Ruonan burst into tears for some reason.

“You’ve been pampered by me since you were little, how could I bear to see you suffer with someone else? I admit I’m selfish, but I hope you can understand my feelings. I’ve thought it through recently. As long as you’re doing well, that’s all that matters. I won’t force you anymore. It’s getting cold, and I don’t want you to be out there freezing. Come back. I was wrong before, but now I’ve accepted that kid. As long as you’re happy, that’s all that matters!”

Xiao Ruonan forced back her tears, turned around and said with a smile, "You were the one who drove me away back then. Now you think I'll just come back because you say so? Don't I have any pride? I think things are pretty good outside. Look, our little shop is doing well, and A-Lie is very good to me. Our conditions can't compare to the Xiao family, but A-Lie will do everything he can to give me everything I want. If I bring A-Lie back, he will be looked down upon by the Xiao family. I don't want to see that happen. It's not fair to him. Finally, thank you for your understanding and tolerance!"

Xiao Ruonan still left. Although the old man was a little disappointed, the misunderstanding between father and daughter had been resolved, which was something to be gratified about.

It's okay if she doesn't come back now. We can coax him when he's feeling better. He's just a kid, he's stubborn like she was when she was little. Maybe he'll be fine after a while.

Stepping out of the main house, Xiao Ruonan rubbed her swollen eyes, finally dispelling the chill in her heart. She knew that the old man had already forgiven her and accepted Ning Zhiyuan long ago, because she was confident of that.

"Oh! Isn't this our once arrogant Fifth Miss? I remember she was kicked out of the Xiao family, wasn't she?"

Xiao Ruonan frowned in disgust. "Jiang Rourou, what are you doing here?"

Jiang Rourou straightened her hair, looking as haughty as the lady of the house. "That's right. Why would Jiayang and Old Master Xiao inform you, a member of the Xiao family who is not well-liked? Let me tell you, I am now Jiayang's fiancée. Before long, I will be the young mistress of the Xiao family. That status will be innocently noble!"