Although she did not expect to see her, it was not that strange for her to show up.
Although An Shuyan was only Mo Jingshen's secretary, she was a friend of the Mo family. Given that she was within the country and could make it for the Elder's eightieth birthday, it was reasonable that she would come up to wish him a happy birthday.
With one glance, Ji Nuan saw that An Shuyan was holding a delicately crafted gift box.
An Shuyan was especially good to look at. Her brows and eyes were soft, her facial features refined, and she had a graceful temperament. Today, she had taken care to dress up and was not dressed in business wear. Instead, she had on a low-key dress that showed off her status. Every smile and frown caught the eye of the elders who saw her as an outstanding, unmarried young girl.
Elder Mo glanced back. "Aiyo, Shuyan, you came so early? You've only been back in the country for a short time. You must not have adjusted to the time difference yet. It's so rare to have a break; you should have rested. Why did you come so early?"
It was as though An Shuyan did not see Ji Nuan who was currently tugged by Elder Mo's side. She only smiled and said, "It's all right. President Mo normally takes very good care of me. Working by his side isn't very tiring."
She acted as though her earlier sentence meant nothing and sent the gift box over with a smile.
"This child, it's not easy that you could come back to the country to see me, why did you bring a gift?" Elder Mo smiled, happily reaching out to receive it.
"Shuyan is already so big? Ai, we are really old now. Wasn't this child still learning in America? Why did you suddenly come back? Could it be to specially wish Elder Mo a happy birthday? You are really sincere ah." Several of the Mo family elders walked in and saw An Shuyan. They immediately approached with smiles.
At the same time, someone added, "That's right, in the past, we all thought Shuyan would become the Mo family's daughter-in-law, who would have thought…"
The person had yet to finish when the uncle by his side slapped him. He immediately shut up, glancing at Ji Nuan in embarrassment.
At this moment, everyone's gaze appeared to move toward Ji Nuan.
Ji Nuan appeared as though she heard nothing, receiving the unopened gift from the Elder. She placed in on the shelf by the side full of gifts and turned back to say, "Everyone, sit down and have a chat. I'll go cut some fruit."
Everyone waiting to see a good show was stunned. They never thought that Ji Nuan would calmly bring out the attitude of the Mo family's lady host.
This even shut up the people who wanted to continue with their mocking words.
An Shuyan glanced at her unopened gift placed on the shelf; covered by all the other gifts.
She kept smiling, her gaze carelessly moving toward where Ji Nuan had left.
This Ji Nuan appeared to be unlike what she had heard before returning to the country.
----
After cutting up some fruits, Ji Nuan brought it out. Her words and actions were all very suitable. Those elders who were waiting to grab hold of the opportunity to scold her could only glance at her. Given that the Elder was here, they gave him some face. However, some of them could not help but reveal the unhappiness in their eyes.
"Little girl, go outside and see if Jingshen has returned yet?" Elder Mo noticed that almost all the guests were here and directly spoke to Ji Nuan.
"All right." Ji Nuan turned to leave.
Not only did Ji Nuan perform so well that no one could pick at her flaws, but even the Elder was clearly displaying her status for everyone to see. Anyone who had an unfriendly gaze, the Elder took note of all of them.
Ji Nuan walked along the mansion's limestone path where Elder Mo and the guests could not see. All of a sudden, she saw that Mo Peilin was standing right in front of her chatting with several other middle-aged ladies. She turned back and saw Ji Nuan, giving her a cold glance.
Ji Nuan pretended not to see anything, walking around them.
Mo Peilin walked over, blocking her path. "Aiyo, didn't you just arrive? Where are you headed to? Could it be that you were chased out? Ah, if not for the Elder's protection, you most likely would be crushed to death by the relatives and friends, wouldn't you? In this Mo family, there aren't many people who like you!"
Ji Nuan's expression remained unchanged. "Oh my, my poor eyesight. I only just noticed that Aunt is here. Why aren't you sitting inside, standing here to eat nuts?"
Mo Peilin was stunned. She had yet to reply when she heard Ji Nuan leisurely speak with a smile, "I almost forgot. The Mo family has rules. The living room doesn't have space for Aunt to sit. Everyone inside is the Mo family's immediate relatives or important people. As for you, you can only hold a handful of nuts and stand outside the door to endure the cold."
Mo Peilin harshly cut her with her eyes. "If not for Jingshen's protection, do you think you can go in?"
"Ji Nuan is the granddaughter-in-law that officially married into the family. Even if other people cannot enter, she has to enter." All of a sudden, Mo Jingshen's voice came from behind Mo Peilin.
Mo Peilin lagged behind for a moment, turning around to meet Mo Jingshen's cold eyes.
Mo Jingshen walked around her, approaching Ji Nuan.
He carried a special presence that demanded attention.
He did not head to the office today, so Mo Jingshen had on casual attire of a light-colored high neck sweater and long pants. He wore a rice-colored windbreaker on top. He rarely wore warm colors. Today, without his usual noble attire, it made Ji Nuan feel that he was much more real.
The trendy, yet low-key clothes caused his skin to appear slightly white. In the Mo family courtyard, the dazzling sunlight appeared to have set, leaving only a pair of eyes deep as ink and a pair of thin lips. It was fresh and lovely to look at, making it difficult for others to take their eyes away.
Mo Jingshen headed to the airport very early today. He had been picking up guests until now. Yet, he did not look tired at all. As he approached Ji Nuan, his brows softened and his lips curved. His hands moved to help her tighten her coat. "Why aren't you inside. What did you come out for?"
"Grandfather realized the time and felt you would arrive soon. He sent me out to receive you."
"Let's go in, don't stand outside to endure the wind."
Mo Jingshen held Ji Nuan's waist and headed inside. He did not even take another glance at the 'supposed' aunt.
The living room was bustling with activity as people huddled in groups to talk. Even the Elder was speaking with several other elders.
The moment Mo Jingshen showed up, the living room suddenly became quieter. As they watched Mo Jingshen walk in with his arm openly around Ji Nuan's waist, those who had taken the opportunity to whisper about her when he was away all seemed to lose their voice. No one dared to make a single sound.
Following his entrance, their faces also appeared warmer. Their sharp tongues became stuck, their smiles became bright, and their cold gazes became warm.
Ji Nuan thought in her heart that this Mo family's relatives and friends were indeed people who had been trained by the higher society. Regardless of what they wanted to display, they were all blocked by Mo Jingshen's eyes sharp as knives.
Within a blink of an eye, he had cemented her place as Mrs. Mo. He also gave her the respect and nobility she deserved in her position.