Rebirth: Splendid Marriage in the 80s Chapter 2417 - 2353: So Frank

Previously on Rebirth: Splendid Marriage in the 80s...

Chiang Xiao spoke with her father Ah Liu over the phone, probing for signs of enemies within the Jiang Family who once harmed him, but he revealed none had surfaced despite his observations. Ah Liu mentioned his fragmented memories slowly returning, including the hiding place of valuable jewelry and gold left by her grandmother, which he vowed to pass on to her. As Lu Shuangshuang approached and asked to join the call, Chiang Xiao, torn between curiosity and a selfish desire to monopolize her father's attention, agreed to speak with her.

Lu Shuangshuang gave a nod, saying, "Naturally, I won't hold it against her, no matter what she says."

She had spent quite some time persuading herself to embrace the truth that the Sixth Young Master already possessed an eighteen-year-old daughter.

Yet upon seeing him once more, she realized she had never witnessed him smiling with such unrestrained delight as in that moment.

Over these recent days, he had carried himself with elegance and composure, a soft smile perpetually on his lips. Still, Lu Shuangshuang sensed that this side of the Sixth Young Master felt somewhat aloof, warm on the surface but truly difficult to approach.

In that instant, his tone remained soft, his laugh light and unburdened—that was the real him, free from any barrier of distance.

Thus, she quickly deduced that he must have been speaking with his daughter on the line.

A wave of unease stirred within Lu Shuangshuang's chest.

If his affection for that woman wasn't profound, how could he cherish the child she had given birth to so deeply?

This thought struck her as utterly implausible.

As a result, despite the Sixth Young Master's claim of only a fleeting meeting with that woman, she struggled to accept it as truth.

She settled at the table and lifted the receiver.

"Is this Xiao Xiao? Hello, I'm Lu Shuangshuang, your dad's..." She shot a look at Ah Liu before adding, "...friend."

Ah Liu turned his gaze toward her.

Lu Shuangshuang offered him a warm smile, exuding poise and thoughtfulness.

For his daughter, this marked their initial interaction, so avoiding labels like "fiancée" or "childhood sweetheart" seemed wiser, lest it spark any potential bitterness or aversion from the girl.

Chiang Xiao caught the sound of Lu Shuangshuang's voice and couldn't deny its soothing quality—calm and measured, carrying no hint of intimidation, suggesting a lady who appeared quite approachable.

"Hello, Miss Lu, this is Jiang Xiao."

Lu Shuangshuang replied, "Xiao Xiao, I'm truly sorry for not knowing about you earlier, which must have left you feeling overlooked. Had I realized Xiao Sixth had such a wonderful daughter, I would have surely invited you to D State right away. I've known your dad since we were young, so feel free to call me Aunt Shuang."

Fine, addressing her as aunt did come across as fitting, didn't it? Perfectly ordinary?

"Miss Lu, since we haven't crossed paths yet, and my temperament might rub some the wrong way, perhaps we should wait until we meet. If I see you're pleasant to be around, then I'll adjust how I address you."

Chiang Xiao's response caught Lu Shuangshuang off guard.

Eighteen years old?

Shouldn't she brim with purity, energy, and youthful spark?

Why did Chiang Xiao's voice carry such steady maturity, far from a typical teenager's?

What was this?

Did it imply she'd only use "Aunt Shuang" after they met and she deemed her likable?

Was that her intention?

Didn't she realize this stance bordered on impoliteness?

Lu Shuangshuang cast another glance at Ah Liu. Suddenly, it clicked why he had uttered those words earlier.

Indeed, the girl expressed herself bluntly, devoid of formal manners or any effort to flatter grown-ups.

She responded with a soft smile and said, "Very well, that sounds fair. I hadn't anticipated Xiao Xiao being so distinctive, with such a firm sense of self. It looks like I'll have to ponder how to show you I'm truly easy to get along with, right?"

"No worries, just stay true to yourself. However you are when we meet will do, since any pretense won't hold up for long."

Uh...

"Xiao Xiao really is an exceptionally bright and forthright young lady." Lu Shuangshuang let out a light laugh, replying with great forbearance, "Fine, I'll follow your suggestion."

So she still needed to take cues from her?

Chiang Xiao pressed her lips together faintly.

Lu Shuangshuang then inquired, "Xiao Xiao, you ought to arrive in D State shortly. Could you share what things you enjoy?"