On the second day of the Lunar New Year, Jiang Fuyue officially paid a visit to the Xie family.
In other words, she was meeting the parents.
For this day, the entire Xie household became tense.
The old madam first dragged the old master to have new clothes custom-made. “…Tighten the collar a bit more, it’ll look more spirited this way.”
The tailor immediately agreed.
Xie Zhendong stood in front of the fitting mirror, looking himself over from left to right. “I think it’s fine, looks good? Why does it still need altering?”
The old madam waved her hand, not even wanting to explain. “Don’t ask. You wouldn’t understand even if I told you.”
Old master: “……” In front of outsiders, can you at least save me some face?!
Finally, it was finished.
The old madam nodded in satisfaction and made the decision on the spot: “This is it, settled! Finish it as soon as possible and deliver it. It’s to be worn on the second day.”
The tailor smiled. “Don’t worry, it’ll definitely be delivered on time. Are you attending some kind of banquet?”
The old madam shook her head with a smile. “No, no, just a family dinner.”
“That’s quite grand then.”
“My son is bringing his girlfriend home for the first time, shouldn’t we, as parents, tidy ourselves up and look presentable?”
“Oh! Meeting the parents? Then it really should be more formal, to show importance to the girl…”
The old madam agreed wholeheartedly: “That’s exactly what I think!”
Xie Zhendong couldn’t help muttering under his breath: “It’s not that serious…”
“You know nothing!”
“……”
Besides that, the old madam personally planned the menu for the day, everything from main dishes and cold platters to desserts and drinks, handling every detail herself.
On the day of the meeting, the old master and old madam wore their new clothes, and Xie family’s seven sisters all showed up with their families.
Xie Yunshu sat on the sofa, her expression somewhat unnatural.
“It’s just a meeting, do we really need to make such a big fuss…”
Xie Yunzao was sitting beside her and heard every word. “If you want to keep making Little Nine dislike you, go ahead and keep that sour face. I won’t stop you.”
Xie Yunshu’s expression changed slightly, and she pressed her lips together.
Previously, because she had privately contacted Xie Yunqian and instigated her to target Jiang Fuyue, not only Little Nine, but now the whole family had opinions about her.
Originally, the old madam hadn’t planned to notify her today, it was only after she found out that she came on her own.
During this time, Xie Yunshu had thought a lot. She vaguely realized her past behavior was inappropriate, but she couldn’t bring herself to apologize.
On top of that, her impression of Jiang Fuyue hadn’t been good from the start, and it was hard to reverse that fixed impression in a short time.
Unable to move forward or retreat, stuck in the middle, she felt uncomfortable all over.
She couldn’t be warm, yet had no standing to act aggressively.
Xie Yunshu muttered, “…I know, you don’t have to say it.”
Xie Yunzao stopped there and didn’t say more.
Soon…
“They’re here, they’re here!”
The excited voice of a servant came from outside.
The Xie family instantly tensed.
Old madam: “Check if my hairstyle is messy?”
Old master: “Not messy, not messy, what about my bow tie? Is it crooked?”
“Seems a little…”
“Then help me fix it.”
“…Alright.”
Xie Yunzao also subconsciously held her breath, looking expectantly toward the entrance.
Zhong Yunyi chuckled softly by her ear. “Is it necessary to be this nervous? Those who know would think you’re meeting your future sister-in-law; those who don’t might think you’re meeting your daughter-in-law.”
“What nonsense are you saying? Be serious.”
“Tsk… Zhong Ziang stayed up all night playing games yesterday, why don’t you manage him? You only know how to scold me.” As he spoke, he even looked aggrieved.
Xie Yunzao rolled her eyes at him. “You really are getting more ‘accomplished’ as you age, competing with your own son in everything.”
“If you weren’t so obviously biased, would I bother comparing myself with him?” Zhong Yunyi snorted.
Ever since Zhong Ziang joined the army, transforming from a rebellious problem teenager into a proper, upright young soldier, both the Zhong and Xie families had raised their tolerance for him to a new level.
Last week, the brat started his leave.
He stayed home all day playing games, not even bothering to pick up a fallen broom (though Zhong Yunyi wouldn’t pick it up either), yet Xie Yunzao acted as if she didn’t see anything, letting him idle around freely.
Zhong Yunyi couldn’t even say a few words about him.
“Our son has spent more than half a year in the army, living so hard, what’s wrong with letting him relax for a few days?” That was Xie Yunzao’s exact words.
Fine!
Now even the father can’t afford to offend the son!
“Stop interrupting,” Xie Yunzao warned, “Little Nine and the others are here.”
Zhong Yunyi shrugged and looked toward the entrance, though a trace of depth flashed quickly through his eyes.
The moment Xie Dingyuan and Jiang Fuyue entered, they received a warm welcome.
Of course, mainly Jiang Fuyue.
“Oh my! Yueyue, you’re too polite, just coming is enough, why bring gifts?”
Since she was visiting, basic etiquette was necessary.
Jiang Fuyue prepared two bottles of Bordeaux dry red wine and a fruit basket, all carried by Xie Dingyuan.
Not extravagant, but certainly not improper.
She smiled and greeted generously, “Uncle, Auntie, Happy New Year.”
“Happy New Year, Happy New Year!” Fu Wanxiu nodded repeatedly, smiling so much her face wrinkled.
Xie Zhendong was more practical, after praising her as a good child, he directly stuffed a red envelope into her hands.
It was light, not bulky.
But the moment she took it, Jiang Fuyue knew, it wasn’t cash, but a bank card.
Next, Xie Dingyuan introduced his seven sisters to her.
Starting from Xie Yunzao all the way to Xie Yunxi.
Yes, Xie Yunxi, who was always traveling around the world for news reporting and hosting shows, was also present today.
Compared to the first six sisters, who clearly lived pampered and comfortable lives, Xie Yunxi looked healthy, cheerful, and full of energy.
Jiang Fuyue greeted each of them one by one.
When Xie Yunzao heard it, she immediately beamed with joy, took Jiang Fuyue’s hand, and acted very warmly. “No need to be so polite, we’re all family from now on. Come, come, let’s sit in the living room and chat.”
Jiang Fuyue followed her inside, while also observing her.
There was a faint sense of familiarity in the woman’s brows and eyes. Soon, she realized, this was Zhong Ziang’s mother.
Xie Yunxiang and Xie Yunlan trailed behind, whispering to each other.
“Our Little Nine really has good taste. Back then, the old madam even joked that since he was almost thirty and hadn’t dated, he’d probably end up marrying a fairy. Turns out, he really did catch himself a fairy.”
“Looks like he just wasn’t interested before. But once he is, did you see? Following her around attentively like a silly mule, as if someone’s going to snatch his wife away.”
Wasn’t he attentive?
He stayed by Jiang Fuyue’s side the entire time, carrying wine, holding the fruit basket, even helping with her bag.
Xie Yunxiang felt a bit sour. “The one at my house, after decades, not once has he carried my bag when we go out shopping. Says it’s too effeminate and damages his image.”
Xie Yunlan sighed softly. “Our Little Nine has finally figured things out.”
Don’t use “straight man” as an excuse, no matter how rigid a man is, when he meets the woman he loves, his emotional intelligence will skyrocket and melt into cotton candy.
If not, then it’s definitely because he doesn’t love her.
Or simply doesn’t love her enough.
Jiang Fuyue was ushered to sit on the sofa.
Several sisters sat around her, while Xie Dingyuan, instead, was squeezed aside.
“……”
The old master and old madam sat opposite, smiling as they looked at her, growing more and more satisfied the longer they watched.
Jiang Fuyue had a good memory. Very quickly, she matched each sister, what number they were in order, what they looked like, what their names were, clearly and precisely.
Especially Xie Yunxuan and Xie Yunmiao, those two looked very similar, yet Jiang Fuyue could recognize them at a glance and accurately call out their birth order.
Xie Yunzao noticed this and was quite surprised.
But on second thought, this girl was in the academic and research world just like Little Nine, her IQ was unquestionable.
Then there was nothing strange about it.
…
Aside from the adults, quite a number of juniors had also come today.
By seniority, they should all call Xie Dingyuan “uncle”!
Among them were familiar faces, such as Jiang Fuyue’s roommate and classmate Cen Qiaoqiao, as well as Ming Wei and Cen Jiuxiao, whom she had met once before.
Zhong Ziang, however, was nowhere to be seen…
“Yueyue!” The moment a seat beside Jiang Fuyue opened up, Cen Qiaoqiao immediately sat over, linking arms with her. “I heard from my mom earlier that you were coming to the Xie family, I was almost shocked. Didn’t expect it to be true, hehe… After meeting the parents, you’ll be my future little aunt.”
At this point, while she was happy, she also showed a bit of distress. “Classmate turning into aunt… you’ll be one generation above me now. Why does that feel kind of strange?”
“Ah, never mind, we’ll always be friends anyway!”
She didn’t even need Jiang Fuyue to say anything, she completed her own mental adjustment perfectly.
“……” Just… impressive.
Aside from the big red envelope from the old master, Xie Dingyuan’s seven sisters also all gave meeting gifts.
Basically all jewelry, earrings, necklaces, bracelets…
If there was one particularly special item, it would be that crocodile-skin Himalaya Birkin.
Not only because it was the only bag among a pile of jewelry, but also because it was second-hand.
Xie Yunxuan sucked in a breath and lowered her voice. “Who gave that?”
Xie Yunzao glanced in Xie Yunshu’s direction, her brows tightening.
The girl was visiting for the first time, and one of the man’s sisters gives a “second-hand item”, what kind of implication was that supposed to carry?
This fourth sister still hadn’t learned her lesson!
Xie Yunshu felt wronged.
She usually liked collecting bags, especially from H brand, her house had an entire wall filled with her favorites.
And this Himalaya Birkin was her favorite one, not only with diamond hardware and horseshoe stamp, but also something she had bought at a high price from Christie’s, costing seven figures.
After years of collecting, its market value had doubled.
Because of the previous incident, she had always felt guilty. Though she wanted to apologize, she hadn’t acted on it, so she painfully parted with her most prized collection, the king of bags, to give to Jiang Fuyue, as a form of indirect apology.
She hadn’t considered at all that “second-hand” could cause misunderstanding.
After all, a Himalaya is worth a fortune and hard to obtain, who would care whether it was second-hand?
Xie Yunshu was momentarily at a loss.
The atmosphere also became a bit stiff.
But just then, Jiang Fuyue suddenly spoke: “The bag is very beautiful. Fourth sister, are you really willing to give it to me?”
Caught off guard by being addressed, Xie Yunshu froze. “…O-of course!”
Once she had given something, how could she take it back?
“Even if I want to donate it to the school as a teaching aid?”
Ming University had recently opened a “Luxury Goods Authentication” major, aimed at cultivating high-end appraisers for the fashion industry.
As soon as the news was released, it attracted countless enthusiasts, even wealthy women in their thirties and forties signed up for further study!
The popularity exceeded expectations.
Among them was a course on “Luxury Bag Authentication.” They had already collected most big brands like C, L, and H, after all, Ming University wasn’t short of money, and neither were its students!
The only thing missing was a diamond-hardware Himalaya.
Xiao Shan had come eagerly to ask Jiang Fuyue if she could get one.
Jiang Fuyue: “?” Did her usual way of dressing give people some kind of misunderstanding? Why did they think she had a Himalaya?
Xiao Shan rubbed his nose. “Whether you have a Himalaya, I don’t know, but you definitely have more money than you can count.”
So was it really unreasonable for him to suspect she might have one?
Xie Yunshu: “Since I gave it to you, then you should decide what to do with it, use it however you like!”
“Then I’ll thank Fourth Sister on behalf of Ming University first.”
Xie Yunshu lifted her chin, still looking a bit awkward. “It’s nothing. If you want, I have other limited-edition pieces.”
As soon as she said this, not only did the sisters show surprise, even Xie Yunshu herself found it unbelievable.
Who didn’t know that the fourth daughter of the Xie family was obsessed with bags? You could mess with her, but touching her bags was out of the question!
Yet Jiang Fuyue remained calm, her gaze steady as she accepted: “Alright.”
Xie Yunshu curved her lips slightly, somewhat pleased.
Xie Yunzao: “?”
Xie Yunxiang: I don’t quite understand this situation.
Xie Yunlan: Weren’t they supposed to be incompatible like fire and water? Why does this feel… harmonious?
Xie Yunxuan: First time realizing Fourth Sister can be so generous.
Xie Yunxi: Wasn’t it said Fourth Sister might target Jiang Fuyue today and we should keep an eye on her? So… are we still watching or not?
After Xie Dingyuan took Jiang Fuyue to tour the old residence, the sisters gathered around Xie Yunshu,
“Old Fourth, did you take the wrong medicine?”
“Your attitude is off. Or are you secretly holding back some big move?”
“…”
Xie Yunshu swept her gaze over them and curled her lip. “Who are you looking down on? I, can’t I just treat Little Nine’s wife a little better?”
Everyone: “?”
Xie Yunshu snorted lightly, too lazy to explain further.
She just thought Jiang Fuyue had good taste, recognizing that her prized Himalaya was beautiful.
Look at these people, unable to appreciate it, only fixated on the “second-hand” part.
Their outlook wasn’t even as broad as a young girl’s!
And somehow… Jiang Fuyue didn’t seem so unpleasant anymore. At least, she had a pretty face and fair skin.
Soon, it was time to eat, and the whole family gathered around the table.
The dishes were almost all things Jiang Fuyue liked, sweet and sour ribs, scrambled eggs with tomatoes, braised chicken wings, even a simple hot pot.
Xie Dingyuan winked at her, clearly taking credit.
Jiang Fuyue mouthed: Tone it down!
After the meal, Jiang Fuyue took her leave.
The old madam and old master personally escorted her to the door. “Yueyue, come again next time.”
“When there’s time, we’ll arrange a meal with your parents, Old Master Han, and your uncles, both families together.”
This meant they intended to take things further.
Jiang Fuyue didn’t even need to speak, Xie Dingyuan cheerfully agreed on her behalf.
Old madam: “Ah Yuan, send Yueyue off. Drive safely on the way.”
“Alright.”
…
After leaving the old residence, before even getting into the car, Xie Dingyuan hugged Jiang Fuyue and spun her around twice on the spot.
He radiated excitement and joy from head to toe.
“Yueyue, from now on, you’re my firmly secured wife! The kind that can’t escape no matter what!”
Jiang Fuyue responded with a deep kiss. “…Then you don’t think about escaping either.”
“Mm, I won’t.”
Nor could he bear to.
Meeting the parents!
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