Yancheng. A narrow river split the bustling cityscape along its banks. High-end residential complexes stood beside parks and shopping districts. To the north rose gleaming new silver towers; to the south stretched a vast garden park.
It was winter. The greenery inside the neighborhood had faded, leaving only bare branches. But the property staff had strung up colorful ribbons, bringing a touch of brightness to the scene.
At home, Chen Jingshu returned from a morning of playing ball. The housekeeper had already finished cleaning. She made a round of inspection through the rooms, double-checked that everything for receiving guests was ready, then finally let out a long breath and sat down on the sofa to wait.
Xie Wentao glanced at his phone and said, “My dad said he wanted to come over, but I just talked him out of it.”
Grandpa Xie had been so excited when he heard the news that he couldn’t sit still, eager to rush over at once just to see what his grandson’s girlfriend looked like. Fortunately, Xie Wentao kept his head clear and gently persuaded the elder not to make the long trip.
“You did the right thing,” Chen Jingshu praised. “If the old man came, he’d definitely bombard her with questions, then start talking about marriage and children in one go, picking all the things young people don’t like to hear. He might even scare her off.”
“We can’t afford to startle the bird out of the grass. It wasn’t easy for us to meet a girl with… questionable taste-” she corrected herself with a smile, “- no, a unique eye. That’s fate given by heaven, and we need to treasure it well.”
Xie Wentao said, “Now listen to yourself – our son isn’t that bad.”
Chen Jingshu replied, “And do you really think he’s that good? Forget comparing him to people outside – just compare him with our own family.”
“…”
After thinking for a moment, Xie Wentao nodded. “You’re right. He’s not that good either. Looks can’t compare to you, character can’t compare to me.”
By any standard, Xie Shenci wasn’t exactly the standout in the family – even in the area he was most interested in: humor.
Chen Jingshu stood up. “No, I’d better go check his room again, see how tidy it is.”
“Why did you even bother fixing up his room?” Xie Wentao asked in confusion. “He doesn’t live here anymore.”
Xie Shenci lived alone both in Yancheng and in Haicheng, but at home he still had the bedroom he used back in high school, its furnishings more or less unchanged. On holidays he might stay the night, though not often.
“If the two of them don’t have much to say to us, won’t they need a place to rest for a while?” A flicker passed through Chen Jingshu’s eyes, and she hesitated. “…Besides, I don’t know how long I can keep it up. When the time comes, I can just send them into the room so I can catch my breath.”
She had heard plenty about the conflicts between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law, and now she couldn’t help feeling anxious, worried she might not get along with the girl.
This was the critical stage of passing off a hot potato. Recently she had been reading a lot of experience-sharing posts online, learning how to properly host her son’s girlfriend and make sure nothing went wrong.
Xie Wentao encouraged her, “Hang in there – victory is in sight.”
Chen Jingshu said, “If things go smoothly, does that mean he won’t have to come home for New Year this year?”
“Then we could go traveling, maybe take my dad back to the old hometown for a visit.” Realization struck Xie Wentao, and he immediately started browsing for plane tickets. “The old man wouldn’t have any objections either. After all, the grandson has to spend the holiday with her family – that’s just proper etiquette. No way around it.”
The couple hit it off at once, rubbing their hands together as they looked forward to a bright future.
*
Outside the residential complex, Chu Duxiu and Xie Shenci arrived with gifts. They lingered outside for a while, trying to calm their nerves, before finally deciding to head in.
Xie Shenci led the way, with Chu Duxiu following close behind. She looked around curiously. “So when you come back to Yancheng, you stay here?”
“No, I only lived here when I was in school,” Xie Shenci replied. “After I returned from studying abroad, I moved out. Coming and going for work trips isn’t very convenient, and besides, it would disturb their lives.”
Chu Duxiu nodded in understanding, realizing that only his parents lived here long-term. That thought made her feel even more ill at ease.
In the elevator, she drew in a deep breath. A surge of nerves rose within her – like the fear of stepping on stage for the first time. She glanced at the gifts in Xie Shenci’s hands and reached out. “Give them to me.”
They had picked out quite a few things at the mall, now bundled up in bags. On the way here, their division of labor had been clear: Xie Shenci carried the bags, and Chu Duxiu carried him.
Xie Shenci looked up at the floor display and said, “No need – we’re almost there.”
“That’s why it’s my turn now. You’ve carried them this far,” Chu Duxiu said, forcefully snatching the bags from him. With a sly grin, she added, “This is the moment to seize the fruits of your labor.”
Xie Shenci: “?”
A moment later, Xie Shenci and Chu Duxiu reached the door and finally came face-to-face with Chen Jingshu and Xie Wentao.
As the door opened, a beautiful woman stepped out – classic and graceful. She had striking features and bright, gentle eyes. Dressed in light-colored clothes, her whole appearance was elegant. With a warm smile, she said, “Welcome, welcome.”
Her voice was soft and melodious, her tone calm and gentle – perfectly matching her refined appearance.
Chu Duxiu had seen photos of Chen Jingshu beforehand, yet she still couldn’t help but be stunned in her heart, even more so than when she first met Xie Shenci. She panicked at once, stumbling over her words as she bowed and greeted, “G-good afternoon…”
She’s way too gorgeous!
Even more beautiful than the photos – turns out Mr. Meow’s photography skills are terrible!
The moment Chen Jingshu saw Chu Duxiu carrying the gifts inside, a flicker of panic crossed her eyes. Her expression faltered as she exclaimed, “Xie Shenci, how could you let her carry those things…?”
Trust her blockheaded son to nearly ruin everything right at the start.
Chen Jingshu immediately shot her son a furious glare.
Xie Shenci had no way to defend himself.
“It’s fine, they’re not heavy. I heard you’re dedicated to tennis, so I picked out a few sports-related items,” Chu Duxiu said softly, a hint of hesitation on her face. “I wasn’t sure if they’d be suitable.”
But after meeting Chen Jingshu in person, she instantly fell into doubt. The woman embodied the delicate beauty of a Jiangnan lady, making it nearly impossible to picture her sprinting across a tennis court for two straight hours. And yet, tennis required tremendous stamina – and Chen Jingshu, she’d heard, was a power player. Truly, a hidden strength.
“Of course it’s suitable!” Chen Jingshu’s eyes lit up at the sight of the sports gear. Then she turned her head and gave Xie Wentao a sidelong glance, adding lightly, “Much more suitable than what some people bring.”
Xie Wentao: “…”
He immediately turned his glare on his son.
Xie Shenci had no way to explain himself.
Fortunately, Xie Wentao reacted quickly. He shifted the topic, studying Chu Duxiu for a long moment before saying in surprise, “Huh, you look really familiar…”
Although the family didn’t care much for stand-up comedy, they had always kept an eye on Xie Shenci’s shows and his company. As one of the popular contestants on The Stand-Up King, Chu Duxiu frequently appeared on streaming front pages – so naturally, her face wasn’t unfamiliar.
Chu Duxiu hadn’t expected the elders to actually watch the show. She instantly felt embarrassed, unsure of how to respond.
“Yes, she looks very familiar to me too.” Chen Jingshu let out a soft laugh, seized Chu Duxiu by the hand, and pulled her straight into the house. “The moment I see her, I can tell she’s family.”
Her voice was gentle and charming, but her grip was firm and commanding. Chu Duxiu felt as though she’d been pinned down by a hunter, instantly convinced that this woman really did keep up her workouts – her own slender arms were no match.
Still holding on tightly, Chen Jingshu suddenly fastened a bracelet around Chu Duxiu’s wrist, then pulled out a red envelope she’d prepared in advance. Smiling, she said, “I also got a little gift ready for you.”
Chu Duxiu stared blankly at the gold bracelet. She tried to pull free and take it off, protesting in a hurry, “No, this is far too valuable – I can’t accept it…”
This was moving way too fast – there had to be some kind of misunderstanding!
But Chen Jingshu just gave her wrist a firm squeeze, her face turning serious in an instant. With a frown she ordered, “Take it. You must take it.”
Her brows and eyes resembled Xie Shenci’s; when she wasn’t smiling, a natural chill emanated from her, carrying a certain intimidating force.
“…” Chu Duxiu looked distressed, unsure whether she’d just been given a bracelet or handcuffed by Inspector Black Cat himself.
Seeing her hesitation, Xie Shenci gently urged, “Just take it.”
“Yes, it’s only a small token of goodwill.” Chen Jingshu looked at her son with satisfaction. “At last, you’ve said something sensible.”
Unable to refuse any longer, Chu Duxiu lowered her head, accepted the gift, and offered her heartfelt thanks to Chen Jingshu and Xie Wentao.
The group moved into the living room, where they sat down for tea and small talk. Chu Duxiu and Xie Shenci sat on one side, while Chen Jingshu and Xie Wentao sat on the other, chatting casually about daily life.
Once seated, Chen Jingshu turned her gaze back to Chu Duxiu and instructed, “You mustn’t spoil him. How could you let yourself be the one carrying things?”
Feeling guilty, Chu Duxiu glanced sideways and admitted, “It was just… a short distance.”
She had deliberately carried the bags for a bit, hoping to earn some goodwill – but hadn’t expected Chen Jingshu to react so strongly.
“Even so, that won’t do. It’s simply outrageous.” Chen Jingshu sounded genuinely surprised. “What on earth do you see in him?”
Chu Duxiu seemed good-tempered, yet she was already letting her son take advantage of her – that left Chen Jingshu worried. What if one day the girl “regained her vision” and decided to return him like a defective item?
Xie Shenci sneaked a look at her, waiting quietly for her answer, just as curious himself.
How was she supposed to respond to that?
Chu Duxiu flushed slightly, flustered, and tried tentatively, “…His sense of humor?”
“Lies,” Xie Wentao muttered in Chen Jingshu’s ear. “She’s the one who’s the funniest in their company.”
He clearly remembered – Chu Duxiu was a stand-up comedian, and one of the top talents at Shanle. Her humor completely outclassed his own son’s.
Chu Duxiu quickly explained, “You’ve misunderstood. Today was a special case – I wanted to carry the bags myself. Normally he’s really good, very considerate – he’s not as bad as you think…”
She couldn’t let Xie Shenci’s reputation get dragged down any further; it was better if she spoke up for him.
But who would’ve thought – upon hearing this, Chen Jingshu actually agreed with Xie Wentao, nodding. “Mm, yes, she really is quite funny.”
Chu Duxiu: “?”
Somehow her defense had only made things worse.
Luckily, Xie Shenci was long used to it. He didn’t take any of their words to heart. He simply peeled fruit from the platter on the coffee table, now and then popping a piece into Chu Duxiu’s mouth.
At home, he was much more relaxed – he didn’t even bother putting on his “elite” façade. Instead, he completely let himself go, impervious to family jabs, steady as Mount Tai, letting everything go in one ear and out the other.
“It’s all right. If you run into any difficulties, just tell us – don’t hold back. If he does something wrong, or if the company is struggling, if you’re short on money, don’t hide it from us.”
Chen Jingshu’s voice was gentle but earnest. “As long as you two live well, we’ll be happy too. So don’t be afraid – there’s nothing that can’t be solved.”
“…All right. Thank you.”
Chu Duxiu was deeply moved. For a moment, she felt as if she were talking to a customer service rep – someone tirelessly offering reassurance, willing to talk themselves hoarse.
And then, a whimsical thought popped into her mind – straight out of a melodrama: Chen Jingshu dramatically throwing down stacks of cash and saying, “Here’s five million. Just don’t leave my son.” The vibe wasn’t all that different from the current atmosphere.
*
The pleasant first meeting came to an end. Chen Jingshu and Xie Wentao began planning dinner, while letting Chu Duxiu and Xie Shenci retreat to his room for a bit.
The room’s furnishings were simple and tasteful, without many colors – mainly black, white, and gray.
The evening sun streamed in, gilding the white walls with a golden glow, soaking the plain furniture in warmth. Time itself seemed to stretch, easy and unhurried in the moment.
The door clicked shut softly, leaving just the two of them inside.
At the desk, Chu Duxiu sat in the only chair, curiously looking around. Spotting a graduation photo on the bookshelf, she asked, “This was your high school room?”
In the frame, students wore identical uniforms, their faces still youthful. In the background stretched a wide athletic field – clearly taken on campus.
“Yeah. I lived here until I went abroad,” Xie Shenci said. Returning to his old room, he felt a wave of nostalgia. Noticing her looking all around, he added, “That’s why everything here is still from high school.”
Chu Duxiu nodded in understanding. She casually flipped open an English book, skimming traces of his past, before saying, “But I didn’t expect your mom and dad to be so interesting.”
Their interaction earlier had gone smoothly, easing the unease she’d felt on the way over. His parents’ enthusiastic “sales pitch” had truly been a surprise.
“They’re themselves first, then my parents. Isn’t that normal?”
Seeing Chu Duxiu sitting in his room, surrounded by relics of his school days – now with her among them – Xie Shenci felt a quiet, indescribable joy. It was as if, in a haze, he had claimed something, drawing her completely into his own territory.
The familiar room, the familiar belongings, and now, the familiar her.
Memories of boyhood filled the space; with the passing of years, they now took on a new flavor as she reopened them.
Xie Shenci sat on the edge of the bed, watching her pore over his old books with interest, and his body and mind began to relax as well.
All at once, he lay back gently, savoring the ease of the moment. Out of the blue, he said, “Want to rest for a bit?”
“How, exactly?” Chu Duxiu turned her head – only to see that he was already lying flat.
Xie Shenci reclined comfortably, patting the empty space beside him to show he was leaving half the bed for her. He wasn’t lying down properly – his feet still rested on the floor, as if he’d just leaned back from sitting at the edge.
Seeing her freeze up, he put on an innocent look and said, “The new sheets are really soft.”
Chu Duxiu’s brow twitched, torn with hesitation. Honestly, she was just a guest -flopping down and rolling around would be terribly impolite.
And yet, with him lying there completely unguarded, he seemed inexplicably like something just waiting to be pounced on – downright irresistible bait.
After a long inner struggle, she finally gave in, leaping onto him with a laugh. “Time to cuddle the cat!”
A once-in-a-lifetime chance – if she didn’t pounce now, when would she?
Pinned down by her, Xie Shenci protested, “Why is it always you cuddling me?”
He didn’t really mind the “cat roleplay,” but every time she literally treated him like a cat to be snuggled, it was still a bit much to endure.
Chu Duxiu countered with full conviction, “Because little kitties are meant to be kissed to pieces by humans!”
A light breath swept over him, carrying the faint citrus scent of the fruit he’d just fed her.
The next moment, something damp brushed against his cheek – catching him completely off guard. It was a kiss, affectionate yet innocent, with no trace of desire.
Xie Shenci’s body tensed, his Adam’s apple trembling slightly. Then he saw her break into a radiant smile, spouting bold, teasing words. His gaze dropped to her moist lips, and he couldn’t help lowering his eyes as he countered softly, “Really?”
“Of course…”
Before she could finish, he gave a gentle tug, pulling her down. She bent toward him involuntarily, and a cool, feather-light touch brushed her lips.
A kiss – damp and tender, tasting and leaving off in an instant, like melting snowflakes, carrying a faint sweetness and sourness that burst into a cascade of fireworks in her mind.
Not a kiss on the cheek, yet still gentle.
His lashes trembled as he pressed his lips together and murmured, “Doesn’t seem like it yet.”
