Chapter 11

Evening, He Family.

He Chengyi sat on the sofa downstairs with reading glasses, reading a newspaper. Ji Jin hung up the phone and came downstairs, saying, “He Qingmo called and said he’s coming for dinner tonight. Let’s prepare the gift for our daughter-in-law. He’s quite a tricky one!”

As she scolded, Ji Jin called her eldest and second sons, asking them to come home for dinner and reminding them not to forget the gift when meeting their sister-in-law.

After she finished her calls, she walked over to He Chengyi, threw her phone on the table, and took away the newspaper from his hands. “Did you hear me? Your son is bringing his wife home tonight. Why are you so indifferent? Didn’t you scold him this morning and say you wanted to break his legs?”

He Chengyi took off his reading glasses, sipped tea from his thermos cup, and seemed quite relaxed. “I think we should just let it be. You don’t know that kid’s personality. If we really oppose it, he might confront us for real, and he might end up spending his life with this child we know nothing about. This sudden marriage is just like that. We arranged for him to meet someone, and right afterward, he got married to someone we don’t even know. Does he really want to get married? He’s probably just trying to annoy us. Well, I won’t get angry this time. Let’s see if he comes to his senses.”

Ji Jin couldn’t help but roll her eyes. They really were father and son, changing their minds as quickly as flipping a book.

She had thought that when her son brought his new wife home in the evening, there would be a big scene, but now the old man was suddenly calm and peaceful after his morning outburst.

Whatever, she didn’t care anymore.

After all, the child named Fan Xing seemed… okay.

Ji Jin thought this way and couldn’t be bothered to talk to He Chengyi anymore. She got up and went to the kitchen.

At least it was the first time their new daughter-in-law was coming over; they couldn’t neglect him. The key was, if they did, her son would make a fuss.

At this moment, their new daughter-in-law was on his way, looking obedient and gentle on the surface, but his heart was in turmoil. He was thinking about how he should behave when meeting He Qingmo’s parents.

Fan Xing didn’t have much experience dealing with older people in China, and he felt like there were many customs he wasn’t aware of. What if he made a mistake?

He Qingmo’s mother seemed to dislike him a lot. What if he didn’t behave well in the evening? Would it affect He Qingmo’s impression of him?

He didn’t necessarily have to leave a good impression on He Qingmo, but he was afraid that if He Qingmo was unhappy with him, they would get divorced.

In that case, his plan to rely on He Qingmo for support would definitely fall apart.

Thinking about all this, he was lost in his thoughts the whole way. He looked out of the car window but didn’t really see anything. It wasn’t until they passed by a shopping mall that he suddenly remembered something. He quickly tugged on He Qingmo’s sleeve and said, “Brother, can we stop the car for a moment? I want to buy something.”

“So urgent?” He Qingmo slowed down and turned towards the mall.

Fan Xing smiled somewhat awkwardly, “It’s my first time going to your house, and it doesn’t feel right to go empty-handed. I want to buy a gift.”

After all, he hadn’t grown up in China, so he didn’t know the customs here very well. For a newcomer like him who was visiting He Qingmo’s home for the first time, he couldn’t just bring flowers or fruit casually.

But the fact that he could think of this was already commendable, given how nervous he was. He Qingmo was driving, but he noticed Fan Xing’s absent-mindedness throughout the journey.

He reached over and ruffled his hair, “No need, I’ve prepared something in the trunk.”

Fan Xing was a bit anxious, “But that’s something you prepared!”

He Qingmo looked at him with a faint smile, “Aren’t we part of the same family? Why draw such a clear line between us?”

Fan Xing subconsciously shook his head, “It’s not that, I just…” He thought for a moment and decided not to say more. He believed that He Qingmo probably understood the local customs better than he did and wouldn’t make any mistakes. So he let it go.

But then he suddenly remembered something else and said, “But I still need to go inside. I feel like I’m dressed too casually. I should change my clothes.”

He was wearing his usual clothes, a white short-sleeved hoodie with a simple and casual design, and a cute cartoon character on the chest. He had bought it at a discount at the end of the season for a very cheap price, and it had faded a bit after many washes. Going to meet his parents dressed like this would probably make them think he didn’t take this meeting seriously.

However, the truth was that all his clothes were like this, and he didn’t have anything suitable for formal occasions.

He Qingmo turned his face to look at him and seemed quite satisfied. “It looks good, no need to change.”

Fan Xing originally looked younger than his actual age, like a fifteen or sixteen-year-old boy. His clean and fresh outfit made He Qingmo think he looked good. He didn’t want a kid to dress up like an adult just for a meal; it wasn’t necessary.

So He Qingmo didn’t give Fan Xing a chance to argue and stepped on the gas, leaving the shopping mall far behind.

Fan Xing watched his last chance slip away and looked at He Qingmo with a hint of resentment. “Brother…”

Seeing Fan Xing’s pitiful look, He Qingmo couldn’t help but reach over and pinch his cheek, smiling, “Alright, I’m with you. What are you worried about?”

 

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