Chapter 8
Ji Jin looked at her youngest son, unable to tell whether he was truly angry or just speaking his mind. However, she refrained from uttering those unpleasant words she had in mind.
“Fine, I won’t say anything more. You can explain everything to your dad. I’ll tell you, he was furious when he heard about this. You can talk to him tonight when you go back.”
Having said that, she picked up her bag and left.
He Qingmo followed her downstairs.
Fan Xing, busy in the kitchen, heard the noise and came out. He politely greeted Ji Jin, “Are you leaving? How about having a meal…”
“No need!” Ji Jin’s tone had softened compared to when she had just arrived, but now it became more severe. She interrupted Fan Xing again, didn’t even give him a second glance, and walked briskly towards the exit.
Fan Xing wasn’t bothered by it and maintained his sweet smile on his face, his eyebrows slightly raised, “Then, have a safe journey.”
At this point, He Qingmo, who had come downstairs with Ji Jin, stood by Fan Xing’s side. He had his hands in his pants pockets and called out to Ji Jin, “Mom, what about the customary gift for meeting your daughter-in-law?”
Ji Jin turned back, looking puzzled. “What customary gift?”
“The customary gift for elders to meet their daughter-in-law. It’s your first time meeting him, isn’t it? Shouldn’t you show some courtesy?”
Fan Xing finally understood that He Qingmo was trying to get Ji Jin to present a customary gift.
He quickly shook his head, trying to convey that it wasn’t necessary, but Ji Jin had already taken out her checkbook from her bag, hastily wrote a check, and handed it to him. Her eyes, however, remained fixed on He Qingmo, and her tone was somewhat displeased. “You rascal, you know how to take advantage of your mom!”
He Qingmo took the check, glanced at it, and shook his head. “Mom, you’re being biased. When my older sister-in-law and second sister-in-law came into the family, you were much more generous. Why are you so partial now? Did you think I was someone you picked up? Are you playing favorites?”
Ji Jin, infuriated, attempted to hit He Qingmo with her bag but restrained herself, considering there was an outsider present. She gave He Qingmo an angry look, then turned to Fan Xing and said, “I came in a hurry and wasn’t prepared. I’ll make it up later.”
Fan Xing didn’t get a chance to refuse, as He Qingmo, standing next to him, asked in a very earnest tone, “How about having her write an IOU?”
Huh?
Fan Xing thought he had misheard and was surprised as he looked at He Qingmo. He realized that He Qingmo was serious and not joking at all. He hurriedly shook his head and said, “No, no…”
He Qingmo nodded, “Alright then. Let it be for now. Mom, don’t forget to make it up later.” With that, he handed the check to Fan Xing, squeezed his hand, and said, “Aren’t you going to thank Mom?”
Fan Xing felt a bit confused by the situation. Why had they suddenly presented a customary gift? And it was a check. He was resisting the idea with his entire being, but under He Qingmo’s gaze, he reluctantly spoke, “Thank you, Mom.”
Ji Jin impatiently responded, then turned and left.
Fan Xing quickly pulled away from the man’s hand and handed the check back to him. “Brother, I can’t accept this.”
He Qingmo didn’t take the check and raised an eyebrow, asking, “Not enough? Well, it is a bit small. I’ll make her add more later.”
Fan Xing quickly shook his head. “It’s not about the amount. It’s too much.”
Fan Xing believed that a customary gift was a symbolic gesture, and a small amount would suffice. But Ji Jin had casually written a check for a hundred thousand, which he thought was excessive. He knew that the He family was wealthy, so perhaps Ji Jin had done it because she looked down on him and was trying to brush him off. However, just because someone was wealthy didn’t mean he should accept such a large sum without hesitation.
He Qingmo commented, “Is this too little? Grandfather hasn’t asked for his gift yet. I’ll take you to ask for it tonight.”
Fan Xing finally grasped the meaning behind He Qingmo’s words and hurriedly caught up to him. “You, what do you mean? Are you saying I should meet… meet your parents?”
Due to his nervousness, Fan Xing didn’t notice that he was unconsciously clutching the man’s arm.
This situation had caught him completely off guard. He had never considered meeting He Qingmo’s family. He had thought that He Qingmo had married him for novelty and that their marriage would eventually dissolve. He had never imagined that he would be introduced to He Qingmo’s family, as he didn’t think he played such a significant role in He Qingmo’s life.
When Ji Jin had suddenly appeared earlier, he had already been nervous. However, Ji Jin seemed to pay him no mind, so he had felt some relief.
But now, hearing He Qingmo’s words, it seemed like He Qingmo intended to introduce him to his parents that evening.
The man lowered his head to look at the hand tightly gripping his arm, and a faint smile appeared on his lips, though it quickly vanished. He then leaned in closer, locking eyes with Fan Xing with a serious expression. “Why are you so nervous? Are you thinking that since we’ll probably get a divorce sooner or later, there’s no need to meet my parents?”
Fan Xing’s heart skipped a beat, and he gripped the man’s arm even tighter. His smile appeared somewhat hesitant, and his cheeks flushed with embarrassment. “No, I just…”
“I don’t believe you!” The man’s cold voice cut him off abruptly. “If it’s not that, then what is it?”
Fan Xing wasn’t skilled in expressing himself in Chinese, and He Qingmo’s pressing attitude made it even harder. His pink lips quivered as he tried to speak but couldn’t find the right words. His fair face turned bright red, and his clear eyes filled with urgency and apology.
His appearance was particularly soft and cute, making people unable to resist…
He Qingmo couldn’t help but let out a soft chuckle, deciding not to tease the boy further. He was afraid that he might scare him. He gently pinched Fan Xing’s blushing cheek and said, “Alright, I’m hungry. Is there anything to eat?”
Fan Xing, still a bit flustered by the situation, subconsciously touched his cheek that had been pinched and looked up at the man. He noticed that the man, who had appeared stern and intimidating earlier, now had a bright and genuine smile on his face, quite different from the earlier faint smiles.
At this moment, the man’s smile was radiant, as if he were in a very good mood, and… he looked exceptionally handsome.
Fan Xing finally realized that he might have been fooled by the man’s earlier seriousness and intimidating questions. Was He Qingmo actually just playing with him?
Thanks for the update
Thanks for the update!! 😍😍