Chapter 144

Chapter 144

“Xiao Lizhi is engaged to the Jiang family boy too?” Xia Yongqing looked around before finally settling his gaze on Jiang Baichuan.

Back in the day, he had always been the one going door to door to visit the important figures of these families. Now the tables had turned. These people, led by the Lu Family, had actually come bearing gifts and politely calling him Uncle. For a moment, he was having a hard time getting used to it.

Of course, he knew they were all here for his father-in-law.

Of course, he knew it had nothing to do with him.

But who asked him to be the son-in-law of the Becker Family?

Xia Yongqing was basking in the reflected glory, feeling both smug and proud.

At the sound of “Xiao Lizhi,” Yun Li’s mind practically exploded. Flustered, she waved her hands. “No… not yet.”

Xia Yongqing gave an “oh.” “So soon, then.”

Yun Li: “…”

Jiang Baichuan was grinning beside her, giving Yun Li a meaningful look.

So your name is Xiao Lizhi?

Yun Li: “…”

Jiang Yourong was a social butterfly who could get familiar with anyone. Hearing this, she laughed and chimed in, “Uncle is right. When the time comes, you must honor us with your presence and come have wedding candy!”

The words were sweet and festive, and even Richard nodded along, saying he would definitely come.

His granddaughter had completely inherited her grandmother’s artistic talent. Artists liked peace and quiet, but Richard was afraid Xia Wanzhi would get bored being alone all day, so he hoped she could make more friends.

Before this, Xia Wanzhi really had not had many friends.

Now, looking at this room full of people, Richard felt deeply comforted and satisfied.

Seeing that the elders had all come downstairs, Xie Qiyan put away his delighted smile and began solemnly introducing to Richard and Ms. Qiao Shu the group who had come especially for them.

It was rare to see Xie Qiyan so composed and at ease. Richard quietly praised him to Qiao Shu, “Not bad. Our Wanzi has good taste.”

He knew when to yield and when to stand firm. Tough toward outsiders, gentle with his own, and with a sincere heart besides.

This prospective grandson-in-law was one they could accept.

Qiao Shu smiled. She looked over the people Xie Qiyan was introducing, then let out a surprised sound. “You’re Le Rao?”

Everyone followed her gaze.

The current head of the Qu Family was the elder twin, Qu Fan. His younger brother, Qu Huai, the award-winning actor, had retired from the film industry not long after getting married and now ran an entertainment company on his own. This Le Rao was that actor’s wife.

Le Rao was also very surprised that Ms. Qiao Shu actually knew her.

“Yes, madam, I’m Le Rao.” Among everyone present, she was the only one with the fresh, delicate looks and aura of a Jiangnan woman. Now that she had spoken, her soft, lilting voice stirred a ripple in people’s hearts.

Xia Wanzhi had not interacted with her much, but at the first sound of that melodious voice, she instinctively asked, “Mrs. Qu, are you from Nancheng?”

Le Rao smiled gently. “My mother is from Nancheng.”

Xia Wanzhi brightened. “What a coincidence. My grandmother is from Nancheng too.”

Le Rao looked at Qiao Shu, while Qiao Shu leisurely sipped her tea and explained with a light, unhurried smile, “I saw your graduation performance. You played the pipa very well.”

Le Rao was overwhelmed by the praise.

“No need to be so reserved. Since you’re all Xiao Wanzi’s friends, don’t stand on ceremony. Why call me madam? Just follow Wanzi and call us Grandfather and Grandmother.” Having lived abroad for so long, Ms. Qiao Shu was not used to being addressed as “madam” either.

The oldest person present, Lu Yuzhou, who was already in his late thirties… almost forty, coughed lightly.

Although he was older, they were of the same generation.

By seniority, Xia Wanzhi and Xie Qiyan could indeed be considered their younger brother and sister.

While Lu Yuzhou was still hesitating and trying to convince himself to call someone else’s grandparents his own, Lu Beiting and Qu Huai had already taken shameless advantage of the situation, acting completely at home as they immediately called out Grandfather, Grandmother, Uncle, and Auntie.

Lu Yuzhou: “…”

Xia Wanzhi did not know whether to laugh or cry. They clearly were not that familiar yet, but the relationships had already been arranged.

Nan Qiyue was a few years older, and she had previously asked Xia Wanzhi to paint for her several times, so they were quite familiar. She took the lead, holding Xia Wanzhi’s hand as she smiled and said, “Jiang Baichuan calls you his little sister, so we’ll follow him and treat you as our little sister too. Xiao Wanzi, don’t be so constrained. We’re all family here. From now on, when we meet, just call us brother, sister, sister-in-law, whatever feels right.”

“That’s right, that’s right. You won’t lose out calling them brothers. During holidays, festivals, and especially when you get married, you’ll receive plenty of cash gifts,” Jiang Yourong said with a grin, chiming in from the side. As she spoke, she nudged Yun Li. “Right, Sister-in-law?”

Yun Li’s brain failed to make the turn in time, and she answered automatically, “That’s right, that’s right…”

Everyone burst into laughter.

Jiang Baichuan silently recorded a merit for his sister.

Strangely enough, even though this was the first time they had all gathered, apart from her initial nervousness over whether she was entertaining them properly, it did not take long for Xia Wanzhi to become familiar with this group.

As if they were once-in-a-century kindred spirits.

As if they had known one another in a past life.

Ms. Qiao Shu had always loved traditional culture, and by now she had started discussing famous pipa masters with Le Rao and Feng Lingling, chatting from modern times all the way back through five thousand years of history. On the other side, several men were drinking tea with Richard and discussing business matters.

Richard was generous. In just a few exchanges, he was already talking about future cooperation.

He truly liked this group of new friends his granddaughter had made.

The group chatted noisily until mealtime. Xie Qiyan, the male host, rolled up his sleeves and went to the kitchen. When Yun Li saw this, she quietly tugged on Jiang Baichuan, signaling for him to go along.

The male host would cook, while the female host was responsible for entertaining the guests.

But unexpectedly, not long after Jiang Baichuan got up, Jiang Yourong also pushed her husband, Rong Yu, signaling for him to help.

Xia Wanzhi was torn between laughing and crying. “No, don’t. How can we let guests cook?”

Jiang Yourong did not listen and said cheerfully, “My man cooks incredibly well. You can tell just by looking at the three of us-he’s fed us until we’re fair and plump.”

Xia Wanzhi instinctively wanted to take over the conversation and say Xie Qiyan’s cooking was delicious too, but before she could speak, Richard, who had heard from the side, immediately asked with innocent surprise, “You little girl, you already have children?”

“Twins. They’re three years old.” Jiang Yourong made a peace sign, her face full of happy smiles.

Richard was astonished. “How old are you?”

Jiang Yourong made another gesture. “Twenty-eight. I’m not that young anymore.”

Richard nodded, then murmured thoughtfully to Ms. Qiao Shu, “Twenty-eight, children three years old, gave birth at twenty-five…”

He let out a little “hey.” “Our Xiao Wanzi is twenty-five too.”

Xia Wanzhi: “…”

Are you hinting at something?