As they walked halfway, Yan Manjia and Zhen Han came over to greet them, diverting the attention of Xu Siheng and Xu Siya. Meng Ting relaxed a little more. He tilted his head slightly and caught Xu Shumin’s gaze. Meng Ting blinked in confusion.
Xu Shumin smiled faintly at Meng Ting, then looked away, though his brows furrowed slightly without him realizing it.
Yan Sui, though silent, let go of Meng Ting’s hand and instead wrapped his arm around his waist, making his protective stance quite clear.
Meng Ting was accustomed to any form of contact from Yan Sui, so he didn’t notice the difference. However, including Xu Shumin, anyone who looked closely would eventually notice. Meng Ting might be somewhat different from others, but he was still his wife. Yan Sui couldn’t control what others thought, but if anyone dared to show any disrespect in front of them, Yan Sui would not let it slide.
Xu Siheng and Xu Siya were entertained by Yan Manjia in the living room, while Yan Sui, Meng Ting, and Zhen Han accompanied Xu Shumin to the study. The four of them discussed matters related to the Yán and Xiao families.
Meng Ting naturally couldn’t contribute to the conversation, but he sat quietly by Yan Sui’s side without feeling out of place.
They didn’t come downstairs until it was almost time for lunch. Xu Siheng and Xu Siya were quite skilled at conversation, making Yan Manjia laugh heartily, and the atmosphere was very pleasant.
“Auntie, can my brother and I come over to play during our winter break?”
Although Yan Manjia found the children’s words amusing, she was well aware of who made the decisions in the household.
She responded without passing the question to Yan Sui or Meng Ting, “It’s still early for winter vacation. By then, you might not even want to come anymore. Let’s eat first. You must be hungry after coming all the way from Licheng early in the morning.”
Yan Manjia’s gaze shifted to Zhen Han and Meng Ting, and her smile became more genuine. “Uncle, come quickly. I asked Nanny Wang to specially prepare your favorite dishes.”
“Ting Ting Baby also have to eat more. You must be tired after following Yan Sui all day.”
“I’m not tired, Auntie. You should eat more too,” Meng Ting replied to Yan Manjia before following Yan Sui to their seats.
The dining table wasn’t a place for casual chatter, and the Xu family was no exception. After Xu Siheng and Xu Siya sat down, the atmosphere returned to its usual quiet and refined state, though Yan Manjia continued to urge everyone to eat.
Noticing that they occasionally glanced at Meng Ting and Yan Sui, Yan Manjia put down her chopsticks and emphasized to them again.
“Yan Sui and Ting Ting Baby are very close. Let’s focus on our meal and not mind them.”
Meng Ting kept his head down, eating and occasionally picking up food for Yan Sui. He didn’t pay much attention to the others. Their glances didn’t matter—Yan Sui was already his and only liked him.
***
After lunch, Meng Ting and Yan Sui sat in the living room for a while before Uncle Xiao arranged resting places for Xu Shumin and the other two. Yan Sui and Meng Ting then went upstairs. By around four o’clock, they came back down to receive guests.
As it approached six in the evening, the hall was filled with families from Haicheng who had received invitations. Yan Sui, holding a wine glass, led Meng Ting around to toast. Uncle Xiao approached and whispered something to Yan Sui, who then took Meng Ting toward the entrance.
The only person who could warrant their personal greeting at the door, aside from the already arrived patriarch of the Xu family from Licheng, was someone else entirely. Xu Shumin was curious, but his upbringing prevented him from showing it. Whoever it was, once Yan Sui brought them in, he would find out.
Yan Manjia and Zhen Han also stood up, having a good guess about who had arrived.
“Mom!” Meng Ting called out to Ning Zhou, who was eagerly getting out of the car. Seeing Ning Zhou in her splendid attire, he added, “Mom, you look so beautiful today.”
Xiao Huimin also stepped out of the car. In high spirits, Meng Ting’s words turned sweet. “Dad and my brothers are also very handsome.”
But he paused and added, “Yan Sui is the most handsome.”
Before the Xiao family father and sons could even begin to feel pleased, their expressions turned to helplessness. After those few days together, they understood Yan Sui’s irreplaceable position in Meng Ting’s heart.
Hearing this, Yan Sui showed a faint smile, which to Xiao Huimin and the others, was unmistakably smug.
Under the inscrutable gazes of the Xiao family father and sons, Yan Sui also greeted them, “Dad, Mom, Zi’ang, Zimo, you must be tired from the journey. Let’s go inside, have something to eat, and talk.”
“Wait…” Xiao Huimin quickly interjected, almost forgetting his own father after Meng Ting’s compliment.
“Nuo Nuo’s grandfather is here too.”
He walked to the car that had arrived slightly later and personally opened the door, helping out Old Master Xiao.
In his seventies, around the same age as Xu Shumin, but with a completely different demeanor, Old Master Xiao was a stern and sharp-looking old man, his aura somewhat similar to Yan Sui’s.
“Nuo Nuo, greet your grandfather.”
Meng Ting stepped aside from Ning Zhou and looked over, immediately calling out, “Hello, Grandpa.”
Old Master Xiao glanced at Meng Ting and Ning Zhou beside him, then gave a slight ‘Mm’. His gaze then fell on Yan Sui, his voice cold and heavy, “So, you’re the one who married Zinuo?”
Yan Sui had been dealing with people of Old Master Xiao’s generation for years, so he felt no discomfort. He nodded, “Yes, Grandpa. Ting Ting and I have been married for half a year.”
Yan Sui also knew why Old Master Xiao had such an attitude towards him, but he still didn’t feel the need to bow his head or apologize.
“Third Young Master Xiao hurt Ting Ting and toyed with my birth mother and aunt for so many years. The fact that I left him alive is purely out of respect for the relationship between our two families.”
Even if he had actually killed Xiao Zi back then, the Xiao family wouldn’t be able to do anything about it now. The relationship between the two families would have been more strained, but Yan Sui still wasn’t afraid.
The reason he spared Xiao Zi’s life wasn’t because of any so-called ‘relationship’ he mentioned. Death would have been too easy for him. By keeping him alive, Yan Sui could continue to exact his revenge.
Old Master Xiao’s gaze remained fixed on Yan Sui, and the two of them stared at each other, the atmosphere between them quite subtle.
Just as Xiao Huimin was about to say something, Old Master Xiao and Yan Sui almost simultaneously looked away, and the subtle atmosphere instantly dissipated.
Yan Sui turned to Ning Zhou and the others, stepping aside and gesturing inward, “Please, come in.”
Meng Ting held Yan Sui’s other hand and moved even closer to his side. His thoughts remained unchanged: if the Xiao family didn’t like Yan Sui, then he wouldn’t like them either. He could earn money for Yan Sui himself and didn’t care about what the Xiao family could offer him.
Meng Ting’s understanding of the Xiao family was still too superficial. What they could offer him was far more than just wealth. But even if Meng Ting knew this, it wouldn’t change his mind. He had always been clear about what was most important to him—Yan Sui.
Yan Manjia and Zhen Han were waiting at the entrance of the living room, warmly welcoming them in. Then, several seasoned family patriarchs also came forward. Some had dealt with Old Master Xiao before, and a few knew Xiao Huimin.
Before Yan Sui could even begin introductions, the buzzing sound of discussion filled the living room. Today was Yan Sui’s birthday, and even if the Xiao family had a grudge against the Yan family, they wouldn’t choose such a day to visit.
Moreover, from a distance, there was no sense of any tension between the two families. Yan Manjia was even chatting and laughing with the wife of the Xiao family patriarch. Then, they saw Yan Sui introducing the Xiao family to Xu Shumin.
A look of surprise flashed across Xu Shumin’s face, and then he began exchanging pleasantries with Old Master Xiao. Even if they didn’t have much of a relationship, as former patriarchs of the four top wealthy families, it was impossible for them not to know each other.
“I never expected that Yan Sui and your Xiao family had such a fateful ties…”
Xu Shumin sighed, realizing that his purpose for coming to Haicheng might not be fulfilled. The Xiao family clearly wasn’t at odds with the Yan family, and the so-called advantage the Yán family had was now revealed to be a trap Yan Sui had set for him.
He wanted to be a mediator, but it seemed impossible now. Yán Yunsheng might not be willing to accept this, and Yan Sui wouldn’t agree either.
***
Even though Ning Zhou hadn’t attended such social occasions for many years, she didn’t feel the least bit nervous now, let alone Xiao Huimin and the others. They held their wine glasses, clinking with people coming and going, their demeanor and speech impeccable.
A significant portion of those unaware of the truth began to reassess Yan Sui, thinking his methods were truly remarkable. Regardless of what price he had paid, he managed to reconcile with the Xiao family and even got them to come to Haicheng for his birthday banquet, which was completely beyond everyone’s expectations.
“As expected of my cousin…” Even the somewhat arrogant Xu Siheng couldn’t help but praise him.
At this moment, seven or eight more people arrived at the door, including Gu Lang and Zhong Ming. As Yan Sui’s friends, they naturally had separate invitations. The group entered, chatting and laughing with gifts in hand. Yan Sui, accompanied by Meng Ting, greeted them, and the previously somewhat dull atmosphere of the banquet instantly became lively.
Regardless of whether they were sincere or not, the guests all brought gifts. Most of them were received by Uncle Xiao and stored in a designated room, while some were opened on the spot, like those from Gu Lang and others who were close to Yan Sui.
Gu Lang had put some thought into his gift. He had found a bone carving by a master from several hundred years ago and eagerly unwrapped it to show off. The other friends, who had been kept in suspense, immediately booed, thinking it was some rare treasure.
Gu Lang didn’t mind their playful teasing. He looked at Meng Ting and jokingly asked him.
“Little Sister-in-law, did you give yourself to Yan Sui as a gift? Hahaha…”
He had keenly noticed some faint marks peeking above Meng Ting’s collar.
Meng Ting didn’t notice anything unusual about his gaze. He gently shook his head, “I already belong to Yan Sui, so I can’t be considered a gift. I have prepared a gift.”
Meng Ting checked the time, then pulled Yan Sui to the TV in the living room. He took the remote and switched channels. The curious onlookers, including Gu Lang and others, gathered around, and other curious guests also came over.
Xu Siya glanced at the TV and asked curiously, “Are we supposed to watch an advertisement, Little Cousin-in-law?”
Although they were from different families and cities, the younger generation of the Xu family was no stranger to Yan Sui. Even their parents often used Yan Sui as an example to educate or motivate them.
When Xu Shumin decided to come to Haicheng, they coincidentally found out and pestered him for several days until he agreed. One of the main purposes was to see what Yan Sui, who was so highly praised by their elders, was really like.
True to his reputation, both Xu Siya and Xu Siheng were impressed upon meeting him. But what intrigued them even more was the person beside him, Meng Ting, an excessively beautiful and distinctly different little cousin-in-law.
She thought that Meng Ting’s good looks were a significant reason why he became Yan Sui’s wife.
Hearing this, Meng Ting didn’t look at Xu Siya. He glanced at the time on his phone again, turned his head slightly, and said to Yan Sui, “Wait one more minute.”
Yan Sui looked at Meng Ting, reached out to ruffle his hair, and nodded, “Alright, I’m not in a hurry.”
Yan Sui could roughly guess what Meng Ting was going to give him, but he thought Meng Ting would wait until they were alone at night to present it. He didn’t expect Meng Ting to have something else up his sleeve. Suddenly, Yan Sui, who usually had little interest in gifts, became curious.
[dropdown title=”List of Idiom in Chapter 078.2″]
劍拔弩張 (jiàn bá nǔ zhāng): lit. swords are unsheathed, and crossbows are drawn; with swords drawn and bows bent (idiom); tense situation; ready to fight; a state of mutual hostility; at daggers drawn; with swords drawn and bows bent; tense confrontation; strained relations; on the brink of war; tension high; on the brink of war; describes the vigorous brushstrokes of calligraphy. It also means that the other party has deployed its troops, and the situation is tense and ready to explode.不明真相 (bù míng zhēn xiàng): be unaware of the truth; be kept in the dark; ignorant of the facts; (The case) is still enveloped in mystery; be unaware of the facts; be ignorant of the truth; not know the truth of the matter/the true facts; not to understand the actual situation of a matter.
說說笑笑 (shuō shuō xiào xiào): (ideophonic, of people) laughing and joking; laughing and talking happily; cheerful; joke and chat freely (with…); have a pleasant talk together; laughing and chatting.
[/dropdown]Check out my completed & current project at my carrd. If you like my translation, you can buy me coffee at Ko-fi~ Thank you.
