Huo Junyu put his hand to his forehead, utterly speechless.

Looking at Huo Jingnan laughing so hard he was doubled over, he was increasingly looking forward to Pei Nian taking him in, so that he could call him "Brother-in-law Pei" as much as he wanted!

Finally, Huo Junyu got to eat that dinner as "Brother-in-law Lu".

When he told Jiang Mianmian about it, his wife was overjoyed.

Seeing her radiant smile, Huo Junyu suddenly felt that he couldn't have wasted so many days of guarding the empty room; he had to get his money back with interest...

then……

The next day, Jiang Mianmian's legs felt weak when she got out of bed, and it took her a while to adjust her walking posture to be more normal.

Looking at Huo Junyu, who was already in the living room, beaming as he prepared gifts, she really wanted to go up and kick him a couple of times.

"Young Master, that's basically all the stuff," the old butler said with a smile. "Actually, whatever you prepare for Mr. Huo and his wife, they will like it!"

"After you send these home, just say that the young mistress chose them, understand?"

"yes."

Jiang Mianmian was taken aback, and slowly walked down the stairs.

"Awake?" Huo Junyu smiled at her and went over to take her small hand.

"I..." Jiang Mianmian's face flushed slightly, "I'm sorry, Junyu, I forgot to prepare gifts for Mom and Dad. Tomorrow is their wedding anniversary!"

"Everything's ready, don't worry." Huo Junyu ruffled her hair. "The anniversary is tomorrow, they'll definitely be spending it alone. So today, let's just go home and have dinner!"

Jiang Mianmian opened her eyes wide and immediately ran into the dressing room, guiltily choosing a turtleneck sweater.

*

When the two arrived at Xingyuan, they saw Huo Zhixing and Jiang Can admiring the flowers in the courtyard from afar. The courtyard was filled with purple irises, which complemented the blue sky in the distance.

Sunlight shone on everyone, illuminating Huo Zhixing and Jiang Can's happy smiles.

Huo Junyu and Jiang Mianmian went over to greet them.

However, after exchanging greetings, Huo Zhixing was eager for the two of them to also have some time alone together, so he said to Huo Junyu, "Take Xiaoyouzi out to play!"

Huo Junyu could clearly feel the disdain in his father's eyes.

"Where do you want me to go?"

"The horse ranch has just been renovated, you can take her horseback riding!"

Huo Junyu had no choice but to do as his father instructed.

Huo Zhixing smiled with satisfaction, but not long after, a carefree "hahaha" suddenly came from the courtyard gate!

President Huo: "..."

I just got my daughter away, and now Dad's here!

"Hahahaha!" Lu Lishan bowed. "Happy wedding anniversary, you two! Back when you had your wedding, the custom there... I think the bride had to step on the groom's head?"

"Should we also celebrate our wedding anniversary?"

"If you're uncultured, don't spout nonsense!" Lin Yuqing's brows furrowed deeply. "Where they're from, the bride steps on the groom's feet at weddings! You're the one who said stepping on his head!"

Lu Lishan was scolded again, and he pouted and remained silent.

Jiang Can linked arms with Lin Yuqing, and the two old best friends went to chat in the glass conservatory.

The old couple outside were staring longingly at their wife. After exchanging glances and confirming that she ignored them, they looked at each other again and decided to brew a pot of tea and go play chess.

"Sister Yuqing, try my newly made pastries!"

Jiang Can pushed a plate of pastries towards her. The small pastries, shaped like apricot blossoms and peach blossoms, were exquisite and translucent, with a faint fragrance that was refreshing and delightful.

Lin Yuqing smiled, but there was a hint of forcedness in her smile.

Jiang Can could tell at a glance that she had something on her mind.

"Sister Yuqing, tell me if anything happens, and I will definitely help you if I can."

Lin Yuqing looked at her gratefully and said softly, "Can Can, thankfully I still have you to talk to..."

"What exactly happened?"

"Actually, it's about Ranran's mother."

Jiang Can was taken aback. In her memory, she was an honest and kind-hearted woman who, despite her good deeds, was left with a host of illnesses.

Even in the most difficult times, she insisted that Lu Ran stay true to her original aspirations and forbade her from coveting the Lu family's assets.

That alone made Jiang Can admire him greatly.

"You mean Cheng Suyue?" Jiang Can asked. "What happened to her?"

Lin Yuqing remained silent for a moment before beginning her explanation.

“A couple of days ago, Ashan and I invited her to our home to discuss the marriage of our two children. After all, we like Ranran very much and treat her like our own daughter. But Cheng Suyue… was very cold and barely spoke to us. But when we talked about the dowry your family gave Ranran, she asked a lot of detailed questions!”

Jiang Can was startled. "What did she ask?"

"I'm asking how much money your family is going to give Ranran!" Lin Yuqing hesitated for a moment, then stammered, "And also... I'm asking if the dowry your family is preparing for Ranran includes any shares in the Huo family, and I even asked about your jewelry box, how much Yangyang will inherit, and the assets of the Yin and Fu families..."

"Can Can, how can I answer these questions? Aren't her questions too strange?"

Jiang Can's heart skipped a beat.

Logically speaking, Cheng Suyue shouldn't be this kind of person, so why...?

"Perhaps she feels that her illness is a burden to Ranran and wants to fight for more for her daughter?" Lin Yuqing frowned.

Jiang Can thought about it and realized that this explanation was plausible.

"Oh, right, Can Can, there's something even stranger that happened later," Lin Yuqing said. "After discussing the marriage in general terms, Ashan had the housekeeper take her around... but for some reason, she ended up arguing with Pei Nian!"

"I asked Niannian why she was making noise, but she didn't say a word!"

Jiang Can also thought something was amiss.

How come Cheng Suyue and Pei Nian were able to argue in such a large Lu family?

"Sister Yuqing, why don't you ask Xiaoyouzi?"

"What?"

"Can't you see?" Jiang Can chuckled. "That little girl doesn't listen to anyone but Xiaoyouzi!"

*

When Jiang Mianmian asked Pei Nian about the situation, Pei Nian didn't say anything at first. She just glanced at her and asked, "Do you believe me?"

Jiang Mianmian paused for a moment, then nodded gently.

"I'll tell you if you trust me unconditionally," Pei Nian said, biting her lip. "That day... because that woman kept circling around the study!"

"What?" Jiang Mianmian was a little surprised. "Didn't my dad ask the housekeeper to take her for a walk in the garden?"

“She said she lost her way because she couldn’t keep up with the housekeeper,” Pei Nian said. “But from what I observed, she was deliberately wandering around the study!”

"Besides, she doesn't look sick at all! I think she looks great and very healthy!"

Pei Nian was a little agitated, and Jiang Mianmian patted her shoulder to calm her down.

“I know you probably won’t believe me.” Pei Nian glanced at her. “After all, she is Miss Lu Ran’s mother, while I… am just an outsider in this family.”