75.Meet the parents

The atmosphere in the living room fell into a subtle stagnation after Jiang Nan's call from her boyfriend.

The smug look on Aunt Hong Wenzhen's face faded, replaced by resentment and suspicion. Uncle Guan Jianguo remained silent, while Cousin Guan Qianqian occasionally glanced at Jiang Nan with a complicated expression. Fan Zijian, however, had become more restrained, no longer blatantly soliciting questions, but the occasional glances he cast still carried a hint of disdain and assessment.

Jiang Nan knew that her aunt and her family wouldn't give up just because of a phone call. They were like cats that smelled blood. They wouldn't leave easily unless they got to the bottom of the matter and got some juicy information to satisfy them.

In other words, if she let them stay, she would only get more sarcasm and dirty water.

But Jiang Nan didn't want to waste their precious family reunion time on such a meaningless tangle, and she didn't want to worry her parents. She pondered for a moment and came up with a solution.

She gently rubbed her temples, revealing a tired expression, and then said to Hong Qiuping in a coquettish tone, "Mom, I'm a little tired after sitting on the plane for half a day. I want to go wash my face and change into something more comfortable."

Hong Qiuping immediately understood, realizing that Jiang Nan didn't want to deal with her aunt. She was already somewhat dissatisfied with the Hong Wenzhen family's recent behavior, so she followed Jiang Nan's lead and said, "Hurry up, hurry up. Flying is tiring. Old Jiang, go adjust the water heater. It's new, and Nan Nan doesn't know how to use it."

Jiang Youhua responded and quickly stood up, showing his consideration for his daughter with a practical action to see the guest off.

Seeing this, Hong Wenzhen's face turned even uglier. She said with a forced smile, "Oh, are you thinking we're in the way? We came all the way here, and we haven't even warmed up our seats yet."

Hearing this, Jiang Nan stopped, then turned around and smiled innocently and politely, "Aunt, what are you talking about? I'm really a little tired. Besides, you, Uncle, Sister Qianqian, and Mr. Fan are here for a rare visit, so you must have a lot of personal things to talk to my parents about, right? I'm a junior here, and you guys feel restrained. I'll chat with you again after I've rested up and feel refreshed."

Hong Wenzhen choked and opened her mouth, about to say something, but Guan Qianqian quietly pulled her back. Guan Qianqian could tell that Jiang Nan was different today from the silent, naive girl she used to be, letting them nag her. She had become sharp-tongued and unyielding. If they stayed any longer, they wouldn't gain anything; instead, they might fall into some trap and make a mistake in front of Fan Zijian.

As for Guan Jianguo, he always spoke only when he had the upper hand, and would immediately fall silent if he saw something was amiss. While Fan Zijian was unhappy with Jiang Nan's behavior of driving them away, he was concerned about her unknown partner and didn't immediately confront her. He immediately stood up and said with a smile, "Auntie, Uncle, we won't bother you any longer. Cousin Nan Nan just got back and really needs some rest. We'll get together another day."

The host had already politely asked the guest to leave, and the guest had also spoken. No matter how unwilling Hong Wenzhen was, she could only stand up in disappointment.

Jiang Nan breathed a sigh of relief and immediately put on a warm smile. She and her parents walked her aunt and her family to the door. After the door closed, Jiang Nan hummed a song in joy. She turned to ask Jiang Youhua, "Dad, did they come this morning?"

"Yeah. Your mom and I were just about to go out to pick you up when they showed up," Jiang Youhua complained. "They kept talking non-stop and didn't even have time to tell you."

"When I landed, I noticed that the phone was so quiet, so I guessed there was a problem." Jiang Nan made a knowing expression.

Just as she finished her words, a loud engine roar suddenly erupted from downstairs. The three of them immediately scrambled to the window to peer down—the high-end, distinctive car Jiang Nan had spotted before going upstairs belonged to Fan Zijian. He was starting the car with a defiant look on his face.

When Hong Wenzhen and Guan Qianqian noticed the gazes of Jiang Nan's family, they felt that they had regained a little face, so they waved to the three people upstairs in a restrained and ostentatious manner.

Hong Qiuping responded with a smile and withdrew her hand only after they got in the car.

Jiang Nan couldn't help but want to complain about Hong Wenzhen's temper, but thinking of Hong Qiuping's peacemaker nature, she ended up saying nothing.

But she let Hong Qiuping go, but Hong Qiuping was not going to let her go.

Hong Qiuping pulled Jiang Nan to sit on the sofa and asked her in a cautious tone, "Nannan, tell me the truth, what's going on with that photo just now? Is your boyfriend really just an ordinary office worker?"

Jiang Youhua was also sitting nearby, his expression concerned: "And that ring. It doesn't look cheap."

Jiang Nan knew she couldn't avoid it, and she quickly considered it. She absolutely couldn't tell her parents about the marriage; it would scare them and make the explanation difficult. But completely concealing Chen Yunsheng's conditions wasn't realistic either; after all, the photo was there.

After a minute or two of silence, Jiang Nan spoke carefully, "Mom, Dad, he is indeed my boyfriend, and we have been together for a while. He works in management at a company, and his position is... considered an executive, so he earns a good income. His dress may look... well, rather elegant." She tried to be casual, "That photo was taken at the birthday party of one of his elders. I was just his female companion. It's really just an ordinary relationship, don't think too much of it."

"And that ring. I borrowed it and used it to decorate the house." Jiang Nan casually showed off her bare fingers and wrists, and was very glad that she and Chen Yunsheng took off the ring and bracelet before they set out.

"He's an executive?" Hong Qiuping was skeptical. "Which company? Is he reliable? How old is he? What's his family situation like?"

Jiang Nan's scalp tingled with anxiety as a barrage of questions swirled around him. He could only continue to be vague. "It's just a decent-sized company. I'm not too sure about the details, so I didn't ask. He's a few years older than me, a very steady person, and very kind to me. He comes from an ordinary family."

She deliberately made Chen Yunsheng's background vague and ordinary, hoping to lower her parents' vigilance.

"Can an ordinary family cultivate such a temperament?" Jiang Youhua narrowed his eyes, looking a little skeptical. After all, he was a veteran teacher with decades of experience, so he had a good eye for people. "Nannan, Daddy isn't trying to interfere or hinder you. Your mom and I are just worried about you. People from that kind of family are so different from us, and we're worried you'll suffer in the future."

"Dad, he's really nice. He doesn't have those dandy habits." Jiang Nan hastily assured him, but he felt a little uneasy. The gap between their family and the Chen family wasn't just huge; it was a chasm. Fortunately, the Chen family wasn't the type to prioritize family background or luxury.

Seeing her parents still looking worried, Jiang Nan made up her mind and decided to take Chen Yunsheng out for a walk. She checked the time and said casually, "He's also in Jichuan this time, saying he's on a business trip. I was thinking of telling you in a couple of days. How about I invite him over for dinner tonight? You'll know what kind of person he is once you see him with your own eyes."

"He's here too?" Hong Qiuping and Jiang Youhua looked at each other, both a little surprised.

"Well, let's stay in a nearby hotel," Jiang Nan nodded. "If you find it inconvenient, forget it."

"It's convenient, of course!" Hong Qiuping said immediately, "Since you're here, there's no reason not to see you. Let's eat at home tonight. Your dad and I will cook a few more dishes!"

Jiang Youhua also nodded: "It's good to meet him."

Jiang Nan breathed a sigh of relief, but also felt a little uneasy. She then made up an excuse to slip away, and quickly sent a few WeChat messages to Chen Yunsheng, briefly explaining the whole story. Then, after a moment's hesitation, she sent the most important message:

My mom and her family want to invite you over for dinner tonight. Are you available? They seemed a little taken aback by the photo. I didn't say much, just that you're a company executive. Chen, are you sure?

Almost the moment the message was sent, Chen Yunsheng's reply came:

Okay. What time is it? Do you need me to bring anything?

His reply was concise and calm, without any hesitation, and even revealed a sense of expectation.

Jiang Nan sent a funny emoticon package, and then sent:

Six o'clock, the address is where I got off.

But Jiang Nan still gave him a specific address so that he wouldn't go to the wrong place. After a while, she added:

My parents are quite down-to-earth, so you should tone down your aura a bit.

Chen Yunsheng replied to her:

clear.

I will be there on time, Mr. Jiang.

Jiang Nan smiled at the last name, then put his phone away seriously, pretended to be calm, and walked out of the room.

After the notice was over, Jiang Nan began helping Jiang Youhua and Hong Qiuping prepare dinner. As she washed the vegetables, she silently prayed for a smooth meal. While cooking, she persistently told her parents that Chen Yunsheng's family was modest, and that he had worked hard.

Hong Qiuping and Jiang Youhua asked a question from time to time, and Jiang Nan would answer if he could, but would be vague and push the question to Chen Yunsheng if he couldn't.

Chen Yunsheng, who was still preparing in the hotel, knew Jiang Nan's concerns and didn't want to give Jiang Nan's parents the impression that he was showing off his wealth or was too cold, so he carefully chose clothes.

In the end, Chen Yunsheng chose a simple white shirt and gray trousers, and used a hair dryer to make his hair fluffy, trying to create a quiet but not cold temperament.

In fact, he had always been looking forward to integrating into this family of three, but when the opportunity really came, he felt a kind of nervousness that was similar to homesickness.

After that, he repeatedly confirmed that the shape was correct before turning around to pick up the gifts he had prepared for Jiang's father and mother—the high-quality chess pieces and the soft, skin-friendly cashmere scarf. He carefully checked them to make sure there were no damage or stains.

These two gifts weren't expensive, but they were thoughtful and practical, which seemed to fit his current persona. He also trusted that Jiang Nan's parents wouldn't give him a hard time. He'd observed Jiang Youhua and Hong Qiuping during his hospital stay; both had kind personalities, only displaying a serious, slightly didactic professional streak with their students.

However, he had a vague feeling that things in Jichuan weren't as peaceful as they appeared. There was something unusual about Fan Zijian and the source of the photo on his phone. He figured that this trip to Jichuan, besides meeting his parents, might also involve clearing up some unnecessary trouble.

But right now, he is more concerned about meeting the parents.

Afterwards, he checked his clothes, gifts, and other belongings before leaving the room. While waiting for the elevator, he sent a WeChat message to Jiang Nan:

Classmate Jiang, I'm leaving.

Within seconds, he received a reply from Jiang Nan, a cartoon emoji of a starry-eyed cartoon character. He smiled. Then, for some unknown reason, he also used a bunny cheering emoji. Then, he quickly shoved his phone in his pocket and glanced around with a casual air.

As for Jiang Nan, she laughed cheerfully for a long time when she received Chen Yunsheng's emoji reply. Then, when her parents looked over, she calmly put the blame on Wenwen.

Hong Qiuping and Jiang Youhua didn't expose her, instead leisurely discussing what kind of attire would be appropriate for meeting their daughter's boyfriend. Neither too formal nor too casual. Jiang Nan hadn't cared at first, but seeing their nervous expressions, she started to get nervous too.

So, the family of three was busy cooking and cleaning the house, while also busy rummaging through the closet looking for suitable clothes.

Just as Jiang Youhua changed into a refreshing polo shirt and breeches, a standard middle-aged teacher's outfit, and Hong Qiuping changed into a clean dark blue dress, and the two were hesitating whether to change into more formal leather shoes, the Jiang family's doorbell rang on time at six o'clock in the evening.