Chapter 89
Shen Fengni was no stranger to Jiang Zhuoyan's parents.
In other words, everyone who lives in Qinglan City and watches the news is familiar with it.
Jiang Zhuoyan's father Jiang Hong and mother Yao Qing hold influential positions in the local business community and are frequent guests in major media outlets and various business sectors.
Although the two have been planning to retire in recent years and gradually hand over the business to capable younger generations in the family, whenever they are mentioned, they are still spoken of with respect and no one dares to look down on them.
Chen Fengni had read some related interviews and knew that the two of them had very high demands on themselves. They were unwilling to stay where they were and were committed to climbing up and striving to do everything well.
Sometimes she could see a little bit of her parents in Jiang Zhuoyan. The difference was that Jiang and Yao enjoyed this process, while Jiang Zhuoyan just did it out of habit.
A perfectionist like this would probably have high expectations for his daughter's partner.
Shen Fengni pondered secretly and looked out the car window.
The sky is high and the air is crisp, autumn is deepening, the sun is bright but no longer hot, and scattered golden fallen leaves are scattered on the asphalt road, dancing gently in the breeze.
It was a beautiful view, but unfortunately she had no mood to appreciate it at the moment.
Because she was on her way to Jiang Zhuoyan's parents' home.
"Are you nervous?"
Someone beside me asked.
Shen Fengni opened her mouth, but before she could come up with an answer, the man held her hand. "Don't be nervous, just act like usual. They'll like you."
Shen Fengni was a little helpless, "I know."
She feels that many people have a misunderstanding that their parents are reasonable and easy to get along with.
But in fact, that is only tolerance towards one's own blood. In front of others, people will become relatively strict and picky.
Moreover, she and Jiang Zhuoyan were born worlds apart. Although the gap between them was narrowing due to her efforts, from a class perspective, there was still an insurmountable chasm.
Will Jiang Zhuoyan's parents really like me?
Shen Fengni has little confidence.
But when she nervously asked Jiang Zhuoyan if there was anything she needed to pay attention to when meeting her parents, he simply said calmly, "No, just be yourself."
Seeing that she didn't quite believe it, Jiang Zhuoyan added, "Really, they won't interfere with this."
Without a direction to work towards, Chen Fengni really didn't prepare anything. She just bought some gifts that her parents liked with Jiang Zhuoyan, and set off on the journey on the agreed day.
"Just ahead."
As the car passed somewhere in the villa area, Jiang Zhuoyan suddenly spoke.
Shen Fengni looked over as she was told, a look of surprise in her eyes.
Based on her impression of Jiang Zhuoyan's parents, their residence should be an exquisite modern building, elegant and grand. Or perhaps, like Jiang Zhuoyan's residence, it should be quiet and serene, like a paradise, peaceful and comfortable, undisturbed by the mundane world.
But what is in front of me is a warmly decorated small courtyard. The red tiles and white walls look particularly fresh under the blue sky. The lush flowers and plants in front of the door grow over the low fence, rendering a colorful scene.
It is a soft beauty without any aggression.
If Jiang Zhuoyan had not parked the car with ease and got out before her, Chen Fengni would almost have mistakenly thought that she had accidentally entered someone else's yard.
The butler was already waiting by the side. He was a tall, middle-aged man wearing a neat uniform and a gentle smile on his face. "Nian Nian, Miss Shen."
Jiang Zhuoyan raised the corner of his mouth, "Uncle Qin."
Before coming here, Jiang Zhuoyan specifically introduced this person, saying that he was the housekeeper who had been with the Jiang family for many years and had watched him grow up. Shen Fengni also greeted him and then entered the villa under his guidance.
Jiang Hong and Yao Qing greeted them at the door together.
Although she had prepared herself mentally in advance, Shen Fengni was still a little nervous when the two faces that often appeared in the news suddenly became face to face.
She smiled, trying to look calm, "Hello, uncle and aunt."
"Feng Ni, right? Come in." Yao Qing greeted her with a smile and pulled her in affectionately. "Nian Nian always mentions you. I've been wanting to meet you for a long time."
Yao Qing has the appearance of a classic beauty, with a certain air of nobility. Aside from the faint lines at the corners of her eyes when she smiles, the years have barely left any trace on her face.
Jiang Hong seemed a little more difficult to approach. His angular face looked a little serious, and he didn't say much except for greeting.
The interior decoration style of the villa is exactly the same as that of the courtyard. There is no luxurious or extravagant decoration, but the furniture is exquisite and warm, revealing the owner's exquisite taste.
Chen Fengni was taken by Yao Qing to sit on the sofa in the living room. The nanny brought up the prepared fruit snacks one by one and also brought a pot of freshly brewed tea.
"I heard from Nian Nian that you don't like things that are too sweet, so I picked something that's not too sweet, but very juicy and fresh."
Yao Qing pointed at the fruit on the coffee table and said with a smile, "Try it and see if it suits your taste."
Shen Fengni was very touched that such tiny details were paid attention to. She ate a piece of fruit as she was told, and it tasted refreshing and not at all sweet.
Then thank you sincerely: "Thank you, Auntie, it's delicious."
"You don't have to be so polite." Jiang Zhuoyan put his arm around her shoulders, looked around, and asked Yao Qing, "Where's my dad? What is he busy with?"
"I'm cooking, don't worry about him." Yao Qing replied, his tone slightly helpless. "When I heard you were coming, I insisted on showing off my cooking skills myself. I couldn't stop him. He even said he would make eight dishes."
Shen Fengni was startled when she heard this and immediately stood up and said, "Then I'll go and help."
Asking Jiang Hong to cook by himself was beyond her expectation. If she had to complete such a huge workload alone, it would take a lot of time and energy, and she felt really bad about it.
Before coming, she read a lot of guides online, and many posts said that when meeting the other person's parents for the first time, it is okay to participate in housework appropriately.
"No, I'll go." Jiang Zhuoyan stopped her and stood up. "You two can chat."
After saying that, she walked towards the kitchen first. Shen Fengni wanted to help, but she didn't want to leave Yao Qing alone in the living room. So she stayed there for two seconds, then obeyed the instructions and sat back down.
It was fine when Jiang Zhuoyan was around, but now that only she and Yao Qing were left, Shen Fengni began to feel awkward again and didn't know what to say.
"Look, I planted that apricot tree." Yao Qing pointed out the window. "I didn't expect much at first, but it's grown so well, bearing fruit every year."
Shen Fengni looked in the direction she pointed.
Outside the French window, an apricot tree, covered in golden leaves, swayed in the breeze. The branches were filled with plump apricots, like golden lanterns, emitting a warm glow.
She praised sincerely, "It's beautiful."
"I still prefer spring," Yao Qing said casually, as if chatting with a friend. "The trees are full of clusters of flowers, and the wind is filled with fragrance. Come back in March or April next year, you won't be disappointed."
This is a very exciting invitation.
If Yao Qing is serious, and she comes here again in March or April next year, does that mean that she has already gained Yao Qing's recognition?
"Okay, I'm looking forward to it." Shen Fengni's heartbeat quickened slightly. "When I was a kid, there were a few apricot trees in the park near my home. In the spring, many people would have picnics under the trees. We could give it a try then."
After she finished speaking, she suddenly felt a little regretful. Perhaps Yao Qing had just mentioned it casually out of politeness. Why did she say so much? It also sounded rather presumptuous to suggest a picnic in someone else's yard without their permission.
Perhaps it was because Yao Qing's attitude was too gentle that she unconsciously relaxed and lost her temper when speaking.
Shen Fengni was secretly annoyed and carefully observed Yao Qing's expression.
Yao Qing didn't show any displeasure, but tilted his head, as if seriously considering her proposal. "We haven't had a picnic in the yard yet, but when you mention it, I'm really tempted."
She laughed and said, "In the past few years, I was focused on work and didn't have these thoughts. Now that I have some free time, I want to try everything."
Chen Fengni was infected by her smile and curled her lips, "Nian Nian said the same thing. She doesn't want work to take up all her time like before. She wants to enjoy life more."
"She changed her mind after being with you, didn't she?" Yao Qing said, understandingly. "I tried to persuade her several times, but she wouldn't listen and was only focused on moving forward. Now that she has someone she likes and feels like stopping and enjoying the scenery, she has you to thank for it."
From the moment we met, every word Yao Qing said was soothing.
"Auntie, don't say that. I should be thanking Nian Nian. She helped me a lot."
Chen Fengni's eyes were filled with tears, and she didn't know where she got the courage from. "I know there's still a gap between me and Nian Nian, but I really love her, and I'm trying my best."
The air was quiet for a moment. Yao Qing paused his movements and then looked at her quietly, as if thinking about something.
Shen Fengni's heart suddenly trembled, thinking that she had said something wrong.
"Feng Ni, don't be nervous." The next second, Yao Qing laughed, "I have a question for you, just treat it as a casual chat."
Shen Fengni nodded, "Okay, go ahead."
"What do you think is the most important thing in love?"
The unexpected question made Shen Fengni stunned for a moment.
She lowered her head and thought for a moment before answering, "It's unconditional, unrequited giving, and the hope that the other person will be happy."
Her entire understanding of love comes from Jiang Zhuoyan.
So the answer she gave was also what Jiang Zhuoyan had been doing to her all along.
But she thought that she was not doing well enough.
"You have a point, but I think there's a more appropriate answer." Yao Qing said gently, "What's more important than 'giving' is 'accepting'."
Chen Fengni looked confused, "Accept?"
Yao Qing hummed and explained, "You see, Nian Nian's personality is like her father's. She does more than she talks, and she's not good at sweet talk. When they're busy, they might not even think of calling for days. But I know I'm very important to them."
"So I won't ask them to contact me every day, nor will I ask them to confess anything to me. I know if I ask them, they will definitely do it, but they will also feel burdened, and I don't want that. But at the same time, they will also tolerate my personality and accept my differences from them."
Shen Fengni's heart was beating wildly, as if she understood something, but she couldn't say it.
She pursed her lips slightly, "You mean..."
"I want to say that you don't need to feel pressured or chase after anyone."
Yao Qing looked at her with a gentle gaze, "Being able to be yourself and accept each other is the best love."
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