Shan Zhishu had already recognized Su Xiao, knowing that she was the girlfriend his son had been hiding outside and never bringing home.
It's no wonder she wanted to inquire; it's been so long, and her son still hasn't brought her home. Although she's never met Su Xiao in person, she's already secretly found out about her background.
Previously, she was somewhat reluctant about her background, but because of her son and the fact that he hadn't officially brought her home, she couldn't formally voice her opinion. Now, she's truly grateful that her son didn't bring her home sooner.
Su Xiao had no idea how many thoughts were swirling in the woman's mind, so she simply greeted her obediently, "Hello, Auntie."
"Hello, Xiaoxiao, how are you?" Shan Zhishu replied while taking off a white jade bracelet from his wrist and putting it on Xiaoxiao's wrist. "This is a gift for you."
Su Xiao was quite frightened upon seeing this and quickly declined, saying, "No, I can't accept this; it's too valuable."
Shan Zhishu, however, held onto her hand tightly, stopping her movements, and said meaningfully, "Take it, it'll be yours sooner or later."
"That's right, it'll be yours sooner or later, Xiaoxiao, keep it." Shan Danqing and Qin Wan walked over at some point, echoing with smiles.
Su Xiao had never seen her before and looked at her curiously, but the girl next to her looked very familiar. She felt like she had seen her somewhere before.
Dan Danqing noticed the confusion in her eyes and introduced herself with a teasing smile, "I am your second aunt, and also Zimu's aunt."
Su Xiao blushed instantly.
Oh dear, so they know about her and Shang Ziming.
"Hello, Second Aunt."
Su Xiao looked at Qin Wan again, and then she remembered who she was. Wasn't this the beautiful woman she had met at the train station back then?
"Hello, my name is Qin Wan, your cousin. If you need anything in the future, feel free to come to me." Qin Wan was bright and generous, and stood out among the crowd.
Su Xiaojiao is beautiful and lovely, especially when she smiles, which inexplicably evokes a protective instinct in people. "Okay, thank you, cousin."
In just a short while, Old Madam Qin also sensed something was wrong. She looked at Shan Danqing and asked, but Shan Danqing gave an awkward smile and didn't know what to do.
After all, the two haven't gone public yet.
Su Xiao turned and winked at Old Madam Qin, who, receiving the signal, stopped asking questions and continued introducing Su Xiao to others.
As Shan Danqing watched the three figures disappear, he nudged Shan Zhishu beside him and said, "This daughter-in-law is quite nice."
Shan Zhishu was also very satisfied, and a little proud, "How bad could Zimu's choice be?"
She has long forgotten the disappointment she felt when she learned that Su Xiao was an orphan without parents. Fortunately, Su Xiao had Hua Shancheng as his mentor and was excellent enough himself. Otherwise, she might not have been able to wait even half a year before publicly opposing her son.
Shan Zhishu is not a bad person, but like all mothers-in-law, she is very picky about her daughter-in-law, especially since her son is too outstanding.
Following Madam Qin, Su Xiao formally got to know most of the ladies from prominent families in Kyoto and established herself in Kyoto's elite circles.
Tong's mother nudged Tong Ying, who was hiding in the corner and not moving, and said anxiously, "Go on, isn't she a classmate? Go up and chat with her."
The Tong family is no longer what it used to be.
Not long ago, Tong Deli was investigated. Although he wasn't sentenced, he was demoted several ranks and is now just an ordinary staff member. This drop in status is quite significant.
For this reason, the child's parents have been running around trying to find a solution.
They didn't receive an invitation to this banquet, and if the Tong family weren't related by marriage, they wouldn't have been able to get in at all.
At this point, Tong's mother had long forgotten her daughter's previous grievances, and regardless of right or wrong, she naturally moved on from the matter.
Tong Ying stood still, her eyes somewhat blank, sometimes flashing with regret, sometimes with sarcasm.
These days, her sense of loss is even greater.
The hard-won confidence was repeatedly shaken after the incident involving the Tong family.
When I came over today, Tong Deli repeatedly told me that I must strike up a conversation with Su Xiaoxiao and, preferably, act very affectionately in front of everyone.
She hesitated, unable to move. Her obvious busyness was clearly a tactic; everyone wasn't stupid.
She didn't want to face Su Xiaoxiao like that, as it would only make her feel even more inferior in front of her.
Urged on by her mother once again, Tong Ying finally moved. She walked towards Su Xiaoxiao, and her mother immediately followed, a suitable smile appearing on her lips.
"Grandma Qin, Aunt Qin," Tong Ying greeted the elders politely before turning to Su Xiaoxiao, "Xiaoxiao, congratulations."
Tong Ying had only a pure smile on her face. Su Xiaoxiao nodded and returned the smile, "Thank you."
"Oh dear, Xiaoxiao, it's like the flood washed away the Dragon King's temple, it turns out..." What Mother Tong wanted to say was obvious to everyone in the know, and her expression was somewhat subtle.
However, Tong Ying didn't let her continue, interrupting her and pulling her away, leaving behind the words, "I'm taking my mom out for a walk."
Before Tong's mother could finish speaking, her daughter pulled her away. Although she was unhappy, she still put on a polite smile to avoid making a fool of herself.
Upon arriving at the garden, Tong's mother immediately shook off Tong Ying's hand and said angrily in a low voice, "What are you doing? That was such a good opportunity."
"Mom, stop wasting your time. This will only make the Qin family more disgusted with us. Didn't you see that Aunt didn't even show up today?"
Only then did Tong's mother realize, "Oh right, where's your aunt?"
Since the incident involving the Tong family, she had come looking for Tong Aizhen more than once, but unfortunately, she had never been able to find her.
In fact, after the incident at the Tong family, Tong Aizhen sought help from Qin Yulong, but unfortunately, Qin Yulong ruthlessly refused. This severely damaged her self-esteem, and she subsequently fell ill and became depressed.
She felt ashamed to face her family and chose to run away. If someone is determined to avoid you, the Tong family will naturally not be able to find her.
Tong's mother seemed to have thought of these things as well, and looked somewhat disappointed, saying dejectedly, "What will happen to our family?"
Seeing her mother like this, Tong Ying felt sad too. She could only hold her hand tightly and comfort her, "Our family is doing well, isn't it? Even if life isn't as good as before, at least we're all together as a family."
Tong's mother froze, her expression complicated.
Tong Ying pressed on, saying, "Dad just underwent an investigation, and we're already scheming again. Is that really a good thing? Will the connections we make really be reliable? I think it's better to let Dad calm down, focus on his work, and make amends..."
Tong's mother looked at her daughter thoughtfully for a long time, then sighed, "You've grown up."
Since she couldn't understand these principles as well as her child, Tong's mother smiled self-deprecatingly. Did she not understand? She just refused to accept the facts and always wanted to take another shortcut, even if it meant losing her self-respect.
"Let's go back," said Tong's mother, relieved.
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