Lin Zhaojiang took Song Wan to visit Zhu Jingwei.
Song Wan stood on the deck. A gentle sea breeze blew, seagulls circled in the distance, and sunlight sprinkled on the sea like shimmering silver. Everything was just right, a comfort that seemed to exist only in a dream.
She stretched, and the man suddenly hugged her from behind.
Song Wan blushed slightly, placed her small hand on his chest, and gave him a push. Several bodyguards standing not far from the bow of the ship all looked away knowingly.
"How's the scenery here?" Lin Zhaojiang asked softly.
Song Wan smiled and nodded, "I like it very much."
“This area is the Zhu family’s private sea area. My aunt lives on the island and usually travels in and out by boat.”
Song Wan listened quietly, smiling slightly. It turns out that great writers really are detached from worldly affairs, even their homes are far removed from the hustle and bustle of the world.
The Zhu family's illustrious background was indeed beyond her imagination. A family that could own private waters was definitely not just an ordinary wealthy family.
“My aunt was my maternal grandfather’s most beloved daughter,” Lin Zhaojiang said with a smile, “so the only island in this sea area was given to my aunt. My aunt and uncle are a perfect couple, living a carefree life on the island, just like the reclusive masters in martial arts novels!”
Song Wan blinked and asked playfully, "So, is this island called Peach Blossom Island?"
“It’s not Peach Blossom Island, it’s Rose Island.” Lin Zhaojiang looked at her. “My mother’s name has the character ‘Qiang’ in it. She and her sister had a very deep bond. After my mother passed away, my aunt was also very sad… During that time, my aunt and I really depended on each other for survival.”
Upon hearing this, Song Wan gently leaned against his chest. The outline of Rose Island became clearer and clearer before her eyes, and from afar, it seemed as if a patch of fiery red roses was blooming enchantingly on the shore.
The closer Song Wan got to the island, the more uneasy she felt. She was both excited and worried, afraid of saying the wrong thing or taking the wrong step, but also looking forward to meeting the great writer she admired face to face.
Lin Zhaojiang hugged her slender waist tightly, smiled gently at her, his eyes filled with doting affection.
Many people had already gathered on the shore, and the head butler personally stepped forward to greet Song Wan with the etiquette due to a VIP.
"Am I right?" Lin Zhaojiang whispered in her ear, "If your aunt and uncle didn't care about you, why would they make such a big fuss?"
Song Wan smiled gently and squeezed Lin Zhaojiang's hand.
She was still quite clear-headed. The large entourage only meant that they were not being impolite and would not give anyone a handle to use against them, but it did not mean that they welcomed her from the bottom of their hearts.
As expected, Zhu Jingwei was not very satisfied with Song Wan.
Although she wore a smile, her eyes revealed a coldness that kept people at a distance. Coupled with her innate nobility, Song Wan felt very small in front of her, and the inferiority complex in her heart began to grow wildly like weeds.
Zhu Jingwei even bluntly asked, "I heard that you almost lost your life for Zhao Jiang?"
Song Wan's expression changed, unsure how to answer the question.
"Auntie, it's all my fault." Lin Zhaojiang gently held Song Wan's hand. "I didn't cherish her before, and Wanwan suffered a lot. I will never do that again..."
"I don't admire women who would die for a relationship," Zhu Jingwei interrupted him. "People must first be responsible for themselves. Losing your rationality for a relationship is something I really can't agree with! When you lose yourself in a relationship, have you thought about your life? Have you thought about the people who worked hard to raise you? Are you being fair to yourself and to them?"
"Auntie!" Lin Zhaojiang frowned and kept giving Zhu Jingwei meaningful glances.
He couldn't understand why his usually easy-going aunt seemed like a completely different person today.
"Zhaojiang, why don't you show Miss Song around the island?" Zhu Jingwei stood up, her tone elegant yet casual. "The guest rooms are ready. If you want to stay a few more days, that's fine too. Your uncle and I will do our best to accommodate you. I'd like to rest for a while now, so I won't join you for dinner. Please make yourselves at home!"
Lin Zhaojiang was about to chase after them when he saw Song Wan's pale face and sighed softly.
This was something he never expected.
The first meeting between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law turned out like this...
"Wanwan, don't take it to heart," he comforted softly. "My aunt is a person who is cold on the outside but warm on the inside. She is like that with everyone she meets for the first time. You'll understand once you spend more time with her."
"Yes." At that moment, a kind-looking old man walked over from not far away. "Miss Song, don't mind her! She's going through menopause, that's all!"
Lin Zhaojiang chuckled and gave the old man a big hug.
"uncle!"
Situ Cheng patted him on the shoulder, his eyes full of admiration.
He was a sprightly old man, with a straight back and a brisk walk. His graying temples didn't make him look old; instead, they added to his charm.
"We'll definitely stay on the island for a few more days this time! We can take this opportunity to get to know the island better, and maybe we can hold our wedding there someday, what do you think?"
"Uncle, you still love me the most!"
"You silly child!" Situ Cheng chuckled. "I'm not being affectionate towards you! If it weren't for Miss Song's sake, I wouldn't have let you get married on the island!"
"Hey, you old man..."
The two exchanged a smile and punched each other a few more times before stopping.
The atmosphere was much more relaxed, no longer as cold as before. Situ Cheng took the opportunity to explain to Song Wan, "Miss Song, please don't take offense... His aunt's words weren't without reason. Sigh, you can imagine, you painstakingly nurtured a potted plant, only to have it wither away just as it was about to bloom. How would you feel?"
Song Wan was stunned for a moment, then remained silent.
"But don't worry," Situ Cheng continued, "Jingwei is just stubborn on the outside but soft on the inside, cold on the outside but warm on the inside. She won't object to you and Zhaojiang!"
“Uncle,” Lin Zhaojiang smiled, “I heard you’re still studying calligraphy? Wanwan has been practicing calligraphy lately, so why don’t we go to the study and have her write something for you to see?”
Situ Cheng happily agreed.
Later that evening, Zhu Jingwei stood alone on the balcony, gazing at the soft moonlight, her heart filled with a mix of emotions.
The housekeeper told her that Lin Zhaojiang and Song Wan had already checked into the guest room. They had only walked along the beach for a short while today and would go to other parts of the island tomorrow.
"Have they had dinner yet?" Zhu Jingwei turned around and asked with concern. "Zhaojiang mentioned that Miss Song prefers a lighter taste. Our chef Zhou uses a lot of seasonings when he cooks, so don't let him cook. Let chef Chen cook instead!"
"Yes, madam," the butler smiled. "I already told Chef Chen that Miss Song ate quite a bit for dinner."
"Hmm," Zhu Jingwei nodded, then suddenly remembered, "Miss Song seems to be sensitive to the cold, so send her a few more blankets. Oh, and her slippers too, are they soft-soled?"
"You said you didn't like this nephew's wife!" Situ Cheng's laughter rang out. "But you seem quite concerned about her! Why did you give her the cold shoulder on our first meeting?"
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