No matter how precious the jewelry, it is not as valuable as you in our eyes.
Mu Chen went downstairs to talk to his parents for a while, and when he came back upstairs with a glass of freshly squeezed juice, Song Yunxi was already asleep in his bed. It wasn't until dinner time that she stretched and sat up in bed.
Mu Chen was sitting on the small sofa by the window reading a book. Seeing that she was awake, he put down his book and went over with a smile. "Awake?"
"Hmm. How long did I sleep?"
Mu Chen raised his hand to check the time, "About two hours."
Song Yunxi reached out and hugged Mu Chen's waist, wanting to give herself some time to clear her head and also to act coquettishly.
Mu Chen then took the opportunity to put one arm around Song Yunxi and gently stroked her head a few times with the other.
"Yunxi, I want to discuss something with you."
"What's up?"
"Mr. Rui has completed his inspection tour of other places and plans to come to Qingdao in the next two days. I would like to invite him to my home when he arrives, is that alright?"
Mu Chen tried to find the right words to ask for Song Yunxi's opinion.
When the parents of both sides meet, it's usually the groom's family who visits the bride's family to show sincerity. But there's always an exception. Since one of Rui Huaisen's inspection sites is in Qingdao, and Mu Chen and Song Yunxi happen to be visiting their families these days, it all seems like a stroke of good luck.
Therefore, Mu Chen wanted to give both sets of parents a chance to meet sooner. This way, his relationship with Song Yunxi could take another step forward.
Song Yunxi looked up at Mu Chen. "You really are in cahoots with him." After saying that, she pushed Mu Chen away, got out of bed and walked towards the bathroom to wash her face.
The moment the door closed, Song Yunxi casually remarked, "This is your home. Who you want to invite is your own business."
Mu Chen stood by the bed and smiled. Song Yunxi was still so awkward.
It had been a long time since the four members of the Mu family had sat down for a meal in the restaurant.
Mu Xian and Mu Chen are both busy, and sometimes they can't even come back for holidays. Most of the time, it's just Mu Guozhang and Chu Xuan eating together.
Chu Xuan placed a piece of pork rib in Song Yunxi's bowl. "This is sweet and sour pork ribs that I made myself. Try it."
Song Yunxi praised, "I've long heard that Auntie's sweet and sour pork ribs are delicious, and they truly live up to their reputation."
Chu Xuan asked with a smile, "What kind of advertisement did Mu Chen give me through you?"
Mu Chen quickly clarified, "I didn't do this advertisement, it was Xianxian."
Chu Xuan paused for a moment, then smiled. "When you go back, I'll make some more sweet and sour pork ribs to take with you, Xianxian."
Mu Chen smiled and nodded. "Okay."
Being a stepmother isn't easy. Mu Xian had resented Chu Xuan since childhood and never ate anything she cooked. So later, no matter what delicious food Chu Xuan made, she would only tell Mu Xian that it was made by the maid.
For twenty years, Mu Xian always thought that her favorite sweet and sour pork ribs were made by the maid.
Chu Xuan thought that Mu Xian would never eat those sweet and sour pork ribs again after accidentally finding out last time that she was the one who made them. Unexpectedly, Mu Xian actually mentioned to Song Yunxi that her pork ribs were delicious.
After dinner, Chu Xuan took Song Yunxi to visit the upstairs dressing room. She took out an exquisite velvet box without any logo from the jewelry cabinet and handed it to Song Yunxi.
"It's a pleasure to meet you. This is a small token of my appreciation. Do you like it?"
Song Yunxi opened it, revealing a sapphire and diamond necklace. The necklace was covered with diamonds cut into round and trapezoidal shapes, and the pendant, like a tassel, had a large sapphire in the center of a half-circle of teardrop-shaped diamonds.
The dazzling brilliance and rare size of this necklace indicate that it is not only extremely valuable, but also not a regular product from any luxury brand. Rather, it is a custom-made piece, typically used for important banquets or family heirlooms.
"Auntie, this is too precious." Song Yunxi closed the lid and was about to hand it back.
Chu Xuan stopped her, "As long as you like it, it's worth it no matter how expensive it is. Our Mu Chen has never had a girlfriend before, you're the first. I think you'll be the last for him too."
Therefore, no matter how precious the jewelry, it is not as valuable as you in our eyes.
Song Yunxi didn't know why, but she felt her eyes were always wet after only one day at the Mu family.
She no longer declined, only saying, "Thank you, Auntie."
Chu Xuan had the maid prepare the guest room next to Mu Chen's for Song Yunxi. That evening, Song Yunxi had just finished showering when she saw Mu Chen sitting on the headboard of her bed reading a book.
She walked to the bedside and asked him with a smile, "Mr. Mu, I'd like to interview you. What made you give up your big and comfortable room and squeeze into my small guest room?"
Mu Chen reached out and pulled her onto the bed. "Of course, it's because you're in the guest room, but not in my room."
Since the Mu family has already investigated Song Yunxi, they should naturally know that Mu Chen goes to Song Yunxi's house to sleep every day, and that they have been living together for a long time.
However, when Song Yunxi arrived at the Mu family, she was still arranged to have a private guest room, which was a sign of the Mu family's respect for this unmarried girl.
As for what they want to do in the middle of the night, that's up to them.
*
The next morning, Mu Chen personally drove Song Yunxi to the airport to pick up Rui Huaisen. Although Song Yunxi seemed reluctant, she still took Mu Chen's hand as he left.
It's a small matter if Mu's parents laugh at her for disrespecting her elders and not knowing the rules. The real problem is that Mu Chen took advantage of her misfortune and abducted her only remaining relative. Even though that relative isn't close to her now.
Mu Chen reached out and took the suitcase from Rui Huaisen's hand. "Mr. Rui, you must be tired from your journey."
Before the relationship between Song Yunxi and Rui Huaisen improved, Mu Chen always addressed Rui Huaisen as "Mr. Rui" instead of "Uncle" or "Uncle" as Song Yunxi did.
This clearly demonstrates that although she has close ties with Rui Huaisen, she still firmly stands on Song Yunxi's side.
Mu Chen went to the back to put his suitcase away, while Song Yunxi stood under the car, idly watching the scenery.
Feeling Rui Huaisen's gaze, Song Yunxi thought for a moment before speaking softly, "Where has Mr. Rui been these past few days?"
Rui Huaisen said, "I went to Nanjing and Suzhou to look at two shops, and then I went to Fujian to look at a tea plantation. That tea plantation is good, and I plan to buy it."
Mu Chen opened the back door and invited Rui Huaisen to get in. "Let's talk on the way."
When he returned to Song Yunxi's side and opened the passenger door for her, he clearly saw her let out a soft sigh, obviously happy that the awkward conversation was over.
Despite Song Yunxi's shrewdness and cunning on the outside, she is not very good at handling relationships with her family.
Just like how she could handle Mu Guozhang with ease if she treated him as the company's chairman, but became much more reserved if she treated him as her boyfriend's father.
Mu Chen smiled and patted Song Yunxi's head. Song Yunxi, who looked so shrewd and capable, was actually quite adorable in her helplessness.
Mu Chen got into the driver's seat and asked as he drove out of the airport, "Mr. Rui, would you like to buy a tea plantation?"
"Yes, the soil, varieties, and age of the tea trees in that tea garden are all quite good. I've already spoken with them, and we can officially sign the contract after the autumn tea harvest this year."
Mu Chen said, "If we have the chance in the future, we'll also visit Mr. Rui's tea plantation."
Rui Huaisen then extended an invitation: "Then let's do it next spring. The weather will be better then, and it will be the perfect time to pick spring tea."
Song Yunxi, who had been listening to their conversation silently, suddenly asked, "What grade of tea does Mr. Rui have? If Platinum Hotel is purchasing from him, could you offer a larger discount?"
Rui Huaisen paused for a moment, then smiled and nodded, "Of course."
Song Yunxi rummaged in her bag for a while, took out paper and pen, wrote some words, and then turned to hand them to Rui Huaisen. "This is my assistant's email address. Please send her the tea descriptions and prices, Mr. Rui. We'll study them and then discuss them with you in more detail."
"Okay." Rui Huaisen agreed, took the note, and put it in his pocket.
Mu Chen smiled and glanced in the rearview mirror at the two people who had suddenly started talking about business. Sure enough, Song Yunxi could only speak normally when she was working.
*
Mu Guozhang and Chu Xuan had already arrived at the hotel to wait.
Although it was Song Yunxi's father who had come to Mu Chen's place to meet his parents, Mu's parents arrived early at the hotel restaurant where Rui Huaisen was staying to wait for him, which was considered to be a proper courtesy and to express the Mu family's utmost sincerity.
After exchanging pleasantries, Rui Huaisen presented two beautifully packaged tea gift boxes to Mu Guozhang and Chu Xuan.
"I don't know much about other gifts, but I do know a little about tea. I hope Mr. and Mrs. Mu won't find it offensive."
"Mr. Rui, you're too kind." Chu Xuan smiled as she accepted the tea gift box and then presented them with the carefully prepared gift. "I heard that Mr. Rui likes calligraphy, so this piece of calligraphy was written by the calligraphy master Qi Yu. Please accept it with pleasure."
Mu Chen stepped forward to help unfurl the mounted scroll, which revealed a powerful five-character poem: "Seven bowls bring the finest taste, one pot brings true delight; holding a hundred thousand verses in vain is not as good as drinking tea."
Rui Huaisen exclaimed with delight, "This calligraphy is truly wonderful. It's so rare to find Mr. Qi Yu's calligraphy these days. Thank you so much, Mr. and Mrs. Mu."
"We're all family, so don't stand on ceremony," Chu Xuan said, gesturing for the waiter to bring the menu. "I didn't know what you liked to eat, so I just ordered a few things. Mr. Rui and Yunxi can take a look at the menu and order some more."
Song Yunxi turned to look at Mu Chen, who smiled, took her hand, and whispered in her ear, "Just treat this as a business dinner; they are all clients."
After listening, Song Yunxi suddenly smiled and nodded.
The atmosphere at the dinner was lively, and the parents of both families chatted happily.
Chu Xuan said, "Yunxi is a sensible and capable child, and our whole family likes her very much. We also hope that Mu Chen and Yunxi's relationship can be settled as soon as possible. I wonder what Mr. Rui's requirements are?"
Song Yunxi was stunned for a moment, then turned to look at Mu Chen. Was this how they were going to talk about marriage on their very first meeting? She wasn't prepared for this at all.
Mu Chen smiled rather happily. Since Rui Huaisen had been invited, it was certainly not just for a simple meal. The real business was for the two families' parents to formally meet with the aim of establishing a marriage alliance and discussing their children's marriage.
However, seeing Song Yunxi's completely unexpected expression, Mu Chen felt he needed to speak with her alone. After all, he had only mentioned yesterday that he was inviting Rui Huaisen to come over as well.
He gently pushed back his chair and stood up. "Mom and Dad, you and Mr. Rui can continue your conversation. Yunxi and I are going out for a bit and will be back soon." After saying this politely, he pulled out a chair for Song Yunxi and took her hand as they left the private room.
Rui Huaisen said, "I don't have any requirements, and I don't care about those formalities. As long as Yan Yan is happy, that's all that matters."
“Yes, let them discuss it themselves.” Chu Xuan said, turning the glass turntable on the table again. “Mr. Rui, please eat more dishes. Our seafood here is famous for its deliciousness.”
During the meal, Mu Chen pulled Song Yunxi outside, and anyone could understand what he meant. It was because the two young people hadn't decided on getting married anytime soon, but the elders had brought it up at the dinner table. Mu Chen was worried that Song Yunxi would feel pressured, so he took her outside to discuss it himself.
In any case, regardless of whether Rui Huaisen and Song Yunxi made any requests, the Mu family's betrothal gifts and pomp would certainly not be lacking. The only difference was whether the other party specified the gifts or they chose them themselves.
The hotel's main entrance is just across the road from the beach. Mu Chen held Song Yunxi's hand as they walked on the soft, white sand, asking her as they went:
"They suddenly brought up marriage, and you're unhappy about it?"
“I’m not unhappy, I’m just not mentally prepared. We’ve never talked about getting married, so I just couldn’t process it.”
"If I asked you beforehand, would you marry me?"
Without hesitation, Song Yunxi replied, "Of course I'm willing."
No matter when this question is asked, the answer is always yes.
Mu Chen smiled. He looked around and said, "Wait for me."
After saying that, he turned and ran towards a small drink stall by the roadside. Half a minute later, he returned with a colorful straw in his hand. He made a small loop around the straw and then tied a knot.
Then, he knelt on one knee and said, "Yunxi, will you marry me?"
The tourists around him stopped in their tracks as Mu Chen knelt down, and when he proposed, they formed a circle and cheered.
Song Yunxi looked at the engagement ring made of a straw in his hand and laughed.
She extended her hand and nodded in agreement: "Okay."
Mu Chen smiled and slipped the straw ring onto Song Yunxi's hand.
Actually, he had prepared the engagement ring a long time ago, and originally planned to propose after meeting his parents this time.
I didn't expect that when I contacted Rui Huaisen yesterday, I learned that he would be coming to Qingdao. So he took the opportunity to arrange a meeting between our parents, which led to this early proposal.
In Mu Chen's plan, there should be a marriage proposal ceremony that is as meticulously prepared as Ji Yanchu's.
The beach was already crowded with tourists, and when someone successfully proposed, even more people quickly gathered around. Everyone applauded and congratulated them, and some even shouted that they wanted to give each other a kiss.
Mu Chen and Song Yunxi smiled at each other, complying with the audience's request and their own wishes. Song Yunxi reached out and hooked her arm around Mu Chen's neck, and Mu Chen leaned down and kissed her.
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