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Although Ji Shengsheng quickly accepted everything and adjusted her mood, her mother could still tell that she was not happy.
Mr. Ji rarely paid attention to these details, but recently, after hearing his wife talk about these things after dinner, he couldn't help but want to offer some advice.
"You don't like that young man?"
Just as Ji's mother was about to get the bowls and chopsticks, she heard this and became even angrier: "I'm not satisfied with his family background. Regardless of their financial situation, at least his parents' relationship should be harmonious."
“Sheng Sheng made the choice. Even if you don’t trust that young man, you have to trust your daughter’s judgment.” Mr. Ji took the things from his wife’s hands. “We don’t need to like him. Just don’t let Sheng Sheng feel that we are making things difficult for him.”
"If you're willing to bring it home, then bring it back for a visit. Doing it this way makes us seem heartless."
"He himself didn't want to come."
“Then we need to be more tolerant,” Mr. Ji reassured his wife. “At least we shouldn’t let our daughter be unhappy on New Year’s Eve because of our views, right?”
No sooner had they finished speaking than they heard a knock on the door.
Thinking it was Xu Yu, Ji's mother braced herself and went to open the door.
It's Xing Xing.
His grandmother's condition is stable, and he and his parents take turns going to the hospital to take care of her. He just came back from the hospital today. His grandmother is sleeping right now, and his parents are staying at the hospital with her. He came to Ji Shengsheng's house to see if there was anything he could help with.
When she saw Xing Xing arrive, Ji's mother finally smiled and invited Xing Xing to stay for dinner.
"The rooms upstairs were just cleaned during the day. If you're tired, go upstairs and take a nap," Mrs. Ji said.
Xu Yu heard Xing Xing's voice during a phone call with Ji Shengsheng.
I also heard that Xing Xing has a special room in Ji Shengsheng's house.
When Ji's father called Ji Shengsheng out, he saw her on the phone. After she hung up, he called her aside and handed her an orange: "Feeling better?"
"Much better." Ji Shengsheng took the peeled orange.
"Why are you so upset just because we can't spend the New Year together once?" Mr. Ji comforted her. "You just mentioned a few days ago that you have a boyfriend and you want to bring him home for the New Year right away. It's normal for your mother to have a hard time accepting it. Give her some time."
Ji Shengsheng shook his head: "Actually, it's not entirely because of that."
She suddenly realized that although she liked Xu Yu so much, she didn't know what kind of atmosphere she had created, which led to various reasons why the people around her did not accept Xu Yu.
She desperately wanted to change this situation and hoped that Xu Yu would truly enter her life.
Perhaps she was too hasty.
"I understand, Dad. I'll go talk to Mom."
When Ji Shengsheng came out of the room, her mother was setting the table. Ji Shengsheng went over and snuggled against her mother's arm.
"Mom, I'm sorry, I was too willful."
Ji's mother sighed, "You haven't been home for years. Your father and I are so happy to be able to spend the New Year together this year..."
"I was wrong, Mom..." Ji Shengsheng took the bowl and chopsticks from her mother's hands and hugged her mother's arm. "I was too impatient. I'm sorry, Mom..."
Mrs. Ji was also upset, but she still went along with her daughter's suggestion: "Tell him to come over when it's convenient for him."
"I knew Mom and Dad were the best!" Ji Shengsheng hurriedly called Xu Yu.
After a moment of silence, Xu Yu accepted her invitation.
Sensing his silence, Ji Shengsheng asked, "Xu Yu, are you feeling troubled?"
"If you don't like it, is this the only time?"
"There's no such thing as disliking it."
Although he didn't know what had made Ji's mother change her mind, Xu Yu wasn't particularly interested in finding out. But this time, he was quite curious to see how Ji Shengsheng and Xing Xing would interact in front of him.
Ji Shengsheng hung up the phone, and Xing Xing happened to come downstairs. When he saw Ji Shengsheng, he remembered the day he begged to have dinner together and was refused.
Xing Xing rushed downstairs and immediately ran to Ji Shengsheng: "Happy New Year! You bad guy who values women over friends."
"Xu Yu will be here in a little while, so watch your words."
Ji Shengsheng was too lazy to argue with him any further, and solemnly reminded him: "If you want to stay good friends with me, you have to be friendly to Xu Yu, don't say anything that would make him feel awkward, don't do anything that would make him feel awkward, and don't make him unhappy because of you."
Xing Xing: "?"
Xing Xing was full of questions: "Ji Shengsheng, don't exaggerate. He's such a big guy, what could I possibly do to him?"
"I don't care, I'm just reminding you. If you upset him, I won't be on your side."
Xing Xing: "...You really are something else, your attitude towards love is like a complete change of face."
Ji Shengsheng ignored him; Xu Yu had already parked his car and was walking over. She needed to open the door for Xu Yu immediately.
As Ji's mother was cutting fruit for Xing Xing, she looked out from the kitchen at Ji Shengsheng standing happily at the door and sighed softly.
"Do you think we should talk to Xu Yu beforehand?" Ji's mother looked at Ji's father, hesitant.
"It's a bit early." Understanding what his wife meant, Mr. Ji pondered for a moment. "Are you worried they won't notice?"
"There are concerns in this regard."
"Today isn't a good day, let's talk to him tomorrow during the day. I'll find an opportunity to do so."
"OK."
The fruit was placed on the table when the doorbell rang. Ji's mother watched as Ji Shengsheng excitedly opened the door, where Xu Yu was standing.
He is quite handsome.
"Uncle, Auntie," Xu Yu greeted politely.
Ji Shengsheng quickly took the gift box from his hand and hurriedly pulled him inside.
It was very cold outside, and Xu Yu wasn't wearing gloves, so her hands were icy cold.
Ji's mother immediately recognized the things Xu Yu had brought over as somewhat familiar.
Ji's father had obviously noticed it as well.
"Did he also arrange for the snow disaster relief supplies to be delivered?"
After Xu Yu sat down, Ji's father and mother went to the kitchen.
"It seems so."
"What a thoughtful young man," Mr. Ji remarked. "I trust my daughter's judgment."
Xing Xing was in the bathroom and missed the chance to meet Xu Yuzhao for the first time.
Ji Shengsheng quickly pulled Xu Yu into the bedroom and rubbed his hands to warm them up.
"Why aren't you wearing gloves?" Ji Shengsheng breathed warm air into Xu Yu's hands.
Xu Yu stared at her, and when Ji Shengsheng looked up and winked at him, Xu Yu grabbed Ji Shengsheng's wrist and leaned down to kiss her cheek.
"Oh dear..." Ji Shengsheng stepped back, "They're still outside the door."
Xu Yu kissed her again.
This time, Ji Shengsheng didn't shy away; instead, she bravely responded.
...that's really exciting.
After a while, Xu Yu took a small box out of his pocket and handed it to her.
"What is it?" Ji Shengsheng opened the box.
It is a sapphire necklace.
Sapphire symbolizes loyalty and steadfastness.
"So beautiful!" Ji Shengsheng exclaimed in surprise. "When did you prepare this?"
"A long time ago."
It's been a long time; it was her birthday present.
Xu Yu kissed her eyelashes: "...I'll put them on for you."
Ji Shengsheng obediently gathered her hair up, and Xu Yu's fingers touched the back of her neck, making it ticklish.
After putting it on, Ji Shengsheng ran to the mirror to look at herself, then ran back and hugged Xu Yu's waist: "I really like it. By the way... did you wear that?"
Xu Yu froze: "...?"
“I’m not a pervert, Sheng Sheng, I’ve said that before.”
Ji Shengsheng said shyly, "...Today is New Year's Eve, it's different."
“Go back to Lucheng,” Xu Yu forced Ji Shengsheng to look him in the eyes, “and stay at my place.”
"...Go back and take another look."
"Oh, right, I also have a gift for you." Ji Shengsheng quickly jumped out of Xu Yu's arms, rummaged through the closet and pulled out a shirt, gesturing to Xu Yu's figure, "I made it myself, it took me a long time to make."
It was her first time making clothes, and she bought several kinds of fabrics and patterns before finding the most suitable one.
Sewing was not as easy as she had imagined. The needle broke several times, and the thread was always tangled. After finishing one garment, she already knew how to repair the sewing machine.
"When did you start doing this?" Xu Yu looked into Ji Shengsheng's eyes.
"It started from the last time I came back..."
"Weren't you angry with me back then?" Xu Yu pulled Ji Shengsheng's hand, drawing her closer to him. "I thought you had decided not to want me anymore."
“…How could that be?” Ji Shengsheng simply hugged Xu Yu tightly. “I just haven’t figured it out yet, and I need some time to think it through. I won’t abandon you.”
"Thank you."
This is the best gift he has ever received.
She won't abandon him.
"Do you want to try it now?" Ji Shengsheng's eyes lit up. "It'll definitely suit you."
"Do you want me to try on clothes? Or would you like me to try on something else?"
"...I want both!" Ji Shengsheng bravely confessed her feelings.
"Ahem—" Just then, Xing Xing's voice rang out from outside the door, "It's time to eat."
"Okay." Ji Shengsheng reluctantly let go of her hand.
In Taoyuan, the custom is to eat dinner at 8 p.m. on New Year's Eve, then make dumplings, and eat dumplings again to ring in the new year after the Spring Festival Gala ends.
From the moment they sat down at the dinner table, Ji Shengsheng was worried that Xu Yu would not be comfortable.
Fortunately, everything is as usual.
Ji's father didn't know much about Xu Yu's situation and didn't have any strong emotions; he was just chatting casually.
"When does your vacation end?" Xu Yu doesn't drink beverages, so Ji's father placed a thermos of warm water next to Xu Yu.
"Fifteen." Xu Yu took the cup and poured water for Ji's father.
"When will you return to Lucheng?"
"Next week."
Father Ji nodded, then looked at Ji Shengsheng: "And you?"
"I plan to stay home for a few more days," Ji Shengsheng said, glancing at Xu Yu.
Xu Yu didn't look at her.
Although she really wanted to go back to Lucheng with Xu Yu, she had a lot of work to do. According to the original plan, she could finish her work on time during the time she spent with her parents at home. If she went back next week and came back on the 15th, it would take three days to get there.
"Didn't Xing Xing bring a girl home a while ago?" Father Ji asked, noticing Xing Xing's uncomfortable expression. "How did it go?"
"We broke up." Xing Xing shrugged. "She always said I wasn't good to her, and she always compared me to Ji Shengsheng. It was so annoying."
"Xiao Xing, if you're dating, try not to mention it to your girlfriend too often. Girls don't like it when their boyfriends keep talking about other people." Ji's mother added a chicken leg with serving chopsticks.
Ji Shengsheng only eats chicken wings and not chicken legs, so when Xing Xing comes to our house for dinner, Ji's mother will habitually give the chicken wings to her daughter and the chicken legs to Xing Xing.
Now, he gave the chicken wing to his daughter, and since he had already eaten the other chicken leg, he gave the remaining chicken leg to Xing Xing. Leaving Xu Yu empty seemed a bit inappropriate.
"I'm going to the restroom." Xu Yu stood up at the opportune moment.
Ji's mother and father exchanged a glance and then placed the chicken leg on Xing Xing's plate.
Ji Shengsheng immediately placed the chicken wings from the bowl at Xu Yu's place.
“Xu Yu loves chicken wings.” Ji Shengsheng wouldn’t let him feel treated differently or wronged.
Ji's mother nodded thoughtfully.
After Xu Yu left, Xing Xing couldn't help but say, "...This atmosphere is too oppressive."
After saying that, she looked at Ji Shengsheng and said, "I don't even dare to talk to you. Can you stand him being like this all the time?"
Fearing that Xu Yu might have overheard Xing Xing's words, Ji Shengsheng quickly stopped him, saying, "Don't talk nonsense."
Xing Xing couldn't help but complain: "You're only with him because you're making things difficult for yourself."
Ji Shengsheng was about to retort when she heard Xu Yu washing his hands, so she stopped talking.
Looking at her daughter and Xing Xing, Ji's mother noticed that the two of them used to bicker at the dinner table, but this time they were quiet, which was a bit unusual for them as parents.
But it was my daughter's choice, so there was nothing I could do about it.
"Xu Yu." Xing Xing felt the atmosphere was too uncomfortable, so she took the initiative to break the deadlock.
"You and Ji Shengsheng are together, and I'm good friends with her. Would you mind? Like my ex-girlfriend?"
Ji Shengsheng quickly pinched Xing Xing's forearm from under the table. Xing Xing couldn't control herself and let out a soft "Ouch!" before quickly shutting up, her face turning bright red.
Xu Yu glanced at Ji Shengsheng's hand.
Their physical contact was too natural.
Ji Shengsheng knew that Xu Yu would find this question difficult to answer. In this situation, saying "I mind" would easily ruin the atmosphere, while saying "I don't mind" would put him in an awkward position.
Thinking it over, she quickly tried to smooth things over: "You and I are friends who can go a year or two without seeing each other, there's nothing to mind. Besides, Xu Yu isn't the kind of suspicious person your ex-girlfriend was, so don't make that comparison."
Xing Xing didn't respond; he was in excruciating pain from Ji Shengsheng's pinching.
After dinner, Xing Xing helped clean up the dishes and went upstairs to her room to sleep. Ji's parents watched TV, and Ji Shengsheng pulled Xu Yu into the bedroom under the pretext of showing her photos.
"Please don't be upset by what Xing Xing said just now. He rarely uses his brain when he goes out," Ji Shengsheng quickly explained, afraid that Xu Yu would be unhappy.
"I know," Xu Yu said, looking at Ji Shengsheng's nervous expression. "It's just that I mind."
Ji Shengsheng: "...He really has nothing to mind. We only met once or twice during the years we were abroad, and we didn't keep in touch much otherwise."
“I know.” Xu Yu did not back down. “I mind.”
Ji Shengsheng rubbed his temples: "...For example, let me see how to solve this."
In her memory, Xu Yu was not the kind of stingy or calculating person.
“You have a past that we don’t have.”
Ji Shengsheng: "...I have a bad memory, I've forgotten a lot of things."
"You naturally approach him and touch him."
Ji Shengsheng: "...Is that so?"
“You can be unrestrained and tell him anything.”
Ji Shengsheng: "..."
That's because she doesn't care about her image in front of the other person...
"When you're with him, you often ignore my presence."
She didn't turn on the light.
In the dimly lit room, every word Xu Yu uttered sounded like a calm accusation.
They accused her of being so irresponsible and unfaithful.
"I didn't!" Ji Shengsheng raised three fingers to swear, "I never have."
Of course she does.
More than once.
Don't you believe me?
"I believe you." Xu Yu reached out and touched Ji Shengsheng's clothes, then pulled her into his arms. "I've always believed in you."
Ji Shengsheng breathed a sigh of relief: "Anyway, please don't misunderstand this. Xing Xing and I are so innocent... I find it unbelievable that you would misunderstand."
"Should we do it?"
Just as Ji Shengsheng finished speaking, she heard Xu Yu whisper in her ear.
Ji Shengsheng: "!? You didn't forget to bring that?"
"I brought it." Xu Yu's tone was as casual as if he were saying he brought his phone. "Do you want to use it?"
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