29. In harmony
Before leaving for the old house, Jiang Nan stared at the velvet box in the closet, hesitated for a moment, and finally opened it.
The jade bracelet lay quietly inside, emitting a warm luster.
After a minute or two of silence, she picked up the bracelet and carefully slipped it onto her wrist.
Since we have decided to keep it temporarily, we should let it appear where it should appear when we face Mr. Chen.
Jiang Nan stroked the bracelet on his wrist, took a long breath, threw away all these messy thoughts, picked up his computer bag and tote bag containing spare clothes and left the room.
Chen Yunsheng was waiting in the living room. When he saw her come out, his eyes naturally fell on her wrist. He looked at the bracelet for a few more seconds, but didn't say much. He just told her calmly, "Don't be nervous. Just do it the same as last time."
"Well, okay," Jiang Nan nodded, subconsciously hiding the hand wearing the bracelet behind her back. Then she asked in an uncertain tone, "Should we... prepare gifts?"
Chen Yunsheng was a little surprised she would bring this up. A subtle smile crossed his face, and his voice was gentle and calm: "I've asked Wei Yan to prepare it, and it should be in the trunk."
"Oh, that's good." Jiang Nan agreed dully, feeling like he had asked a stupid question. How could a person as thorough as him overlook such a detail?
But Chen Yunsheng took two steps closer to her. He naturally took the computer bag and tote bag from her hands and asked her in a troubled tone, "Do you think Grandpa likes tea more, or a purple clay teapot?"
Because of his question, Jiang Nan temporarily forgot to think about him carrying her bag. She stood there in a daze, thinking seriously, "Grandpa seems to like tea more. He was very happy with the tea you prepared last time. And purple clay teapots seem more for collection and appreciation. In terms of practicality, tea leaves are more important."
After saying that, Jiang Nan felt unsure about this matter and added, "I don't really understand it either. I'm just guessing."
"Well, tea leaves then." Chen Yunsheng made a quick decision. Then, he looked at her intently and said softly, "Thank you."
"Ah? Thank me for what?" Jiang Nan was confused.
"Thank you for thinking of bringing a gift," Chen Yunsheng said, turning and heading towards the entrance. "Let's go, Zhang Lei should be here soon."
"Okay." Jiang Nan hurriedly followed him.
When passing by the two rabbits, Jiang Nan couldn't help but adjust their positions and smooth their fur.
When Chen Yunsheng saw her actions, he was excited for a moment.
When Jiang Nan was with him, she was always more cautious than lively. The few times she indulged herself were when she couldn't control her joy and showed a little of her joy in front of him. And now, she seemed to be finally willing to jump out of her meek and silent shell and show her true side.
However, he would rather believe that he had gained a little bit of her trust, so that she was no longer on guard against him all the time.
Chen Yunsheng couldn't help but laugh: "Maybe we can add a few more?"
Jiang Nan glanced at him, looking at his gentle expression. After thinking for a moment, he hesitantly asked, "Is it okay?"
Chen Yunsheng clearly saw the anticipation and hesitation flickering in Jiang Nan's eyes, and a smile played on his lips. He looked at Jiang Nan, his voice tinged with a hint of amusement, "Of course. Besides... this is your home, too. As the owner, you can decorate it as you please."
Jiang Nan looked up at him, trying to read his true thoughts from his expression, but Chen Yunsheng just smiled gently, with obvious encouragement in his eyes.
"Then... I'll do whatever I want~" Jiang Nan's tone was light and funny, full of humor.
Even though Chen Yunsheng had promised her this, Jiang Nan didn't dare to actually do it. But now that things had come to this, refusing would only make the atmosphere awkward. So, she tried to make a joke, hoping to dispel the somewhat ambiguous atmosphere with a humorous answer.
Chen Yunsheng sensed Jiang Nan's hesitation, but he was not in a hurry.
He gave her a faint smile and said softly, "I only have one request."
"What?" Jiang Nan looked at him nervously.
"I don't like overly bright colors," he said in a lighthearted yet complaining tone. "If I look at them for too long, my eyes will get uncomfortable."
Jiang Nan breathed a sigh of relief and immediately assured him, "Then I'll buy more green ones. Green is good for the eyes."
"Okay," Chen Yunsheng said as they walked, "I'll cover all the expenses, you just need to be responsible for the selection."
Jiang Nan blinked.
This proposal is actually very tempting. You can buy what you like without spending your own money.
However, Jiang Nan still had concerns.
Seeing Jiang Nan was silent, Chen Yunsheng said in a voice even gentler than usual: "I've made so much money, can you let me use some of it?"
His tone was a mixture of complaints and teasing, as if he was acting coquettishly.
Jiang Nan blushed and stammered, "Ah—OK—"
Chen Yunsheng raised his eyebrows slightly, with a triumphant smile on his face.
——
Near noon, the car slowly drove into the Chen family's old house.
Compared to the deserted and modern apartments in the city center, the old house is shaded by dense trees, and the breeze carries a faint lotus fragrance, which dispels a lot of the scorching heat and fills the air with a comfortable and peaceful atmosphere.
Housekeeper Qian Yuan had been waiting nearby. When he saw their car, he even took two steps towards them with a smile.
Chen Yunsheng got out first, greeted Qian Yuan, and then naturally extended his hand to Jiang Nan in the car. Jiang Nan considered for a second or two, and finally took his hand.
His palms were dry and warm. He helped her out of the car steadily, then immediately let go. His demeanor was calm and composed, without any trace of deliberateness. But Jiang Nan felt that his warm palms contrasted with the coldness of her own palms.
But she didn't want to have any dirty thoughts, so she turned slightly to talk to the housekeeper Qian Yuan.
Qian Yuan had no suspicions, but thought that Jiang Nan had become more talkative as he gradually became familiar with the old house. After a while, Qian Yuan changed the subject and said softly, "The old man is in the flower hall, accompanied by his husband, his wife, and the second wife."
"Second uncle is not here?" Chen Yunsheng asked him.
Qian Yuan replied respectfully, "The Second Madam said that Mr. Er is out on business and won't be here until the afternoon."
"Business?" Chen Yunsheng repeated softly, his expression calm and expressionless. After a few seconds of silence, he turned to look at Jiang Nan and said with a smile, "Let's go, Grandpa and the others must have been waiting for a long time."
"Okay." Jiang Nan agreed.
The experience during this period allowed her to see more things. For example, she used to think that the relationship between Chen Yunsheng and her second uncle was just average, but now she almost instinctively felt that the relationship between Chen Yunsheng and her second uncle Chen Minghui should not be harmonious.
However, she did not ask anything, but just followed Chen Yunsheng silently to the flower hall.
Before I even entered the door, I heard Old Man Chen's resounding laughter: "Finally you're here! If you don't come soon, the iced sour plum soup I prepared will taste bad."
Old Master Chen was in high spirits. Seeing the two people walk in side by side, his eyes almost immediately fell on Jiang Nan's wrist. The emerald color made his smile more sincere, and then he nodded to Jiang Nan with satisfaction.
Jiang Nan felt Mr. Chen's gaze and tried to keep herself calm. At the same time, her peripheral vision swept over everything in the flower hall.
In addition to Mr. Chen, the other three people mentioned by Qian Yuan were also in the hall.
Chen Mingyuan and Su Wanrong sat on the sofa on the same side.
Su Wanrong sat elegantly, a faint smile on her face. Her eyes swept over Jiang Nan subtly, finally lingering on the bracelet on her wrist. Chen Mingyuan nodded gently at them, a greeting.
On the other side sat only Second Aunt Li Li. She was wearing a dark green cheongsam and delicate makeup. Seeing them come in, she immediately put on a warm smile. "Oh, Yunsheng and Nannan are here. Come and sit down. We've been waiting for you."
As she spoke, her eyes quickly glanced at Jiang Nan's empty hands and slightly plain dress, and the smile on the corner of her mouth was meaningful.
Jiang Nan sensed Li Li's hostility and subconsciously glanced at Chen Yunsheng. He noticed her gaze, lowered his head, and then tilted his head in the direction of Mr. Chen, meaning for her to follow him.
"Grandpa," Chen Yunsheng walked over, his voice becoming a little softer, but then his tone became flat again, "Dad, Mom, Second Aunt."
Jiang Nan quickly followed, showing a bright smile: "Hello, Grandpa." She turned slightly and called out twice in the direction of Chen Mingyuan and Su Wanrong, "Uncle, Auntie."
Although Jiang Nan sensed Li Li's hostility, she still called out to her, "Second Aunt."
At the same time, Mr. Chen nodded and looked at the bracelet on Jiang Nan's wrist with satisfaction: "Hurry up and sit down. Nannan, is it hot on the road? Have some iced sour plum soup to avoid the heat."
"It's okay, it's not hot." Jiang Nan sat down next to Chen Yunsheng and answered obediently.
The servants brought two bowls of iced sour plum soup and other snacks at the right time. The atmosphere at this time seemed to be harmonious and peaceful.
Li Li picked up the teacup, took a sip, and looked at Jiang Nan with a smile. Her tone was affectionate but also a little bit of scolding: "Nannan is really getting more and more beautiful. This bracelet also suits you. But, Nannan, as your second aunt, I have something to say to you."
She changed the subject, her smile unchanged, but her voice slightly raised. "Look, you've been married to Yunsheng for so long, why are you still calling him uncle and aunt? Isn't it time to call him mom and dad? If someone doesn't know, they might think our Chen family doesn't know the rules, or...that you and Yunsheng don't have a good relationship."
As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere in the hall immediately became silent and awkward.
Jiang Nan's smile disappeared instantly - Chen Yunsheng and his parents had never mentioned changing their words, so she pretended to be deaf and dumb and pretended that this was not a problem.
Chen Yunsheng's expression remained normal, but there was a complex light flashing in his eyes, as if half of him was unhappy and half of him understood.
Su Wanrong paused for a moment while holding the teacup, lowered her eyes to look at the tea in the cup, and said nothing.
Chen Mingyuan remained as gentle and refined as ever. He softened Li Li's sharp words, saying, "They haven't had their wedding yet, so there's no rush."
"Why not?" Li Li immediately took over the conversation, her smile even kinder, but her tone still aggressive. "Brother, you're just too easy to talk to. This change of heart is a big deal. It means it's legitimate, it means our Chen family recognizes this granddaughter-in-law, and it also means Nan Nan truly considers herself a member of our Chen family. Yunsheng, don't you agree?"
She cleverly threw the question to Chen Yunsheng.
Chen Yunsheng looked up at Li Li, his gaze calm. He said, "Thank you for your concern, Second Aunt. But the name is just a formality."
"We have to be polite too!" Li Li seemed oblivious to his displeasure and continued smiling. She turned to look at Old Man Chen, who was seated at the main table, and said, "Dad, what do you think? Our Chen family values rules the most. This change of heart tea should have been served long ago, right?"
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