The trio of sisters-in-law, led by the mother, Qian Lina, have returned.
The three of them walked in, followed by two assistants who were dressed like Christmas trees.
Shi Shi, who was sitting on the sofa, quickly got up with Fu Yingzhou. She didn't know any of the three people, so she could only wait for Lao Niu to introduce them.
Fu Yingzhou first called out "Mom," and the woman in the middle of the three women nodded in response.
Then she called out "Second Aunt" and "Third Aunt".
Fu Yingzhou then pulled Shi Shi over and introduced her: "Mom, Second Aunt, Third Aunt, this is Shi Shi."
Shi Shi smiled politely and greeted softly, "Hello, Auntie."
Despite being a strong woman, Qian Lina didn't exude a powerful aura. She was very approachable. She smiled and walked up to Shi Shi, took her hand, looked her up and down, and nodded with satisfaction, saying, "This girl is really pretty. Xiao Zhou has good taste."
Second Aunt and Third Aunt also gathered around, praising Shi Shi all at once. Shi Shi was a little embarrassed by the praise, her cheeks flushing slightly. At this moment, Third Aunt suddenly leaned closer to Shi Shi, her eyes sparkling, and said, "Young girls these days, they really know how to dress up. I wonder what they're like in other ways."
Shi Shi was taken aback, not expecting his third aunt to say that. He was just thinking about how to respond when Qian Lina, seeing this, gently patted her third aunt.
"What TV dramas have you been watching lately about wicked mothers-in-law outsmarting their daughters-in-law? Speak properly!"
Auntie San chimed in helplessly, "Sister-in-law, you've gone too far! Who knows how many years it will be before our son brings home a daughter-in-law? We finally get to enjoy ourselves here, and you have to sabotage us!"
Shi Shi maintained her smile. Fu Yingzhou noticed Shi Shi's nervousness and subtly took her hand, offering her support. Qian Lina waved her hand, "Alright, sit down and talk."
After everyone was seated, the assistants busied themselves arranging the gifts they had brought. Qian Lina looked at Shi Shi and said, "Little Shi, this is your first time visiting our home, so we didn't prepare anything. Please choose the gifts you like."
Shi Shi was a little surprised and was about to say that there was no need to be so polite when her aunt spoke up again: "That's right, you should choose carefully! We went shopping today and bought a lot of pretty little things."
His interruption made it inappropriate for Shishi to firmly refuse.
Shi Shi glanced at Fu Yingzhou. Seeing him nod slightly, she stood up and walked to the gifts. She examined them carefully and chose an exquisite bracelet. Qian Lina smiled with satisfaction: "You have excellent taste; I picked this bracelet out for my sister-in-law."
Shi Shi smiled and said, "I appreciate all the aunties' kindness. I really like this bracelet. Thank you."
The group chatted casually for a few more minutes. The old man sitting at the head of the table said, "Yingzhou's father and two uncles will be back in a little while, and our family will have a meal together."
Of the three daughters-in-law, two have jobs, and the third daughter-in-law is usually in charge of the daily arrangements of the old house.
Aunt Fu Yingzhou nodded: "Don't worry, Dad. I'll go arrange for the kitchen to prepare right away." With that, she got up and went to the kitchen.
As Shi Shi watched her aunt's departing figure, she felt a little uneasy, wondering what it would be like to have dinner with Fu Yingzhou's family next.
A short while later, Fu Yingzhou's father and two uncles returned one after another. Everyone exchanged greetings, and the atmosphere became lively.
During meals, the Fu family did not observe the taboo of not speaking while eating or sleeping, and occasional conversations were interspersed throughout the meal. However, they were very particular about dining etiquette, and not a sound of bowls, chopsticks, or chewing could be heard between the cups and saucers.
The elders began to inquire about Shi Shi's work and family situation. Shi Shi answered politely one by one, and although she was a little nervous, she handled it with ease.
Qian Lina glanced at her eldest son, then picked up some food for Shi Shi, saying, "Eat more, don't be shy. People in Yingzhou are very discerning, I wonder what you usually like to eat?"
Shi Shi smiled and said, "When I have a craving, I always like to eat the fresh taste of fish. I don't really have any dietary restrictions."
The meal went very well, and the atmosphere at the table was great.
After dinner, everyone sat in the living room drinking tea and chatting. Qian Lina held Shi Shi's hand and said earnestly, "Come visit us often in the future, and make yourself at home, okay?"
Qian Lina found Shi Shi increasingly appealing. This daughter-in-law was not only beautiful, but also well-mannered, polite, and sensible. She was talented and had high emotional intelligence; there was simply no fault in her.
Shi Shi nodded repeatedly: "Auntie, I understand. I will come often in the future."
Shi Shi felt relieved. Having only met him once, she couldn't know what kind of person he was, but at least Fu Yingzhou's mother and family were very respectable.
Fu Yingzhou sat to the side, watching Shi Shi and her mother chat happily, and felt relieved.
Just then, Auntie San suddenly said mysteriously, "Sister-in-law, I heard there's a jewelry exhibition going on recently, and the jewelry there is really beautiful. Why don't we take Shi Shi to have a look?"
Qian Lina's eyes lit up, and she said with a smile, "Great! It's perfect for picking out some jewelry for Shi Shi."
Shi Shi said somewhat embarrassedly, "There's no need to go to such lengths. I rarely wear jewelry."
Qian Lina took her hand and said, "What's wrong with that? If you don't like wearing it, you don't have to! But how can a girl not have a few decent pieces of jewelry?"
Shi Shi couldn't refuse them, so she had no choice but to agree. Fu Yingzhou looked at Shi Shi's somewhat helpless yet touched expression, and smiled as he patted her head.
Fu Yingzhou looked at Shi Shi with eyes full of love. He knew that Shi Shi was ready to gradually integrate into this family.
Fu Yingzhou escorted Shishi home, and Qian Lina watched their retreating figures. She couldn't help but feel happy. Seeing her like this, Fu Shouheng couldn't help but tease her, "So happy?"
Qian Lina rolled her eyes at him. What did that old man know? She's retired, yet she still worries about her eldest son, urging him to get married so she can finally relax. Does she intend to worry about him her whole life?
Shi Shi was surprised to see that the trunk of her car was completely full.
"All the things you see today are gifts that your parents, uncles, and aunts prepared for you. Only the diamond necklace you picked out is my mother's favorite. You two really are destined to meet."
There were only the two of them there, and since it was a gift from an elder, Shi Shi no longer hesitated and generously asked Fu Yingzhou to express her gratitude on her behalf.
Fu Yingzhou drove Shi Shi to her doorstep and helped her unload the gifts from the car. Looking at the overflowing gifts, Shi Shi felt both touched and a little pressured. "Yingzhou, your family is so kind to me, but I'm a little worried I won't be able to handle things well," Shi Shi said with some concern.
Fu Yingzhou gently embraced her and said tenderly, "Don't worry, you did a great job. My family likes you very much. And with me here, you don't need to be afraid. After all..."
"After all what?"
"After all, as long as I like it, other people's opinions don't matter."
Shi Shi leaned against him, feeling his warmth, and her heart gradually calmed down.
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