Chapter 099
The week following National Day, the Xu family had a momentous occasion.
—Qiao Wen's 75th birthday.
Before she retired, her birthday celebrations were grand and lavish every year. The banquets were filled with toasts and laughter as socialites and nobles took turns to wish her a happy birthday.
The birthday party wasn't celebrating her birth, but rather a disguised arena for fame and fortune.
After retiring, Qiao Wen kept her birthday celebrations simple, and for two years she didn't even celebrate them. This year was a little different.
This year's birthday celebration was arranged by my daughter-in-law, Xu Yirou, who insisted on it. She used the money she earned from her summer job to order a batch of new clothes for the whole family.
Qiao Wen, Jiang Yan, Xu Niancheng, Paopao, and Xu Yirou all wore Suzhou embroidery cheongsams, each with a different style and pattern.
Qiao Wen comes from a scholarly family and exudes the elegance of a well-bred lady. Even as her appearance ages, her charm remains. The elegant and antique cheongsam not only accentuates her slender figure but also perfectly showcases the unique allure of a flower that has weathered many storms.
Xu Qingyan and He Nianzhu wore a set of Chinese-style robes, one crescent white and the other indigo.
The sky was clear and the sun was shining brightly.
A family of seven, dressed in matching Chinese clothing, stood beneath the grand gate of the He family's old mansion. Qiao Wen held the hands of Xu Yirou and Paopao on either side, facing the camera with natural smiles.
This is their first family photo, and also the only photo of Qiao Wen with a smile on her face.
Just as the photos were taken, Xu Yue and Xu Cheye arrived to offer their birthday wishes.
After retiring from the entertainment industry, Qiao Wen, like any other retired old lady, remained oblivious to the world around her. For her birthday dinner today, she invited no one except her family.
Faced with Qiao Wen's questioning gaze, Xu Yue forced a smile and said, "Ayan and I grew up together, and our families happen to be old friends. How could we, as the younger generation, not come to wish you a happy birthday?"
The truth is, he really didn't intend to come. The old lady hadn't sent an invitation, so he wouldn't be so shameless as to come.
I don't know if his uncle got brain damage from being hit by a ball, but he insisted on dragging him over for a free meal.
The strangest thing is, how did his uncle know that today was Grandma He's birthday?
Xu Yue couldn't understand why Xu Cheye kept his mouth shut like a saw, acting all mysterious... So he decided to grant his wish and find out what was going on.
Let's see what kind of wicked scheme that kid is up to.
Since the visitor was a guest, Qiao Wen naturally wouldn't have any complaints about a junior she had watched grow up.
Xu Yue presented the gift and delivered a full set of congratulatory remarks, followed closely by Xu Cheye.
Xu Yue remembered that this was the first time Xu Cheye had met Qiao Wen, so he reminded him, "Uncle, this is Grandma He. Grandma He and Grandpa have been old friends for many years. According to seniority, you can call her Aunt He."
Xu Cheye is the youngest son of Old Master Xu, while Xu Yue is a generation younger.
Xu Cheye didn't seem to have heard a word. He nodded silently, tilting his small face up to look at the slightly serious and old-fashioned old man.
I couldn't help but ask softly, "How have you been in health these past few years? Have you been sleeping well?"
Qiao Wen was taken aback, surprised that a cub she was meeting for the first time would ask a question that sounded like a question between friends or relatives who had reunited.
Xu Yue was dumbfounded: ...When did his uncle become so outgoing?
"I am fine."
Qiao Wen did not treat the other person perfunctorily just because they were a child. She thanked them politely and earnestly: "Thank you for your concern."
"You're welcome. Happy 75th birthday." Xu Cheye smiled, his eyes deep. "May your happiness be as boundless as the Eastern Sea and your longevity as enduring as the Southern Mountain."
Thank you.
Upon seeing her good friend arrive, Xu Yirou enthusiastically introduced, "Mom, Cheche is my and Paopao's good friend. We've been good friends for four months now."
She adorably held up her four short, radish-like fingers, deliberately emphasizing the pronunciation of 'four months'.
What, four months?
Bubble looked at Xu Yirou in surprise: "Rou Rou, you remember so clearly?"
"I didn't remember, Cheche told me." Xu Yirou happily took Xu Cheye's hand. "We're going to celebrate our anniversary soon~"
Bubble's eyes widened, and she jumped up: "What anniversary? You're not married, and you're not his wife!"
Influenced by some romantic short dramas, Bubble believes that anniversaries are only celebrated between couples and spouses.
Hearing that his favorite little grandma was going to celebrate her anniversary with the little figurine he hated, he immediately got angry.
Xu Yirou was completely confused: "...Huh?"
"What wife? I don't want to be Cheche's wife!" She shook her round little head like a rattle drum. "I don't want to marry Cheche!"
Bubble pulled Xu Yirou back: "Yes, you can't be his wife. He's too fierce, and his face is always sour. He doesn't know anything about romance. He's not even as good as my dad."
Xu Cheye raised an eyebrow and asked with interest, "Your dad has a grumpy face just like me, so how come he's better than me?"
"My dad doesn't have a grumpy face; he's very romantic!"
After spending about half a year together, Xu Qingyan, as a father, holds a significant place in Paopao's heart.
She fiercely defended her aloof CEO father: "My dad buys my mom pretty dresses, flowers, massages her legs, and takes her shopping for things she likes, and also—"
"My dad can smile, and he looks so handsome when he smiles! You don't really know, do you?"
Xu Cheye focused on the last sentence, his gaze sweeping over everyone else and fixing directly on that indigo figure.
Under the long corridor, the young man wore a well-tailored robe, which made his sharp and aloof features appear even more handsome and dashing.
Despite his seemingly expressionless face, Xu Cheye clearly saw the deep tenderness and affection in those dark eyes.
Xu Cheye followed his gaze, and then a knowing smile appeared on his lips.
“Your father has indeed made great progress.” He said with satisfaction, then changed the subject, “but compared to me, he’s still a bit behind.”
Bubble: ? ? ?
"You really are... you're really shameless and brazen, humph."
Just as Xu Cheye was about to say something, Jiang Yan, who was sweetly talking to her husband, suddenly turned around and said, "Baby, Mommy heard you swearing."
No, no.
"Tell the truth, a good baby doesn't lie."
Bubble's little face fell, and she pouted, "Mommy, I was wrong."
"Go apologize to Cheche."
Bubble drooped its little head, clearly very unwilling.
Xu Yirou cleared her throat, preparing to apologize on behalf of the little girl.
"No need to apologize." Xu Cheye suddenly gave a thumbs up, looking as sincere as could be. "Bubble, you use idioms very well. I should thank you for teaching me."
Bubble immediately gave her a look of surprise, as if to ask, "Are you alright?"
Xu Yirou reacted in stark contrast, laughing and clapping: "Bubble, I wasn't lying to you, was I? Cheche has really changed for the better. He's a gentle little prince now, not a cold little figurine anymore~"
Bubble was surprised.
So sudden...
Xu Cheye blinked and extended a hand in a gesture of goodwill: "Bubble, there were some things I did wrong before. You and Rou Rou are both younger than me, so I should take good care of you."
"From today onwards, let's live in peace and be good friends who help each other."
The sudden formal apology and request for reconciliation left the two girls completely bewildered.
The girl involved scratched her head, blushed, and quickly shook hands with him for two seconds before letting go.
Xu Yue silently took in everything.
Having delivered what needed to be delivered and said what needed to be said, Xu Yue, before the dishes arrived, coaxed and tricked Uncle Xiaoxia into a corner.
"Little ancestor, can we go now?"
"We haven't eaten yet." Xu Cheye was clearly still in high spirits, glancing at him. "Aren't you hungry?"
"I don't……"
Gu——Long.
Even if you're hungry, you can't just freeload here. Like the younger generation of the He family, Xu Yue had a natural sense of awe towards Qiao Wen and couldn't feel comfortable getting close to her.
Xu Yue casually pressed his stomach: "You didn't come here just to freeload, did you?"
He squinted, his head lowered menacingly, and asked, "Tell me honestly, have you fallen for someone else? Do you like bubbles now?"
No matter how well a child hides their thoughts, they will always slip up eventually. The way her uncle treated Bubble revealed something was off.
After all, the two of them almost had a dance battle in the studio once.
"What nonsense... I'm here to visit someone."
Xu Cheye tapped Xu Yue's forehead with his finger: "Stop talking nonsense."
Xu Yue couldn't dodge in time and took the hit head-on. He held his forehead and gritted his teeth.
My dear uncle, I must bear with it.
"Now that we've finished our visit, we can leave," Xu Yue said earnestly. "I've only met Grandma He three times in total, including just now. Besides, this is someone else's family dinner, it's not appropriate to freeload."
"What would you like to eat? I can order a whole table of food for you right now, is that alright?"
He's not a shameless scoundrel without principles; he has a sense of shame.
I will resolutely not join in any unnecessary excitement.
To everyone's surprise, Xu Cheye patted his head and said in a tone of an elder, "How can hotel food compare to a family banquet? A-Yue, you're still too young."
Xu Yue froze.
He even started lecturing him, and with that slap on the forehead, both old and new grudges welled up in his heart.
Xu Yue was both annoyed and amused. Taking advantage of the boy's unpreparedness, she pinched his soft, chubby cheek: "Are you still pretending to be deep? A little rub will shut this little brat up."
Xu Cheye: ...
Helplessly glancing sideways, he said, "Ah Yue, how can you be so disrespectful?"
Sure enough, children have two faces.
Xu Duoyue is usually a refined and steady child; who would have thought he would be so mischievous and lively in private?
Xu Yue frowned.
Something's not right. Why isn't Uncle Kid yelling at him or glaring at him? Normally, he would have already started sparring with him.
Could it be... burned again?
Xu Yue hurriedly checked his temperature with his hand, but everything was normal. Oh no, Uncle Kid's brain is really messed up.
Xu Yue secretly decided to take Xu Cheye to the hospital for a full check-up. He was his grandfather's lifeline, and who could bear the responsibility if something happened to him?
Uncle insisted on having a free meal, and Xu Yue couldn't refuse him, so he could only stay with a forced smile.
Two more chairs and two more pairs of chopsticks were added next to the original seats. During the meal, Xu Qingyan's gaze seemed to drift towards Xu Yue, as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.
After the meal, Xu Yue refused to stay any longer and pulled Xu Cheye to say goodbye.
"Cheche, wait a minute."
Jiang Yan and Xu Niancheng approached hand in hand, each holding a large, bright red envelope.
Jiang Yan's long, raven-feather-like hair was styled in a high bun, with a hairpin hanging down her back that swayed gently in the wind, giving her an elegant and otherworldly air.
"I am Bubble's mother. I didn't prepare a gift for our first meeting. This is a small token of my appreciation. I hope you will accept it, and I also hope that you and Bubble can become good friends."
Xu Cheye was slightly taken aback. Jiang Yan thought he was shy, so she simply stuffed the red envelope into his pocket and then smiled, "Once you accept it, you can't return it."
Xu Niancheng followed in her sister-in-law's footsteps and stuffed red envelopes in the same way.
She winked playfully: "I'm Rou Rou's little treasure, Bubble's little aunt, little devil. If you accept my red envelope, you'd better get along well with your little sisters, otherwise..."
She opened her palm, her slender fingers wriggling like water plants: "Sister will tickle you, are you scared?"
The image of the little girl with pigtails riding a horse in my memory slowly overlaps with the quirky and clever girl in front of me.
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