Chapter 15 is about apologizing to a child.
What is Zhou Pingchuan doing at the Xia family's house?
You won't change your mind and come back to break off the engagement, will you?
Xia Mian stood there, bewildered and uncertain, but finally decided to stop the internal strife and go out to meet that person herself.
He straightened his back, cleared his throat, and slowly walked out of the room.
When he reached the corridor, he looked down and, sure enough, saw the Xia couple sitting on the living room sofa, looking ready for anything.
The man opposite them was still wearing gloves, his hands folded on the top of his antler staff, his movements relaxed and elegant.
Pah, you big bad wolf!
After cursing in her heart, Xia Mian still refused to let it go and said in a low voice, "Third Master, it is an honor to have you here. I am sorry that I am late."
Zhou Pingchuan felt a wave of resentment descend upon him, and he raised his eyebrows almost imperceptibly without saying a word.
"Mianmian, what are you doing standing on the second floor?" Tang Wenhua urged. "Come down and greet the guests... What are you wearing? Go back and change!"
Upon hearing this, Zhou Pingchuan curiously raised his head and saw that the boy was shirtless, wearing Winnie the Pooh lounge pants, and had a face mask on his face.
The essence from the face mask was so abundant that it was flowing down his sharp chin, across his long neck and collarbone, and finally settling on... the upper edge of a strawberry-red dot.
“It’s alright,” Zhou Pingchuan said, turning his gaze to Tang Wenhua. “Your son’s way of treating guests is quite unique.”
Tang Wenhua smiled apologetically: "He's young and doesn't know any better. Please forgive him, Third Master. Mianmian, go back and change your clothes!"
Without Tang Wenhua saying anything, Xia Mian had already dashed back to her room.
I just finished checking my abs and hadn't even had time to get dressed when the housekeeper called me out. Xia Mian awkwardly dug out her three-bedroom apartment, feeling like she'd rather just die.
After what happened, he didn't want to go out and face Zhou Pingchuan anymore, but if he didn't go out, Tang Wenhua would definitely come looking for him. With no other choice, Xia Mian changed into her everyday clothes, peeled off her face mask, patted the essence until it was fully absorbed, and then reluctantly went downstairs.
"My Mianmian is used to being carefree, but she's a good child." Xia Dongbo, the father, smiled and tried to smooth things over while gesturing to Xia Mianmian with his eyes.
Xia Mian originally wanted to sit next to her parents, but after receiving instructions from Xia Dongbo, she had no choice but to sit on Zhou Pingchuan's side.
Zhou Pingchuan glanced at the child who was about ten feet away from him. He saw that the child had his arms crossed and his mouth was tightly pursed, and he seemed unhappy.
But the pink blush on his cheeks inadvertently revealed his embarrassment.
Zhou Pingchuan tightened his lips: "I was abrupt today. I came without prior notice and hope you two won't mind."
Xia Dongbo and Tang Wenhua exchanged a glance. They had never dealt with Zhou Pingchuan before. Rumor had it that the head of the Zhou family was exceptionally capable, but upon meeting him today, they found him to be gentle and refined, unlike the unapproachable person others described.
Tang Wenhua was no longer so nervous: "So, Mr. Zhou came today to..."
"Yeah, what's he here for?" Xia Mian lowered her arms and pricked up her ears.
Zhou Pingchuan caught a glimpse of it out of the corner of his eye and couldn't help but chuckle.
"It's because..."
Summer sleeps and leans to the left.
"It's because..."
Summer hibernation involves holding one's breath.
"It's because," Zhou Pingchuan paused, "that I apologize to a child."
When he said the word "little friend," Zhou Pingchuan turned his head and looked at Xia Mian.
Summer's pupils dilated slightly.
He was a little afraid to look Zhou Pingchuan in the eye, and lowered his head to touch the tip of his nose: "...Chairman Zhou's apology seems a bit too simple."
There wasn't even a "I was wrong, don't be angry" message.
“Apologizing is a word, so naturally we should apologize and make amends. Come in.” Zhou Pingchuan gestured to his assistant standing at the door.
The assistant responded and quickly walked out of the villa.
Five minutes later, a steady stream of gift boxes were carried in by bodyguards and servants.
First, there are eight gift baskets, including top-quality seafood and fine tea.
Next came alcoholic beverages and cigarettes, eight cases of each.
Next came gold jewelry, mostly gold ingots, filling eight wooden boxes. A pair of jade bracelets was also prepared separately for Tang Wenhua, and a complete set of Yixing purple clay teapots was brought for Xia Dongbo; judging by the texture, they must be the work of a famous artist.
Finally, there were tonics like bird's nest, piled up together, so many that it was impossible to count them all.
The Xia family of three, including the servants, were all dumbfounded.
Xia Dongbo was the first to react: "Mr. Zhou, what are you doing...?"
Zhou Pingchuan put the deer antler staff aside, took out a piece of foil paper from his pocket, and placed it on the tea table in the middle: "Please take a look, both of you."
The foil is red, with a large "聘" (employment) character embossed on it; without asking, everyone knows it's an employment letter.
Xia Dongbo and Tang Wenhua exchanged a glance, incredulous.
"Chairman Xia, Madam, my parents passed away early, so I have to personally deliver the engagement letter," Zhou Pingchuan said.
Presenting a betrothal letter is equivalent to the groom visiting the bride's family to propose marriage. According to etiquette, an elder in the family is required to come with gifts and the betrothal letter.
However, the Zhou family only has one old patriarch left, whose health is poor and who has been recuperating abroad for many years, so he can't come back at all. Moreover, Zhou Pingchuan and the two from the Xia family are of the same generation, which is quite reasonable.
Moreover, since only four boxes of gifts were required on the first visit, Zhou Pingchuan had increased the amount many times over, showing him the utmost respect. Even if he had any complaints, he wouldn't be able to utter a single word of dissent.
In front of the Zhou family, that would be considered ungrateful.
“Mr. Jay, everything else is fine, but this… why didn’t you tell us in advance?” Tang Wenhua was genuinely surprised. “We didn’t prepare anything!”
They should also return the favor to Zhou Pingchuan.
“A good cup of tea will suffice,” Zhou Pingchuan said, picking up his teacup. “Xu Daoxian’s Liuan Guapian tea is made without buds or stems, strong yet not bitter, fragrant yet not astringent. It truly lives up to its reputation.”
"Haha, since Mr. Zhou likes it, we're all family now. You can come over for tea anytime. As for the letter of appointment..." Xia Dongbo picked up the letter of appointment and held it in his hand, "I accept it on behalf of the Xia family and Mianmian."
Accepting the betrothal letter signifies acceptance of the suitor, and the process can then proceed with the arrangements for the betrothal gifts, wedding date, and wedding arrangements.
"Then I won't bother you any longer. Farewell." Zhou Pingchuan stood up.
Xia Dongbo tried to stop him twice, wanting him to stay for dinner, but seeing that Zhou Pingchuan didn't seem inclined to stay any longer, he didn't dare to stop him again. Finally, he instructed Xia Mian, "Mianmian, see Chairman Zhou off."
“...Okay.” Xia Mian followed Zhou Pingchuan out the door as instructed.
Because Zhou Pingchuan arrived suddenly, the car didn't enter the Xia family's garage; it was parked outside the Xia Garden.
Xia Mian kept her head down, seemingly lost in thought, and followed him. Suddenly, her forehead bumped into a warm, hard object.
He quickly raised his head.
The man in front of us stopped at some point.
He bumped into Zhou Pingchuan's back.
"What are you thinking about?" Zhou Pingchuan asked.
His marriage was actually going to be finalized; he was actually going to spend his life with this completely unfamiliar man! Xia Mian had always been the one taking the initiative before, but now that the marriage had actually taken its first step, she felt a little lost.
"I was thinking..." Xia Mian felt a mix of emotions and made up an excuse, "You brought so many gifts for your parents, but I didn't get anything."
When handing over the job offer, couples who are in a good relationship will indeed bring an extra gift. Unfortunately, they were not familiar with each other at all. Zhou Pingchuan had already fulfilled his promises of "apology" and "a grand gesture," and his superficial work was impeccable. If they wanted more, it would be like asking for a favor and not daring to ask for more.
Perhaps it was because he was too lenient with Xia Mian that she lost her sense of propriety. Zhou Pingchuan wanted to give Xia Mian a few words of advice, so he looked down at her.
In the afternoon sunlight at three o'clock, the boy's skin was clear and translucent, and the fine downy hairs shone with light. His eyes looked unfocused at the ground not far away, giving him a soft and broken look.
“This time I didn’t think things through,” Zhou Pingchuan leaned over to get into the car. “Tell me what you want tonight, and I’ll send someone to deliver it to your residence tomorrow.”
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