Tong Lili always listened to her mother – even having a tantrum outside the Zhou residence wasn’t allowed. Her mother’s words seemed to make more sense.
Zhou Cheng was a young man who could be enchanted by a beautiful vixen, but the Zhou family wouldn’t just look at appearance when choosing their daughter-in-law! Having just Guan Hui’e and Zhou Guobin meet that vixen wasn’t enough – Tong Lili wanted to help Zhou Cheng make this scene bigger!
She asked Zhou Yi for help once more.
Zhou Yi was already in too deep – after the first time, there would be a second… Zhou Yi felt this wouldn’t be the last time!
Zhou Yi wanted to advise Tong Lili to stop trying. Today’s voluntary visit showed that Second Aunt hadn’t relented, clearly disapproving of both Xia Xiaolan and Tong Lili. Equal social status was an advantage, but Zhou Cheng himself didn’t care about it. While Guan Hui’e cared, she had other choices of equal status.
Tong Lili was stubborn:
“When I first liked Zhou Cheng, you didn’t tell me I couldn’t like him. You even said since Zhou Cheng had no girlfriend, I had a chance!”
Zhou Yi was speechless. She had indeed said that, but she’d been immature then, believing Tong Lili genuinely liked Zhou Cheng. With both families being of equal status, wouldn’t they naturally end up together? Her good friend becoming her sister-in-law meant she and Tong Lili could remain close forever!
Who knew the world would change so quickly? That inexplicably romantic Zhou Cheng had found himself a girlfriend and seemed completely smitten.
Zhou Yi’s years of friendship with Tong Lili weren’t fake. Though Tong Lili could be unreasonable in her infatuation with Zhou Cheng, she was a loyal friend. After her desperate pleading, Zhou Yi couldn’t resist.
“Think it through – even if I can notify everyone in the Zhou family, my Second Aunt will know you’re behind this. If she forms a bad impression of you…”
Only Tong Lili and her mother had heard the phone call, but now all the Zhou family knew about Zhou Cheng bringing Xia Xiaolan home. How could Guan Hui’e not know who spread the news?
Zhou Yi meant well with her warning, but Tong Lili had already decided:
“First deal with external threats, then settle internal matters!”
Tong Lili could make amends later and find ways to win Guan Hui’e’s favor.
They couldn’t let the Zhou family accept Xia Xiaolan. They needed to create a big scene – with so many Zhou family members, their various opinions would make it impossible for Xia Xiaolan to win approval.
Zhou Yi had no choice. Taking some snacks prepared by their housekeeper, she went to visit Zhou Cheng’s grandparents.
She didn’t immediately mention Zhou Cheng bringing his girlfriend home, just that he finally had time off. Grandmother Zhou, missing her precious grandson, complained that Zhou Cheng was heartless, always coming and going in a hurry.
Zhou Yi said with a smile:
“He’ll come see you this time. Zhou Cheng is bringing his girlfriend home – he needs Grandmother’s approval, right?”
Grandmother Zhou was shocked, and Grandfather Zhou’s ears perked up.
During New Year, Zhou Yi had mentioned it once. After such a long silence, they thought Zhou Cheng’s relationship had ended. Unexpectedly, Zhou Cheng was serious enough to bring her home to meet the parents. Zhou Yi had her little schemes, but Grandfather Zhou couldn’t be bothered to expose them. He told his wife, “Zhou Cheng probably wants to introduce her to his parents over dinner first. It’s not time to meet the grandparents yet, why are you rushing?”
Grandmother Zhou grew angry, “Without grandparents, would he even have a father?”
As the elderly couple began to argue, Zhou Yi quickly escaped.
Grandfather Zhou disagreed with Grandmother Zhou’s interference. Grandmother Zhou was so angry she skipped lunch and called Guan Hui’e directly:
“We old folks are useless now, we don’t need to manage Zhou Cheng’s affairs anymore, right?”
Grandmother Zhou’s health was worse than Grandfather Zhou’s. The doctor said she shouldn’t get angry as emotional upheaval could cause breathing difficulties. Usually, when Grandmother Zhou had even a headache or cold, the whole family worried. How could Guan Hui’e handle such accusations? “How can you say that? If you don’t care for Zhou Cheng, who will? I was just about to call you. I got so busy I almost forgot – Zhou Cheng said he’s bringing his girlfriend for dinner tonight. She’s from another province, from a rural family. I’m quite unsettled and wanted to ask for your opinion.”
Grandmother Zhou’s anger had only one cause.
News traveled fast – those Tong women had big mouths.
Zhou Yi was also annoying, repeatedly acting as a messenger. Guan Hui’e now somewhat understood her husband’s words – they needed to see Zhou Cheng’s girlfriend for themselves.
It was fine for her as a mother to worry, but why were outsiders like the Tongs and the disloyal Zhou Yi involved?
Guan Hui’e wasn’t foolish. She immediately changed tack, speaking diplomatically and pleasing Grandmother Zhou.
The elderly could be childlike – once happy, Grandmother Zhou started making calls. Besides Zhou Cheng’s immediate family, she had one son and two daughters – three families instantly learned about Zhou Cheng bringing his girlfriend home!
When Grandfather Zhou angrily asked what she was doing, Grandmother Zhou ignored him:
“What do you all know? Whatever my grandson chooses must be the best!”
Grandmother Zhou, loving all connected to her beloved ones, had blind confidence in the unseen Xia Xiaolan.
…
Zhou Cheng didn’t know a simple family dinner had become a family gathering.
He took leave and borrowed a Jeep to drive Xia Xiaolan into the city.
After asking about his family’s preferences, Xia Xiaolan took Zhou Cheng shopping. Beijing had its advantages – things unavailable in Shang City could be found here. With money and foreign exchange certificates, getting good items wasn’t a problem. Xia Xiaolan felt confident with the 5,000 yuan in her bag, refusing Zhou Cheng’s offers to pay:
“You just carry the things.”
Without Zhou Cheng accompanying her, Xia Xiaolan couldn’t use her right hand properly.
“Alright, I’ll follow the leader’s orders!”
Zhou Cheng shared his parents’ preferences – his father didn’t care for tobacco or alcohol but loved tea.
Guan Hui’e was formerly a doctor, later working at the Health Ministry. Zhou Cheng didn’t know his mother’s specific interests.
Xia Xiaolan bought two boxes of fine tea and chose a jade brooch for Guan Hui’e. Jade wasn’t expensive now – this brooch was a lifelike dragonfly, no more than five or six centimeters long, well within Xia Xiaolan’s budget.
Knowing Zhou Cheng’s grandparents were still alive, Xia Xiaolan bought small gifts for them too.
It was summer, and fruit vendors were plentiful. Xia Xiaolan selected two large watermelons and some Xinjiang grapes, having Zhou Cheng carry everything.
“That’s enough – it’s just a meal. Why is it so complicated? Xiaolan, are you nervous?”
Xia Xiaolan glared at him, “What’s there to be nervous about? Your parents won’t give me a hard time, right?”
Zhou Cheng was well-bred. His parents wouldn’t act like in TV shows, directly insulting the “Cinderella” with harsh words, humiliating her with money, or threatening to break them up, would they? When Xia Xiaolan shared her imagined scenarios with Zhou Cheng, he almost dropped the watermelons laughing.
“Where did you hear such things? My parents would never act like that!”
Zhou Cheng thumped his chest confidently and drove home. Xia Xiaolan, already aware of his family background, wasn’t surprised by where they were heading.
Zhou Cheng parked below a two-story detached house. When he rang the doorbell, Xia Xiaolan felt inexplicably nervous.
“Coming, coming! Is that Zhou Cheng?”
A middle-aged woman opened the door, wearing gray clothes with an apron – this must be “Aunt Zeng” that Zhou Cheng mentioned, the housekeeper, not his mother.
Sister Zeng quickly assessed Xia Xiaolan – striking in her red dress and exceptionally beautiful.
As just a housekeeper, she had no particular thoughts, only wondering if the Zhou family would approve. The Zhou family had always been known for their high achievements but low profile.