Volume One, Chapter 13: Reassuring the Family

By the time she realized what she had said, Jiang Chenyu was completely stunned. If it weren’t for Gu Jinyan holding her hand, she would have been tempted to give them both a good shake to wipe their memories clean.

The person who opened the door was momentarily taken aback, but then her eyes curved into a warm smile as she stepped forward eagerly. “You must be Xiaoyu, right?”

The woman was in her forties, dressed in a pristine white dress with a side braid, the very picture of a stunning beauty.

“I’m your mother,” she said, looking at Jiang Chenyu with hopeful eyes, especially when she saw the young couple holding hands, her smile broadening.

Jiang Chenyu looked at her and suddenly recalled a mother holding her under an apple tree, reading stories when she was a child. Yet the details of her mother’s expression and appearance had long since faded from memory.

“Mother,” she repeated the name softly.

“Ah!” Gu’s mother glanced back at her husband with excitement, clutching the sleeves of her dress nervously, clearly unsure how to act.

Looking back at Jiang Chenyu, her joy only deepened.

“Mom, please let us come in first,” Gu Jinyan broke the silence.

On the other side, excitement was palpable; even those around him trembled slightly, both sides filled with tension.

Only then did Gu’s mother seem to come to her senses and stepped aside. “Come in quickly, wash your hands, and the meal will be ready soon.”

Apart from the woman who opened the door, Gu Jinyan introduced the family members one by one.

Their family’s genes were exceptional; both men and women were remarkably attractive.

Especially Gu Anle, the twin brother in the dragon-and-phoenix pair, bore a strong resemblance to Gu Jinyan—seven or eight parts alike—but with a touch more innocence and softness, while Gu Jinyan’s face was marked by a colder hardness.

The twin sister, Gu Huanxi, was also a beauty like their mother. Still young, she hadn’t fully blossomed and wasn’t as striking as their mother yet.

But the red string on the little girl’s wrist…

Noticing Jiang Chenyu’s gaze, Gu Huanxi immediately tugged her sleeve and cheerfully offered, “Sister-in-law, are you thirsty? I’ll get you some water.”

Jiang Chenyu smiled gratefully and withdrew her eyes.

She wasn’t one to meddle unnecessarily; in fact, she disliked trouble.

Gu Jinyan took Jiang Chenyu to wash her hands, and upon returning, they caught Gu’s mother and father whispering to each other quietly.

One nudged the other, a playful dispute ensued, and eventually, Gu’s father conceded, quickly approaching Gu Jinyan and Jiang Chenyu’s side.

“Li-Little Jiang, we just found out you two got married suddenly and weren’t prepared for anything. Please accept this red envelope—just a little token from your parents,” Gu’s father said, swallowing hard with each word.

His hands trembled as he handed over the envelope.

Jiang Chenyu observed this and suddenly felt her own nerves ease.

After all, if the richest family’s members were all this flustered, what was there for her to worry about?

She accepted the red envelope with both hands, thanking them repeatedly.

Then she added, “I’m not sure about your preferences, so I took the liberty of preparing some gifts. Please don’t mind.”

Jiang Chenyu nudged Gu Jinyan, who then took out the gift bags she had handed him earlier.

Gu’s mother received a handbag—the very one Jiang Chenyu had custom-ordered.

Gu’s father got a pen, and the younger brother and sister each a jade pendant representing their zodiac signs.

None were extravagant, but each clearly chosen with care.

Gu’s mother clutched the bag, beaming with joy. “I was just worried about what bag to bring to next month’s business association meeting. Xiaoyu, you really saved me in time.”

“Mom, didn’t you say those banquets are such a nuisance and you don’t want to attend?” Gu Huanxi teased from the side.

Gu’s mother shot her a glare, cheeks flushing with embarrassment. “I just want to show off my bag a little—is that so wrong?”

“Alright, alright. Who can outshine you anyway?” Gu Huanxi stuck out her tongue and then whispered to Jiang Chenyu with mock sympathy, “Sister-in-law, cherish your newbie protection period; don’t cry when the family tyrant bullies you later.”

Before Jiang Chenyu could reply, Gu’s mother couldn’t resist grabbing Gu Huanxi’s face and playfully tugging it. “Who do you call a tyrant…”

Watching the mother and daughter’s playful scuffle, Jiang Chenyu let a faint smile curve her lips and exhaled quietly.

Her mother-in-law seemed… somewhat endearing.

Gu Jinyan noticed and tilted his head slightly, raising an eyebrow at Jiang Chenyu. “Not nervous anymore?”

Jiang Chenyu snorted, unwilling to engage. If he hadn’t talked so much at home, would she even feel nervous?

Gu Jinyan stared at the back of her head, momentarily stunned, then gave a helpless smile.

After Gu Huanxi’s little outburst, the awkwardness gradually dissipated, and the atmosphere grew livelier.

At the dinner table, Gu’s mother seized every opportunity to complain about how picky and difficult Gu Jinyan was.

“He usually eats his meals with almost no seasoning. You should come downstairs to eat with us whenever you can; we won’t suffer through his fussiness together,” she said, holding Jiang Chenyu’s hand with tender concern.

Jiang Chenyu smiled and nodded in agreement.

“By the way, have you thought about the wedding preparations?” Gu’s mother suddenly remembered.

Jiang Chenyu glanced at Gu Jinyan and answered truthfully according to their prior agreement, “He’s handling it. I’m fine with anything.”

“That can’t be so casual. You’re a young lady; marrying him is already a blessing for him,” Gu’s mother replied with a soft, almost coquettish voice. “Whether it’s Chinese style, Western style, or one of those trendy destination weddings young people like, it must be done according to your wishes. Only then will the Gu family truly honor you.”

A flicker of confusion crossed Jiang Chenyu’s eyes. She didn’t understand why Gu’s mother said this, having been raised to “be modest, ask for less, and don’t mind a little loss.”

Seeing Jiang Chenyu silent, Gu’s mother assumed she was shy and insisted, “It’s okay. If you’re worried about the hassle, just tell me your ideas, or have Jinyan tell me—I’ll help you organize everything!”

“Yes, don’t hold back. If your wedding isn’t to your liking, your mother will be the first to worry,” Gu’s father added.

Jiang Chenyu paused, recalling Gu Jinyan’s earlier words: “Having a wedding will reassure others about our marriage.”

She realized it wasn’t about reassuring outsiders, but about putting the family’s mind at ease.

“Thank you, Mom,” Jiang Chenyu said sincerely this time.

Meanwhile, at the Jiang family dining table, the mood was far less joyful.

“I went to the Qin family’s company again today. Before, they at least pretended to consider us, but this time they didn’t even let me into the office,” Jiang Chao said, his brows knitting in frustration. “Their secretary bluntly said they’ve found a new partner and we’re basically out of the picture.”

“What about Jiang Chenyu? Didn’t she have a good chat with Old Qin before? Why did it suddenly fall through?” Jiang Daming was also fuming.

The Qin family had long been a major client of their company. Losing them was like half the business collapsing.

Jiang Xue’er’s eyes flicked around before she looked up and said, “Today I saw Chenyu buying a very expensive gift for Mom. Could it be that she didn’t negotiate cooperation with the Qin family but instead asked them for money, and now the Qin family is angry and taking it out on Big Brother and the company?”

Everyone was stunned and turned to look at Chen Ping.

Chen Ping quickly waved her hands, hastily distancing herself from Jiang Chenyu. “I didn’t take anything from her.”

She had been waiting at home since returning, but Jiang Chenyu never delivered the bag. She had no idea what that stubborn girl was dragging her feet about.

Seeing Chen Ping’s expression, Jiang Daming grew irritated, then scanned the room and shouted angrily, “Where is Jiang Chenyu? Why isn’t she coming down to eat? What’s she doing locked up in her room?”

Everyone looked at each other, but no one spoke.