He Ruchu glanced at him. Honestly, someone like Shen Siyuan capable, handsome, and humble yet well-mannered was probably the kind of young man no elder could dislike.
When she came downstairs, Shen Siyuan merely swept a calm glance over her. His expression remained unchanged.
Old Madam Shen, however, smiled warmly and beckoned to her.
“Chuchu, come sit here.”
He Ruchu paused briefly, then smiled and walked over as instructed.
Old Madam Shen sat at the head of the sofa. Shen’s father sat on one side of her, while Shen Siyuan sat on the other.
Since it would be inappropriate to squeeze between Old Madam Shen and Shen’s father, He Ruchu had no choice but to sit beside Shen Siyuan.
The moment she sat down, she could clearly feel Shen Siyuan subtly shifting several inches farther away.
It was as though he feared she might cling to him the very next second.
He Ruchu sighed inwardly.
Looks like I still have a long road ahead of me.
“Chuchu, you’ve suffered some injustice because of the rushed marriage registration.”
Old Madam Shen held her hand, her face full of affection.
Her daughter-in-law had been right this girl truly was pleasing to the eye.
In all her years, Old Madam Shen had never seen such a beautiful young woman.
Moreover, there was a lively intelligence in the girl’s eyes.
Her gaze was clear and straightforward, not the sort that suggested a scheming personality.
In short, Old Madam Shen was quite satisfied with her new granddaughter-in-law.
While Old Madam Shen was sizing He Ruchu up, Madam Shen was doing the same.
Most of what she knew about He Ruchu came from the women in the residential compound and from her adopted daughter.
To be honest, the impression hadn’t been very favorable.
More than once, she had privately complained about her son and the family’s decision.
In her eyes, aside from her family background, the He family’s daughter seemed to have little that matched her outstanding son.
But now, seeing He Ruchu’s graceful and composed demeanor, some of her resentment faded.
Perhaps her mother-in-law was right.
The girl was still young. With proper guidance, maybe she wasn’t as bad as people said.
Unaware of their thoughts, He Ruchu noticed their scrutiny and quietly observed them in return.
Her mother had been right.
Old Madam Shen seemed easygoing and kind.
As for Madam Shen, He Ruchu could sense her dissatisfaction, but beyond that, there was no malice.
She wasn’t the type of vicious mother-in-law one read about in novels.
Living with her might simply be tiring and somewhat troublesome.
Gathering her thoughts, He Ruchu smiled at Old Madam Shen.
“Grandmother, being able to marry into the Shen family is my honor. How could I possibly feel wronged?”
Those words immediately struck a chord with everyone in the Shen family.
Old Madam Shen’s smile bloomed even wider.
The girl’s mouth was truly sweet.
Madam Shen’s expression softened considerably.
Even Shen’s father, who rarely smiled, showed traces of approval.
Only Shen Siyuan glanced at He Ruchu and frowned slightly.
Trying to win over my family is useless.
Don’t think you can use them to force me into anything.
Old Madam Shen suddenly removed the jade bracelet from her wrist and placed it on He Ruchu’s.
“My child, this is for you.”
The sight of the bracelet on He Ruchu’s slender white wrist made Shen Siyuan visibly startled.
The jade bracelet was a treasured heirloom from an imperial family of a previous dynasty.
When his grandmother had married, her own grandmother had personally placed it on her wrist.
For decades, Old Madam Shen had never taken it off.
Even during the most turbulent years, when she hid away all her other jewelry, she continued wearing this bracelet.
Its importance to her was obvious.
And now she had personally given it to He Ruchu.
Hmph.
Just how much does Grandma like this woman?
Shen Siyuan hoped she wouldn’t disappoint his grandmother’s affection.
Even though He Ruchu knew little about jade, she could tell the bracelet was extraordinarily valuable.
Combined with Shen Siyuan’s frequent glances, she immediately tried to remove it.
“Grandmother, I can’t accept this.”
Old Madam Shen stopped her.
“What do you mean you can’t? Grandma is giving it to you. Just keep it.”
Then she gently patted her hand.
“And another thing… you’ve already registered your marriage. Why are you still calling me ‘Old Madam Shen’?”
He Ruchu froze for a moment before correcting herself.
“Grandma.”
“That’s right.”
Old Madam Shen responded happily.
“Chuchu, from now on we’re family. If anything happens, tell Grandma.
Especially if this brat Siyuan dares to bully you make sure you tell me, and I’ll deal with him.”
As she spoke, she shot Shen Siyuan a glare.
Watching her grandson sit there like a wooden post made her secretly worry.
With such a dull and rigid personality, probably only a girl like Chuchu would tolerate him.
“Okay, Grandma. I understand.”
He Ruchu smiled and nodded.
Still, she didn’t take the words too seriously.
No matter how much Old Madam Shen liked her, she could never outrank Shen Siyuan, her own grandson.
Since she couldn’t return the bracelet now, she’d accept it temporarily and figure out a way to give it back to Shen Siyuan later.
Old Madam Shen then handed her a red envelope.
“Take this too, Chuchu. It’s not much just a little gift from Grandma.”
Beside her, Shen’s father and Shen’s mother each brought out a red envelope as well.
“Thank you, Grandma. Thank you, Dad and Mom.”
He Ruchu accepted the three thick red envelopes with a smile.
At the same time, she planned to return them to Shen Siyuan when she had the chance.
After all, she and Shen Siyuan weren’t even truly living as husband and wife.
This marriage wouldn’t last long anyway.
It was better not to have financial entanglements, otherwise things would become troublesome when they eventually parted ways.
Seeing the Shen elders’ sincere attitudes and reasonable behavior, Father He and Mother He finally felt somewhat relieved.
At least their daughter seemed to have married into a decent family.
Father He immediately took out a bankbook and handed it to He Ruchu.
Unlike the money Mother He had secretly given her, this was presented openly.
It represented the support and confidence her parents wanted her to have.
“Ruchu, this is what your mother and I prepared for you and Siyuan. It’s our gift to the two of you. Take it.”
Understanding her parents’ good intentions, He Ruchu didn’t refuse.
She accepted it with a sweet smile.
“Thank you, Dad. Thank you, Mom.”
Since Shen Siyuan was pressed for time and needed to return to his unit, the gathering didn’t last long.
Soon, everyone accompanied the newlyweds outside.
Before they left, Father He called out:
“Siyuan, come here for a moment. I have a few words I’d like to say to you.”
“Yes, Dad.”
Shen Siyuan immediately followed him aside.
Hearing him call her father “Dad” so naturally, He Ruchu couldn’t help thinking:
He certainly adapted to the new title quickly.
Meanwhile, Mother He worried that her daughter hadn’t eaten breakfast and feared she might not have much food available when she arrived at the military base.
So she stuffed all kinds of snacks and food into He Ruchu’s hands.
By the time she got into the car, He Ruchu was carrying two large cloth bags packed full of food.
As the vehicle slowly pulled away, the figures of everyone seeing them off gradually grew more distant.
Looking through the rearview mirror, He Ruchu felt an indescribable emotion rise in her heart.
Only after the figures completely disappeared from sight did she reluctantly withdraw her gaze.