Jiang Guanqing nodded. “Hello!”
Su Xi nodded expressionlessly, her gaze lingering on Qiao Shu as she unabashedly sized her up.
Su Xi’s gaze was too intense, making Qiao Shu somewhat uncomfortable. Just as she was about to speak, Su Xi’s next move took her by surprise.
Su Xi stepped forward and took Qiao Shu’s wrist. “Come, sit. You’re back now—why bother buying gifts?”
Qiao Shu stiffened, forced to sit beside Su Xi. It was terrifying—her heart could hardly take it.
Su Xi released Qiao Shu’s wrist and immediately went to pour tea. “No need to be reserved. We’re all family.”
Qiao Shu nodded and accepted the teacup. “Thank you, Mom.”
“You’re welcome,” Su Xi said, reaching out to pinch Qiao Shu’s cheek. “So tender, and so pretty.”
Jiang Guanqing looked on helplessly.
Jiang Tu’s lips twitched. “Mom, don’t scare her.”
Su Xi reluctantly withdrew her hand, picked up her tea, and took a sip. “Is Jiang Tu treating you well?”
Qiao Shu nodded. “Jiang Tu treats me very well.”
Su Xi seemed satisfied. “If he doesn’t treat you well, just tell me. I’ll deal with him for you.”
Qiao Shu nodded awkwardly.
Jiang Tu’s gaze lingered on Qiao Shu. The strands of hair on her cheeks were tucked behind her ears, revealing her delicate and beautiful face and her clear, bright fox-like eyes.
Jiang Guanqing frowned as he glanced at the wall clock. “It’s mealtime. Why isn’t A-Yan back yet?”
“He said he’d be a bit late. He should be here soon,” Su Xi said, taking Qiao Shu’s hand. “Let’s go wash up and eat.”
“Okay,” Qiao Shu nodded. So warm, too warm—was this really the formidable businesswoman Su Xi?
In the bathroom.
“Qiao Qiao? Can I call you that?”
Qiao Shu paused as she squeezed hand soap, feeling an indescribable emotion. “Yes, you can.”
Su Xi smiled. “Were you scared? Did you think my personality shouldn’t be like this?”
Qiao Shu nodded in surprise.
Su Xi chuckled. “You’re such an honest child. Don’t worry, I’m not like this with others.”
“Qiao Qiao, did you know? When I was pregnant with Jiang Tu, I hoped he’d be a little girl.”
Su Xi paused for a few seconds. “No matter how much I hoped, he turned out to be a boy. Back then, I really wanted to stuff him back in and start over!”
Qiao Shu: “!!”
Su Xi sighed. “Ah! Even though he’s a boy, he looked so much like a girl when he was little.”
A flicker of surprise flashed in Qiao Shu’s captivating eyes. Jiang Tu looked like a girl? He must have been incredibly beautiful.
Su Xi leaned close to Qiao Shu’s ear. “Let me tell you a secret—he wore girls’ clothes until he was three.”
Qiao Shu widened her eyes in shock. Girls’ clothes? Su Xi dressed Jiang Tu in girls’ clothes? If his fans found out, wouldn’t they…
At this point, Su Xi smiled brightly. “I wonder if he still remembers. He was so pretty when he was little.”
Qiao Shu thought for a moment. “Mom, you’re really adorable.”
Su Xi was taken aback. It was the first time someone had called her adorable. Her personality wasn’t like this in public.
“Thank you. You are too.”
Qiao Shu: “…”
“Alright, let’s go eat.”
Qiao Shu nodded. “Okay.”
Arriving at the dining room, several people were already seated at the table. One unfamiliar face was someone Qiao Shu hadn’t met before.
The man looked very much like Jiang Guanqing. Qiao Shu guessed he was Jiang Yan and nodded slightly. “Hello, big brother!”
Jiang Yan nodded calmly. “Hello!”
“Sit,” Jiang Tu said, standing up to pull out a chair for Qiao Shu. Every movement exuded elegance and grace.
Qiao Shu’s heart skipped a beat. “Okay, thank you!”
Su Xi was taken aback—was this a case of forgetting one’s mother after getting a wife? She had never received such treatment from Jiang Tu before.
Jiang Guanqing’s eyes curved into a smile. “Xiao Qiao, help yourself to whatever you like. Don’t be shy.”
Su Xi chimed in, “We don’t know your tastes yet. If there’s anything you want to eat, just tell Mom, and I’ll have the kitchen prepare it.”
“Thank you, Dad and Mom! I’m fine with these dishes.” Qiao Shu smiled and nodded, picking up her chopsticks.
The retro-style round rotating dining table was laden with dishes—some light, some bold in flavor, along with several homestyle side dishes.
Su Xi glanced at the young couple sitting across from her. “A Tu, when are you two planning to have children?”
Qiao Shu’s hand, holding the chopsticks, stiffened, nearly dropping the food she had just picked up. Were they already pressuring her about having children?
Jiang Tu paused briefly, then used the serving chopsticks to place a piece of spare ribs into Qiao Shu’s bowl. “Mom, we’re in no hurry.”
“That’s fine too. You’re still young,” Su Xi turned her gaze to Jiang Yan. “What about you? When are you getting married?”
Hearing this, Qiao Shu breathed a sigh of relief.
Jiang Yan: “…”
Su Xi’s expression remained calm, her tone steady. “You’re twenty-nine this year. They say a man should establish himself by thirty. Now that you’ve achieved success in your career, all that’s left is starting a family.”
Jiang Yan: “…”
“Mom, I’ll try to speed things up.”
“Good,” Su Xi picked up some food for Jiang Guanqing. “You’re the eldest brother. Shouldn’t you set an example?”
“Let’s not beat around the bush—I want to hold a grandchild.”
Everyone: “…”
Jiang Yan served Su Xi some food, trying to please her. “Mom, you’re still so young. Why rush to hold a grandchild?”
“I’m not young anymore. I want to retire.”
Jiang Tu’s hand, holding the chopsticks, stiffened. He looked up at Su Xi—her expression was serious, not at all like she was joking.
Su Xi glanced at Jiang Tu, her voice cool. “Jiang Tu, be prepared.”
Qiao Shu was utterly confused. Be prepared? Prepared for what? What did that mean?
Jiang Tu continued eating unhurriedly. “Pass it on to Big Brother. I don’t plan to retire from the industry anytime soon.”
Jiang Yan flatly refused. “I don’t want it.”
Suddenly, Su Xi slammed her chopsticks down with a “thud,” her face turning cold. “What do you two mean by this?”
Qiao Shu was startled—was this Su Xi’s true nature? Strong-willed yet gentle with family.
Jiang Guanqing patted Su Xi’s back soothingly. “Alright, dear, don’t be angry.”
He shot a stern look at the two brothers, his tone stiff. “Jiang Yan, Jiang Tu! Apologize to your mother right now!”
Jiang Tu pressed his thin lips together and used the serving chopsticks to pick up food for Su Xi. “Mom, I’ll seriously consider what you said.”
Jiang Yan added, “Mom, I’ll seriously consider it too. I’ll do my best to bring a daughter-in-law home for you as soon as possible.”
Su Xi snorted. “That’s more like it.”
“Qiao Qiao, come, eat.” Su Xi’s earlier coldness vanished as she picked up the serving chopsticks to serve Qiao Shu.
“Thank you, Mom.” Qiao Shu smiled and nodded.
After the meal, everyone moved to the living room.
Su Xi sat beside Jiang Guanqing, her face radiant. “Aunt Zhong, bring out the cake.”
Aunt Zhong smiled and nodded. “Right away, ma’am.”
Soon, Aunt Zhong brought out the cake—an eight-inch fruit cake.
Su Xi tilted her head to look at her husband. “Jiang Guanqing, it’s your birthday today. You have to eat at least a little cake.”
Jiang Guanqing looked resigned. “I’ll eat it.”
Su Xi’s red lips curved into a smile as she took the paper crown that came with the cake and placed it on Jiang Guanqing’s head.
Jiang Guanqing hesitated, wanting to say something—the kids were still here, and he, an old man, was wearing this thing…
Su Xi straightened his hat for him, narrowing her peach blossom eyes slightly as she looked at him. “What do you want to say?”
Jiang Guanqing shook his head. “Nothing… nothing to say.”