Qiao Shu couldn’t help but let the corners of her lips curl upward. So Jiang Guanqing was henpecked—the couple really had a good relationship.
“Dad, happy birthday!” Jiang Yan took out a box. “You’ll definitely be satisfied with this gift.”
Jiang Guanqing took the box and opened it, a flicker of surprise flashing in his eyes. “This isn’t easy to come by. Where did you get it?”
A faint smile tugged at Jiang Yan’s thin lips. “Naturally, I acquired it at an auction. I’m glad you like it.”
Jiang Tu presented a sapphire-blue rectangular box with both hands. “Dad, happy birthday!”
A trace of surprise crossed Jiang Guanqing’s eyes as he opened the box to find a set of tea utensils from the Qing Dynasty.
“I like this gift too.”
Seeing that Jiang Tu had given tea utensils, Qiao Shu felt a twinge of embarrassment. What a coincidence!
Qiao Shu also took out a box and handed it over with both hands. “Dad, happy birthday!”
“It was a bit rushed, and I wasn’t sure what you’d like, so I chose this set.”
Jiang Guanqing opened the box and let out a hearty laugh. “You two are quite in sync, both giving tea utensils. You’ve put a lot of thought into it. I really like both gifts.”
Qiao Shu breathed a sigh of relief. “Also, this is for you and Mom—a pair of matching couple scarves.”
“Qiao Qiao, you’re so thoughtful.” A flicker of surprise passed through Su Xi’s eyes as she signaled Aunt Zhong with a glance.
Aunt Zhong understood and hurried off to fetch something.
Su Xi stroked the scarves. The old man had good taste, picking such a wonderful wife for Jiang Tu.
After Jiang Yan lit the candles on the cake, Su Xi instructed the servants to turn off the lights, leaving only two floor lamps.
“Happy birthday to you~”
Su Xi sang the birthday song herself. When she finished, she looked at Jiang Guanqing. “Honey, make a wish.”
Jiang Guanqing sighed helplessly, closed his eyes, and clasped his hands together. He didn’t have many wishes—just that his family would be safe, smooth-sailing, and healthy!
His eyes twinkled with warmth. “Thank you, dear.”
Su Xi shot him a playful glare before picking up the knife to cut the cake. She gave the first slice to Jiang Guanqing.
The second slice went to Qiao Shu.
Qiao Shu accepted it with both hands. “Thank you, Mom.”
Everyone enjoyed a small piece of cake.
Su Xi instructed the servants to turn the lights back on. She then produced a box from somewhere, opened it, and took out a crystal-clear jade bracelet, turning her gaze to Qiao Shu.
“Qiao Qiao, this was passed down to me by the old lady. Now, I’m passing it on to you.”
Qiao Shu’s pupils contracted in shock. “Mom, this is too precious. I can’t accept it.”
“Take it.” Su Xi took Qiao Shu’s left wrist and slipped the bracelet onto it.
Qiao Shu: “…”
Su Xi was indeed quite assertive.
Su Xi’s eyes curved into a smile. “There’s another one. I’m just waiting for A Yan to bring a daughter-in-law home for me.”
Jiang Yan: “…”
The pressure was overwhelming.
“It’s getting late. A Tu, I’ve had the servants clean your room. It’s cold out, so you two shouldn’t trouble yourselves with traveling. Stay here tonight.”
Qiao Shu stiffened. She had anticipated this—it was too late, and staying overnight was unavoidable.
“Alright,” Jiang Tu took Qiao Shu’s hand. “Then you and Dad should rest early. We’ll head back to our room.”
Su Xi and Jiang Guanqing nodded.
Watching the young couple disappear into the hallway, Su Xi asked uncertainly, “Do they have feelings for each other?”
Jiang Guanqing shook his head. “I don’t know. They’re both actors. Whether it’s real or an act, I really can’t tell.”
Su Xi and Jiang Yan: “…”
“Jiang Tu probably won’t get a divorce.”
Su Xi frowned, “How dare he divorce! The family heirloom bracelet has already been passed to Qiao Shu. There’s no reason to take it back.”
Jiang Guanqing: “…”
Jiang Yan poured a cup of tea, “They’re filming in the same crew. It’s not impossible for feelings to develop on set.”
Su Xi’s eyes lit up, “That makes sense!”
Upstairs, in Jiang Tu’s room.
After closing the door, Jiang Tu half-closed his eyes and looked at the girl standing before him, “Still nervous?”
Qiao Shu: “!!”
Qiao Shu’s cheeks flushed with heat as she blatantly lied, “No, I was never nervous at all!”
A faint smile played on Jiang Tu’s thin lips, “Alright, if you say you weren’t, then you weren’t. I’ll go draw your bath.”
Qiao Shu stared in the direction Jiang Tu had left, then raised her hands to pat her burning cheeks.
Qiao Shu, calm down!
Taking a deep breath, Qiao Shu looked around Jiang Tu’s room. The decor was simple yet quite cozy.
It was just the bright red bedding on the large bed and the “double happiness” character on the wall that seemed glaringly out of place.
A flicker of surprise crossed Qiao Shu’s face. Was this a bridal chamber? Was she supposed to share this bed with Jiang Tu later?
How awkward…
“The bath is ready.”
A magnetic, deep voice interrupted her thoughts. Qiao Shu snapped back to reality, “Okay, thank you!”
“Your pajamas are here.” Jiang Tu handed her the set of ladies’ bridal nightwear.
A flash of astonishment crossed Qiao Shu’s obsidian-like fox eyes as she took the pajamas. “Then I’ll go in first.”
Jiang Tu nodded. The girl entered the bathroom without looking back, her steps almost like a hasty retreat.
Jiang Tu’s peach-blossom eyes curved slightly, a smile lingering on his lips. With her here, the days ahead probably wouldn’t be boring.
Inside the bathroom.
Qiao Shu stared absentmindedly at the mirror in a daze. So awkward… at least her cheeks weren’t flushed.
Was she really going to share a bed with Jiang Tu tonight? Share a bed with a top celebrity with over seventy million fans?
Would Jiang Tu try anything with her?
Even if Jiang Tu wanted to do something, she had no reason to resist. It was her duty as a wife that she had to fulfill.
Qiao Shu scrunched up her little face. This was too hard. She didn’t want to do that kind of embarrassing thing yet; she was afraid it would hurt.
Distractedly, Qiao Shu finished her bath and put on the “scalding” pajamas. The nightwear was modest, of good quality, and comfortable to wear.
When Qiao Shu came out, she didn’t see Jiang Tu. Her hand, drying her hair, paused. He wasn’t here—great.
Suddenly, the door clicked open.
Jiang Tu entered with a cup of ginger tea, closed the door behind him, and strode toward her with his long legs.
The girl was dressed in red silk pajamas, her jet-black short hair half-dried, cheeks tinged with a blush, her captivating fox-like eyes seeming to shimmer like water.
Jiang Tu’s Adam’s apple bobbed unconsciously as he parted his thin lips, “I made you ginger tea. Drink it while it’s hot.”
Qiao Shu’s heart fluttered as she took the warm cup of ginger tea. “Jiang Tu, thank you.”
“It’s what I should do,” Jiang Tu lowered his gaze, studying the girl before him. “I’m going to take a shower.”
Qiao Shu nodded, “Okay.”
Watching the man enter the bathroom, Qiao Shu let out a soft sigh, then went to sit on the sofa. She recalled the day they registered their marriage—they had been like emotionless machines.
But now…
It seemed things had changed, yet somehow remained the same.
Qiao Shu leaned closer to the ginger tea and sniffed. The strong, pungent scent of ginger filled her nostrils—quite overwhelming.
But ginger tea worked wonders for her.
A blessing for those with cold constitutions.
After finishing the ginger tea, Qiao Shu picked up the towel and continued drying her hair. A few minutes passed, but her hair still wasn’t dry.
This is the trouble with having thick hair. Even though it’s short, I still can’t avoid using a hairdryer.