Shen Xichuan raised an eyebrow slightly. “Oh? Because you’ll protect me?”
His tone carried a hint of barely noticeable amusement.
Xu Jialan paused for a moment but didn’t deny it. She somewhat awkwardly brushed her hair back, changing the subject with a soft hum. “Are you… nervous?”
Shen Xichuan watched the traffic ahead as he turned the steering wheel. He seemed to hesitate for two seconds before speaking. “Meeting the parents—shouldn’t everyone be nervous?”
Meeting the parents?
Xu Jialan suddenly remembered they were married, which meant she would likely have to meet his parents too. At that thought, she fell silent.
Back in high school, she had met Shen Xichuan’s mother once during a parent-teacher conference. Even though it was just a brief encounter, she could tell she was a wonderful mother. Shen Xichuan came from a very happy family.
Unlike her.
Noticing her silence, Shen Xichuan quickly glanced at her. He saw her expression had turned serious, lost in thought.
“What are you thinking about?” he asked.
Xu Jialan snapped out of it and shook her head. “Nothing.” She looked at Shen Xichuan, hesitating to speak further.
Last time, when they had their blind date, it was arranged by his mother and Madam Liang together. So, did his family know about their marriage?
Before Xu Jialan could find an answer, they had already arrived.
Shen Xichuan glanced outside. “Is this the place?”
Xu Jialan came back to reality. “Yes.”
“Alright.”
Shen Xichuan found a spot to park the car.
Hearing the commotion, Madam Liang hurried out. Her eyes immediately fell on the man who had walked around to open the passenger door. After giving him a quick once-over, her smile deepened.
Xu Jialan looked up and met Madam Liang’s gaze. She was momentarily startled, then curved her lips into a smile. “Shiniang.”
Shen Xichuan lowered his gaze, just catching the smile at the corner of her mouth, his eyes darkening slightly. He composed himself and turned to look. A woman was walking out from the yard.
The man instinctively straightened up and greeted politely, “Madam Liang.”
Madam Liang beamed. “You must be Xiao Shen?”
Shen Xichuan nodded.
“It seems your mother didn’t lie to me. You really are outstanding,” Madam Liang said with a cheerful laugh.
Shen Xichuan paused, recalling what Xu Jialan had said during their blind date. The corner of his mouth lifted slightly. “Not at all. Lanlan is more outstanding than I am.”
Beside him, Xu Jialan was slightly taken aback by his term of endearment.
Hearing this, Madam Liang’s smile widened. “Alright, let’s not stand here. Come inside and chat. Your shifu has been waiting for you two for a long time.”
Shen Xichuan smiled faintly and gently patted Xu Jialan’s back. “I’ll go get the things first. You go in with Madam Liang.”
Xu Jialan looked at him. “Let me help you.”
The man lowered his gaze and chuckled softly. “Be good, you go in first.”
Madam Liang watched the scene with a smile.
Xu Jialan’s cheeks warmed slightly, and she cleared her throat. “Then we’ll go in first.”
“Mm, go ahead.”
Shen Xichuan opened the back door of the car, gathered the gift boxes inside, and followed the two women inside.
In the living room, Old Liang had been sitting on the sofa, his ears tuned to the noises outside. Hearing footsteps, he immediately put on a blank expression and pretended to read the newspaper.
Madam Liang noticed his act but said nothing, simply smiling. She gestured for the two to sit down, then headed to the kitchen to fetch them some water.
Shen Xichuan placed the items in his hands on the coffee table.
Seeing Old Liang’s serious expression, Xu Jialan felt a slight tension in her heart.
She pressed her lips together and called out, “Master.”
Old Liang glanced sideways at her and responded indifferently, “You’re here.”
His attitude made Xu Jialan somewhat nervous.
Noticing her expression, Shen Xichuan curved his lips slightly and gently squeezed her hand to comfort her.
Xu Jialan was taken aback.
Their interaction didn’t escape Old Liang’s notice.
He quietly averted his gaze.
Shen Xichuan put on a polite smile and spoke gently, “Old Liang, I’m Shen Xichuan, Jialan’s husband. This is our first meeting. Not knowing what you might like, I prepared a book since I’ve long heard of your reputation. I hope you’ll appreciate it.”
He casually selected one box from the gift packages.
The box appeared quite aged.
At first glance, it looked like some discarded item dug out from a forgotten corner.
Old Liang gave it a casual glance.
Really just a glance.
But when he saw the box clearly, his eyes widened. “Isn’t this…?”
Shen Xichuan handed over the item with both hands, his smile subtle.
Before he could say anything, Old Liang threw aside the newspaper in his hands and carefully accepted the box.
He opened it with extreme gentleness, as if afraid of damaging the contents.
When Xu Jialan saw the box, she also froze momentarily.
She looked at the man beside her in surprise.
Her expression seemed to ask how this item came to be in his possession, and why he was giving it to Old Liang?
Maintaining his smile, Shen Xichuan gave her hand a reassuring squeeze.
He didn’t speak, simply comforting her silently.
Just then, Madam Liang emerged carrying tea.
Xu Jialan hurried forward to help.
Just as her hand was about to touch the teapot, Shen Xichuan caught her wrist.
“Wait, let me.”
Xu Jialan paused, turning to look at him.
A hint of helplessness flashed in the man’s eyes. “It’s hot.”
Steam still rose from the kettle.
Clearly just boiled.
Madam Liang watched them with a beaming smile. “Xiao Lan, let Xiao Shen handle it.”
Hearing this, Xu Jialan withdrew her hand somewhat awkwardly.
Shen Xichuan’s movements flowed with natural grace, quite pleasing to the eye.
Sitting nearby, Xu Jialan found her gaze unconsciously drawn to him.
Watching his skilled tea preparation.
Madam Liang noticed too and asked, “Xiao Shen knows the tea ceremony?”
A slight smile touched Shen Xichuan’s lips. “I wouldn’t say I know it properly. My family enjoys it, so I picked up some basics.”
He spoke modestly.
But Madam Liang, being a tea enthusiast, could easily recognize the sophistication behind his actions.
Naturally understanding his humility, she watched with a knowing smile, satisfaction glimmering in her eyes.
When Madam Liang turned to Old Liang, about to say something, she saw him excitedly flipping through an ancient book in his hands.
She stared for a few seconds, surprised. “Isn’t that your…?”
Hearing her voice, Old Liang looked up, beaming, his earlier seriousness completely gone.
“This is Xiao Shen’s gift to me.”
Xu Jialan’s expression froze. “…”
Shen Xichuan maintained his smile. “Do you like it, Old Liang?”
Old Liang’s eyes crinkled with joy. “Like it? I love it!”
He waved a hand. “Since you’re married to Xiao Lan, just follow her and call me Master.”
Shen Xichuan complied obediently. “Master.”
Xu Jialan: “……”