Half an hour later.
The two successfully arrived at the Jiang family’s old residence, stepping out of the car and walking toward the main hall.
At this moment, Jiang Qing walked over quickly and closer to Kexin Lin, unostentatiously taking her right hand.
Startled as if given a fright, Kexin Lin instinctively wanted to break free, but Jiang Qing held on tightly and had no intention of letting go.
“You…”
“Don’t be shy.”
Interrupting her words, Jiang Qing leaned close to her ear, the corners of her mouth hooking up: “Didn’t we agree, we need to look very affectionate.”
Hearing this, Kexin Lin thought that made sense, and simply gave up struggling, her brows and the corners of her eyes revealing a smiling expression as she leaned her body a bit closer to her: “Got it, wife.”
Jiang Qing’s mood became pleasant.
Suddenly, Kexin Lin also wanted to hear her call herself “wife,” looking at her with a smiling expression and saying quite straightforwardly: “Shouldn’t you also change to a different term of address to call me?”
Without a second thought, Jiang Qing replied: “Xingbao.”
Kexin Lin’s eyelashes trembled slightly: “…”
Her childhood nickname was “Xingbao.”
After her parents passed away, the people of the Lin family changed their attitude toward her, calling her by her full name at home.
Only a few close friends called her that.
Seeing her surprise, Jiang Qing intentionally teased her: “Want to know my childhood nickname?”
Kexin Lin grew interested.
She had forgotten how the Jiang family members addressed Jiang Qing yesterday; in formal occasions, they seemed to address her uniformly as “Young President Jiang,” so she guessed with a smile: “Xiao Qing? Qingqing?”
“Not that.” Jiang Qing shook her head.
“Then that means…”
Thinking of a certain customer service online, Kexin Lin changed the tone of her voice: “Dear~ Okay dear~”
Jiang Qing was amused by her.
Knowing she hadn’t guessed right, Kexin Lin nudged her gently with her elbow, revealing her true nature: “Forget it, it’s fine if you don’t tell me, I’ll just ask Auntie directly later.”
Meeting her gaze, Jiang Qing’s tone softened by three tenths: “My childhood nickname is Zaozao. It’s a pet name my mom gave me when I was little, but nowadays people at home rarely call me that anymore.”
Kexin Lin silently recited “Zaozao” twice in her heart, like having candy in her mouth, sounding sweet and sticky.
It inexplicably improved one’s mood.
“Sounds pretty nice.”
Jiang Qing looked at her and smiled: “Xingbao sounds nice too.”
The two suddenly became childish, blowing commercial smoke at each other quite skillfully.
Hearing the laughter, Shuping Jiang came out of the main hall to welcome them, seeing the two talking and laughing together from afar with a smiling face: “I was just wondering why you two hadn’t reached home yet, and was about to make a call to ask.”
Hearing this, Kexin Lin quickly restrained her giggling attitude, calling out rather unnaturally: “Aun… Mom, good noon.”
“Good, good, good.”
Shuping Jiang smiled as she stepped forward to pull her hand, leading her into the house with a gentle voice: “How is it, are you two getting used to living together?”
Kexin Lin nodded obediently: “Getting used to it.”
Seeing her mom like this, Jiang Qing realized she had clearly been forgotten long ago, and helplessly hurried to follow.
Entering the main hall, Kexin Lin saw many Jiang family elders whom she had seen at yesterday’s engagement banquet.
Before coming, Jiang Qing had mentioned to her that the family was simple in terms of population.
Her grandmother had retired from the research institute many years ago, Jiang Qing’s mom was a very easygoing person, and although her aunt was married, she adopted a daughter named Jiang Rui, who was currently a high school senior.
Jiang Qing’s dad was a matrilocal husband, so the family relations on her dad’s side were also simple.
They only interacted during holidays and festivals.
The branch relatives of her grandparents’ generation had all settled overseas or in other cities, usually contacting each other online, and would only return for a family reunion when there was a major happy event.
This time, because of the marriage alliance, Jiang Qing’s maternal grandmother and aunt had specially returned from overseas.
Kexin Lin greeted the elders one by one, calling them respectfully.
“Lin girl.”
The old lady smiled cheerfully and beckoned Kexin Lin to come over and sit down: “Sit right by my side quickly.”
“Hello, Grandma.”
Without declining, Kexin Lin sat down beside the old lady with smiling, curved eyes, and thoughtfully took out the gift she had brought: “I brought a gift for Grandma.”
“Xingbao brought gifts for everyone.”
Finishing these words, Jiang Qing signaled the bodyguards behind her to present the gifts.
The gifts Kexin Lin gave to the elders were tailored to their preferences.
The old lady was very interested in traditional embroidery; what Kexin Lin gave was a piece of Shu embroidery she had received not long ago.
Shuping Jiang was interested in calligraphy and painting; what she gave was a very collectible painting and calligraphy piece from her own shop; Jiang Qing’s maternal grandmother loved drinking tea; what she gave was ripe Pu’er and local white tea very suitable for elderly people to drink.
As for the rest of the younger generation of the Jiang family, what she gave were expensive jewelry pieces that wouldn’t go wrong.
Kexin Lin also received quite a few return gifts sent by the elders.
Jiang Qing had even prepared separate red envelopes in advance, given to the domestic staff at home.
The local tradition here was that whichever family had newcomers celebrating a happy event, the hired staff at home would receive wage increases, which also brought a festive atmosphere to the house.
The atmosphere was as harmonious as could be.
Of course, everyone tacitly avoided mentioning Jiang Fei, who had fled the marriage.
“Cousin-in-law.”
Jiang Rui, the adopted daughter of Jiang Qing’s aunt, handed the fruit plate to Kexin Lin, pulling Kexin Lin’s hand with her pleasing round face: “Cousin-in-law, can you show me your and my cousin’s marriage certificate?”
Kexin Lin froze for a moment, saying softly: “…I didn’t bring it.”
Jiang Qing smiled and took over the conversation: “I brought mine.”
Kexin Lin looked at her in surprise.
Unable to wait, Jiang Qing took out the marriage certificate she and Kexin Lin had taken photos of this morning from her bag, generously letting the family admire it.
Immediately, everyone crowded together.
“It’s photographed very photogenically, hey.”
“How clear the photo is, both of them dressed up, pretty, pretty.”
“Yeah, they look extremely well-matched just looking at them.”
Taking advantage of everyone looking at the marriage certificate, Jiang Rui first glanced at Kexin Lin, then stealthily sent a message to her own cousin on her phone:
[Cousin!!!]
[I’ve already contacted the second cousin, she said you gave her the courage to run away from the wedding]
[Did you instigate it on purpose?]
Receiving the message, Jiang Qing raised her eyes to look at Kexin Lin, her fingers moving slightly.
Jiang Rui immediately lowered her head to look at her phone.
[Transfer of one hundred thousand]
Roar roar roar!!
Receiving the transfer of one hundred thousand, Jiang Rui instantly blossomed with joy, the happiness uncontainable on her face as her fingers moved as fast as the wind to edit the message:
[Cousin, don’t worry, my lips are sealed]
[Wishing you and sister-in-law deep affection and a long, lasting union]
[Cat sending blessings/animation]
Glancing at it, Jiang Qing exited WeChat as if nothing happened.
Talking nonsense; clearly, her younger sister was too young to hold onto such a good marital alliance.
During the meal, Shuping Jiang kept putting food on Kexin Lin’s plate, telling her not to stand on ceremony in her own home, saying she was too thin and needed to eat more nourishing food to build up her blood and energy in the future.
Kexin Lin felt quite embarrassed.
“Don’t be nervous.”
Sensing Kexin Lin’s unnaturalness, Jiang Qing peeled a large shrimp for her and said gently: “You’re in your own home now, so there’s nothing to be nervous about.”
The corners of Kexin Lin’s mouth hooked up as she tried hard to adapt: “Mhm, mhm, I will.”
Actually, Kexin Lin hadn’t experienced a “warm” family atmosphere for too long; previously in the Lin family, she had to weigh and deliberate every word she spoke, fearing that saying the wrong thing would anger Grandma, her aunt, and the others.
The news of Mu Ci’s return to the country quickly spread throughout the circle.
Quite a few of Mu Ci’s former good sisters in the circle were happy for her and spontaneously wanted to arrange a homecoming banquet, planning to gather everyone together and make a lively event out of it.
Mu Ci didn’t agree right away, instead making a separate appointment to see Zhiwei Lin alone.
Zhiwei Lin was very happy that she remembered her first, her brows and eyes smiling: “Why didn’t you mention it in advance when returning to the country, so I could go to the airport to pick you up.”
“Just came back to handle some work matters.”
There was not much expression on Mu Ci’s face.
However, flashing through Mu Ci’s mind was the familiar figure she had seen in the parking garage during the day, feeling like her heart was blocked by a large boulder, and she hurriedly pursued the question: “By the way, wasn’t it said that Kexin’s marriage alliance target was Jiang Fei? Why was it changed?”
Staring at Mu Ci for a long time, Zhiwei Lin let out a soft sigh: “Sigh, this matter is indeed not nice to say publicly. Jiang Fei ran away from the wedding, and the Jiang family was in the wrong first. Given the business interests and interactions between the two families, the Jiang family had Jiang Qing and Lin Kexin enter into a marriage alliance instead. Anyway, the matter sounds a bit comical, but that’s roughly how it went.”
Hearing this, Mu Ci’s brows wrinkled imperceptibly.
This was about the same as the news she had sniffed out.
Ever since she heard about Kexin Lin’s marriage alliance with Jiang Fei, Mu Ci’s heart had been deeply concerned all along…
Jiang Fei’s temperament was too wild, her reputation wasn’t very good, and she had no common topics with Kexin Lin; they weren’t a match.
Moreover, Jiang Fei was completely unworthy of Kexin Lin.
In the past few years abroad, Mu Ci had often thought of Kexin Lin.
In her memory, Kexin Lin wore a pure white little skirt, looking extremely well-behaved and obedient. The look she gave her hid cautious and careful joy, wanting to get close to her yet feeling very timid, making her heart soften whenever she recalled it.
Kexin Lin was very well-behaved, like a little rabbit.
Her speech was gentle and soft, and when she got close to talk to her, she would blush until she stuttered.
Mu Ci felt Kexin Lin was very cute, often sending gifts to tease her.
Mu Ci wasn’t made of wood; she could naturally perceive Kexin Lin’s past feelings toward her.
It was just that Mu Ci had too many reservations.
Family marriage alliances were very common in the circle, and her family had also arranged an arranged marriage for her early on.
Before going abroad, Mu Ci had still secretly gone to look for her, but many messages she sent had sunk like a stone in the ocean.
Strangely enough, Mu Ci didn’t know why the other party suddenly stopped ignoring her out of nowhere?
Mu Ci also didn’t know since when she had started caring so much about Kexin Lin. For the three years abroad, every time Mu Ci thought of Kexin Lin, it didn’t sit well in her heart.
Mu Ci planned to stabilize her footing in the Mu family and return to China once she had the ability to call off the marriage alliance.
She wanted to convey her feelings to Kexin Lin…
Unexpectedly, she had still returned too late.
According to Mu Ci’s understanding of Kexin Lin, although her exterior needed someone to protect her, a fierce drive was hidden deep down in her bones.
Under the circumstance that the marriage alliance partner fled on the spot during the engagement banquet, she still had to enter into a marriage alliance with the Jiang family under everyone’s witness; she must have suffered a lot of grievances.
Mu Ci’s mind was in utter chaos, and she picked up her coffee to take a small sip.
The sugarless coffee was bitter as hell. Mu Ci couldn’t suppress the restlessness and bitterness in her heart, taking a deep breath after a long while, unwilling to give up as she asked: “Is Kexin… doing this voluntarily?”
“Of course she’s willing.”
Noticing Mu Ci’s emotions, Zhiwei Lin picked up the menu to order food on her own, her voice sounding full of contempt: “I know what you’re thinking, but I advise you to give up. Jiang Qing’s family background is right there; plenty of people are dying to enter into a marriage alliance with Jiang Qing. This is already the best choice she could get by striking good fortune.”
Hearing this, Mu Ci felt uncomfortable, her heart deeply frustrated.
Although Jiang Qing’s family background was good, Mu Ci thought of the rumored untouchable and unapproachable temperament of Jiang Qing, which was definitely not someone who could be considerate and tender, making Mu Ci always feel inexplicably anxious and agitated, scratching at her heart.
“I’m going to the restroom.”
With that, ignoring whatever opinion Zhiwei Lin had, Mu Ci found an excuse and went outside.
Mu Ci quickly found Kexin Lin’s number on her phone, hesitating at the very instant she was about to dial out.
What excuse should she use to ask Kexin Lin out?
Would she come out to see her?