Jiang Yuxia and Wei Huaizhou spoke in unison.
After they spoke, the whole family froze, only Tang Fei crossed his arms and snorted with a knowing smile.
Jiang Yuxia awkwardly glanced at Wei Huaizhou’s deep, sharp eyes.
He raised an eyebrow: “Friends?”
Their marriage agreement stipulated that in special situations, they must act as husband and wife.
Under the family’s confused gazes and Wei Huaizhou’s imposing presence.
Jiang Yuxia could only maintain a smile: “Uncle, Aunt, Aunt, Uncle, let me introduce—this is my husband, Wei Huaizhou.”
The family was delighted, and Uncle immediately welcomed Wei Huaizhou inside.
Uncle and the others took turns shaking hands with Wei Huaizhou.
“President Wei, I’ve long heard of your reputation. My son-in-law works as a department head in a subsidiary under Huanhai Group,” Uncle said, pulling Jiang Yuxia’s cousin-in-law over to greet Wei Huaizhou.
“Hello, President Wei, my name is Xu Yihao.”
Wei Huaizhou nodded politely, greeting each in turn.
He was ushered like a star to sit on the sofa, with Uncle on his left and Uncle on his right, bombarding him with questions.
“How long have you and our Xiaxia been married?”
“How did you two meet?”
Jiang Yuxia worried that if they kept asking, Wei Huaizhou would grow impatient.
She quickly squeezed through, pulling Wei Huaizhou up: “It’s almost time to eat. I’ll take him to wash up. The bathroom is this way~”
Jiang Yuxia pushed Wei Huaizhou into the bathroom and closed the door.
She pressed against the door, hearing Aunt’s chiding voice outside.
“You all really are something. It’s Xiao Wei’s first time at our home, why ask so many questions? It’s like interrogating a criminal.”
“Mom, you can’t call him Xiao Wei—he’s the president of our group!” Cousin-in-law reminded.
From behind came Wei Huaizhou’s deep voice: “Do we need to close the door to wash hands?”
Jiang Yuxia turned around. Wei Huaizhou stood just a few steps away.
Completely enveloping her slender figure in his shadow.
“Mr. Wei, how did you know where my aunt lives?”
Wei Huaizhou raised an eyebrow: “Before we married, you authorized me to investigate your family information. Your aunt hasn’t moved, so I followed the address.”
Jiang Yuxia pursed her lips, looking up at him: “Actually, you didn’t need to rush. I’ll definitely find time to discuss Ye Xiaoluo’s matter with you.”
Wei Huaizhou’s eyes darkened, his brow slowly furrowing: “It has nothing to do with her. My interactions with your family are just like yours with mine. Don’t overthink it.”
Before Jiang Yuxia could say more, Aunt knocked on the door outside.
“Xiaxia, are you done washing up? The food is ready, come out and eat.”
Jiang Yuxia whispered a reminder: “Mr. Wei, my aunt and the others don’t know about our contractual marriage. If they say anything you don’t like later, please bear with it.”
Wei Huaizhou looked at her without speaking, then suddenly reached out as if to pull Jiang Yuxia into his embrace.
She was forced to take half a step back, but his large hand had already reached past her to open the door.
“Let’s go eat. Don’t keep your family waiting.”
After they went out, the dining table was laden with a dazzling array of dishes. Uncle brought out his treasured baijiu, saved for years and reluctant to drink.
“Xiao Wei, care for a drink?”
Wei Huaizhou nodded: “Sure.”
Tang Fei sat across from him, sizing him up: “President Wei, do you usually smoke?”
“No.”
“That’s good. My sister can’t stand the smell of smoke,” Tang Fei shifted the topic. “How long have you two been married?”
“Two years.”
“No wedding ceremony?”
“Could have one.” Wei Huaizhou answered decisively.
Tang Fei frowned, “What do you mean ‘could have’? You’ve been married for two years already. Having a wedding now would just be making up for it.”
Wei Huaizhou said calmly, “She didn’t agree back then. I respected her opinion.”
Jiang Yuxia forced a smile, “Brother, let’s eat. The food’s getting cold.”
But Tang Fei kept pressing Wei Huaizhou, “What do you like about her? How did you meet? How are you planning to deal with that thing spreading online? Is my sister being bullied in your family?”
Jiang Yuxia kicked Tang Fei under the table, but her cousin-in-law Xu Yihao, sitting next to him, let out a yelp.
Everyone looked at him, and Xu Yihao quickly picked up his wine glass to smooth things over.
“Aunt and Uncle worked hard preparing this feast today. Xiaxia is married now and brought her husband back. Today is a happy occasion. Let me propose the first toast, to Mr. Wei…”
Just as he raised his glass, Wei Huaizhou said, “In my family, she hasn’t been bullied before, and she won’t be in the future either.”
Jiang Yuxia paused.
Although she and Wei Huaizhou didn’t have much affection between them, what he said was true.
After getting married, her in-laws were often traveling abroad and she rarely saw them.
Wei Huaizhou hardly came home either. Occasionally, he’d “resurface” only to transfer large sums of money to her.
The only relative she needed to interact with in the country was Wei Nainai, who was as good to her as her own grandmother, so there was no pressure there either.
Jiang Yuxia spoke up, “Enough! My husband is fine, brother! I’m starving.”
Tang Fei glanced at her, picked up his glass, and said to Wei Huaizhou, “My sister has suffered too much in the past. Mr. Wei, you must treat her well. If you ever stop liking her, just say the word, and I’ll bring her back.”
Wei Huaizhou nodded and downed a glass of baijiu. Aunt quickly tried to lighten the mood.
Halfway through the meal, Wei Huaizhou didn’t put on airs. Although he spoke little, he responded politely and thoroughly whenever Jiang Yuxia’s family spoke to him.
Gradually, Uncle Qiao Xinguo drank too much and sat next to Wei Huaizhou, shaking his head and sighing.
“Mr. Wei, you’re practically family to us now. There’s something I really have to get off my chest. My son-in-law is actually a very capable person. He’s worked at a subsidiary under your group for ten years.”
Wei Huaizhou listened quietly, his hand resting on the table, tapping the surface intermittently.
Jiang Yuxia’s gaze fell on his right hand.
His knuckles were prominent, his fingers long and slender, the veins on the back of his hand clearly visible.
And on his ring finger, he wore the wedding band they bought when they got married.
Jiang Yuxia instinctively touched her own bare finger and quietly hid her hand under the table.
Qiao Xinguo held his head, sighing repeatedly, “Well, last month, because he lost a business deal, he was transferred to another department this month and had his salary cut by thirty percent. My daughter Lei Lei is about to give birth. Now their family’s livelihood is in trouble.”
Qiao Lei frowned, “Dad! Why bring this up? That was Yihao’s own mistake.”
Xu Yihao sat beside them, drinking gloomily, filled with self-blame.
After listening, Wei Huaizhou said, “I understand.” He took out his phone and sent a message to someone.
Five minutes later, Xu Yihao’s phone rang.
“Hello? Manager… Yes, yes,” Xu Yihao’s eyes lit up, looking at Wei Huaizhou as if he wanted to kneel, answering, “Okay, okay.”
After hanging up, he was overjoyed.
“The manager called to say I’ve been reinstated to my original department, with a promotion and a raise. Mr. Wei, thank you so much! I truly appreciate it—I’ll finish this drink in one go!”
“Don’t mention it. You’re my wife’s relative, so you’re family to me as well.”
He said the word “wife” with particular ease.
Yet Jiang Yuxia felt uneasy inside.
She disliked owing Wei Huaizhou anything, and now she had no choice but to repay this favor.
After the meal, Uncle took out the stocks he had purchased and asked Wei Huaizhou for advice.
Thinking she would be leaving soon, Jiang Yuxia went into the room to pack her things.
The rustling sound of pages turning reached her ears once more.
Jiang Yuxia’s heart tightened as she opened the diary—
[July 29th: Cousin discovered Cousin-in-law’s affair. She was so upset she went into early labor, and then faced a difficult delivery with severe bleeding. She’s still lying in the ICU. Cousin, you must pull through…]