Early the next morning, Shen Qingyu was woken by noises from downstairs.
Groggily, she turned over and reached for her phone to check the time—9:30 a.m. Her sleep had been restless due to jet lag, and she hadn’t truly fallen asleep until four in the morning. Now, her entire body felt heavy, as if weighed down by cement.
Her mother’s voice drifted up from downstairs, seemingly on a phone call, using the tone reserved for serious matters. Shen Qingyu pulled the covers over her head, trying to sleep a little longer, but soon, footsteps approached from the staircase, growing louder.
Two knocks sounded at the door before it was pushed open.
“Qingyu, are you awake?”
Manlin Jiang walked in, holding a glass of warm water in one hand and her phone in the other. She wore a sharply tailored dark blue suit, her makeup immaculate—clearly, she had already finished a round of work.
“Mom…” Shen Qingyu poked half her head out from under the covers, her voice hoarse and barely recognizable. “It’s only 9:30…”
“Only 9:30? I’ve already finished a conference call.” Manlin Jiang placed the glass of water on the nightstand and casually drew open the curtains. The morning light of November in Jingbei filtered in, gray and hazy, not glaring but bright enough for Shen Qingyu to bury her face back into the covers.
“What time did you sleep last night?” Manlin Jiang sat on the edge of the bed, reaching out to stroke her daughter’s hair. “Don’t sleep too much during the day while adjusting to the time difference. You’re going out tonight.”
Shen Qingyu mumbled a vague “Mm.”
“By the way, your dad is coming with us tonight.”
Shen Qingyu pushed the covers aside and looked at her mother.
“Dad’s coming too? Doesn’t he have a case?”
“He’s arranged for his team to handle the case first. He’s free tonight.” Manlin Jiang stood up and walked to the wardrobe, opening the door to rummage through it. “What are you wearing tonight? Let me see… This pale yellow dress is nice. It’ll make you look lively. Wear this one.”
“Mom,” Shen Qingyu said reluctantly, “why is Dad going too…”
“Of course your dad has to go.” Manlin Jiang took out the pale yellow dress and hung it on the wardrobe door. “Aunt Lin messaged me last night, saying she and your Uncle Pei will both be there. For such an important meeting between two families, how would it look if your dad didn’t attend?”
Shen Qingyu fell silent, as there was nothing more to say. Last night, she had thought tonight was just a dinner, a mere formality. Her mother had even said, “Don’t overthink it. Just treat it as making a friend.” But now, her dad was going—and Pei Huaijin’s parents were going too—with both families sitting down for a meal together, it was clearly about discussing a marriage alliance.
“Alright, don’t overthink it.” Manlin Jiang walked over and handed her the glass of water from the nightstand. “Drink some water first, then come downstairs for breakfast. Aunt Liu made your favorite congee with preserved egg and lean pork, and the shrimp dumplings you love.”
With that, she turned and headed for the door, pausing to glance back before leaving. “Oh, and I’ve booked a stylist for this afternoon. She’ll be here at three, so keep that in mind.”
The door closed.
Shen Qingyu sat on the bed, holding the glass of water, and glanced down at the message her mother had sent her yesterday on her phone: “Qingyu, rest well tonight. Don’t overthink tomorrow’s dinner. Just treat it as making a friend.”
Just treat it as making a friend…
When her mother said that, she probably didn’t believe it herself.
Downstairs, after finishing another work call, Manlin Jiang sat down at the dining table. Aunt Liu brought over her coffee and poured a cup of tea for Shen Huaiting.
Shen Huaiting sat across the table, frowning slightly as he typed a reply on his phone.
“Is everything arranged for the case?” Manlin Jiang asked him.
“All taken care of,” Shen Huaiting put down his phone and took a sip of tea. “The meeting with the client scheduled for tonight has also been moved to tomorrow.”
“Good,” Manlin Jiang nodded. “When Wanru told me about it, I thought it wouldn’t look right if you didn’t go. After all, it’s a big matter discussing the alliance between our two families. As Qingyu’s father, how could you not be present?”
Shen Huaiting glanced at her. “Alliance? That sounds too formal. It’s just the two families meeting for a meal so the kids can get to know each other. Don’t put too much pressure on Qingyu.”
Manlin Jiang picked up her coffee cup and took a sip. “I’m not pressuring her. I just think these two kids are a good match. You know Huaijing—raised by the Pei family, his character, abilities, and looks are all excellent. As for Qingyu, she’s our daughter, raised with care since childhood, so there’s no need to say more. And with the close friendship between our families, where else could we find such a suitable marriage?”
Shen Huaiting didn’t respond, lowering his head to drink his tea.
“Why aren’t you saying anything?” Manlin Jiang looked at him.
“What you said makes sense,” Shen Huaiting put down his teacup. “I just think Qingyu just got back. Let her settle in for a couple of days first. Don’t fill her schedule as soon as she returns. She studied abroad for so many years and finally graduated and came home. As her mother—”
“What about me?” Manlin Jiang interrupted him. “I haven’t arranged anything major for her either. It’s just dinner tonight. It’s not like I’m asking her to do anything difficult.”
Shen Huaiting glanced at her but didn’t say anything more.
Manlin Jiang set down her coffee cup, her tone softening slightly. “I know you care about our daughter, and I do too. But Qingyu is already twenty-six this year, not a child anymore. With Huaijing’s excellent qualities, if we miss this opportunity, it won’t be easy to find someone so suitable later.”
“I’m not saying I disagree,” Shen Huaiting said. “I just think we shouldn’t push her too hard.”
“When have I ever pushed her?” Manlin Jiang said. “I made it very clear to her—just meet first, see how things go. If she really doesn’t like him, I won’t force her.”
Shen Huaiting glanced at her, his lips twitching slightly as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, he just nodded.
“Alright,” he said. “As long as you know what you’re doing.”
“Of course I do,” Manlin Jiang picked up her coffee cup, her tone returning to its efficient certainty. “Don’t worry, if she really doesn’t like him, I absolutely won’t force her.”
She paused for a moment, then added, “But I doubt she won’t like him.”
Shen Huaiting looked at her. “You’re so sure?”
Manlin Jiang smiled but didn’t answer, lowering her head to glance at her phone.
On the screen was her chat window with Lin Wanru. Yesterday, Lin Wanru had sent a message: “Manlin, tomorrow at seven, at the club. Huaijing rarely agrees to things so readily—he must think highly of your Qingyu.”
Manlin Jiang’s lips curved upward.
She put down her phone and glanced toward the staircase. There was no movement upstairs; Qingyu was probably still taking her time.
“By the way,” Shen Huaiting suddenly spoke up, “how many times have you met the Pei family’s son?”
“I’ve met him quite a few times,” Manlin Jiang said. “I’ve seen him when I’ve accompanied some executives during business discussions.”
“What’s he like?”
“You might not believe me if I just tell you—you’ll know once you meet him.” Manlin Jiang smiled. “He’s much more handsome in person than in photos, and he’s exceptionally polite. He speaks and carries himself with a steady demeanor, not like those impulsive young people nowadays.”
Shen Huaiting gave a soft “Mm.”
“Don’t just ‘Mm’ me,” Manlin Jiang looked at him. “When you meet him tonight, make sure to chat with him properly. Don’t just sit there staring at your phone.”
“I know,” Shen Huaiting replied.
“And don’t bring up anything about ‘arranged marriages’ or the like. Just say it’s about letting the kids get to know each other,” Manlin Jiang reminded him. “Wanru feels the same way—let the kids spend some time together first, no need to rush.”
Shen Huaiting glanced at her. “Didn’t you just call this ‘a major discussion about an arranged marriage’?”
“That was when I was talking to you,” Manlin Jiang said matter-of-factly. “Of course I wouldn’t say that in front of the kids. Do you think I’m foolish?”
Shen Huaiting couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Alright,” he said. “You’re in charge.”