Chapter 14 : Banquet

The scandal surrounding the tabloid rumors gradually subsided, but the atmosphere in the Fu family remained tense.

After visiting overseas friends, Grandma Fu’s birthday arrived soon after. Jiang Yunshu instructed Aunt Luo to reserve a spot at the theater in advance, planning a lively birthday celebration for her grandmother-in-law.

The prolonged low pressure in the Fu family was in need of such a cheerful occasion to break the tension.

Around 9 PM, Fu Chengze returned home and saw Jiang Yunshu sitting at the table, eating a bowl of bird’s nest soup.

“You’re back?”

“Mm.”

Fu Chengze poured himself a glass of water and sat down across from her.

“In a few days, it’ll be grandmother’s birthday. What gift should we give her?” Jiang Yunshu asked. “I had some cherished calligraphy, paintings, and porcelain, but after considering it, I couldn’t decide what to pick.”

Fu Chengze took a sip of water. “Whatever you give her, she’ll like it. But compared to calligraphy, she might prefer porcelain.”

Jiang Yunshu put down her phone. “I was thinking the same thing.”

Fu Chengze looked at her. “I heard from Uncle Li that you personally went to the theater today?”

Jiang Yunshu nodded. “I asked Aunt Luo to come with me.”

“Some things can be arranged by others. There’s no need to handle everything yourself. Don’t overexert yourself.”

“It’s not tiring, I just wanted to get some fresh air,” she replied.

Looking at the bird’s nest soup, Jiang Yunshu felt like she couldn’t eat anymore. She looked up at Fu Chengze. “Do you want some?”

Fu Chengze stared for a few seconds, glanced at the bowl, and then looked back at her. “No, you eat it.”

“Oh,” Jiang Yunshu lowered her head and slowly continued eating.

Fu Chengze watched her slow movements and asked, “Can’t eat anymore?”

Jiang Yunshu nodded. “A bit.”

“Then don’t force yourself.”

Without raising her head, she naturally responded, “But it can’t be wasted.”

After a brief pause, Fu Chengze spoke again, “Give it to me.”

Jiang Yunshu looked up, her eyes lighting up instantly. She quickly pushed the bowl toward him.

Fu Chengze picked up the spoon and started eating the remaining half of the bird’s nest. It was hard to tell if he liked the taste or not.

Jiang Yunshu watched him, then suddenly laughed lightly.

Fu Chengze looked up at her. “What’s so funny?”

“Nothing,” she cleared her throat, then asked curiously, “Have you ever had bird’s nest before?”

“No,” Fu Chengze replied, then added, “But now I get to try it, thanks to you.”

Jiang Yunshu smiled, “How does it taste?”

Her clear eyes stared at him intently, and Fu Chengze’s expression softened a little. He put down the spoon and honestly said, “It’s okay.”

Footsteps approached from behind. Jiang Yunshu quickly reacted, moving the empty bowl in front of herself.

Aunt Luo walked over, glancing at the empty bowl. “Yunshu, finished the bird’s nest?”

Jiang Yunshu nodded. “Yes, Aunt Luo.”

Seeing her act a little guilty, like a child who secretly threw away a pill, Fu Chengze couldn’t help but smile slightly.

—

Grandmother Fu’s birthday banquet have many guests arriving to celebrate.

The car stopped in front of the theater. Jiang Yunshu, arm in arm with Fu Chengze, walked through the bamboo grove and entered the hall where the stage had been set up.

As soon as they entered, the couple attracted the attention of many.

At the main table facing the stage, Grandma Fu was seated in the center, with several other elders sitting around her.

“Is this the new wife of Chengze?” one elder, looking about the same age as Grandma Fu, asked with excitement upon spotting the couple.

Grandma Fu smiled and nodded, calling them over. “Yunshu, Chengze, come here.”

Since their wedding had been a low-key affair, with only close friends and family invited due to Fu’s grandfather’s health, many of the relatives and elders in Fu’s family were meeting Jiang Yunshu for the first time.

“Hello, Aunt,” Fu Chengze greeted first.

“Hello, Aunt,” Jiang Yunshu followed.

Grandma Fu took Jiang Yunshu’s hand with affection, her eyes full of satisfaction. “Look how beautiful my granddaughter-in-law is.”

“She’s even more beautiful than a movie star, so delicate, no flaws at all.”

Jiang Yunshu smiled, “Hello, Aunt.”

Several elders surrounded them, complimenting the couple and asking, “When are you two planning to have a child?”

Grandma Fu smiled happily, answering for them, “She’s already pregnant, four months along.”

“Ah, this is wonderful news! Sister, you’ll be a great-grandmother soon!”

“Come, Yunshu, you’re pregnant. Please, sit down!” One elder moved aside to offer her a seat.

Jiang Yunshu quickly said, “Aunt, you sit. There’s still space here.”

The elders insisted that she sit next to Grandma Fu, and Grandma Fu told Fu Chengze, “Let Yunshu sit here, you go and join your uncle and uncle-in-law for a drink.”

Fu Chengze glanced at Jiang Yunshu and nodded.

The elders teased, “Look, Chengze can’t bear to leave his wife!”

His aunt, always straightforward, added, “Chengze, just sit at this table, you’ve walked half a mile and still can’t take your eyes off your wife.”

Jiang Yunshu laughed, “Aunt, don’t tease him.”

“Chengze is lucky, he married a wife who cares for him,” the aunt added.

—

As the actors on stage softly sang to set the scene, Grandma Fu handed over a script for a play titled “Striking the Golden Branch”.

The elders urged Jiang Yunshu to choose a play, and despite her reluctance, she chose the classic Yu Opera “Mu Guiying Takes Command”.

Fu Chengze walked over, called a waiter to bring a cushion for Jiang Yunshu, then sat down at the nearby table.

After greeting the elders, he raised his glass in a toast.

“Jingkun, this wine is truly a fine collection,” one elder remarked.

Fu Jingkun replied, “It’s from my daughter-in-law. She insisted we treat our elders well.”

The elders complimented her, and Fu Chengze thanked them on her behalf. His eyes then fell on a plate of snacks on the table.

Matcha yam cake, a dessert she loved.

As the conversation turned to business matters, Fu Chengze shifted his gaze from the snacks to the woman next to him, who was focused on the performance.

Today, she wore makeup, her dark hair and red lips were complemented by a healthy glow. She occasionally chatted with the elders at her table.

He quietly watched her for a while, noticing she had eaten several pieces of the matcha yam cake.

He reached for a piece himself, deciding to try it.

He never used to like desserts, but now, it tasted quite good.