“Grandma, Dad, Mom,” Ruan Xinyuan waved to the three people pushing luggage from afar, “Over here!”

He Qiu heard the familiar voice, brushed her hair back, and immediately spotted her son in the crowd, along with…

The man next to Ruan Xinyuan, who had an outstanding aura and appearance.

That must be her son-in-law… no, son’s husband.

He Qiu was startled, not expecting him to look even more impressive than in the photos Ruan Xinyuan had sent, but she didn’t show it on her face.

Beside her, Hua Jin squinted, looked in the direction of the voice, and upon seeing them, smiled, her wrinkles smoothing out. She ignored the two beside her and quickly ran over, her silk floral shirt fluttering in the air.

“Grandma.” Ruan Xinyuan gave Hua Jin a sweet smile and proactively reached out to hold her rough right hand.

“Hello, Grandma,” Qi Xun, standing next to Ruan Xinyuan, bowed slightly, smiled politely at Hua Jin, and greeted her with a humble attitude, “I’m Qi Xun.”

Hua Jin turned her gaze to Qi Xun, meeting his eyes for a second. The person in front of her was handsome and courteous, leaving no room for criticism.

Yet, there was an inexplicable sense of oddness, though she couldn’t pinpoint exactly what was off.

She quickly snapped back, playfully blinked, covered her mouth with her free hand, laughed, and patted Qi Xun’s shoulder, “Xiao Qi, you look even more handsome than in the photos, a perfect match for our Yuan!”

After saying this, she turned to urge He Qiu and Ruan Linfu behind her, “Hurry up, don’t keep the kids waiting!”

He Qiu quickened her pace, urging Ruan Linfu, who was panting while pulling two suitcases, “Speed up!”

Ruan Linfu’s beer belly jiggled as he stopped to wipe his sweat, then quickly caught up with He Qiu, “Coming, coming!”

“Mom, this is Qi Xun.” Ruan Xinyuan introduced to He Qiu, who had come to him.

Qi Xun extended his long hand, “Hello, Auntie.”

“I recognized you from afar.” He Qiu smiled warmly and shook hands with him.

At this moment, Ruan Linfu finally reached them. Qi Xun politely extended his hand again, “Hello, Uncle.”

Ruan Linfu, out of breath, didn’t have time to wipe his sweat and quickly shook hands, “Hello, hello.”

Hua Jin gently nudged Ruan Xinyuan with her elbow, teasing, “Why is Xiao Qi still calling us so formally? Haven’t you two already got your certificate?”

Qi Xun paused, looked at Ruan Xinyuan with a questioning gaze, seeking his opinion.

Ruan Xinyuan realized, feeling a burning gaze, turned his head to meet it, and nodded slightly.

Qi Xun quickly spoke, “Dad, Mom.”

Ruan Xinyuan’s ears burned at the sound, feeling a bit awkward, like a layer of oiled paper had been burned through, scorching his heart.

With this traditional change of address, his relationship with Qi Xun took a closer, more subtle step.

“Ah!” He Qiu listened on the side, feeling delighted, as if she had gained another handsome son.

Ruan Linfu was initially surprised by Qi Xun’s extraordinary demeanor, and now being called Dad, he felt inexplicably that it might shorten his life. Nevertheless, he responded twice, “Good, good.”

“Dad, Mom, Grandma, we’ll first take you to the hotel to check in, and after putting away the luggage, we’ll go for dinner.” Ruan Xinyuan took a suitcase from Ruan Linfu and grabbed the bag from He Qiu’s shoulder.

“Alright, we’ll follow your arrangements.” Hua Jin, with empty hands, was happy to relax.

Ruan Linfu wiped his sweat with a wet tissue, just about to pull another large suitcase, but when he turned around, his hand came up empty. He raised an eyebrow in surprise, looking to his side.

Qi Xun had grabbed the suitcase handle, ready to move forward, “Dad, let me do it, you’ve worked hard.”

“Good, good!” Ruan Linfu was moved to tears, thinking this kid was quite filial.

Qi Xun pulled the suitcase and slowed his pace when walking alongside Ruan Xinyuan. The two walked ahead together, and He Qiu watched their backs with increasing satisfaction.

“Although it’s a marriage arranged by fate, it looks pretty good.” She quietly remarked to her husband.

Ruan Linfu, now relaxed, praised repeatedly, “Yes, look at this kid, good looks, great demeanor, seems stable in character, really can’t find any faults…”

Hua Jin said nothing, squinting at the two backs.

She saw Qi Xun tilt his head and say something to Ruan Xinyuan, who looked surprised, then smiled and handed his shoulder bag to Qi Xun, who easily took it and slung it over one shoulder.

“Seems like he’s good to Yuan too, not bad.” Ruan Linfu almost gave a thumbs up at the sight.

He had been so afraid that his son’s destined partner would be someone unattractive or of poor character. Even if it was to save his life, a sham marriage with such a person would be too stifling.

“Ah…” He looked at the two backs again, frowning in distress, “Too bad it’s not real!”

After all, no matter how well-matched they seemed, they were together for personal gain, not love.

Ruan Linfu sighed quietly in his heart.

Hua Jin suddenly muttered like chanting a spell, her words hot and unclear to anyone but herself, “Maybe it will become real, this is a fate set by heaven.”

*

“Dear in-laws, hello, I’m Qi Xun’s mom.”

“No, missed someone, let’s try again.”

“Dear in-laws, Grandma, hello…”

“No, better stick with ‘you.'”

Wei Xi, with a stiff smile, stood up and sat down, adjusting her elegant shawl, pondering an opening line for ages.

She threw the question to Zhong Kou, who was calmly sipping tea beside her, “Zhong Kou, Zhong Kou, should I say ‘you’ or ‘you’ later?”

Zhong Kou, sipping his tea, replied patiently, “Either is fine, attitude is everything.”

“Details determine success, but you’re right, ‘you’ sounds more friendly.” After resolving this, Wei Xi took out a small mirror from her purse.

The person in the mirror had stylish shoulder-length curls, skin with some spots, fine lines at the corners of her eyes, but her makeup was exquisite and dignified, exuding a fashionable noblewoman’s aura.

After tidying up, Wei Xi put away the mirror, straightened her posture, and said with a slight tremor, “First time being someone’s mom, a bit nervous, especially being the boss’s mom.”

Zhong Kou adjusted his suit sleeves and said blandly, “It’s human nature.”

“Ah, Zhong Kou, I really should learn from you,” Wei Xi sighed, “Never thought even as a ghost I’d have to cosplay on earth, earning ghost money isn’t easy…”

She muttered, ignoring Zhong Kou’s hand trembling uncontrollably as he picked up his teacup due to nerves.

After a few minutes, a familiar chill arrived, and the two exchanged a glance, sitting up straight with a tacit change in tone.

Qi Xun entered the private room with two gift boxes, glanced at the two sitting at the round table, and spoke with a hint of warmth, “Dad, Mom, Xiao Yuan and the others are here.”

Wei Xi almost shivered at Qi Xun’s address, feeling like it might shorten her ghostly lifespan.

The next second, upon seeing Ruan Xinyuan enter, she seemed to trigger a mechanism, enthusiastically standing up and holding Ruan Xinyuan’s hands, “You must be Xiao Yuan, such a handsome kid.”

Ruan Xinyuan blushed from the enthusiasm, his ears burning as he softly called her “Mom.”

Qi Xun discreetly glanced at Wei Xi’s hands, and Wei Xi, realizing her mistake, quickly let go as if burned.

She quietly observed Qi Xun, internally scolding herself for overacting the mother-in-law role.

At this moment, Ruan Xinyuan, unaware of their silent exchange of glances, turned to the serious-looking middle-aged man and called him “Dad,” who nodded solemnly in acknowledgment.

Hua Jin and the others followed closely, and Wei Xi quickly greeted them, “Dear in-laws, and Xiao Yuan’s grandma, right? Hello, I’m Qi Xun’s mom, and this is his dad. Please, have a seat!”

He Qiu had guessed on the way that Qi Xun’s parents must be good-looking, and upon meeting them, found their demeanor and speech top-notch, just as she expected.

“Hello, hello, if you hadn’t said you were Xiao Qi’s mom, I would’ve thought you were his sister.” He Qiu shook hands with them.

Wei Xi covered her mouth and laughed, “Dear in-law, you’re the same. Seeing you so young, I almost didn’t dare to recognize you!”

She shook hands with Hua Jin and Ruan Linfu, quietly exhaling as she sat down.

Zhong Kou, with a meticulous expression, handed Ruan Linfu a fine cigarette. Ruan Linfu glanced at the brand, happily accepted it, and chuckled, “Dear in-law, you’re too kind.”

Ruan Xinyuan was initially a bit nervous, but with Qi Xun’s parents being friendly and the atmosphere harmonious, he relaxed and sat next to Qi Xun.

The waiter in the private room dutifully poured red tea for everyone and laid out the tablecloths according to the seating.

“Hello, you can serve the dishes now.” Qi Xun signaled to the waiter while naturally unfolding the tablecloth in front of Ruan Xinyuan.

Ruan Xinyuan took a sip of tea and casually said, “Thank you.”

Qi Xun suddenly squeezed Ruan Xinyuan’s hand, releasing it after a second, using action instead of words to tell him there’s no need for formal thanks.

Ruan Xinyuan belatedly realized that their married relationship made such formality unnecessary, and he shyly curled his fingers that had just been held.

“I heard from Xiao Yuan that you prefer sweet flavors, so I chose this restaurant and arranged some signature dishes. If you don’t like them, we can order more.” Qi Xun signaled to the waiter, who placed the confirmed menu and a thick menu book in front of He Qiu and the others.

He Qiu handed the menu to Hua Jin, who glanced at it and nodded in approval, passing the thick menu book to Wei Xi.

“Xiao Qi really knows how to order, all things Xiao Yuan and we love to eat. Let your parents see if they want to add anything; we think it’s enough.”

Wei Xi elegantly accepted the menu, “No worries, we’ve already looked, it’s about right.”

The waiter, seeing this, stepped forward to remove the menu book.

“Oh, the more I look at Xiao Yuan, the more satisfied I am,” Wei Xi said, looking at Ruan Xinyuan with admiration, “You wouldn’t know, I was so anxious seeing Qi Xun almost thirty and still not dating, while friends’ kids were having children!”

He Qiu comforted, “Young people focus on their careers now. Besides, with Xiao Qi being so outstanding, even if he marries a bit later, there are plenty of people waiting, no need to worry.”

“He was always focused on work, never mentioned dating anyone. When asked if he liked any boys or girls, he always said no. Now it seems he just hadn’t met the right one!” Wei Xi laughed teasingly, and Hua Jin and the others joined in.

Qi Xun… never liked anyone?

Ruan Xinyuan’s heart skipped a beat at this, and he slightly turned his head to look at Qi Xun’s handsome profile. At that moment, Qi Xun was focused on picking fish bones from his bowl, then placed the perfect piece of fish into Ruan Xinyuan’s bowl.

“Thank you…” Ruan Xinyuan’s heart raced uncontrollably as he picked up the piece of fish and put it in his mouth.

The fish was tender, with a hint of sweetness.

“Is it good?” While the elders chatted lively, Qi Xun lowered his voice and leaned close to Ruan Xinyuan’s ear to ask.

Ruan Xinyuan felt the warm breath on his ear and neck, making him itch. He slightly dodged, biting his chopsticks and nodding obediently, “It’s good, you’re giving me so much, you should eat more yourself.”

Saying this, he picked up a piece of plum ribs for Qi Xun.

“Okay.” Qi Xun smiled gently, satisfied, and watched Ruan Xinyuan’s reddened ears, savoring the ribs.

To him, the table full of delicacies was just dust in the vast world, while the person sitting next to him was the most delectable treat.

Hua Jin, meanwhile, focused on the food, discussing the dishes with He Qiu, not sparing a glance elsewhere.

After Ruan Xinyuan peeled a few shrimp and handed them to Qi Xun, he noticed his dad and Qi Xun’s father starting a drinking contest.

“Brother Qi, come on, let’s drink like men!” Ruan Linfu downed a glass of white wine in one go.

Qi’s father, who looked naturally authoritative, was very accommodating, following suit and finishing his glass of strong liquor.

Qi Xun watched his “father,” whose gaze was becoming unfocused, feeling something was off.

Ruan Xinyuan noticed too and was about to advise Ruan Linfu to drink less to avoid being a nuisance with alcohol breath.

Just then, he saw Qi’s father suddenly stand up, standing straight.

The private room fell silent for a second, and everyone else’s gaze became a bit dazed.

Then Ruan Xinyuan watched as Qi’s father bowed towards their direction, his voice robust and righteous even when drunk, loudly declaring, “Your Highness, this humble servant—”