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Jiang Wentao was feeling irritated, and Zhao Hong’s question only made him more frustrated. “Why do you keep focusing on this one thing?”
That meant he hadn’t asked.
Zhao Hong said irritably, “When is the meeting between the two families arranged? I might not even have the time to go.”
“You don’t need to go. I’ll go with her aunt.”
With that, Jiang Wentao wanted to go back to his room to be alone for a while.
Zhao Hong sneered as she watched his back. “All those people who say Jiang Yining is well-behaved must have been fooled by her. They still go around saying I’m not good to her, but she—she hasn’t even bothered to acknowledge me as her stepmother!”
“Mom, can you lower your voice?”
Zhao Jiajia came out of Jiang Yiyang’s room. “Yiyang just fell asleep.”
She didn’t like Jiang Yining either. “It’s better if you don’t go. It would just be a thankless effort.”
“You don’t understand. If I don’t go, I won’t know how much bride price they’re offering.”
Zhao Jiajia sneered. “Jiang Yining is so high and mighty. She turns down a man who could give her a house in the city center and goes for a man whose parents are both teachers.”
“How good could his family be? At best, it’s an ordinary middle-class family. How much can you expect the groom’s family to offer in terms of bride price?”
She advised Zhao Hong, “Mom, I think you should stop getting involved. Otherwise, Jiang Yining will just keep talking behind your back.”
“That thing from last time, everyone in the neighborhood knows about it. There are still people who ask me to go home and tell you to treat Jiang Yining better.”
Speaking of this matter, Zhao Jiajia was furious. “I’ve never been so embarrassed in my life. Everyone thought it was us, mother and daughter, bullying her.”
Zhao Hong cursed silently in her heart.
She had been quietly competing with Jiang Yining for years and knew best that this girl, although seemingly gentle, was actually full of malice. She was definitely not someone easy to deal with.
On the day of the meeting between both families, He Chi had booked a large private room at a five-star hotel in Lincheng. He and Jiang Yining were waiting for the others downstairs in the hotel.
When Jiang Yufang heard the news that Jiang Yining was getting married, she was stunned.
Just a few days ago, she had been helping her niece find a match. She had just identified a good candidate when she received a call from her brother.
She still hadn’t quite processed the information. In the car, she asked Jiang Wentao, “Wentao, have you met Ningning’s fiancé before?”
“She said he’s the son of her high school teacher. I remember her teacher’s last name is Lin.”
Jiang Wentao recalled the past. “In her senior year of high school, Ningning’s mom was always in the hospital for treatment, and her grades dropped significantly. It was thanks to Teacher Lin’s special care and attention that Ningning was able to get into a top-tier university.”
“Both of his parents are teachers, so I guess their son can’t be too bad either.”
“That’s not necessarily true…” Jiang Yufang paused and then added, “But I believe in Ningning’s judgment.”
“This child, why didn’t she tell us earlier?”
The taxi slowly stopped outside the hotel. Jiang Yufang eagerly began searching for Jiang Yining’s figure.
When she saw He Chi and Jiang Yining, Jiang Yufang exclaimed, “I see him! He’s really handsome, no wonder Ningning fell for him.”
He Chi was wearing a dark gray shirt today, with the sleeves slightly rolled up and paired with black dress pants. He had deliberately worn a watch, and his entire demeanor exuded a distinguished and composed air.
Standing beside him, Jiang Yining wore a light green embroidered new-style Chinese dress, and the two of them together made for quite an attractive sight.
Jiang Yufang got out of the car and saw her tall and slender niece standing next to her future nephew-in-law. She was just about at his chin.
Upon seeing them, He Chi walked forward with Jiang Yining. “Uncle Jiang, Aunt, hello, I’m He Chi.”
Before she met He Chi, Jiang Yufang had been worried, but now, her eyes seemed to shine, and her face broke into a wide smile. “Hello! Your parents are here too, right?”
“Yes, they’re in the private room waiting for us.”
Jiang Yining, standing to the side, called out, “Dad, Aunt.”
Jiang Wentao felt a bit upset that Jiang Yining hadn’t considered him, her father, but as he thought about it, he realized that he had neglected her over the years. Seeing Jiang Yining now, the irritation in his heart dissipated instantly.
“Let’s go inside, it’s hot out here.”
When Jiang Yining was facing her dad and Zhao Hong, she couldn’t help but become distant. She didn’t want that emotion to show today.
Jiang Yufang asked He Chi, “He Chi, how old are you this year? Where are you working?”
He Chi patiently answered one by one, “I’ll turn 30 just after my birthday this year.”
“I’ve just returned to Lincheng recently. I’ve opened a lounge with some friends, and I also help my aunt manage the family business.”
Both Jiang Wentao and Jiang Yufang were quite surprised and looked at He Chi. It was Jiang Yufang who asked, “What kind of business does your family run?”
“Everything, really. It’s just a small business.”
Upon hearing that it was a “small business,” Jiang Yufang lost interest and responded politely, “That’s good.”
After answering Jiang Yufang’s questions, He Chi shifted his attention to Jiang Yining, who had been quiet since her family arrived.
He matched his pace to Jiang Yining’s, lowering his voice as he said, “Don’t worry, we’re here with you.”
Jiang Yining adjusted her emotions and smiled, replying softly with a “Mm.”
He Chi then asked, “May I hold your hand?”
Jiang Yining was momentarily stunned, her eyes full of confusion as she looked at him.
He Chi gave a light cough. “Our families are all here—if we act a bit more affectionate, they’ll feel more at ease.”
Jiang Yining nodded. “That’s fine.”
Their hands slowly moved closer. The moment they touched, He Chi gently held her hand.
The last time at his parents’ house, he had instinctively taken Jiang Yining’s hand, but his mind wasn’t really on it then.
This time, as he held her hand, he clearly felt how delicate her fingers were compared to his—smooth and soft to the touch.
Inside the elevator, Jiang Wentao saw He Chi holding his daughter’s hand and couldn’t help but feel a pang of emotion.
No matter how outstanding the man might be, a father always feels like his precious daughter is being stolen away.
Jiang Wentao simply looked away, pretending not to see.
Jiang Yufang, on the other hand, grew increasingly satisfied the more she looked at He Chi. His family background was a bit ordinary, but in terms of appearance and height, there was nothing to complain about.
When the private room door opened, Teacher Lin and He Yuwen immediately stood up. Seeing the young couple walk in hand-in-hand, the couple exchanged a knowing smile.
After a round of polite greetings, the two families finally sat down properly.
He Chi pulled out a chair for Jiang Yining.
Jiang Yining softly said, “Thank you.”
She felt that the time from downstairs to the private room had dragged on unusually long. He Chi’s palm was scorching—she wondered if men’s hands were always warmer than women’s.
While Jiang Yining sat, He Chi was still busy pouring tea for her family. He was especially courteous and gentlemanly today, and truthfully, she was quite grateful that He Chi was willing to do all this in front of her family.
At the dinner table, Jiang Yufang asked when the wedding would be held.
Jiang Yining quickly responded, “Auntie, the school term is about to start, and my job is really busy right now. I’d prefer to wait a year or two before thinking about the wedding.”
Jiang Yufang didn’t quite agree. “Work is always busy—when is it ever not? But a wedding is more important.”
Teacher Lin said, “It mainly depends on Yining’s wishes. A wedding should definitely be held.”
She smiled and added, “He Chi is our only son. Being able to marry Yining is a blessing for him—we absolutely have to show her off to all our relatives and friends!”
“I’ve already asked He Chi to set aside money for the wedding expenses. On top of that, we’ll give Yining a bank card. As soon as she says she’s ready for the wedding, we’ll arrange everything immediately. We would never let her feel slighted.”
Teacher Lin first praised Jiang Yining, then gave a serious promise—backed up with concrete action.
Jiang Yufang had no objections after hearing that and was quite satisfied with He Chi’s parents’ attitude.
After saying all this, Teacher Lin gave He Chi a meaningful look.