Chapter 22: The Second Bloom

Her father did seem to like Mr. Qi quite a bit.

He only asked a few basic questions about his family and didn’t continue further, merely encouraging Zhixian to eat more.

Qi Yanjing kept putting food into her bowl, telling her to eat up.

The meal went smoothly overall, just as Mr. Qi had said — as long as he liked someone, his parents would accept them.

When they were leaving, his parents gave her a large red envelope. It was quite thick and larger than an ordinary one, almost bursting at the seams. She didn’t fully understand the custom and initially declined it.

“There’s no way a girl wouldn’t get a red envelope on her first visit. Take it,” Qi Yusheng chuckled.

Today, even his son had asked him not to be too stern, so he naturally softened up, talking a bit more than usual.

Besides, he was quite satisfied with this future daughter-in-law.

Wen Zhixian looked at Qi Yanjing as if to ask: Is this a tradition? Is it really necessary?

Qi Yanjing nodded. “Yes, it’s essential.”

Only then did she accept it.

The Qi parents saw them off at the door, watching as their car drove away.

Not even a few minutes later, an Aston Martin pulled up at the house. A young man stepped out of the car.

Qi Yusheng nodded slightly, saying, “Just left.”

“I passed by them on the road, saw his car,” the man smirked. “And he really didn’t mention me at all?”

Tan Ruigu chuckled. “Even the housekeeper got a day off today. You’re too noticeable; no way he’d mention you.”

—

The two returned home. Wen Zhixian was changing her shoes by the door when the red envelope accidentally slipped from her hand and fell to the floor with a loud thud.

She picked it up and placed it on the table.

“I’m going to take a shower first.”

Qi Yanjing acknowledged with a nod, then went to the fridge, took out some fruit, peeled, sliced, and plated it. He had just finished setting the table when Zhixian came out, fresh from her shower.

He glanced at Zhixian, her hair up in a messy bun, and set the fruit platter on the living room table. “I cut up some fruit; have some.”

After he went to the bathroom, Wen Zhixian turned her attention to the fruit platter, picking up a piece of mango with a fork and taking a bite.

Her phone lit up on the table. It was a message from Qin Zhaoli: “Are you off work?”

She replied: “I’m already home.”

There was no response from Qin Zhaoli, but two minutes later, the doorbell rang, and the monitor screen showed Qin Zhaoli and Song Kairui standing outside.

She quickly opened the door.

“Zhaoli, Kairui,” she greeted them with a wave and stepped aside to let them in.

“Everything okay?” Song Kairui had come to check on her after hearing that she had run into Gu Yuchen earlier.

“I’m fine, all good.”

The three of them sat down on the sofa, and Song Kairui chuckled. “That line you gave Gu Yuchen today must have driven him mad.”

No one else might understand Gu Yuchen’s possessiveness, but they sure did.

“The person who played along with you today — was that the same Mr. Qi you had lunch with before?” Song Kairui asked.

Wen Zhixian nodded. “It was him.”

“He’s pretty considerate; even bought you popsicles to help with the swelling. Did you tell him to act like that, or is he always this attentive?” It was almost over the top.

She couldn’t help but smile. “There’s no acting here.”

After all, they were legally married.

“Well, Gu Yuchen doesn’t compare to him, that’s for sure.”

Qin Zhaoli glanced at the fruit platter on the table. “You’re relaxed enough to have a fruit platter — guess there’s nothing to worry about.”

Wen Zhixian’s gaze also fell on the fruit platter. “I didn’t cut it.”

Just then, they heard the sound of the bathroom door closing. Song Kairui looked puzzled. “Is there someone else here? Your parents?”

“Could it be Gu Yuchen?” Qin Zhaoli was stunned.

“No, it’s me…” she started to say, but Qi Yanjing’s voice interrupted her.

Qi Yanjing walked over in his pajamas, calling out, “Zhixian, I helped you with your clothes…” washing them.

He stopped mid-sentence when he noticed the two unexpected guests in their home — they must be the friends Zhixian had mentioned earlier, Qin Zhaoli and Song Kairui.

Qin Zhaoli and Song Kairui stared at Qi Yanjing in shock. Qin Zhaoli slowly raised a finger, pointing at Qi Yanjing, then looked at Wen Zhixian.

Song Kairui suddenly laughed, “Wow, talk about dedication.”

Wen Zhixian motioned for Qi Yanjing to come over, and he sat beside her. She introduced him to them, “I hadn’t told you yet; this is my husband, Qi Yanjing. We weren’t acting today, and it wasn’t to provoke Gu Yuchen. This is all real.”

Their faces were a mixture of shock and surprise.

She pointed to the large red envelope on the table. “We’re officially married, and I’ve already met his parents.”

Their gaze fell on the envelope, and now they believed her — she wasn’t joking.

“Hello, I’m Qi Yanjing,” he introduced himself.

Neither of them spoke, just examined him with critical eyes.

Qin Zhaoli asked, “Did Uncle Wen and Aunt Shen agree?”

“They’ve agreed, for now.”

If her parents had approved, he must have some impressive qualities.

“Zhixian, why? Weren’t you being a bit impulsive?” Qin Zhaoli still felt she may have been too hasty. Marriage was no small matter.

If it were just about money, that was one thing. But there’s always a risk of someone taking advantage of both money and affection — or worse.

Zhixian had barely mentioned Qi Yanjing before, only bringing him up briefly in recent days, so they couldn’t have known each other for long.

“When I was impulsive, he stopped me. I was fully aware of what I was doing.” She admitted she had her reasons, but at least they were thought-out.

Qin Zhaoli turned to Qi Yanjing, “We’re not trying to make this hard for you. It’s just all happening so fast, especially now.”

Qi Yanjing replied, “I understand.”

His demeanor was impressive, but since they hadn’t met him before, it was natural to worry about their friend’s future.

“What do you do? How old are you? What does your family do?” Qin Zhaoli asked in rapid succession.

“I’m a university lecturer, 28. My family runs a small business, though my parents are mostly retired now.” Hopefully, this was the last time he’d need to answer.

After getting a feel for him, Song Kairui asked just one question, “Would you ever hit someone?”

Qin Zhaoli laughed, “Who are you testing him against?”

“Gu Yuchen, obviously.”

Qi Yanjing replied, “If it were like that guy at lunch, I would.”

That unprincipled ex, who bites back at everyone he encounters.

“One last question,” Song Kairui added. “Do you have any sentimental items, like keepsakes from an ex?”

“No, I don’t.”

Song Kairui shrugged, indicating he was out of questions. Although he couldn’t be sure Qi Yanjing’s answers were entirely true, his impression of him today was positive.

He checked his watch, “It’s getting late. You guys should rest. We’ll head out.”

They walked them to the door, but Qin Zhaoli and Song Kairui waved them off, and after watching them step into the elevator, Wen Zhixian and Qi Yanjing closed the door and went back inside.

In the elevator, Song Kairui sighed, “Gu Yuchen’s done for.”

“You almost sound a bit sorry for him.”

“Maybe a little. It’s satisfying but sad too. Yuchen truly liked Zhixian, but holding on to those mementos hurt the people around him. This ending is exactly what he brought on himself.”