Chapter 196

Jiang Family.

The overhead chandelier light gently fell onto the fitting room below.

Shen Ningmu stood before the dressing mirror, her fingertips lightly brushing the hem of her ivory dress.

The ornaments on the skirt swayed slightly with her movements, like moonlight scattered across the floor.

She tilted her head to appraise her reflection in the mirror, her brows and eyes gentle, yet she couldn't help furrowing her brow.

Shen Ningmu couldn't help reaching out to tug at Jiang Su's arm beside her, her tone carrying an undisguised urgency: "Take another look—is this outfit too plain? Should I change into something more formal?"

Saying that, she turned and took a few haute couture gowns from the nearby rack, holding them up before her, her eyes full of consideration.

"After all, this is the first time the two families are formally gathering together for a meal—it's no small matter!"

The two families have gotten together before.

But most of the time it was just sitting briefly with the elders at the old residence, or catching a glimpse during a holiday.

Moreover, the children from the several families have all grown up, so it's even rarer for everyone to be together.

Unlike this time, which is a proper gathering to share a reunion meal!

Jiang Su wore a well-tailored suit, his posture upright, the usual businesslike aura he carried in the mall having softened considerably.

"Looks good, wife—you're beautiful just like this."

He reached out and patted the back of his wife's hand, smiling reassuringly: "Youbao is sensible; she won't care about these things. Wife, don't be too nervous—just treat it like a casual family meal."

"Casual family meal?"

Shen Ningmu heard this, gave him an annoyed glance, and lightly draped the gown over her arm: "How can it be the same? This concerns the lifelong happiness of our A Jin and A Yu!"

"We can't let them think the Jiang Family doesn't keep Youbao in our hearts."

She had a general understanding of the temperaments of the Mu and Song families.

Both families are reasonable; even if she dressed plainly, they would certainly not say anything.

But the words and deeds, attire and appearance of Jiang Ye Ye, Jiang Su, herself, and Jiang Liangjin.

Which of them doesn't affect the impression Jiang Liangjin leaves in the hearts of the Mu and Song family elders?

Jiang Su had always doted on her; hearing this, he quickly nodded in agreement, his tone full of indulgence: "Okay, okay, okay, I'll listen to you! Whatever you wear looks good—even if you just draped a piece of cloth, to me it's the loveliest."

The two were speaking when Jiang Liangjin pushed the door open and entered.

The youth wore a white shirt, his frame tall and slender.

His wine-red hair was carefully styled, with a few strands falling over his forehead, partially obscuring his deep eyes.

Only a faint arc remained at the corner of his lips, clear-cut and noble.

Upon seeing her son, Shen Ningmu's eyes lit up instantly; she hurried forward and circled around him.

She nodded satisfiedly: "Not bad, not bad—my son is handsome; he'll surely leave a good impression on both families."

Jiang Su also stepped forward, patted his son's shoulder, eyes full of pride: "Mm, he has the bearing I had when I was young—quite the striking figure."

Jiang Liangjin didn't respond, merely deepening the curve of his lips a bit more.

His gaze swept over the corner of the living room, he nodded to the servant waiting there: "Let's go."

The servant promptly stepped forward, carefully lifting the neatly stacked twenty-something gift boxes on the table.

These were prepared at Jiang Liangjin's specific instruction.

He had considered the Mu and Song family elders, their brothers, even the Mu family's maidservants, and even glutinous rice.

Except the servants' gifts were the same.

Each gift box was meticulously selected according to each person's preferences, so flawless that not a single fault could be found.

Seeing this, Shen Ningmu exchanged a smile with Jiang Su, the tension between her brows easing considerably: "All right, let's go!"

Just as the three reached the living room, they saw Jiang Ye Ye seated firmly on the sofa.

The elder wore a dark blue Tang suit, his hair combed immaculately.

Although he was already in his seventies, he remained spirited and alert.

He lifted his eyes to Jiang Liangjin, scrutinizing him carefully before giving a slow nod: "When you arrive at the Mu Family, listen more and speak less; observe propriety thoroughly! Stay close to A Yu and don't let her suffer the slightest grievance."

"Understood, Grandfather." Jiang Liangjin nodded in agreement, his tone solemn.

He understood all these principles.

Jiang Su glanced at the time and said: "It's about time; let's head out, don't keep them waiting."

Led by Jiang Ye Ye, the group proceeded toward the door in unison.

The driver at the door had been waiting a long time; seeing them come out, he hurried forward to open the car door.

Jiang Ye Ye boarded first, followed closely by Jiang Su and Shen Ningmu.

Jiang Liangjin was the last to get in; before sitting down, he instinctively glanced toward the Mu Family's direction, his eyes full of gentle smiles.

The car proceeded smoothly all the way.

Shen Ningmu sat in the car, still quietly urging Jiang Liangjin: "When we get to the Mu Family, spend more time with A Yu and proactively greet the elders!"

"Given A Yu's personality, she'll likely pull you to sit beside her!"

"On her other side, it will most likely be either her grandfather or A Xie!"

"Remember to help her with more of the pastries A Yu..."

Jiang Liangjin listened patiently, nodding occasionally in acknowledgment.

Jiang Su watched his wife and child like this, couldn't help chuckling, and lightly patted Shen Ningmu's hand: "All right, stop nagging—A Jin knows what to do; he won't make a mistake."

Jiang Ye Ye also glanced at his own grandson in the rearview mirror, his aged eyes smiling as he spoke slowly: "It's right to give this some weight, and there are those few brothers—though they seem hard to get along with…"

"But they're all protecting A Yu, so don't clash with them head-on; just go along with their wishes, especially Song LuXiao!"

"Dad's right!"

Shen Ningmu immediately agreed, as if she had found an ally, then sighed, her tone tinged with a hint of regret.

"If only Mu Youyu's parents would come back, then I could still say more good things about A Jin in front of these two people."

"The Jiang, Mu, and Song families have always been close friends, with deep affection."

"Mu's mother was the cherished young lady of the Song Family."

"Shen Ningmu is the young lady of the Shen family; she has known Mu's mother since kindergarten, and they are now close friends of many years."

"Back then, she watched Mu's mother and Mu's father get to know each other and fall in love."

"Later, Mu Youyu and Jiang Liangjin grew up together; their innocent childhood closeness made her early on decide in her heart that this would be her daughter-in-law!"

"But later, those two went out to have fun wildly; besides that one meeting at the public banquet, the few of them sat down and had a chat."

"After that, they never saw each other again."

"She even forgot to have Mu's mother, in person, say some good words about her own son to the Mu and Song families!"

"Jiang Ye Ye naturally knows, but……"

""I just recently met with Mu's old gentleman, and he protects Mu Youyu very closely!""

""Speaking of this, he let out a light sigh, "I'm always worried that this brat A Jin will bully his precious granddaughter! He even wants to go back on the arranged marriage that was passed down!""

""Jiang Liangjin: "……""

"He naturally knows Mu's grandfather's thoughts."

"That person looks kind and benevolent, but when protecting Youbao, they are utterly unyielding."

"From childhood onward, whenever he sees him getting close to Youbao, the old man always manages to separate them without showing any emotion."

""He keeps muttering, "Children should not always stick together.""

"Now that they have grown up, that wariness is all the more obvious, for fear that he will abduct their precious granddaughter."