Chapter 99: The Xiang Family Old Residence

Zhou Zhou Huimin stood in the center of the private room, took a deep breath, and let her gaze sweep sequentially over Xiang Sheng, Xiang Xiang Huaqiang, Zhang Min, and Lady Xiang.

"Uncle Qiang, Auntie, Younger Uncle, Younger Auntie..." Her voice was slightly tight, but every word was clear.

"Whoosh—" The private room instantly erupted into an uproar.

"Good, good, good!" Xiang Xiang Huaqiang was the first to rush forward.

Lady Xiang immediately wiped away tears, pulling Zhou Zhou Huimin close: "Good child... good child..."

Zhang Min smiled teasingly: "Ah Min, you certainly can't skip the fee for changing how you address us; we'll have to prepare big red envelopes!"

Xiang Sheng stood to the side; though he said nothing, the smile at the corner of his mouth was impossible to hide as he raised his wine cup: "Come, let's drink to Ah Fei and Ah Min!"

Everyone cheered and clinked glasses, while Cheng Long even started heckling: "No going home sober tonight! Ah Fei, don't show up to meet the elders tomorrow with a hangover!"

Xiang Fei shook his head with a smile, yet his heart felt warmly scalding.

After returning to the villa, Zhou Zhou Huimin leaned against Xiang Fei's chest, her fingers gently tracing the lines of his palm.

"Were you happy today?" she asked, looking up.

Xiang Fei lowered his head to kiss the crown of her hair: "Happy, but tomorrow is the real test."

Zhou Zhou Huimin chuckled softly: "What, afraid your grandfather won't be satisfied with me?"

"No," Xiang Fei shook his head, holding her tighter, "I'm afraid that I myself... am not good enough."

Zhou Zhou Huimin heard the unease in his words, turned to sit on his lap, cupped his face, and said seriously: "Ah Fei, you are already very good."

Xiang Fei's eyes darkened; he gripped her waist, turned her over, and pressed her down onto the sofa: "Then let me become a little better..."

Early the next morning, Xiang Fei brought Zhou Zhou Huimin to the Xiang Family Old Residence. As soon as they entered, they saw the Old Master seated upright in a rosewood armchair, with Xiang Yan and the Wu couple standing on either side.

"Grandfather, Father, Mother," Xiang Fei called out respectfully.

Zhou Zhou Huimin followed suit with a well-behaved greeting: "Greetings, Grandfather Xiang; greetings, Uncle and Auntie."

The Old Master squinted as he sized up Zhou Zhou Huimin, then suddenly spoke: "Girl, come over here and let me take a look."

Zhou Zhou Huimin walked forward somewhat nervously; the Old Master took her hand, examined her closely for a moment, and suddenly smiled: "Good, you are a girl blessed with good fortune."

Xiang Yan also rarely showed a smile: "Ah Fei has good eyesight."

Mother Wu directly pulled Zhou Zhou Huimin's hand: "Ah Min, if Ah Fei ever bullies you in the future, just tell Auntie Wu; I'll help you teach him a lesson!"

Xiang Fei was torn between laughter and tears: "Mother, how would I dare?"

The Old Master suddenly coughed once, and everyone immediately fell silent.

"Ah Fei," the Old Master said in a deep voice, "since you have decided to start a family, you must act like someone who has started a family."

Xiang Fei straightened his back: "Grandfather, I will."

"Mm," the Old Master nodded, then looked at Zhou Zhou Huimin, "Girl, although our Xiang family is somewhat complicated, we will never mistreat our own. From now on, this is your home."

Zhou Zhou Huimin's eyes turned slightly red: "Thank you, Grandfather."

Father Wu interjected at the right moment: "Alright, alright, on such a joyous day, let's not speak of such serious matters. Ah Min, come taste the dim sum Auntie Wu made; Ah Fei loved eating it most when he was small!"

At the dining table, Mother Wu kept serving food to Zhou Zhou Huimin: "Ah Min, eat more; you are so thin, it won't be easy to bear children in the future."

"Cough, cough!" Xiang Fei nearly choked on his soup: "Mother, that's still a long way off..."

Mother Wu glared at him: "Long way off what? How old are you already?"

Xiang Yan rarely agreed: "Indeed, we should hurry this along."

Zhou Zhou Huimin lowered her head to eat, her face flushed red, while Xiang Fei held her hand under the table and gave it a gentle squeeze.

Watching this scene, the Old Master nodded in satisfaction: "Ah Fei, since things are settled, arrange the wedding soon. As for the betrothal gifts, let your Uncle Qiang prepare them."

Xiang Fei nodded: "Good, I will follow Grandfather's instructions."

After the meal, Xiang Yan called Xiang Fei aside alone: "Ah Fei, Father has something to say to you."

The two walked into the courtyard; Xiang Yan remained silent for a moment before speaking: "Do you... hate me?"

Xiang Fei shook his head: "I stopped hating you long ago."

"Father," Xiang Fei interrupted him, "let the past remain in the past. Now I have you all, and that is enough."

Xiang Yan's eyes turned slightly red as he heavily patted his son's shoulder: "Good lad!"

When leaving the old residence, Zhou Zhou Huimin asked curiously: "Ah Fei, what did your father just say to you?"

Xiang Fei smiled: "He said to treat you well, otherwise he'll break my legs."

Zhou Zhou Huimin burst out laughing: "Liar!"

Xiang Fei pulled her into his embrace and whispered in her ear: "He also said... for us to give him a grandson soon."

Zhou Zhou Huimin, shy, pounded his chest: "Who wants to bear your children!"

"Oh?" Xiang Fei raised an eyebrow, "Then who was it last night saying... mmm..."

Zhou Zhou Huimin quickly covered his mouth: "Don't say it!"

Under the setting sun, their shadows stretched long, leaning tightly against each other as if they could never be separated again.