Chapter 99: The Xiang Family Old Residence

Zhou Huimin stood in the center of the private room, took a deep breath, and her gaze swept in turn over Xiang Sheng, Xiang Qiang, Zhang Min, and Xiang Tai.

"Uncle Qiang, Auntie, Uncle, Auntie..." Her voice was a little tight, but every word was clear.

"Wow—" The private room instantly erupted.

"Good, good, good!" Xiang Qiang rushed forward first,

Xiang Tai directly wiped her tears and pulled Zhou Huimin over: "Good child... good child..."

Zhang Min teased with a smile: "Ah Min, you can't skip out on the address-changing fee, we'll have to prepare a big red envelope!"

Xiang Sheng stood to one side. Though he said nothing, the smile at the corner of his mouth couldn't be hidden. He raised his glass: "Come, a toast to Ah Fei and Ah Min!"

The crowd cheered and clinked glasses. Cheng Long egged them on even more: "Tonight we don't stop until we're drunk! Ah Fei, don't show up hungover when you meet the parents tomorrow!"

Xiang Fei smiled and shook his head, but his heart felt warm enough to scald.

After returning to the villa, Zhou Huimin leaned into Xiang Fei's embrace, her fingers gently tracing the lines on his palm.

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

Xiang Fei lowered his head and kissed the top of her hair: "Happy, but tomorrow is the real test."

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

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

Zhou Huimin caught the unease in his words, flipped over to sit on his lap, cupped his face, and said seriously: "Ah Fei, you're already plenty good."

Xiang Fei's gaze darkened. He gripped her waist, flipped her over, and pressed her onto the sofa: "Then let me be a little better..."

Early the next morning, Xiang Fei brought Zhou Huimin to the Xiang family old residence. Just as they entered, they saw the old master sitting upright in a grand armchair, with Xiang Yan and the Wu couple standing on either side.

"Grandfather, Dad, Mom." Xiang Fei called out respectfully.

Zhou Huimin followed obediently with her greetings: "Hello, Grandfather Xiang, hello Uncle and Auntie."

The old master squinted as he sized up Zhou Huimin, then suddenly spoke: "Girl, come here and let me have a look."

Zhou Huimin walked forward a little nervously. The old master took her hand, studied her carefully for a moment, then suddenly smiled: "Good, she's a blessed girl."

Xiang Yan also showed a rare smile: "Ah Fei has good taste."

Wu's mother went straight for Zhou Huimin's hand: "Ah Min, from now on if Ah Fei bullies you, just tell Auntie Wu, I'll teach him a lesson for you!"

Xiang Fei couldn't tell whether to laugh or cry: "Mom, 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've decided to start a family, you must look the part of someone starting a family."

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

"Mm," the old master nodded, then looked at Zhou Huimin, "Girl, although our Xiang family is a bit complicated, we will never treat our own people poorly. From now on, this is your home."

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

Wu's father chimed in at the right moment: "Alright, alright, on such a happy day, let's not say such serious things. Ah Min, come try the pastries Auntie Wu made—Ah Fei has loved them since he was little!"

At the dining table, Wu's mother kept serving Zhou Huimin dishes: "Ah Min, eat more, you're so thin, having a baby won't be easy later on."

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

Wu's mother glared at him: "Long way off? How old are you?

Xiang Yan rarely chimed in: "Indeed, it's time to get moving."

Zhou Huimin ate with a blushing face, head lowered. Under the table, Xiang Fei held her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.

The old master watched this scene and nodded with satisfaction: "Ah Fei, since it's decided, arrange the wedding soon. As for the betrothal gifts, let your Uncle Qiang handle the preparations."

Xiang Fei nodded: "Alright, I'll listen to Grandfather."

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

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

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

"Dad," Xiang Fei cut him off, "let the past stay in the past. Now I have all of you, and that's enough."

Xiang Yan's eyes reddened slightly. He gave his son's shoulder a heavy pat: "Good lad!"

As they left the old residence, Zhou Huimin asked curiously: "Ah Fei, what did your dad just say to you?"

Xiang Fei smiled: "He said to treat you well, or else he'd break my legs."

Zhou Huimin burst out laughing: "Liar!"

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

Zhou Huimin, blushing, pounded his chest: "Who's going to have your baby!"

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

Zhou Huimin quickly covered his mouth: "You're not allowed to say it!"

Under the setting sun, the two shadows stretched long, leaning close together as if they could never be parted again.