After the "commotion", Zhang Yixing ended up taking a cold shower. Then, the two of them prepped themselves up to visit Elder Zhou in the suburbs just as they planned.
Zhou Yuexi donned a blue Maxi dress and doll shoes while Zhang Yixing wore a polo of the same color as Zhou Yuexi's dress and white pants. They dressed up comfortably as they were not going to anywhere public.
They decided to bring groceries with them as Zhou Yuexi wanted to personally cook for her grandfather. And of course, they didn't forget to bring Zhang Yixing's gift for the elder.
The whole ride from Regal Palace to the Zhou Family Villa, the two were awkwardly quiet. They can't come up with anything to talk about as they were both thinking of the events that transpired earlier that morning.
The one hour ride felt like eternity to them but soon enough, they reached the Zhou Family Villa.
Zhou Yuexi heaved a breath of relief when the car finally stopped. The moment the door lock was lifted, she didn't wait for Zhang Yixing to go out and open the door for her like he usually does. She quickly got out of the car and sprinted towards the house.
She acted as if she was being burned inside the car and the Elder's house was a big block of ice that can soothe the heat she felt. Ironically enough, the real living big block of ice is the one with her inside the car, the Ice King Zhang Yixing.
On the other hand, Zhang Yixing just shook his head on his wife's antics and carried the stuff they brought over inside the house.
Just as Zhang Yixing reached the door, he could already hear the old man's voice chastising his granddaughter. The old man was in the living room reading a book when his granddaughter popped up on his line of sight. He had a scare and castigated Zhou Yuexi for it, hence the scene that he arrived to.
"You brat! You almost killed me! Why are you hear alone? Where is your husband?", Elder Zhou interrogated Zhou Yuexi.
"Is this really how you great your precious granddaughter?", Zhou Yuexi said while acting as if she was hurt. "I made sure to come here and visit you then I find out I'm not even the one you are looking for."
Elder Zhou just gave a Zhou Yuexi an unbelieving look, not buying her act. "Where is he?"
Zhou Yuexi pouted at her grandfather but quickly pursdd her lips as she was reminded of what happened earlier that morning. "I left him in the car. He can walk by himself.", she answered.
"You heartless brat! You should have waited for him! That's not how a wife should be. Tsk! Tsk! When your grandmother was still alive, she always made sure she waits for me and is always by my side. You should be like her.", the old man lectured.
After saying his piece, the old man noticed Zhang Yixing's presence. Zhang Yixing bowed to him and he answered him with a slight nod as acknowledgement then looked back to his his granddaughter who was making a fuss.
"But I'm sure you never bully grandma. He bullies me!", Zhou Yuexi whined like a child robbed of her candy.
Zhang Yixing who was watching at the doorway felt wronged at her accusation.
When Elder Zhou heard his granddaughter's complaint, he quickly shot Zhang Yixing a questioning look that meant "You better explain young man!".
"I didn't. She's the one who bullied me, grandfather.", Zhang Yixing denied as he strutted towards them.
Elder Zhou then eyed his granddaughter again. "You better explain yourself young lady.", he threatened.
Zhang Yixing placed the paper bags he was carrying on the coffee table and walked towards his wife.
Zhou Yuexi questioningly glared at Zhang Yixing. "Just when did I bully you?! I never did!", she defended her self.
"You want me to recall you of what happened this morning?", Zhang Yixing raised a brow at her. "Do you know how painful it was to soak on an ice cold shower so early in the morning?"
Zhou Yuexi blushed at Zhang Yixing's words. She couldn't believe that he had the gall to bring that up in front of her grandfather.
Elder Zhou on the other hand, chuckled as he kind of had a gist of what the two youngsters were talking about. He couldn't help but feel pity for his grandson-in-law. He understood the struggle that the young man went through so he let go of the topic and lead them to the dining room for breakfast.
"Stop quarrelling. Come along, let's have breakfast.", he invited.
...
After their sumptuous meal, they elderly lead the couple to the living room.
"Have a seat.", he said as he pointed at the sofa. Zhou Yuexi complied and Zhang sat beside her.
"Right, grandfather. I prepared a gift for you.", Zhang Yixing said as he reached for one of the paper bags he placed at the coffee table earlier.
The old man beamed when he heard his grandson-in-law prepared something for him. "What is it?", he excitedly asked.
Zhang Yixing handed a box over to Elder Zhou and said, "Xiao Yuexi mentioned that you like making tea so I got you a set of premium grade pu-erh tea. I also heard that it's good for people with heart disease, so I especially picked it for you. I hope you like it.".
"This boy knows sure knows how to please his elders.", he praised Zhang Yixing in his mind.
Elder Zhou laughed in delight. "You didn't have to get me anything. But since you already did, who am I to reject such thoughtful gift.", he said.
"I'm glad that you like it.", Zhang Yixing smiled. "If there's anything else that you specifically want, please do let me know so I can get it for you."
"Ah... It's so nice to have a capable grandson who's willing to dote on me.", Elder Zhou gleefully remarked then looked at Zhou Yuexi with a sneer.
Zhou Yuexi who was suddenly targeted by her grandfather was confused with the kind of look she received. "What?", she asked.
"Cough... Unlike a granddaughter who didn't even bother to get me anything.", Elder continued as he rolled his eyes on his granddaughter.
She was stupefied at her grandfather's comment. She couldn't believe that he would hold it against her that she didn't buy him a gift when her husband did. He was never a demanding person it was as if he turned a new leaf and became one all of a sudden.
"You never asked for anything!", Zhou Yuexi asserted. "And just in case you forgot, it was I who suggested the idea of giving you tea."
Elder Zhou shook his head in contest. "And in case you don't understand my point, you just thought of it while my boy here got it for me. It's two different things.", he pettily argued. He sighed, putting on a pity act, "I can never force you to do things you're not willing to do anyway. And you're right, I didn't ask for anything."
Zhou Yuexi bit her grandfather's act and felt guilty that she didn't get him anything. She was aware that even the smallest gift would have sufficed, all she needed to do was give him one and he would surely appreciate it with all his heart since it came from his only family.
Just as she was about to promise she would definitely prepare something the next time they visited, Zhang Yixing interrupted her.
"Actually grandfather, Xiao Xi here have something for you.", he said then took out a small box from one of the paper bags in the table and handed them to the elder.
Elder Zhou was surprised to know that there was another gift for him. "What is this?", he asked.
"It's a jade bracelet. When we were shopping, we happened to pass by this jewelry store and Xiao Xi immediately thought of you when she saw this so she got it for you.", Zhang Yixing expounded.
Elder Zhou knew from the frown on Zhou Yuexi's face that Zhang Yixing was lying in order to save his wife. He wasn't really upset that Zhou Yuexi didn't buy him a gift as he knew best that Zhou Yuexi likes to give hand made presents. He was just testing if there was any progress in their relationship and he was glad to know that there's already a foundation that made Zhang Yixing shield his granddaughter from his scolding.
Even though, Zhang Yixing deliberately dared to lie in his face, he let it slide as knew that he only did it for Zhou Yuexi's sake. He actually applauds Zhang Yixing's protectiveness over his wife for it was what he asked him to do, and seeing that he lived up to his words made him favor Zhang Yixing more. It made him feel that his decision to hand his granddaughter over to him was not something to regret.
"Good thing that I picked someone that would protect Xiao Yuexi. I can finally rest assured that even if I leave this world Xiao Yuexi would not be alone.", he sighed in relief.
But of course he wouldn't tolerate blatant lies so he hinted, "It's really fine, you didn't have to give such expensive gift to me. I understand that Yue Er wouldn't buy me a gift, she prefers giving personally made gifts.", letting Zhang Yixing know that he didn't buy his lie but not in a conspicuous way.
"Still, thanks for the gift. I love it.", the old man said while putting on the jade bracelet on his wrist.
Zhou Yuexi who was confused with all the twists and turns, then understood what her grandfather just did. He wanted to test Zhang Yixing's protectiveness over her and Zhou Yuexi was surprised that he was willing to go through any lengths just to save her sorry ass.
With this, Zhang Yixing's image in Zhou Yuexi's heart got a whole lot better. His action made him a more reliable person that she wants to depend on.
Zhou Yuexi didn't notice that she was staring fondly at her husband with a slight smile on her lips. She wasn't saying anything but her admiration for Zhang Yixing was written all over her face.
Zhang Yixing glanced at his wife only to find her crushing on him. Though he didn't want to show it, he liked the feeling of having his wife admire him. It was like Zhou Yuexi's acknowledgement is the only thing that matters, even if everybody else don't find him and his actions acceptable as long as Zhou Yuexi approves of it, he's fine with it.
He was so glad for Zhou Yuexi's appreciation that a smile crept out of his lips.
When he did so, Zhou Yuexi felt that he became even more handsome in her eyes. Zhou Yuexi found it unjust so she complained in her mind, "How could he be more handsome when he already outrageously is?! Life's just so unfair!"
She suddenly felt worried when she remembered a problem. "It's most likely that there's someone eyeing him. What if she's a very beautiful, graceful, charming and fine rich lady? What if they try to capture his heart.", she thought.
"No, no, he married me. He's married to me now. He's mine, no one else's.", she assured her self. "If there's someone who would try to steal him, I'll just eliminate them. Right, I'll do that. No one tries to get what's mine and gets away with it."
Zhang Yixing was watching his wife having an internal conversation with her self and couldn't help but be dumbstruck with her beauty. Her quick changing expressions never failed to steal his attention and make him stop whatever he's and doing end up staring at her.
Zhou Yuexi inched in closer to her husband, held unto Zhang Yixing's arms and looked at him intently. "Thank you darling.", she mouthed.
"Only for you.", Zhang Yixing answered.
"Really?", Zhou Yuexi made sure.
Zhang Yixing removed Zhou Yuexi's hands on him then snaked his arms on her waist, pulled her closer and placed a kiss on the top of her head. "I'm all yours darling. In this lifetime, you are the only one I'm willing to do anything for. No one else gets this awesome privilege, so treasure it.", he whispered.
"Conceited.", she commented. "Thank you though. I'm also yours, so your quite privileged as well."
Zhang Yixing just chortled at his wife's words and nestled his head on Zhou Yuexi's head, getting intoxicated by her hair's scent.
The two were too engrossed in their own world that they seem to have forgotten Elder Zhou who was with them, sitting in the sofa across them, watching as they acted all lovey-dovey.
"These rascals! If they wanted to be affectionate and all, they shouldn't have come here and shove it to my face.", the old man complained in his mind as he choked on the dog food shoved into his mouth. "At least they're progressing quite well, and fast at that."