In an instant, Ruan Yufeng's smile fell from her face. Her expression turned cold as she grabbed onto Yan Shudan's arm, her grasp tightening subconsciously. "Are you sure?"
"Absolutely!" Yan Shudan tried to catch her breath. "Ji Hanjiang told Grandma himself, and he's going to take Yan Yiren to meet his parents in the next few days!"
The mother and the daughter both felt the same at this moment.
The same kind of worry, the same kind of fear.
Girlfriend and wife were completely different statuses. The difference in the weight of their roles was stark.
One could change their girlfriend anytime, but would they do the same for their wife?
Ruan Yufeng remained silent. The severity of the situation at hand made it hard for her to come up with countermeasures at the moment. She needed some time.
Yan Shudan flung her mother's hand off and anxiously paced around. She couldn't keep still. "Mother, say something! Are you really intending to let Yan Yiren marry Ji Hanjiang before your very eyes? She will return to exact her revenge as the mistress of the Ji Family!"
"This child…" Ruan Yufeng was clearly flustered. She rarely got overwhelmed as Yan Shudan did. "She's not married to him yet!"
Yan Shudan paused for a moment, before breaking into a smile. Rushing over to grab on Ruan Yufeng's hand, she asked, "Mother, do you have a plan in mind?"
...
When the day to meet Ji Hanjiang's parents came, Yan Yiren was extremely nervous.
She got off work early and went back to her apartment to have a shower first. After changing into a new set of clothes, she sat at the vanity table, putting on her makeup carefully before straightening her hair.
When Ji Hanjiang arrived, she was looking in the full-length mirror, afraid that there was something she had missed.
"Are you ready?" With a bouquet of flowers in his hand, Ji Hanjiang leaned against the door frame. He smiled at her, seeming not intending to rush her in any way.
Yan Yiren stroked her hair shyly. "Hanjiang, do I look presentable enough to meet your parents?"
"Of course, a beauty looks beautiful no matter what she wears." Ji Hanjiang smoothly passed the flowers over to her.
Yan Yiren took the flowers and breathed in their fragrance. "Thank you."
"There's no need to be nervous. My parents are easy-going people. They won't gobble you up. Besides, don't you have me around?" Ji Hanjiang hugged her from behind, placing his chin onto her shoulder as he reassured her. The two of them gazed back at their reflections in the mirror.
Yan Yiren was still extremely nervous. After taking in a deep breath, she tilted her head slightly as she whispered softly, "This is the first time I've met my partner's parents, so…"
"There's a first time for everything. No need to be afraid. I'll be there for you every step of the way." Ji Hanjiang proceeded to give her a quick kiss on the corners of her mouth before releasing her. He then held her hand in his and asked, "Shall we go now?"
Yan Yiren pursed her lips, breaking into a slight smile. "Mn."
On the way there, Yan Yiren didn't talk much. As Ji Hanjiang talked to her, he could feel just how nervous she was.
Unable to decide if he wanted to laugh or cry, he grabbed onto her hand, bringing it to his lips and giving it a peck. "Don't be nervous. I already said my parents won't gobble you up. You still have me by your side."
He looked at her. She was so nervous that even her palms were breaking out in cold sweat.
Yan Yiren lowered her head. "I don't wish to be nervous either, but I just can't control it…"
At the tinge of grievance in her words, Ji Hanjiang paused, feeling a sense of comfort.
Being nervous meant that she was worried about her performance later on, worried about what kind of first impression she would make on his parents.
Making a good first impression would be the first step to success. The fact that she was nervous meant that this meeting was of great importance to her.
It also indirectly meant that she cared a lot about him, which was why she cared so much about getting approval from his parents.
At the thought of that, Ji Hanjiang felt a great sense of comfort. With his right hand, he held onto her hand, hoping to give her strength.
Once they reached the entrance to the hotel, Ji Hanjiang held onto her hand, helping her out of the car. He didn't rush her but instead whispered into her ear, "Are you ready?"