"My grandfather, sister and my parents should be back by tomorrow at the latest. You're going to meet the parents," Shi Nian suddenly informed. The dumpling Yun Nan had picked up with her chopsticks fell onto the table.
Shi Nian secretly laughed to himself, but his expression remained unchanged as he said, "My brother and sister-in-law are in the army, so they don't come home often; they barely get to visit twice a year. My parents travel all over the world, so they… also hardly return home. Only my sister and I are home to keep Grandpa company. Actually, it's mainly my sister who keeps Grandpa company since she's still a student and has more free time."
"We'll go to the airport to pick Grandpa up tomorrow," Shi Nian said casually.
"Oh, okay," Yun Nan answered. She picked up another dumpling and quickly adjusted her mindset. 'Looks like the probation period with Shi Nian is over. It's time to officially start my role as his wife.'
"Can you tell me what they like so that I can cater to their preferences? After all, our agreement states I have to act as your wife for five years. I have to keep Grandpa happy and not let your family hate me," Yun Nan stated, having immediately switched to work mode.
Shi Nian glanced at her. 'She's really dedicated!' he thought, but somehow he felt a little unhappy. "My grandfather likes an online artist called Xi Jin," Shi Nian revealed as he stared at Yun Nan without batting an eyelid.
Yun Nan was momentarily surprised before she smiled and said, "Okay, I got it!"
"My sister is a fan of your work and your looks," Shi Nian imparted, a little annoyed. Yun Nan didn't pay his tone any mind and stroked her face. "Alright, I lucked out there. What a convenient thing it is to be able to use my appearance to impress a little girl."
Shi Nian bemusedly looked at Yun Nan. 'Does she hear what she's saying?' Aware that she had misspoken, Yun Nan quickly asked, "And what about Aunt and Uncle Shi?"
"You should refer to them as Mom and Dad," Shi Nian corrected her and waved the wedding ring on his finger at her. Yun Nan hurriedly nodded. "Oh-oh, right. I forgot. What gifts should I prepare for them?"
Shi Nian glanced at her unhappily and told her, "There's no need for that. It'll be fine if you just say you like whatever gifts they give you."
Yun Nan opened her mouth to speak, but Shi Nian interrupted her, "So long as you don't break character, and call them mom and dad, they'll be so happy that they'll be on cloud nine."
Yun Nan nodded repeatedly and noted his advice while inwardly thinking about what she needed to prepare.
Meanwhile, Fang Xi had just gotten off work. She parked her car and headed toward the residential building with her keys twirled around her finger as she listened to her assistant speak on the phone. She accidentally bumped into a man who was also on the phone coming in from the other direction.
Fang Xi's key and the cardboard box the man was holding fell to the ground.
"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry," Fang Xi hung up and quickly apologized. She bent down to help pick up the cardboard box. The lid of the box fell off, and Fang Xi was surprised to see a little puppy with black and white markings inside the box.
"I'm sorry for bumping into you," Ye Kun also quickly apologized.
"Oh? It's you!" Ye Kun lifted the cardboard box into his arms and was pleasantly surprised when he straightened up and saw Fang Xi.
Now that she had a proper look at him, Fang Xi realized he was the neighbor who'd given her the baby's breath, so she politely nodded again. "Hello," she greeted.
Ye Kun took the initiative and held the cardboard box out before her. "Look, my friend gave me a puppy. It's only two months old and is called Tuan Tuan. Isn't it cute?"
No one could resist such a cute little animal. Fang Xi nodded and reached out to stroke the puppy's head. The puppy gave an adorable bark at her touch.
Ye Kun took the puppy out of the box with one hand and stuffed it into Fang Xi's arms. "Here, please hold it for me." Before Fang Xi could react, Ye Kun ran to the garbage station with the cardboard box.
The puppy licked Fang Xi's hand, and Fang Xi couldn't help but giggle at the itchy sensation. She had wanted to raise a puppy, but Xi Cheng thought that pets were too dirty and wouldn't agree no matter what. He still didn't agree even though Fang Xi repeatedly promised that she would keep the house clean and tidy and wouldn't let a single dog hair be on him when he went out.
Fang Xi tried everything she could to win over Xi Cheng, but in the end, Xi Cheng disappeared for a month in a fit of anger, so Fang Xi didn't dare to bring the matter up with him again.
At the thought of Xi Cheng, Fang Xi's heart felt like something had squeezed it tightly—it hurt.
She absentmindedly carried the puppy, entered the residential building with Ye Kun, and got into the elevator. She finally recovered her wandering wits when they reached her front door. Fang Xi returned the puppy to Ye Kun and politely said with a smile, "It's adorable."
Ye Kun took the puppy and thanked her with a smile before he said, "My name's Ye Kun."
"Fang Xi," Fang Xi briefly reported her name in return, and without even looking at Ye Kun, she opened her door and entered the house.
For the first time, the tall, handsome, and suave Ye Kun doubted his appearance. However, he wasn't discouraged. As soon as he entered his apartment, he lifted the puppy and told it, "Little guy, my love life will depend on you in the future! Remember that lady just now; your task is to please her in the future!"