"Weren't you away on a business trip? How come you're back?" Jiang Xianmei stood up and asked, heading to the kitchen to fetch a pair of chopsticks and bowl.
Shen Guozhong sat on the chair, his tone unpleasant, "The company dispatched someone else."
Jiang Xianmei looked a bit uncomfortable and consoling said, "Isn't it good not to be away on a trip? It saves you the trouble of running around."
Shen Guozhong looked even more upset, "What do you, a housewife, understand? Let's eat first!"
Jiang Yuzhu subconsciously furrowed her brows.
She knew her uncle was acting grumpily towards her aunt because she was there.
Yet, over the years, even though her uncle grumbled, he never really prevented her aunt from sending her to school.
She stayed silent, stuffing her mouth with white rice.
At this moment, the room's door was opened again. Jiang Yuzhu subconsciously looked at the door and felt a touch of discomfort.
Shen Qiang didn't expect to find Jiang Yuzhu here. She pulled Li He inside, "Is big sister here too?"
Jiang Yuzhu smiled and nodded, "I came here after work to check things out."
Jiang Xianmei also did not expect that Shen Qiang would come with Li He. She invited Li He to sit down, "Qiangqiang, you sit down, I will get a pair of chopsticks for you."
"Alright." Shen Qiang pulled Li He to sit down, "Why are you so formal? You are no stranger to my parents and big sister."
Li He tugged on his mouth, not responding.
The atmosphere suddenly became awkward.
Jiang Xianmei just brought two bowls of rice out and, worried that Jiang Yuzhu was thinking too much, hurriedly said, "Let's eat first, Yuzhu eat more, your aunt didn't make a lot of dishes."
"There are quite a lot." Jiang Yuzhu knew that her aunt wanted to ease the embarrassment.
The moment Li He and Shen Qiang entered the door, Jiang Yuzhu wished she could find a crack in the ground to hide.
After all, having your ex-boyfriend become your brother-in-law was sensational no matter where you are.
Sitting opposite Jiang Yuzhu, Shen Qiang saw the awkward look on Jiang Yuzhu's face and became more proud. She held Li He's hand in front of everyone and deliberately announced, "Since everyone is here today, let me announce some good news."
"Li He and I have decided to get married next month."
As soon as these words were spoken, the faces of Li He and Jiang Xianmei changed slightly, both daring not to look at Jiang Yuzhu's face.
Li He leaned into Shen Qiang's ear and asked in a voice only the two of them could hear, "When did you tell me we're getting married next month?"
Shen Qiang gave a relaxed smile and said in a normal voice, "I just said it, why not seize the chance since big sister is here too?"
Hearing this, Jiang Yuzhu lightly pursed her lips. She picked up a drink by her hand and toasted Li He and Shen Qiang, sincerely congratulating, "Little sister, I wish you a lifetime of happiness."
Shen Qiang raised her cup in response with a smile, "Thanks, big sister."
Everyone ate their meal while lost in thoughts.
After dinner, Jiang Yuzhu helped her aunt clean up.
When she was living at her aunt's place before, she would always do some housework within her ability. Although her aunt was good to her, it was ultimately not her own home.
"Yuzhu, you don't have to do these, go and chat with your sister."
Jiang Xianmei didn't want her niece to feel uncomfortable in her own home.
"It's okay, aunt, I'm not busy now." Jiang Yuzhu said with a light laugh.
After cleaning up the kitchen, it was inappropriate for Jiang Yuzhu to stay any longer, so she took the initiative to leave.
"Aunt, I'll be going now."
Having said that, she said goodbye to her uncle and her younger sister.
Jiang Xianmei stepped forward, "Yuzhu, let me walk you downstairs."
"Okay." Jiang Yuzhu didn't refuse.
On the way down the stairs, Jiang Xianmei guiltily said, "Yuzhu, I'm sorry. It was my oversight this time... I didn't expect Qiangqiang to bring Li He with her…"
Jiang Yuzhu pressed her lips into a thin line and interrupted her aunt with a light laugh, "Aunt, like I said before, I have moved on from that episode, there's no need for you to feel guilty..."
Seeing Jiang Yuzhu being so understanding, a wave of affection flooded Jiang Xianmei's eyes, "Drive safely then."
"Alright, aunt. Here's the money for this month, please take it." Jiang Yuzhu took five thousand cash out of her bag and handed it to Jiang Xianmei.
Ever since she started working, Jiang Yuzhu has given Jiang Xianmei five thousand in living expenses every month to repay her for raising her over the years.
Moreover, her salary plus bonuses is around fifteen thousand per month. Her income was not low.
"You're married now, this money should be used to invest in your own home. You don't have to give it to me every month." Jiang Xianmei didn't take it and pushed the money back.
"Aunt, you raised me as your own daughter and I also recognize you as my mother. Whether or not I'm married, I wouldn't reduce a penny of money I should give you. If you don't accept it, I will feel awkward coming here next time."
Jiang Yuzhu forcefully stuffed the money into Jiang Xianmei's hands.
With no other choice, Jiang Xianmei reluctantly accepted it.
"Then bring Xiaopei over next time to have a meal together." Jiang Xianmei, after all, is Jiang Yuzhu's elder and can't let the man's family feel they lack manners.
"Okay." Jiang Yuzhu nodded in agreement.
After her aunt went upstairs, Jiang Yuzhu also got into her car. Just as she started the engine, her phone on the control panel lit up.
Jiang Yuzhu glanced at it. It was a call from her newly wedded husband.
It's rather late. Could something urgent have come up?
"What's up?" Jiang Yuzhu connected to the Bluetooth in the car and then picked up the call.
"I just finished my work. Are you still at your aunt's?"
The man's voice was cool and magnetic.
Pei Jingchuan did not deceive Jiang Yuzhu. He usually didn't check his phone when he was busy with work. It was already ten o'clock in the evening when he finished reviewing his documents and saw Jiang Yuzhu's message.
"I just left." Jiang Yuzhu simply stated.
"I'm about to go for dinner now, do you want to join?" The man's voice was pleasant to the ear.
Since she didn't eat much at her aunt's place, Jiang Yuzhu didn't refuse, "Send me the address and I'll come find you."
The box that Pei Jingchuan had booked was at Lingda Square.
Lingda Square was a large shopping mall with everything to eat, drink, and play. It also belonged to the Pei Group.
When Jiang Yuzhu arrived at the box, Pei Jingchuan had already ordered the meal.
The two of them quietly had dinner.
After dinner, when Jiang Yuzhu was about to call the waiter to pay, Pei Jingchuan stopped her, "I have already settled the bill."
Lingda Square was owned by his family, so there was no need to pay.
However, when he came, he notified the general manager to treat him as a stranger.
Jiang Yuzhu was somewhat surprised. With one hand, she opened WeChat to initiate a transfer to Pei Jingchuan, and with the other, she said, "How much was it? I'll transfer it to you."
Transfer?
Pei Jingchuan found it amusing, although his handsome face didn't show much expression.
"No need, I can afford a small meal like this."
"Alright then." Jiang Yuzhu tugged at her mouth awkwardly.
Everyone knew that a man's face was very important, and since they were already married, constantly mentioning going dutch wasn't appropriate.
She just didn't want to take advantage of Pei Jingchuan.
When they got home, Jiang Yuzhu filled the cat's bowl with food and then went into the room and brought out a blanket, "You can watch TV in the living room while I clean up the room for you."
Pei Jingchuan was tall. He stepped forward and easily took the blanket from Jiang Yuzhu's arms, "Let me accompany you."