Back in the car, Zhuo Xiangqiao's phone rang again, and after a glance at Lin Yue next to him, he lowered his voice and said, "I understand… Alright… No…" Once he finished the call, he turned towards Lin Yue with an awkward smile.
"I think we should also go back to see Uncle Zhuo and Aunt Yun…"
Zhuo Xiangqiao pressed on her hand, assuring her, "There's no need to force yourself; we can wait a while longer before seeing them."
"But we will have to tell them one day," Lin Yue said, holding his hand. "Don't worry, since I've decided to be with you, I'm prepared for that day to come."
Seeing her say this, Zhuo Xiangqiao nodded, took out his phone, and made a call to say he would bring someone home for dinner that night.
In the evening, they drove back to the Zhuo Mansion, and as the car neared, the gates opened automatically. Observing the familiar scenery inside, Lin Yue felt nervous for the first time. Sensing her unease, Zhuo Xiangqiao patted her hand, "Don't worry, I'm here." He got out of the car, and Lin Yue followed him inside, hand in hand.
After receiving the call earlier, Liao Yun had been restless, eagerly asking her husband and eldest son to come home early, and currently, they were sitting on the couch waiting for Zhuo Xiangqiao to return.
As the two of them entered, Zhuo Jianzhang and Zhuo Xiangnan were discussing business matters; Liao Yun was sitting by, yet her eyes kept darting toward the main entrance, and she froze when she saw the two people walk in. Only Zhuo Jianzhang remained composed.
"Come sit." He turned to instruct the kitchen's Qin to come out and pour tea.
Zhuo Xiangqiao, with Lin Yue in tow, took their seats, calling out "Dad, Mom" before settling down, while Lin Yue quietly greeted, "Uncle. Aunt," and Qin hurriedly poured them both a cup of tea.
Feeling Lin Yue's nervousness, Zhuo Xiangqiao held her hand and addressed his parents, "I came back today to tell you something. Yueyue and I have already registered our marriage abroad."
"Nonsense!" Zhuo Jianzhang put down his teacup, "You decide on such a big matter without discussing it with us, do you even consider your parents!" he said, directing him, "Come to the study with me. Xiangnan, you come too!"
Seeing her worried look, Zhuo Xiangqiao squeezed her hand and rose to the study room, leaving Lin Yue and Liao Yun alone in the living room, where silence ensued.
Liao Yun put down the blanket in her hands, "Yueyue, it's been a long time since you came to visit your aunt. Come sit with me in the garden."
The Zhuo's garden was always tended personally by Liao Yun. She was currently adjusting the newly blooming lilies, "These lilies, they rely on nurture three parts, pruning seven. These branches and leaves may look nice, but you also have to learn to make choices, to cut where it's necessary. Only with proper pruning will they grow even more vigorous." She looked up at Lin Yue, "Time flies; you have grown up so quickly. I remember the first time I saw you, following behind your mother. I thought then how wonderful it would be if such a well-mannered girl could become my daughter-in-law."
"Aunt Yun… I'm sorry…" Lin Yue lowered her head, her eyes reddening.
"Xiangqiao is my son, and all these years, his affection for you has always been hidden in his heart, but how could a mother not notice?"
"I'm sorry… Aunt Yun…"
"The matter with Xiangnan, he's the one who wronged you," Liao Yun sighed.
"No, it's just that he doesn't love me…" Lin Yue said softly.
Liao Yun set down her tools, "Do you love Xiangqiao?"
She fell silent for a moment before answering quietly, "He's my husband."
"But Xiangqiao will only be your husband, not the person you love most," Liao Yun paused, "What if one day Xiangnan comes back for you?"
"Even if I'm already with Xiangqiao, I will be good to him. From the day we married, we became family," Lin Yue stated resolutely.
Liao Yun's expression softened, and she took her hand, "Although you two have already registered your marriage abroad, we still need to get both families together to talk over your matters." She clearly understood what Lin Yue was thinking and patted her hand, "Leave it to your aunt, don't worry."
Lin Yue managed a smile, whispering her agreement.
The next second, as if struck by a thought, Liao Yun chuckled, "What 'Aunt,' you should be calling me 'Mom' now."
In the study, Zhuo Jianzhang sat behind the desk, looking at his youngest son, who seemed unimpressed, and rubbed his temples with vexation, "You went ahead and got married without telling us!"
"Just got married, and besides, Yueyue is someone you have watched grow up, not some disreputable person…" Zhuo Xiangqiao leaned back lazily in his chair, "And even if you oppose, it's of no use now; legally, we're already husband and wife," boasted Zhuo Xiangqiao with pride.
Zhuo Jianzhang turned away in anger, not wanting to look at him. After calming down, he asked, "When will we invite the Lin family over to discuss your marriage?"
Zhuo Xiangqiao nodded; he had intended to find time to visit the Lin family soon, so this saved him the trouble.
Seeing his indifferent manner, Zhuo Jianzhang was infuriated, "Since you are married to Yueyue and have started your own family," he said, then turned to Xiangnan standing aside, "Xiangnan, arrange a position for him, and have him start work at the company from tomorrow!"
Zhuo Xiangqiao, who had been casually shaking, immediately stopped. He cried out, "Dad!"
"What?" Zhuo Jianzhang raised an eyebrow at him.
"Dad, how about letting Xiangqiao start at the overseas market department?" Zhuo Xiangqiao suddenly suggested.
"Hmm…" Zhuo Jianzhang pondered for a moment before deciding, "Okay, start there!"
The marketing department! Everyone knew it was the busiest place in the entire company! If he were sent there, when would he have the time to build a relationship with his wife? He certainly remembered the marriage certificate would only take full effect after three months!
"Dad!" Zhuo Xiangqiao protested, "With my brother at the company, why do I need to go there?"
"If I say you go, you go. What's with all the talk! All these years we've let you indulge, and now that you only need to go to the company, you whine so much." With that, he threw a file at Zhuo Xiangqiao from the desk.
Zhuo Xiangqiao caught the incoming file, his mind racing with strategies on how to make the old man change his mind. Then, a knock at the door interrupted them, and Qin stood outside saying, "Master, young master, madam says dinner is ready."