The moment Xiang Ri stepped into the house, Tie's mother greeted him warmly, ushering him to the living room sofa. Meanwhile, her daughter, still clinging to his arm, shot her a cryptic glance before turning to head into the kitchen.
Was it just his imagination, or did Tie's mother's gaze hold an even greater affection for him? Surely, it wasn't just because he was her future son-in-law; perhaps the mysterious "drink" he had consumed played a part as well.
He still couldn't wrap his mind around it—how could Tie's mother do something so audacious, all in the hope of hastening her daughter's marriage and welcoming a grandchild?
Glancing at the young policewoman by his side, Xiang Ri noted her delicate complexion, which revealed nothing of her actual age. She could easily pass for a girl of eighteen or nineteen. What's more, her figure—hidden beneath her clothes—was no less alluring than that of Miss Chu. How could anyone consider her past her prime? It was utterly baffling.
Feeling his gaze linger, Tie Wan grew uncomfortable but refrained from snapping at him, recalling her mother's earlier hints. With a soft humph, she followed her mother into the kitchen.
Watching her retreating figure, Xiang Ri sighed and rubbed his nose, switching on the TV to occupy himself.
"Mom, where's Dad?" Tie Wan asked impatiently as soon as she entered the kitchen.
"He had something urgent to attend to," Hu Yue replied, skillfully gutting a fish.
"How could he leave? The son-in-law just arrived!" Tie Wan's dissatisfaction was palpable.
"Are you complaining to me now?" Tie's mother shot her a reproachful look.
"Of course not."
Noticing her daughter's pouting expression, Hu Yue quickly discerned her thoughts. "Your father had an important matter to handle. He got a call earlier—apparently, a foreign head of state will be visiting China in a few days, and he had to rush off to make preparations."
"A foreign head of state? But that would be in the capital. Why would it involve him here?" The police officer's ire quickly shifted targets.
"The first stop is Beihai. As someone in his position... he has responsibilities to ensure everything is ready. Now, stop fretting and help me wash the vegetables."
"We wouldn't have come so early if I'd known," Tie Wan muttered under her breath as she reluctantly accepted a handful of greens from her mother, her expression one of pure reluctance.
"What did you just say?" Tie's mother glared at her. "You can't even handle washing a few vegetables? What are you planning to do after you're married—expect everything to be done for you?"
"Well, if that's possible, it wouldn't be so bad," Tie Wan thought silently but didn't dare voice aloud. The image of a certain someone's exceptional cooking skills flitted through her mind. Marrying him wouldn't be so bad; at least she'd have fewer household chores. Suddenly, her eyes lit up. "How about I get that guy outside to help in the kitchen?"
Tie's mother's face darkened immediately. "That guy? Can't you speak more decently? Xiao Xiang is your man, after all. And he's a guest in our house—do you think it's appropriate to have him help with the cooking?" Though inwardly tempted by the idea, Tie's mother wouldn't dream of acting on it.
"What's the harm? He's already my... person. I can do whatever I want with him." Tie Wan's tone was filled with casual disdain.
"Oh, you've got some nerve!" Tie's mother fixed her with a cold stare. "With your temper, how many suitors have you scared off already? Let me tell you this—Xiao Xiang is the son-in-law I've chosen, and if you chase him away, I'll disown you!"
"Tch, all I asked was for him to help wash some vegetables. Must you turn this into a lecture?" Tie Wan pouted.
"I'm reminding you, men like Xiao Xiang are a rare find these days—not only is he well-educated, but he's also handy around the house. You should cherish him," Tie's mother said, pausing briefly before adding, "Actually, having him help wouldn't be a bad idea—it might even make things feel more intimate. But since Ouyang is here too, we can't ignore basic etiquette in front of guests, can we?"
"Ouyang's here?" Tie Wan exclaimed, glancing around in surprise. "Why haven't I seen him?"
Tie's mother gave her a knowing look. "He's in your father's study."
"What?" Tie Wan frowned. "Didn't Dad say no one's allowed in the study without permission?" A wave of unease swept over her. Was her stern father favoring that Ouyang guy? What would that mean for her...?
"Stop overreacting. You're going to give me a heart attack," Tie's mother interrupted her spiraling thoughts. "Ouyang arrived while your father was here, so he invited him into the study for a chat. You know their fathers were comrades-in-arms, so there's nothing unusual about it."
"Fine, I get it," Tie Wan replied reluctantly, mumbling, "This is all your fault for setting me up on blind dates in the first place. Look where it's led now."
Tie's mother, sharp-eared as ever, bristled at the remark. "Oh, so now it's my fault, is it? Do you even realize how old you are? If it weren't for the little secret you were keeping, would I have been so anxious to set you up?" She softened slightly as she mentioned "that one," her smile growing. "I see now why you dismissed the others—you had someone better in mind all along. No wonder I'm so pleased with Xiao Xiang."
Tie Wan sighed internally. He's not nearly as perfect as you think, Mom. And he certainly doesn't only have me as a girlfriend right now.
Her frustration mounted as she thought back to her own impulsive decision. Why had she given him 15 whole days? A single day would've been more than enough! But upon reflection, even that seemed implausible.
Damn it! What was I thinking, giving him 15 days? And letting him live with me during that time? This arrangement can't go on. I need to find a way to make him move into my place instead.
Determined, she resolved to take action. Yet a new concern arose—what if he tried to take liberties while living under the same roof? Given his impulsive tendencies, she felt uneasy. Would she have to revert to her old rule of "no touching until the matter is resolved"? But then again, hadn't that rule already been broken earlier at the apartment?
Her head ached with indecision, but she resolved to stand firm. If he moved in, she wouldn't allow him any advantage. At least keeping him close would be safer than leaving him in someone else's grasp.
"Get a move on, or we won't have time later," Hu Yue called out, noticing her daughter lost in thought and neglecting the vegetables.
"Oh, almost done," Tie Wan snapped out of it and hastened her task.
Meanwhile, in the living room, Xiang Ri stretched lazily and settled into a more comfortable position, his eyes never straying from the TV.
Suddenly, the sharp click of dress shoes on the floor broke the quiet.
Xiang Ri turned to see a tall, striking young man approaching. Dressed in a crisp white suit paired with polished black shoes and a face that could make girls swoon in droves, he looked every bit the fairytale prince. To Xiang Ri, however, a tinge of jealousy colored his view, and he silently dismissed the newcomer as a flashy peacock.
The handsome man hesitated briefly upon spotting the unfamiliar figure on the sofa, but he quickly regained his composure. Still, the faint hostility in his eyes didn't escape Xiang Ri's sharp notice.
Extending a hand in polite greeting, the man asked, "Excuse me, and you are?"
Xiang Ri, already guessing that this was the "man" Tie Wan had mentioned, replied casually, "My name is Xiang."
"Ah, Mr. Xiang. May I ask—"
Feeling a mischievous urge, Xiang Ri decided against revealing the truth too soon—it would be far more amusing this way. "I'm here visiting family," he said nonchalantly. After all, weren't in-laws family too?
"Visiting family?" The man immediately misunderstood, assuming Xiang Ri was another person trying to curry favor through connections. Relaxing visibly at the realization that this stranger wasn't a rival, he didn't bother introducing himself. "And how are you related to Secretary Tie?"
Xiang Ri chuckled, his tone light. "I'm not particularly close to Secretary Tie, but I know his wife very well. I call her Mom."