As the release of "Fu Sheng" approached, Jiang Nan Chen was almost always busy at his studio. Thus, when he received his mother's urgent call to come home, he initially thought something had happened at home and rushed back.
However, upon arriving, he found his parents healthy and the household peaceful.
"Mom, what's the matter? I've been really busy lately," Jiang Nan Chen said, feeling helpless.
Jiang Gui Xiu complained, "If it weren't for your lifelong happiness, I wouldn't be so anxious."
Jiang Nan Chen sighed speechlessly, "Mom, if you're going to talk about blind dates, I'm leaving. I have nothing to say."
"Wait," Jiang Gui Xiu stopped him and handed him a photo. "If it's her, you still won't agree?" httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
Jiang Nan Chen glanced at it casually, but his gaze suddenly froze. The woman in the photo was stunningly beautiful. It was Quan Jiu.
"Mom, you called me earlier today telling me to pursue her. What do you mean? You were so against it before, why are you supporting me now?" Jiang Nan Chen looked at his mother suspiciously, feeling that something was amiss.
Jiang Gui Xiu chuckled sheepishly, "That was all a misunderstanding. I've met Jiu'er a few more times since then, and she's truly wonderful. How about this, let's find some time to ask her out for a meal. I'll go with you then. After all, I haven't formally apologized to her for what happened at the banquet."
Jiang Nan Chen was even more confused. "Mom, are you serious? You won't suddenly do a 180-degree turn in your attitude after meeting her, will you?"
"How could that be? I have no grudge against her," Jiang Gui Xiu retorted, giving her son an exasperated look. "Are you going to ask her out or not? That girl has high standards. If I don't apologize to her, she might not give you another chance."
"Mom..." Jiang Nan Chen felt both touched and bewildered. "I'm already happy that you don't object. As for the apology, tell me why first, and then I'll decide whether to ask Jiu Jiu out."
Seeing her son's persistent doubt, Jiang Gui Xiu had no choice but to confess honestly. "Mom asks you, do you know what Jiu Jiu does for a living?"
Jiang Nan Chen paused slightly before nodding. "I do. She's very talented, not only gifted as a screenwriter but also incredibly talented in painting. She's a celebrity in the industry."
Jiang Gui Xiu was surprised. "She's also a screenwriter?"
"The screenwriter for the movie 'Fu Sheng' is Jiu Jiu."
"Isn't it Nine? That returnee... Wait, so you're saying Jiu Jiu is the screenwriter Nine?" Jiang Gui Xiu's face was filled with astonishment.
So, she wasn't just the mistress of Yun Lan Pavilion, but also the screenwriter Nine who had become famous in the past six months?!
"She hasn't told anyone publicly, she finds it troublesome. You shouldn't spread it around either," Jiang Nan Chen emphasized.
After her shock, Jiang Gui Xiu's face lit up with joy. "I never imagined that child could be so capable. She's a perfect match for you. Nan Chen, hurry up and find a time to ask her out for a meal, or invite her home. We need to clear up the past misunderstandings in person to resolve them."
With things said this far, Jiang Nan Chen understood. His mother must have seen Jiu Jiu's good qualities.
He was excited and thrilled. "I told you long ago, if you got to know her, you'd definitely like her."
Jiang Gui Xiu also sighed, "Alas, it's my fault for being so blind back then, being deceived by that little vixen He Miao."
Although Jiang Nan Chen was also unhappy about the past, it was over. "Then I'll arrange a time with Jiu Jiu."
Jiang Gui Xiu repeatedly agreed.
...
Quan Jiu received a message from Jiang Nan Chen as soon as she got home.
"Are you free this weekend? I'd like to treat you to a meal and talk about the movie's release."
Quan Jiu was slightly surprised. "It's being released so soon?"
"November 8th, which happens to be a weekend."
Quan Jiu's face was full of anticipation. "This is my first film and television work in China. I hope it does well."
"It definitely will," Jiang Nan Chen replied with a confident expression.
"But I'm taking the kids to the amusement park this weekend. How about another time?"
Jiang Nan Chen was eager to meet her. After thinking for a moment, he replied, "How about tomorrow then?"
Tomorrow, she didn't have any pressing matters. Quan Jiu agreed.
...
The next day, at Cloud Restaurant.
Quan Jiu looked at the noticeably well-dressed Jiang Nan Chen and couldn't help but tease, "Are you preparing for a blind date after dinner?"
Jiang Nan Chen looked a bit embarrassed. "No, this meal today is very important to me."
"Oh? What's wrong? Did the movie release encounter any problems?" Quan Jiu asked, concerned.
"No, no, everything went smoothly. It's already scheduled."
Jiang Nan Chen paused before explaining, "It's... my mother. She misunderstood you at her birthday banquet in the first half of the year. She wants to apologize to you in person. But if you're unwilling, it's okay. It was our fault in the first place..."
"It's fine," Quan Jiu smiled slightly. "Since Auntie is already here, please join us for dinner."
Jiang Nan Chen's face immediately lit up, and he quickly called Jiang Gui Xiu. Shortly after, Jiang Gui Xiu walked in from outside.
Compared to the stunning impression she made yesterday, Quan Jiu today, without makeup, appeared beautiful yet gentle, making Jiang Gui Xiu sigh inwardly: How could I have been so foolish back then, mistaking jade for mud?
"Jiu'er," Jiang Gui Xiu sat down, half joyfully and half apologetically. "I hope today's meeting didn't startle you. I insisted on coming with Nan Chen."
"Auntie, you're too kind," Quan Jiu smiled faintly.
Jiang Gui Xiu sighed, "Actually, the main reason I'm here to see you is to apologize in person. I misunderstood you at my birthday banquet. I hope you don't mind. If you're still upset, Auntie sincerely apologizes."
"It's all in the past. I don't mind," Quan Jiu replied.
She truly didn't mind. If Jiang Gui Xiu were someone close to her, she might have found it hard to let go. But since Jiang Gui Xiu had no relation to her, why would she dwell on it?
Seeing her sincere gaze, Jiang Gui Xiu breathed a sigh of relief. She took out an exquisite wooden box from her bag, opened it, and pushed it towards Quan Jiu.
"This was given to me by my mother-in-law when I married into the Jiang family. It's an ancestral bracelet of our Jiang family. Today, I'm giving it to you as my apology gift."
Jiang Nan Chen couldn't help but be startled, his heart pounding. He looked at Quan Jiu with anticipation and unease.
Quan Jiu said earnestly, "There's no enmity between Auntie and me, nor is there any need for an apology gift. Secondly, this gift is too precious. As a family heirloom of the Jiang family, it should be passed down to the future daughter-in-law of the Jiang family. I really dare not accept it. Please take it back, Auntie."
Jiang Gui Xiu's expression faltered for a moment, then she said, "Jiu'er, although the Jiang family isn't the top-tier, we still have considerable status and position in City A. Nan Chen, apart from being a bit slow-witted, is otherwise quite good. He's a responsible and devoted person. I genuinely want to matchmake you two. I wonder if you have any interest."
Quan Jiu smiled apologetically. "Thank you, Auntie, for thinking so highly of me, but Jiang Nan Chen and I are just friends."
Jiang Nan Chen's face turned pale, and he dejectedly lowered his head. "Mom, please don't make Jiu'er uncomfortable anymore. She and I are really just friends, not what you think."
Jiang Gui Xiu cursed her son inwardly for being useless and directly exposed him. "Then what did you say before about marrying only Jiu'er?"
Jiang Nan Chen's face turned from pale to red, utterly embarrassed.
He didn't dare to look at Quan Jiu and could only forcibly pull his mother away from the table. "Mom, please don't worry about this. You go back first."
Seeing her son so distressed, Jiang Gui Xiu couldn't force the issue any further. She could only apologize to Quan Jiu repeatedly before reluctantly leaving.