Mimi sensed her mother's expression and immediately struggled to get down, running to tug at her mother's skirt. Tutu held the other side.
Chu Rong's heart sank. After a moment, he calmly said, "Let's go."
With his son and daughter by his side, Quan Jiu felt a little more at ease. Her gaze fell on Chu Rong, and her expression paused.
He was wearing the clothes she had left behind five years ago when she left. It was her birthday that day, and she had intended to give the clothes to Chu Rong as a gift. Unfortunately, Chu Rong had been with Jiang Mengran that night.
Thinking of this, Quan Jiu felt a chill.
Every stitch and thread in those clothes represented her love, yet he couldn't see it. Since he couldn't see it, why wear it now to provoke her? Was he trying to mock her? Remind her how humble her love had been back then?
A surge of anger rose in Quan Jiu's heart, and the coldness in her eyes shot unreservedly at Chu Rong.
Chu Rong was instantly pulled back to that underground parking lot, as if he saw her fleeing in a panic again.
So she hated him that much.
His heart ached fiercely again, but Chu Rong hid his emotions well in his eyes. He turned away indifferently and entered the courtyard.
Yuan Zijun also came back to her senses. With a courtyard full of guests, she quickly let go of Quan Jiu, wiped her tears, and choked out, "Let's go inside and talk."
However, after calming down, she was drawn to Quan Jiu's outfit. "Child, this outfit of yours, is it 'Treading Snow' from Yunlan Pavilion?"
Facing Chu Rong's mother, Quan Jiu's prickliness disappeared. Towards the person she loved, she would only be gentle.
She nodded lightly, and Quan Jiu smiled, "If you like it, I'll tailor one for you myself later."
Yuan Zijun sized Quan Jiu up and down, smiling proudly. "They say it's not scary to wear the same outfit, it's just awkward if one looks bad. Come, let's go inside."
Quan Jiu didn't understand, but she didn't ask further and followed Yuan Zijun into the courtyard.
As they walked, Yuan Zijun's gaze lingered on Mimi and Tutu. She had a surprising guess in her heart, but now was not the time for reminiscing, so she could only suppress her overwhelming joy.
...
The entire courtyard was filled with guests, gathered in small groups, chatting and laughing.
Old Master Xing came to Chu Zhenhua's side and asked, "Zhenhua, why don't I see your son? I haven't seen him all morning. He should make an appearance now, shouldn't he?"
Chu Zhenhua sighed with a smile. "Alas... there's a lot of company business. He just arrived a moment ago, and he's at the main entrance with his mother..."
"Hey, speak of the devil."
Before he could finish speaking, he heard Old Master Xing laugh. Chu Zhenhua looked back, and upon seeing who was coming, he was greatly surprised.
As Yuan Zijun led Quan Jiu, Mimi, and Tutu into the courtyard, the guests' attention also focused on them.
Chu Rong, walking at the forefront, wore a court-style embroidered suit, exuding an innate nobility. His artistically sculpted handsome face, paired with a stern expression, made him look like a king ruling the world.
And as gazes shifted, when everyone saw the people behind them, the scene suddenly fell silent.
The light yet firm sound of high heels on the bluestone slabs was gentle and powerful, noble and elegant. Her slightly smiling face, like an orchid born in a secluded valley, was beautiful enough to be eye-catching, yet it exuded a sense of safe and comfortable approachability.
If Chu Rong's sharp eyebrows and bright eyes conveyed an unapproachable sternness, then this woman's gentleness was the opposite, it was so refreshing.
All eyes were drawn to the woman, and then to the two children beside her. A boy and a girl, like celestial attendants stepping out of a painting, made it impossible to look away.
At this moment, while everyone was amazed, they couldn't help but wonder about the relationship between this mysterious woman and the Chu family.
The guests gradually began to whisper amongst themselves.
"I heard before that Chu Rong was bringing a woman home this time, and I didn't believe it. I didn't expect it to be true."
"Are you saying that woman is the future young madam recognized by the Chu family?"
"Judging by her demeanor and appearance alone, she is absolutely a match. It's just that I don't know about her family background."
"But she has two children, doesn't she? Is she a divorced woman?"
There were all sorts of speculations, but because the Chu Corporation had never made a similar announcement, no one could be sure.
Old Master Xing's gaze was still on Chu Rong, and he couldn't help but gossip with his grandson, "No wonder all the women in City A want to marry him. He has the capital for it."
Xing Di snorted dismissively, "Putting on an act. I don't like that kind of person."
"You just like your rough and tumble ways." Old Master Xing gave his grandson a look, then gasped and exclaimed, "Eh? Who is that girl behind them?"
Xing Di looked closely and his expression faltered. After thinking for a moment, a sly smile curled his lips. "Grandpa, do you remember the gossip news that said I was being kept?"
Old Master Xing looked at his mischievous smile and asked strangely, "Didn't you say that wasn't true? The eldest grandson of the dignified Xing family needs to be kept?"
"It's her." Xing Di gestured towards Quan Jiu. "I'm being kept by her." He was still expecting his boss to feed him scripts.
"What?" Old Master Xing couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.
This exclamation also brought Chu Zhenhua back to his senses. He walked over a few steps, looked at his wife, and his eyes asked for an explanation. His wife, however, gave him a look: now is not the time to talk.
Chu Zhenhua could only suppress his shock and joy, looked at Quan Jiu, and said with great emotion, "It's good that you're back."
Quan Jiu smiled gently and whispered to Yuan Zijun, "Mom, I'll go see Grandpa first."
Yuan Zijun nodded and led Quan Jiu and the two children towards the main house in the inner courtyard.
After the exclamation, Old Master Xing suddenly looked at Xing Di, his eyes shining, "Are you and that girl really involved?"
Xing Di thought about it. Once they signed the contract, they were on the same boat. Wasn't that true? He neither confirmed nor denied it.
"Does this mean I'm going to be a great-grandfather?" Old Master Xing was overjoyed. Without a word, he shouted "Granddaughter-in-law!" and rushed forward with a spring in his step.
Everyone was startled by the shout and looked towards the speaker.
Xing Di stumbled, staring blankly at his grandfather who was excitedly going to acknowledge his relatives.
Although Quan Jiu didn't know if Old Master Xing's shout was for her, a loud shout in the quiet venue would naturally draw attention, and she was no exception.
Tilting her head, she saw a spirited old gentleman running towards her excitedly.
Quan Jiu was a little confused. Why did the old man seem to be calling her?
Her confusion was soon confirmed. The old man came before her, his face beaming with excitement, "Granddaughter-in-law, oh my, it's our first meeting, and Grandpa didn't prepare any gifts. Look at me..."
Fumbling in his pants pocket, Old Master Xing's eyes lit up. He pulled out a black gold card. "Gifts are bought with money. Take this card and buy whatever you like." He thrust it into Quan Jiu's hand without further ado.
Quan Jiu was stunned. "Grandpa, what is this?"
Upon hearing himself called Grandpa, Old Master Xing laughed heartily, then looked at Mimi and Tutu with great affection. "These are my little great-grandchildren. These two children are clearly destined for greatness. Come, children, call out 'Great-Grandpa'."
Mimi and Tutu looked confused and looked at Quan Jiu.
Yuan Zijun and Chu Zhenhua were also bewildered: Grandpa, what play are you putting on?
The others in the venue fell silent once more, their hearts filled with shock: Is this the Xing family's granddaughter-in-law?