"This old guy just can’t stand Mianmian standing next to for more than a minute, isn’t she your great-granddaughter?" Mrs. Jing grumbled impatiently, turning to see Mianmian being introduced to the crowd again by Mr. Jing, she turned back to complain to her old friends without saying a word.
Shi Su had just been stopped for a brief conversation with a relative she had t once at the Jing family’s birthday banquet. It was just casual chit-chat, and after chatting, she saw the scene between Mr. and Mrs. Jing, making it difficult to intervene and take the child away from the old couple.
As Mianmian fluttered around the venue like a little butterfly with Mr. Jing leading her, even though she seed a bit bewildered, she cooperated the whole ti, greeting everyone politely and obediently. Those who were hoping to find so drama in the situation ended up with none.
Especially a few elderly gentlen who often compared who had the first great-grandchild and who had the cutest great-grandchild with Mr. Jing stood there puffing out their beard and glaring, but no one knew what they were saying to Mr. Jing, who was all smiles throughout, clearly in high spirits.
But for so, tonight did offer so drama.
After all, they heard that Jing Jihan’s parents rarely both flew back from the United Kingdom, just for this family banquet, to see the suddenly announced daughter-in-law and granddaughter. Of course, their adopted daughter, Jing Sixue, would surely co back with them.
Jing Sixue didn’t have a particularly strong presence among the Jing family’s relatives and friends in the country. She was just an adopted daughter, often staying in the United Kingdom and rarely visiting. Even though she studied in the country for a year, she didn’t have much contact, so nobody thought much about her.
But recently, Jing Sixue indirectly caused trouble for Shi Su online, and so gossip inevitably spread, leading relatives and elders to have different views towards the Jing family’s adopted daughter.
In tonight’s scenario, with Jing Jihan’s parents bringing the adopted daughter back for the banquet, no one knew if they could maintain the outward calm.
At seven-thirty, the car carrying Jing Jihan’s parents finally entered the front yard of the Jing family’s old residence.
Shi Su, standing in the main hall, initially planned to go out and greet them, but Mr. Jing signaled her with a glance to stay and wait in the main hall with them and not to make a special effort to go and greet them.
Although the old man might not have the best attitude towards his son and daughter-in-law, Shi Su was after all their daughter-in-law too, and it would be her first eting with Jing Jihan’s father, would it not be inappropriate not to welco them?
She looked at Jing Jihan, who just glanced in the direction where the car had stopped and returned her gaze with a calm look.
Shi Su imdiately understood that although his parents returned, it was evident that they had not prepared to et their daughter-in-law right away. Under normal circumstances, being the daughter-in-law, one would have to put up a front. But in this family banquet, everyone was watching to see which side was thoughtful and which was not welcoming. Even a casual glance could be scrutinized, and Shi Su’s status in this family—whether she was doted on, neglected, or recognized by her in-laws—would also be seen by everyone and magnified.
She could see the three of them in the crowd—the family of three from afar who didn’t change clothes for the grand banquet, looking travel-weary as if they had rushed over directly from the airport, without ti to change.
"The plane was delayed for more than two hours, and we just managed to get back, didn’t even have ti to change clothes," Mrs. Jing joked with several old acquaintances after getting off the car, not ntioning the purpose of their return tonight.
Implying that although they returned, it was rely to co back, not specifically to see anyone.
Mr. Li and Hui went up to greet them first, along with other mbers of the Jing family, who took the luggage and items from the car to attend to them.
The relatives present were all watching Shi Su’s side, only to see the little Mianmian running from Mr. Jing’s side over to her parents, grabbing her mom and dad’s hands. The family of three stood at the entrance to the main hall, defiantly maintaining their harmonious atmosphere despite the new arrivals.
The three who approached with dust-laden appearances headed toward the main hall; Mrs. Jing Xiu Lin had seen before, as had Jing Sixue, but the older man was soone Shi Su had yet to et—that was Jing Jihan’s father, Jing Hanhai.
Jing Hanhai’s gaze swept over Shi Su, almost as if he hadn’t seen her, looking coldly at Jing Jihan.
Mianmian stood before her parents, curiously looking at the cold-faced man, and tilted her head, whispering, "Mom and Dad, who is that?"
Upon hearing the child’s voice, Jing Hanhai glanced over at Mianmian’s adorable face, his previously cold expression seed to soften montarily, yet he still showed so displeasure, bypassing her expressionlessly as he entered the main hall, with Mrs. Jing and Jing Sixue following behind, their gaze resting solely on Mianmian.
Thus, Mianmian exchanged glances with her grandparents, unable to decipher their expressions, turning back to embrace Jing Jihan’s leg, curiously blinking and tilting her head to look at the strangers.
Jing Hanhai and Mrs. Jing respectfully greeted Mr. and Mrs. Jing, exchanging words due to the long ti apart, with surrounding relatives and guests joining in lanting the years of not seeing them, expressing mid-life sentints about uncertain future etings.
Eventually, Jing Hanhai and Mrs. Jing’s attention turned to Jing Jihan and Shi Su.
"Dad, Mom." Jing Jihan spoke plainly, his tone devoid of emotion, clearly not warm.
Shi Su pulled Mianmian from beside Jing Jihan, politely nodding to them, pondering whether to call them Dad and Mom. After careful thought, she glanced at Jing Jihan, who t her gaze with tacit understanding, pulling Mianmian back behind them, not intending for Shi Su and Mianmian to acknowledge them directly.
Jing Hanhai’s stern eyes wield an inherent authority, coldly looking at Shi Su, clearly waiting for her to speak.
But calling them Dad and Mom might not earn nods of approval from both sides.
Seeing Shi Su remain silent, Jing Hanhai glanced at her with even more displeasure.
"Aren’t you waiting for Shi Su girl to greet you?" Suddenly Mr. Jing poked his head over, seemingly smiling, but actually hinting with implications: "The change of address gift from in-laws hasn’t been given yet, it’s indeed not suitable for Shi Su to call you now, isn’t it, Jihan?"
Jing Jihan stood beside Shi Su, ignoring the profound anings in Jing Hanhai and Mrs. Jing’s eyes, holding Shi Su’s hand, simultaneously glancing down at Mianmian beside them, affirming Mr. Jing’s words, saying, "Since there should be a change of address gift, it’s formal to introduce in front of parents."
The tall, handso man held his wife and daughter’s hands in the main hall under everyone’s gaze, his calm eyes swept over Jing Hanhai and Mrs. Jing, his gaze unwaveringly serious at this mont, making it indisputable: "This is Shi Su, my wife, the woman I will spend a lifeti with. This is Mianmian, our daughter."
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