Xue Yuanxia pursed her lips, her tone dripping with sourness. "So what if she’s pretty? What’s so special about that? For all we know, she has a terrible temper."
Yang Xiaozhi’s brow furrowed. He took a step to the side. He really didn’t want to deal with his mother anymore.
Looking at the radiant girl, Chen Fang finally understood why her cousin, who was so beautiful and capable herself, had lost. If she were Xue Yang, she would have chosen this girl too. The mont she appeared, everyone else simply paled in comparison. Her cousin’s loss was completely justified.
"This is your eldest aunt."
"Eldest Aunt."
"These are your second uncle and second aunt."
"Second Uncle, Second Aunt."
"..."
Xue Yang led Lin Xi around, introducing her to all the relatives one by one. Lin Xi followed his lead, greeting each of them. Afterward, she took out the gifts she had prepared and distributed them to everyone.
"My goodness... you didn’t have to bring gifts, Xiao Xi! You’re being far too kind," Second Aunt Liu Jiao said, holding the pricey bird’s nest. Her eyes practically disappeared into her smiling face.
Besides the bird’s nest, there were also gifts of tea, tobacco, and alcohol. For the children, there were learning devices and tablets. It was clear that each item had been carefully selected.
"I didn’t know what everyone liked, so I just picked a few things. I hope you all like them," Lin Xi said, her eyes curving into crescents as she smiled.
She was both beautiful and well-mannered. Even if she had co empty-handed, her presence alone was a wonderful gift. The fact that she had brought presents elevated everyone’s impression of her to the highest degree.
"We love them, we love them! Thank you, Xiao Xi. You must be tired and hungry after such a long flight and car ride. You should rest for a bit; we’ll be starting dinner soon."
Everyone put their gifts away and bustled about. With so many hands to help, things naturally got done more efficiently. Soon, two large tables were groaning under the weight of a magnificent feast. It was clear the nu had been planned with her preferences in mind. Zhong Hailan had drafted the nu yesterday and had Xue Yuanqing tell his brother to go to the market first thing this morning to buy the ingredients.
"It’s nothing fancy, Xiao Xi. I hope you don’t mind."
"Auntie, I love it!"
"Oh, good, good."
Zhong Hailan was wearing the bracelet Lin Xi had just given her, her happiness plain to see.
Xue Yuanxia watched the warm, harmonious family scene. She especially couldn’t stand the sight of Xue Yang’s girlfriend, who truly looked like a celestial fairy and had even prepared so many expensive gifts for everyone. She felt such an intense sourness inside. How could she possibly stay any longer? In the end, before she even finished her al, she hurriedly made an excuse and left.
Yang Xiaozhi saw the look on his mother’s face but didn’t say anything, only shaking his head helplessly.
Chen Fang also didn’t say much. She was already feeling unwell from her pregnancy, and Xue Yuanxia had been making passive-aggressive comnts to her earlier. Fortunately, today’s dishes were fresh and suited her appetite. After being hungry for so long, she was more than happy to eat what was available.
Dad Yang had just grabbed his fishing gear and was about to head out when he saw his wife return with a displeased look on her face.
"Weren’t you going to your parents’ place to see the girlfriend Xue Yang brought ho? Why are you back so soon?"
"Don’t you dare ntion that to ."
Dad Yang was confused. "Hey, what’s wrong? Why can’t I ntion it now?" She had been so happy when she left this morning; how had her mood soured in just half a day?
Xue Yuanxia snorted, went into her room, and slamd the door with a BANG.
Embarrassed, Dad Yang didn’t bother with her, putting his hands behind his back as he started to walk outside.
He had only taken a few steps when Xue Yuanxia flung the door open again. "It’s all your son’s fault for being such a disappointnt! I was just humiliated at my parents’ house."
Dad Yang stopped in his tracks. "Haven’t you always bragged about how capable our son is?"
"Capable? Do you have any idea what kind of girlfriend *he* brought ho today?"
"She’s just a girlfriend, isn’t she? What’s the big deal? Is she so celestial fairy?"
"She might as well be! She’s not only beautiful, but she’s also generous and rich. She prepared gifts for everyone, and not a single one was cheap..."
Xue Yuanxia recounted the scene of eting Lin Xi at Xue Yang’s ho. "Tell , when Xiao Zhi brought his girlfriend ho, they barely reacted. So why the grand reception for Xue Yang?"
Recalling the indifference they showed when she brought her son and daughter-in-law ho, Xue Yuanxia couldn’t help but burn with anger.
"You said it yourself," Dad Yang pointed out. "The girl prepared expensive gifts for everyone. How could they not make it a grand affair?"
"Ultimately, it’s because your son is useless!" Xue Yuanxia retorted. "If he had found a girlfriend half as impressive as Xue Yang’s, I wouldn’t have been so thoroughly humiliated."
Dad Yang was alard. "A-Xia, you mustn’t say such things in front of Xiao Fang! She’s carrying a child of our Yang family."
"So what? For all we know, it could just be a girl. Why is my life so miserable? Boo-hoo-hoo..."
Xue Yuanxia wailed loudly. Dad Yang was used to her antics, so he simply ignored her, adjusted his fishing gear, and continued on his way out.
With a son like that, a husband like that, and a daughter-in-law who was nothing to be proud of, Xue Yuanxia cried even more bitterly.
In stark contrast to the chaos at the Yang family’s ho, harmony reigned at Xue Yang’s.
After the al, everyone gathered around Lin Xi, closely observing the girl who was even prettier than a doll.
"She’s so beautiful, just like a doll."
Zhong Hailan quickly chid in, "A doll isn’t half as pretty as our Xiao Xi."
"Hailan, your Xiao Yang is so successful. He got into Yanbei University and brought back such a beautiful girlfriend," Liu Jiao said with envy.
"Oh, it’s nothing. This kid just got lucky that Xiao Xi took a fancy to him." Zhong Hailan hadn’t stopped smiling all day. Any parent whose son brought ho such a wonderful girlfriend would be overjoyed.
"Hey, has anyone seen Xing Zai?" Liu Jiao suddenly asked.
"Xiao Xi’s best friend ca with her, so he’s looking after her right now."
"Xiao Xi’s best friend?"
"Yes, it seems they already know each other. He’ll co back after he gets her settled."
"Since she’s Xiao Xi’s best friend, why didn’t you invite her to eat with us?"
"It seems she had so other business to handle first. She’ll co over once she’s finished."
This brief interlude about Xue Xing quickly passed. The conversation soon returned to its main focus: Lin Xi and Xue Yang.
From the mont she had walked through the door, Lin Xi had been the center of attention. Xue Yang held her hand the whole ti. If this continued, even he would be worn out.
"Aunts, Uncles," Xue Yang finally said, "this is Xiao Xi’s first day here, and she’s still getting used to everything. Let’s give her a little space, okay?"
Lin Xi imdiately shot Xue Yang a grateful smile. She really was at her limit.
"Oh, right! Look at us, we got so excited we forgot this is her first visit. Of course she’s not used to this. We’ll let you two get so rest."
"Xiao Xi, feel free to co over and visit us anyti. We live right next door!"
Waving goodbye, the relatives extended invitations as they made their way out.
Soon, Xue Yang’s ho grew quiet. Lin Xi felt completely drained.
"Xue Yang... I did okay, right?"
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