Mrs. He pinched Xiao Yu’s cheek. "Xiao Yu is right. All girls get married eventually. I just wonder if Grandma will still be around when it’s your turn to get married."
Xiao Yu looked at Mrs. He, confused. "Grandma, where are you going? Don’t you want Xiao Yu anymore?"
Mrs. He said, a little sadly, "Grandma isn’t going anywhere. I’ll just stay right here and watch Xiao Yu grow up and get married."
Looking at Xiao Yu, Mrs. He thought of He Ze again and mumbled, "If only your father were still here. He could be the one to see you off when you get married."
Xiao Yu didn’t quite hear what Mrs. He said. "Grandma, what did you say?"
Mrs. He collected herself and shook her head. "It’s nothing. When you go to soone else’s house tomorrow, be brave. Don’t cry no matter what happens, and stick with your big brother and big sisters, okay?"
Xiao Yu nodded. "I know, Grandma."
What Mrs. He had just said made Mr. He think of He Ze as well. His mood soured, and he fell silent.
After breakfast the next day, Xue Yue dressed the two children in new clothes.
It was already mid-October, and the weather fluctuated between cold and hot. Today, Xue Yue wore a white, small-print floral blouse with light blue jeans and black leather shoes, topped with a long, khaki trench coat.
He Lang stared at Xue Yue for a few monts, then gave her a thumbs-up. "As expected of my wife. You’re so beautiful, you look good in anything."
Xue Yue lifted her chin, saying playfully, "Why, thank you for the complint, Mr. He."
Ruanruan put a hand to her forehead, sighing in resignation. "Honestly, Mom, Dad, could you spare a thought for Shiyi and ? You’re always so lovey-dovey."
He Lang raised an eyebrow. "’Lovey-dovey?’ Where did you learn that term?"
"My uncle said it! He said you two are always being lovey-dovey, with no regard for the lives of others."
"Hahaha." He Lang laughed and nodded. "Your uncle’s description is pretty spot-on."
Xue Yue found it amusing, too. ’I have no idea where my brother picks up these phrases, but they’re quite interesting.’
After they were all dressed and ready, they waited a short while before Qi Mingyang and He Ziqing arrived together.
"Is everyone ready?"
"Ready."
"Then let’s go."
Mr. and Mrs. He, along with Xiao Yu, were also wearing new clothes. Before leaving, Mrs. He even checked herself in the mirror. It had to be said, after coming to Beijing City, even the elderly had learned to be a bit vain.
Qi Mingyang had driven his car, but there wasn’t enough room for so many people. So, they had Qi Mingyang and He Ziqing take the three children ahead, while the remaining four adults would take the bus.
Over at the Qi family’s ho, preparations had also started early that morning. The ingredients for lunch were all bought, and they had even hired a professional chef to cook at their house.
When Qi Mingyang and He Ziqing arrived, Grandma Qi heard the car and ca running out of the house.
But when she saw three children getting out of the car, Grandma Qi froze for a second.
He Ziqing quickly explained, "Grandma Qi, my grandparents, uncle, and aunt are taking the bus. The car couldn’t fit everyone, so we brought the children back first."
Then, she pointed to Ruanruan and Shiyi, saying, "These are my youngest uncle’s two children. The other one is my second uncle’s daughter."
Hearing this, Grandma Qi’s happiness returned instantly. She smiled as she looked over the three children. Ruanruan and Shiyi gazed at her openly and chid in unison, "Hello, Grandma Qi."
"Oh, hello, hello to you too."
Xiao Yu also called out in a low voice, "Hello, Grandma Qi." But as soon as she said it, she blushed and tightened her grip on Ruanruan’s arm.
Grandma Qi smiled back at her.
"Such lovely children."
Then she looked up at Qi Mingyang and said, "Go out front and et them. The roads here are complicated; we don’t want them to get lost. Ziqing, co, you and the children co inside with Grandma first."
He Ziqing glanced at Qi Mingyang and saw that he was already turning to head out front. She nodded and said, "Okay."
Then she led the children inside.
When Xue Yue and the others got off the bus, they saw Qi Mingyang waiting.
"Grandpa He, Grandma He, over here! My grandma sent out to et you. She was worried you might get lost."
When the He family heard this, they were pleased. This showed the Qi family’s thoughtful attitude.
Along the way, Qi Mingyang pointed out and described the surrounding buildings.
When they arrived at the Qi residence, they saw that the Qi family also lived in a standalone, two-story villa. It looked a bit like Uncle Zheng’s house. Houses like these were mostly passed down from previous generations.
Qi Mingyang led them into the house.
Inside, they saw that the Qi family’s living room was already full of people, all of whom stood up when they saw Qi Mingyang lead them in.
Qi Mingyang’s grandparents walked over first. "Our in-laws have arrived! Please, co in and sit down."
Mrs. He felt a bit overwheld. Seeing the room full of people, she tugged on Mr. He’s arm. Mr. He was also nervous inside, but he didn’t show it at all, a smile playing on his lips.
"Uncle Wen, Aunt Qi," Xue Yue exclaid in surprise.
To her shock, she saw Wen Yuanbo and Qi Mingyue at the Qi family’s ho.
Qi Mingyue smiled and said, "I saw your two little ones earlier and guessed it might be you. I didn’t expect us to be connected by fate like this."
Grandma Qi asked, surprised, "Mingyue, you two know each other?"
Qi Mingyue then explained her connection to Xue Yue, and Grandma Qi smiled and nodded. "Oh, so that’s how it is."
Just then, a middle-aged man spoke up. "Mingyang, why don’t you make the introductions? Everyone, let’s not just stand here. Let’s all sit down and talk."
He then said to the guests, "I am Mingyang’s father. My na is Qi Guokang."
Qi Guokang wore glasses and had the distinct air of a scholar, with a certain charisma in the way he spoke.
Qi Mingyang smiled and began introducing the two families to each other.
"This is my mother, Ms. Zhong ijuan. This is my grandfather, my grandmother. That’s my older sister, Qi Yunshu, my brother-in-law, Wan Jianhe, and my nephew, Wan Yifei. And this is my aunt, Qi Mingyue, and my uncle, Wen Yuanbo..."
Both families were introduced in this manner.
Qi Mingyang’s mother, Zhong ijuan, looked at Xue Yue and said, "If Mingyue hadn’t ntioned it, I would have been quite surprised as well. I rember your mother, though it’s been many years. Now that I see you, I do find you quite familiar."
Qi Mingyue said, "Of course you’ve t. Sister-in-law, have you forgotten? Back when you and my big brother were dating, Yuanbo ntioned a gathering once. You two happened to be there, so I brought you along. Li Wan Yi was there at the ti."
Zhong ijuan nodded. She did recall such an incident, but Qi Guokang had no mory of it.
Grandma Qi smiled and said, "This just goes to show our two families are fated to be connected. Mingyang and Ziqing are both very busy, one with school and the other with work. But since they’ve decided to be together, it’s best to settle things early. That way, the adults in both families can rest easy. Don’t you agree, in-laws?"
Mrs. He and the others nodded.
Mr. He said, "Our eldest is back in our hotown and can’t make it over on such short notice. But for this girl, Ziqing, we can make the decision on her behalf."
Grandpa Qi nodded. "Mingyang has told us everything. That’s no problem. We can always discuss things over the phone if need be. It’s very convenient nowadays."
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