"Zhuang Ying, how does this outfit look on me?"
"Eh, it doesn't work, makes you look a bit skinny!"
"How about this one?"
"Isn't it too formal?"
"This one? Is it too casual?"
Early in the morning, Fang Jueyu anxiously played the outfit-changing game in front of the mirror. Guo Xinyu had already informed her parents about her relationship with Fang Jueyu. Today, they invited him over to their home to formally thank him for looking after their family.
Even though it wasn't the first time meeting them, and they lived in a place he had bought, it was the first formal meeting with the parents. It was different from before, and Fang Jueyu seemed particularly concerned.
"Young master, you've already tried on thirty-two outfits!" Zhuang Ying glanced at the mountain of clothes on the sofa, feeling a bit of a headache. Normally decisive and easygoing, he was now tangled up with this kind of situation.
"It's the first formal visit; I want to make a good impression, right?" Fang Jueyu said as he changed into yet another outfit.
"I think Guo Xinyu's parents already like you very much. You just need to show your sincerity. There's no need to overemphasize the attire," Zhuang Ying said, pulling out a casual outfit from the pile. "I think this one's quite good, mature and sunny."
"Really?" Fang Jueyu took it with some doubt. These clothes were all custom-made from a private factory that tailored exclusively for him. Normally they looked great, but today, everything felt off.
"It's fine, really! Just keep an eye on the time and don't keep Miss Guo waiting too long!" Zhuang Ying pointed to the large clock in the living room.
"Why didn't you say so earlier!" Fang Jueyu looked at the time; it was almost 9:40. He had agreed to meet Guo Xinyu at 10:00, and it took half an hour to drive to Jiangnan Music Academy.
In a rush, he threw on the clothes. "Is everything ready?"
"Don't worry, everything was delivered fresh this morning. It's already in the trunk of your Bentley, along with the wine you asked for," Zhuang Ying said calmly.
"Great, thanks for your help, Zhuang Ying. I'm heading out!" Fang Jueyu grabbed his keys and rushed out.
"Pffft!" As soon as Fang Jueyu left, Zhuang Ying couldn't help but laugh out loud.
"Isn't this a bit over the top?" Guo Xinyu asked from the passenger seat. Despite her repeated warnings yesterday, Jueyu seemed to ignore her entirely, bringing so many things.
The trunk was almost full, packed with seafood, wine, supplements, and even two 500-year-old ginseng roots. Supposedly, they were freshly dug from a ginseng plantation established 1200 years ago in Changbai Mountain by his family.
Additionally, he prepared some toys for Guo Junyu. After all, he needed to win over his future brother-in-law. He remembered Guo Junyu once telling him he wanted to be an astronaut when he grew up, so Jueyu got him a pricey telescope.
"Not at all. This is my first time visiting your home; I've got to be well-prepared!"
"What do you mean 'my home'? The place we're staying in is yours!" Guo Xinyu said. "Oh, by the way, my dad started collaborating with his old friends again for business. Once things get better, they plan to move out."
"Huh? Why move out? Isn't it nice there?"
"It's not about that. My parents are quite proud and don't want to live under someone else's roof," Guo Xinyu said, understanding her own stubbornness too well.
"There's no 'your' or 'mine' when we're family," Fang Jueyu said. "I'll have a talk with them about it later."
When they arrived at the neighborhood, Guo Shu and Yao Yefang were already waiting downstairs.
Upon hearing that Guo Xinyu and Fang Jueyu were together, their hearts were mixed with happiness and worry. While pleased that Xinyu found a reliable partner, they were also concerned about Fang Jueyu's excessive wealth, which somehow made them feel less secure, although it had nothing to do with his character.
"Why did you bring so much stuff?" Yao Yefang welcomed Fang Jueyu warmly, even more than her own daughter, making Guo Xinyu roll her eyes. Guo Shu, on the other hand, watched them with a cheery smile.
"It's what I should do. It's my first time formally visiting; it wouldn't be right to come empty-handed," Fang Jueyu said, carrying a large bag of items as he energetically made his way up the stairs.
"Where's Xiao Yu? Why isn't he back yet?" Fang Jueyu asked curiously.
"He's still in school; he should be back soon," Guo Shu replied. Guo Junyu studied at a private school with a different educational system, and they had regular make-up classes even during the holidays. Today happened to be one of those days.
Yao Yefang went to the kitchen to cook while the three of them sat in the living room.
"Fang, I won't beat around the bush. Neither I nor your aunt oppose you being with Xinyu, but we have only one condition: treat her well and don't let her suffer. Can you do that?" Guo Shu got straight to the point.
"Isn't this the kind of conversation that usually happens after dinner when everyone's full and satisfied?" Fang Jueyu thought to himself. This future father-in-law seemed to be a bit unconventional.
"Absolutely! Rest assured!" Fang Jueyu firmly promised, "If I ever treat Xinyu poorly, you can use a stick on me!"
"Hahaha, now I'm relieved!" Guo Shu laughed heartily.
Once the important discussion was over, the atmosphere became less formal and more like an ordinary chat. Guo Shu enjoyed talking about military and politics, subjects Jueyu was able to engage in.
"Strange, Xiao Yu should be back by now. Why isn't he here?" Yao Yefang had already finished preparing lunch and noticed it was already 11:30.
"Did he get caught up playing with his classmates?" Guo Xinyu wondered.
"Shouldn't be." Guo Shu replied. The residence was chosen especially by Fang Jueyu, just ten minutes from Guo Junyu's school. Even if he was playing around, he should have been back by now. "Call him!"
To avoid distractions, they hadn't given Guo Junyu a phone, but he had a smartwatch for communication.
Still, there was no answer, only a busy signal on the other end.
The family was immediately worried; this was not a good sign.
"Don't panic yet. Maybe his watch ran out of battery?" Fang Jueyu tried to calm them down. "Auntie, why don't you call his teacher?"
"Right! Call the teacher first!" Yao Yefang quickly dialed the teacher's number. The teacher informed her that the school's extra classes ended early today, before 11 o'clock, so Guo Junyu should have already been home.
"How could this happen..." Unable to reach Guo Junyu by any means, even Fang Jueyu started to panic.
"Let's go search along his route from school. Maybe someone saw him," Fang Jueyu quickly stood up.
"Should... should we call the police?" Yao Yefang seemed disoriented.
"Let's not jump to conclusions. Maybe he's just been delayed by something on the way," Guo Shu said, trying to stay calm. "Let's look for him first; if we really can't find him, then we'll involve the police!"
Regardless, this meal was now impossible to enjoy...