The next morning, warm sunlight filtered through the pale pink curtains, casting a gentle glow on the wooden floor.
Tang Xiaowan woke up in a daze.
She didn’t see her dear husband, Leng Lingxiao, and then realized she was at 66 Chunlei Street in Huang City, not at the Lingxiao Manor in Chicheng.
"Wash my face, brush my teeth, get dressed, go downstairs for breakfast, and then follow Huahua to visit others."
"Right, it’s visiting, not meeting the in-laws!"
Facing the mirror, Tang Xiaowan muttered to herself as if to muster courage. She was usually as brave as a lion at work, but shy and timid when meeting parents.
She hardly resembled the composed, wise, and resolute warrior she was in the conference room.
An hour later, at the Leng Family’s old house.
Ever since Leng Lingxiao and Tang Xiaowan got their marriage certificate in Chicheng, Leng Jiangping and his wife had been busy purchasing new furniture and having the garden meticulously tended. Now, the entire old Leng Family home looked rejuvenated.
Last night, Yang Aihua, upon receiving a call from her son saying he would come home with Tang Xiaowan for lunch, was so excited she couldn’t contain herself. She stayed up late preparing and got up before five this morning.
At the moment, the kitchen was filled with delightful aromas, and all the dishes were perfectly prepared.
"Why haven’t they arrived yet?"
Yang Aihua paced back and forth in the living room, frequently glancing at the grandfather clock. She kept running to the door, almost longing to see through it.
"The son said they would arrive around 9:30."
"Does my outfit look okay? When Tangtang gets here... No smoking, it smells too much!"
Leng Jiangping nodded hastily: "Understood."
"No, I need to check the kitchen."
Meanwhile, a black luxury car was swiftly driving toward the Leng Family’s old house.
The journey was serene, with lush trees lining the roads, and a gentle breeze rustling, creating a pleasant sound.
Throughout, Leng Lingxiao held Tang Xiaowan’s hand, providing her with the warm reassurance and support he knew his Little Wife needed during this anxious and tumultuous time.
Strangely, even though he was returning to his own home, his heartbeat inexplicably quickened as well.
Soon, they arrived at the Leng Family’s old house.
The gateway was guarded by a pair of massive stone lions, their gaze solemn and dignified, as if protecting the family’s glory and history.
Zhao Renjie held the steering wheel, smiling as he slowed the car, smoothly driving through the grand entrance of the Leng Family. Fresh chapters posted on NoveI★Fire.net
The flowers and trees along the way were lush, with fresh fragrances filling the air. There was no hint of autumn’s sadness, which reminded Tang Xiaowan of Qingcheng, where she had grown up.
If there was nothing to do over the weekend, she thought of returning to Mei Garden to look for old belongings and those photographs.
Could they really have been hidden away by grandma?
Seeing that Tang Xiaowan seemed distracted, Leng Lingxiao smiled and asked, "What’s wrong, Tangtang? Are you thinking about Mei Garden again, shall we..."
Tang Xiaowan nodded but quickly shook her head, not wanting to burden Leng Lingxiao.
"Huahua, I really want to see the Lingxiao Flower, the one you told me about... the one your mother planted for you shortly after you were born."
Ah, she really was missing her mother!
"It’s in the backyard. Shall we go now? It’s still early, only just nine."
Leng Lingxiao looked at Tang Xiaowan tenderly, his heart full of affection.
"No rush, let’s eat first."
As Tang Xiaowan finished speaking, they saw the butler and a group of servants already standing neatly on the villa’s steps, waiting for them.
The butler, dressed in a black suit, although in his fifties, still looked vigorous.
The car came to a gentle stop under Zhao Renjie’s control.
As the car doors opened and Tang Xiaowan and Leng Lingxiao stepped out, the butler quickly advanced a few steps, leading the servants in bowing respectfully.
"Young Master, Madam, welcome home!" The crowd called out in unison, their voices resounding.
Tang Xiaowan smiled and nodded in thanks.
She wore a light autumn dress, its simple style elegantly accentuating her slender figure and her graceful yet fashionable taste.
Black hair fluttered in the wind, emanating a faint, delicate fragrance.
Leng Lingxiao wore a dark blue suit that matched Tang Xiaowan’s color scheme. With every move he made, he exuded a sense of steadiness and charm.
The butler couldn’t help but silently exclaim in his heart, "Truly a match made in heaven, a perfect pair!"
Meanwhile, Leng Jiangping and his wife had also hurriedly arrived, their faces filled with joy and happiness. They had waited so long, and finally, the moment had come.
Especially Madam Leng, Yang Aihua, who directly ran up to Tang Xiaowan.
"Tangtang, are you tired?" Yang Aihua took Tang Xiaowan’s hand and asked with concern, "It’s a bit of a distance, did you feel carsick at all?"
Her words were filled with barely concealed excitement.
Tang Xiaowan felt warmth and care, smiling as she responded, "Thank you, auntie, I’m quite alright."
Soon after, they slowly walked into the hall, followed by the living room. Leng Lingxiao’s meticulously prepared high-end gifts and presents for the parents were brought out one by one from the trunk by Zhao Renjie and others.
All gifts were selected in the name of Tang Xiaowan.
The living room was decorated simply yet elegantly, with some antique calligraphy and paintings hanging on the walls, and the floor covered with soft carpets, making it comfortable and relaxing.
The servants methodically served tea to everyone. The steaming hot tea, carrying a light fragrance, wafted in the air.
Perhaps it’s just human nature, when hearts align, everything always seems joyful.
Yang Aihua picked up the teacup, turned to Tang Xiaowan, and remarked, "Tangtang, unlike most young people who favor beverages, you have a habit of drinking tea, that’s really great!"
"Not really, actually I was influenced by Huahua," Tang Xiaowan explained shyly.
"Oh? Lingxiao? You learned from him!"
Upon hearing his Little Wife mentioning him, Leng Lingxiao’s eyes filled with pride and love.
Yet, his mother’s enthusiasm made him worry about her, fearing she might feel nervous or uncomfortable, so he decisively changed the topic.
"Tangtang, actually when I was little..."
Knowing her son as only a mother could, Yang Aihua quickly joined the relaxed conversation, talking about some interesting life stories and her experience with planting flowers.
Father, Leng Jiangping, listened intently throughout.
He had smoked two cigarettes in the morning and was worried about having a bad taste in his mouth, so he drank cup after cup of tea.
Gradually, Tang Xiaowan’s nervousness dissipated, and she began to open up more about her childish behaviors when she was younger, as well as the happy times she had after meeting Leng Lingxiao.
"Just as rumors said, so young, just the look of one still studying."
"Truly beautiful, like a little fairy!"
"Yes, indeed, and Lady Tang must be very easy to get along with. She has a good temper too, very humble, did you see earlier..."
"The butler said, we should address her as the young madam!"
"Oh, forgot, forgot, I got too excited..."
As two servants delivered the fruit platter, they whispered among themselves, their conversations filled with praise for Tang Xiaowan.
However, inside a white sedan at that moment, a pair of eyes filled with blood vessels stared at the Leng Family’s gate with a touch of hatred.
It was Jiang Yongli, holding onto the steering wheel.
"Ke Xin, the Brother Ling Xiao you’ve always thought about has returned. I wonder if he will go to see you?"
"If he doesn’t, don’t be sad."
"Don’t worry, those pearls... Aunt will definitely bring them to you, not missing a single one."
As she spoke, tears streamed down Jiang Yongli’s cheeks. She gently opened the black gift box on the passenger seat, inside which was a beautiful crystal bottle.
It was identical to the one Jiang Kexin had broken before; Jiang Yongli had just bought it.
Suddenly, her phone screen lit up.
Dingling, dingling, dingling...
After picking up the call, the anxious and deep voice of Jiang Yongxing came through, "Yongli, what time and where are you meeting Wang Junchen?"
Jiang Yongli quickly wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and asked with a smile, "Why, big brother, do you want to go too?"
"United as siblings, their strength can cut through gold!"