Jiang Chuanmin chuckled twice, then pulled Jiang Wanqiu into the house, saying as they walked, "Your sister-in-law has been waiting for you all morning. She's been sitting on the sofa, and she won't leave until you come."
Jiang Wanqiu: "What's wrong? My sister-in-law has never been like this before."
Jiang Chuanmin: "This involves Lai Lai's affairs."
"Lai Lai?"
Hearing that it was related to Jiang Lai, Jiang Wanqiu didn't need Jiang Chuanmin to pull her along anymore. She strode ahead of Jiang Chuanmin and even entered the house before him.
In the living room, only Min Xuehua was visible, but Jiang Lai was nowhere to be seen. Jiang Wanqiu put down her bag and took off her cumbersome coat and scarf.
"Sister-in-law, where's Lai Lai?"
Min Xuehua was even more excited to see Jiang Wanqiu than to see a good script: "Wanqiu is here! Your room has been all tidied up and hasn't been touched. Put your luggage down for your brother and go upstairs to find Lailai first."
As Jiang Wanqiu went upstairs, she asked Jiang Chuanmin, who was carrying her luggage, "Did Lai Lai get into trouble?"
Jiang Chuanmin: "How could that be! If Lai Lai causes trouble, you'll be trending on social media."
Yes, the little dumpling from back then is now an actress.
Jiang Wanqiu walked to Jiang Lai's door and knocked: "Lai Lai? May I come in?"
The sound of footsteps could be heard from inside. Soon, Jiang Lai opened the door, took her aunt's hand, and came in, then locked the door behind her.
"Auntie, please sit down!"
Jiang Lai's room was quite different from her appearance. She had a cold look and dressed in a cool and edgy style, but her room was very pink and cute, just like the room of a princess in an old idol drama.
This was all thanks to Jiang Chuanmin. When they bought the villa, he specially participated in designing the rooms, thinking that his daughter would like it. Jiang Lai couldn't bear to disappoint him, so she pretended to like it very much, which made her father believe it and brag to Min Xuehua for several years.
It was hot inside. She was wearing shorts, her long, slender legs were crossed, and she was holding a large rabbit plushie in her arms.
Min Xuehua sat sideways on the bed and asked, "What's all this secrecy about? Do you know you've ruined my sweet dreams? If you can't tell me something important, I'm going to hit you."
Jiang Lai stuck out her tongue and said to Jiang Wanqiu in a coquettish tone, "Auntie~ Big news! I have a girlfriend!"
Jiang Wanqiu didn't seem surprised, and rolled up his sleeves, ready to hit someone: "Is that all?"
Jiang Lai raised her hand defensively and explained, "I'm going to tell them."
Jiang Wanqiu was taken aback for a moment, then quickly asked, "Who are they?"
"Those two downstairs."
Jiang Wanqiu crossed her arms and pondered for a moment: "Who is it? Could it be the one you asked me to keep an eye on for you last time?"
"It's her." Jiang Lai grinned, her happiness evident on her face.
Jiang Wanqiu has had relationships, but they all ended in failure. She rarely comments on matters of the heart, whether it was Jiang Lai's relationship with Lin Xi before or her relationship with Lin Zhi now.
Jiang Wanqiu sat up straight and, unusually speaking in an elder's tone, said, "Lai Lai, we won't discuss whether she's suitable for you. Your father is a businessman, so let's discuss this from a businessman's perspective."
Jiang Lai nodded obediently: "Please speak."
“Your mother is a relatively open-minded person. She has met many famous actors and directors from abroad, including some homosexuals. She didn’t mind and even admired them. So I think your mother is more accepting. I also know about the relationship between Lin Zhi and your mother. So compared to others, Lin Zhi is more easily accepted by your mother.”
Jiang Lai's heart blossomed upon hearing this: "Then should I tell my mom?"
"Your aunt hasn't finished yet. Your mother is open-minded, but what about your father? I know my brother. He's not as open-minded as my sister-in-law, so he might not accept it. Besides, you and Lin Zhi haven't been together for very long, have you? What do you have to do to win him over? He'll just think you're just having a passing fancy. My personal advice is to wait until your relationship is more stable before you start talking about it."
Jiang Lai immediately wilted, her rabbit ears were all wrinkled from being pinched. If the rabbit could talk, it would definitely stand up and scold her.
"But my feelings for my sister are not just a passing fancy. I've liked her for a long time, but I didn't realize it was liking her before."
Jiang Wanqiu raised an eyebrow: "What do you mean?"
"Auntie, to tell you the truth, once when I went home for Chinese New Year, I was so young, I don't even remember how old I was, but I only remember her. I didn't know what liking someone meant, I only knew that I liked this older sister and wanted to play with her, but my mother wouldn't let me get to know her, and gradually I forgot about her. But everything that happened that day is still clear in my memory, until later when I met her again..."
Seeing her niece's dejected appearance, Jiang Wanqiu couldn't bear it. She knew that Jiang Lai had fallen deeply in love with Lin Zhi. This child had always been a very emotional person since she was a child. She was the same way with Lin Xi. If Lin Xi hadn't wronged her, she might have already introduced her to her parents.
Jiang Lai's love for Lin Zhi wasn't lust at first sight, but rather a rekindling of her youthful affection. Jiang Wanqiu understood Jiang Lai's eagerness to introduce her to her family, but the reality was rather cruel: Jiang Chuanmin wouldn't agree, at least not now. He might only allow it when he saw the mutual devotion between his daughter and Lin Zhi.
Jiang Wanqiu gently patted her niece's head and said softly, "Then tell your mother, but not your father yet, okay?"
Jiang Lai thought for a moment and nodded: "Okay."
Lunch was quite lavish, and the whole family ate a lot, with Jiang Chuanmin leading the way, his belly getting noticeably bigger.
During the meal, Min Xuehua kept mentioning her boyfriend, but Jiang Lai was oblivious to her hints and even asked her if she wanted to play chess. Min Xuehua almost rolled her eyes at him.
After finishing her meal, Jiang Lai took the initiative to clear the table and put the plates in the dishwasher.
Seeing that Jiang Chuanmin had some indigestion, Jiang Wanqiu insisted on taking him out for a walk. One reason was to give Jiang Lai and Min Xuehua some time alone, and the other was to get revenge on Jiang Chuanmin for waking her up that morning.
The brother and sister went out. Min Xuehua put down the remote control, put on her slippers, and went to the kitchen. Watching Jiang Lai's busy figure, she coughed twice.
Jiang Lai was startled and turned around, saying with displeasure, "Mom, why did you scare me?"
Min Xuehua snorted and said, "Wash your hands and come out. I have something to say to you."
"oh..."
Jiang Lai dried her hands, took off her floral apron, and sat down properly in the living room.
Min Xuehua glanced at her and laughed, "Am I that scary? You don't need to sit like you're in class."
“Your classes are even scarier.”
"You silly child..." Min Xuehua smiled helplessly, "Is there something you want to tell me?"
Jiang Lai's eyes lit up: "You know about this too?"
After all, she's his own daughter; how could he not know her?
Min Xuehua: "Just tell me what's going on. Is it related to your boyfriend? You can't let your dad know?"
Jiang Lai nodded: "I am indeed in a relationship, but I can't tell Dad."
Why?
"Because of her..."
Even though Min Xuehua was open-minded, Jiang Lai still didn't know how to broach the subject—should she beat around the bush or be direct?
Min Xuehua then gave her an answer: "Just tell me what's wrong. I didn't get upset when your dad's company's stock plummeted back then. Your mom isn't an ordinary old lady; she has a very strong mentality."
"You're not an old lady, you're very young."
"Tsk tsk, since you're flattering me like this, go ahead and say it, I won't get angry."
As long as it's not just someone randomly picked up from the street, it's fine.
Jiang Lai breathed a sigh of relief, feeling a huge weight lifted from her heart: "Lin Zhi."
Min Xuehua, still not understanding the implication, calmly took a sip of tea: "What's wrong with Xiao Zhi? Does Xiao Zhi not allow you to date?"
Jiang Lai frowned. Had her mother used all her intelligence to make movies? She couldn't understand anything.
"No, Mom! It's Lin Zhi! I'm dating Lin Zhi!"
"Cough cough cough!" Min Xuehua choked on a mouthful of tea, almost passed out, and her face turned red.
Jiang Lai quickly came over to comfort Min Xuehua: "Oh dear, what's wrong with you! Didn't you say you had a strong mentality?!"
Min Xuehua coughed and cursed, "You little brat... I... you..."
It has nothing to do with mental fortitude; I was mainly just shocked.
Min Xuehua asked, "Are you kidding me? Let me tell you, this is not something to joke about."
"No~" Jiang Lai picked up the teapot and poured tea for Min Xuehua: "I'm not joking, it's true."
"Then...why didn't she tell me?"
“I haven’t told her you’re my mother yet. If I do, won’t she be terrified? Let’s take it slow. I mainly want to hear your opinion.”
Min Xuehua frowned: "If I say I don't agree, you'll stop dating?"
Jiang Lai paused for a moment, then said firmly, "Chu! Lin Zhi and you are both important people to me, and I don't want to lose either of them."
Min Xuehua picked up the teacup, disregarded all etiquette, and downed it in one gulp. The mother and daughter remained quiet for a long time.
"Are you serious?"
Jiang Lai nodded.
When did it start?
"Only one month."
Min Xuehua's expression was serious, resembling that of a professor: "I'm warning you, Jiang Lai, I can accept that you like girls, but that girl can only be Xiao Zhi. Do you understand what I mean?"
Jiang Lai nodded, then realized something was wrong and suddenly looked up: "What did you say?"
"Ouch!" Min Xuehua slapped Jiang Lai's head hard, making her eyes red with pain.
Why did you hit me?!
"Why did I hit you! Xiaozhi is a good girl, and I think you're not good enough for her! Her performance was even recognized by the dean, and yours is far inferior. I used to hate myself for not having a son, but now it's not so bad. I don't know how you managed to steal her away."
Jiang Lai suddenly felt that she wasn't Min Xuehua's biological daughter. If she had known Min Xuehua would have this attitude, she should have told her when she was pursuing Lin Zhi and asked her for advice, so as to avoid taking detours.
"Are you really that open-minded?" Jiang Lai still felt like she was in a dream; coming out was easier than she had imagined.
Min Xuehua crossed her arms and snorted, "If it were someone else, I would definitely scrutinize them carefully, but I trust Xiaozhi. This child is capable in every way and is beautiful. It's a pity about her family... It's alright, we'll help each other out when we become in-laws!"
Jiang Lai felt like she was walking on clouds, it all felt unreal, like a dream. She pinched her thigh, it hurt, it wasn't a dream!
Jiang Lai rushed over and hugged Min Xuehua, rubbing her head against her mother's shoulder tightly: "Waaah, thank you, I love you so much!"
Min Xuehua pushed her away with disdain: "I only agree to you two being together, but you are a public figure now, you know what you should do! Don't ruin yourself and Xiaozhi."
"Don't worry!" Jiang Lai swore, holding up her finger.
"Sigh...it's just that Xiaozhi has suffered because of you."
Jiang Lai: ? ? ?
Jiang Lai peeled an orange and handed it to Min Xuehua: "Mom, don't forget I haven't told Lin Zhi yet. Don't let it slip. Also, my aunt doesn't allow me to tell her about my dad. She said my dad isn't as knowledgeable as you."
Min Xuehua liked to hear this and sat up straight: "That's true. I should help you deal with your father's old-fashioned thinking. What era are we living in?"
Jiang Lai chimed in, "That's right, that's right."
Jiang Chuanmin, who was taking a walk, suddenly sneezed.
Jiang Wanqiu: "Oh dear, brother, what's wrong with you?"