Chapter 7: Three Days Homecoming
1286 Words
Huasheng was getting a bit too impatient with her inquiries.
In response, she retorted, "If you're unwilling, then our collaboration ends here."
She thought about how she had listened to him and came to the Jiang family's old mansion, even calling her parents, giving all the face that was due.
Why now, when mentioning moving, did he frame it as if he was moving in with her?
Was this sarcasm?
Knowing full well that the Hua family had fallen from grace, certainly not as prosperous as the Jiang family at their peak, was he deliberately mentioning moving in?
In fact, Huasheng had misunderstood. Jiang Liu genuinely thought the young lady was amusing, just teasing her.
Unexpectedly, his teasing made her snap back in irritation.
Seeing she was really angry, he quickly tried to make amends.
"I was joking, look at you, such a temper... Ten Li Spring Wind, right? That set was made by your Hua family five years ago, wasn’t it? It’s in the traditional Chinese style. I didn’t expect someone as young as you to like traditional Chinese aesthetics. Well then, I’ll just shamelessly move in with you, it's time I left the old mansion anyway."
As for moving, Jiang Liu had no objections.
He figured, since they were married, it didn’t matter where they lived. After all, with a large family and business, weren’t there houses aplenty?
Since Huasheng had specified wanting to live there, so be it.
After an unpleasant conversation, Huasheng decided to rest, ignoring him further.
Just as Huasheng was settling down with her bedding on the floor, the man just laid himself down there.
"You...”
“I like sleeping on the floor, it's cooler,” Jiang Liu said, closing his eyes immediately.
Huasheng was speechless.
Was this man rogue-like in nature?
Hadn’t he said he’d sleep in the bed? Why, when she had made the floor bedding, did he come to claim it?
Angered, Huasheng turned to go to bed, pulled the blanket over, turned off the light, and stopped talking.
This was her first night sleeping in the same room as a man, fortunately, Jiang Liu had no odd habits, and both were very quiet, so she managed to sleep fairly well.
The next morning, Jiang Liu went to the company for a busy day, while Huasheng stayed inside the old mansion, enjoying a quiet day.
Then came the third day.
That morning, after breakfast at the Jiang family old mansion, they, along with the maid, Chuntao, returned to her maternal home.
This was what the northern folk referred to as "Three Days Return to the Door."
It’s a traditional custom where the bride, on the third day after her wedding, brings her husband and gifts back to her maternal home to thank her family for their years of care and affection.
Huasheng felt no attachment to the Hua family, save for the elderly Mrs. Hua.
Jiang Liu’s driver drove them in a golden Rolls-Royce, delivering them to the Hua household.
Along came expensive gifts for the return visit, all prepared by Jiang Liu.
Gifts worth millions, such as wild ginseng, high-quality cordyceps, Indonesian bird's nest, and even an air-shipped bathtub.
The Hua household was bustling that day, with knowledge of the youngest sister's return, the older sisters had come back too.
Upon entering, Jiang Liu saw the whole family gathered in the living room.
"Well, well, we were just talking about you, and here you are, bright and early."
The speaker was Huasheng’s eldest sister, Hua Feng, the current CEO of the Hua corporation.
Three years ago, after the Hua family patriarch had a minor stroke and was hospitalized, he stepped back, leaving the business to his daughters.
"Big sister," Jiang Liu greeted Hua Feng sweetly.
Hua Feng laughed, "My little sister is truly fortunate. Initially set to marry Xie Dongyang, but who could have expected that turn of events? Fortunately, it all ended well. You two must have been fated."
The undertones of her words carried various meanings.
Huasheng, listening, was not pleased, finding the insincerity nauseating.
"Where is grandmother?" she asked indifferently, her gaze sweeping over the faces with undisguised disdain,.
"Your grandmother is resting in the backyard, no hurry, sit down and chat with your sisters first," Mrs. Hua said, rising with a smile to ease the situation.
She didn't want Huasheng's demeanor to chill everyone's spirits.
In fact, no one was truly disheartened, as their interactions with Huasheng had always been minimal.
Hua Zhi, the youngest Hua daughter, glanced impatiently at her watch, grabbed her coat, and headed out, "I have an interview at noon, need to get my makeup done, won't join you for lunch."
Hua Zhi, a renowned actress known for her roles in films and collaborations with major stars, had a reputation for being somewhat arrogant and assertive.
As she passed by Huasheng, she paused, saying, “Little Fifth, we won’t just let the matter with Xie Dongyang go. That vixen who seduced him, Liang Xiaoxiao, right? I’ll make sure she can’t find a place in the entertainment industry, shameless fox.”
Without waiting for Huasheng to reply, Hua Zhi was gone.
Just like that, always in a whirlwind…
“Ah Sheng, come have tea with Jiang Liu and the rest,” Mrs. Hua called with a smile.
Huasheng looked back at Jiang Liu, “Do you like tea?”
“It’s fine,” he responded indifferently.
“Then you stay here and have tea with them, I’ll go see grandma,” Huasheng said, walking away without another look, disregarding the family’s feelings.
Jiang Liu had heard about the strained relations between Huasheng and her family, but seeing it firsthand was another story.
She didn’t even pretend to keep up appearances.
As a junior, he couldn’t disrespect his in-laws.
He had no choice but to sit on the sofa and chat with the Hua family members.
Hua Qing, the second daughter, spoke coldly, “My youngest sister has been spoiled by our grandmother, lacking manners and warmth. It seems she doesn’t hold familial affection in high regard, something you, Mr. Jiang, might need to get used to.”
“Second sister, don’t spout nonsense,” Mr. Hua quickly chided Hua Qing.
“Dad, am I wrong? Didn’t you see? She doesn’t care for her sisters at all… Except for grandmother, no one seems to meet her standards. It's good she didn’t marry into the Xie family; with Xie Dongyang’s fiery temper, who knows how many times a day he’d lose it with her.”
Hua Qing’s words grew increasingly harsh, revealing her inner resentment and jealousy.
She was attractive and competent, yet overshadowed by her elder sister in the company.
Trapped in an unsatisfying marriage with a husband more interested in research than her, their childless three-year union contrasted starkly with Huasheng’s fortuitous marriage into the prestigious Jiang family, elevating her status and changing her parents’ attitude towards her.
Hua Lin, the fourth daughter, unmarried and only slightly older than Huasheng, kept to herself, flipping through a history book, staying out of the discussion.
Jiang Liu, uncomfortable with Hua Qing’s remarks about his wife, responded with a smile, “Sheng’er’s personality actually suits me quite well, my parents like her too. They don’t find her cold at all. As for Xie Dongyang, his temper is irrelevant to us now. He’s lost his chance. If anyone dares to harm Sheng’er in the future, they’ll be opposing the Jiang family, opposing me.”
Jiang Liu's defense left the Hua family in a collective silence... How highly he regarded Huasheng!
Yet, weren't they strangers before? Hadn’t they only met at their wedding? How had Jiang Liu come to defend her so fervently?
- Writer
