A beautiful summer night

On the eve of the Lunar New Year, two cars slowly stopped in front of the Xie family's old house, one after the other.

Grandpa Xie, along with his son, daughter-in-law, grandson, and granddaughter, waited at the door early to welcome them.

Xie Tan stood nervously at the front, holding the old man's arm, and asked in a babbling voice, "Grandpa, can Wanzi's maternal grandfather speak Chinese?"

The old man replied perfunctorily, "Yes."

Xie Tan then asked, "How should we behave later? Will they dislike our family?"

The old man patted her on the head: "Smile, everyone. They won't dislike it."

While ostensibly answering a child's question, he was actually warning his son, daughter-in-law, and two grandsons behind him to be sensible.

The two families of Xie's second and third uncles stood neatly at the back. Except for Xie's third aunt, who had recently given birth and was still in confinement, everyone else was present.

After the two cars came to a stop, the old man immediately stepped forward.

As the car door opened, Xie Qiyan got out first to open the door for Ross and Xia Yongqing in the back seat.

The car in front wasn't occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Richard, but by Mr. and Mrs. Xia Yongqing. Old Master Xie nodded slightly, then slowly shifted his gaze to the car behind, stepping forward with a beaming smile to greet them: "Mr. Richard, Mrs. Qiao Shu, please, please—"

As soon as Xia Wanzhi got out of the car, she saw the older generation exchanging pleasantries. She glanced at Xie Qiyan across the crowd and smiled.

Xie Qiyan beckoned to her.

The Xie family's attention was not on them. Xia Wanzhi smiled and left her grandparents, parents, and boyfriend to hold hands.

"Are you nervous?" Xia Wanzhi subconsciously rubbed her head against his arm, adopting a submissive posture.

Xie Qiyan's palms were warm as he held Xia Wanzhi's hand tightly as they followed behind the group: "What's there to be nervous about? Not at all."

"Keep pretending." Xia Wanzhi snorted.

Xie Qiyan chuckled and readily admitted, "I am nervous, but I am mostly happy. I'm about to have a wife. Do you think I'm more nervous or more excited?"

"Stop fooling around!" Xia Wanzhi laughed from ear to ear, pinching him to prevent him from spreading his tail feathers like a peacock.

Xie Qiyan stopped joking and slowly added, "I'm nervous because it's my grandparents' first time visiting the Xie family, and I'm worried they might have opinions about other people."

Xia Wanzhi patted his hand: "Don't be afraid. I just checked, and Second Aunt was forcing a smile. I guess Grandpa gave her some special instructions. Don't worry."

Xie Qiyan clicked his tongue: "I'm still a little scared, how about you give me a hug?"

Xia Wanzhi smiled and raised her hand to hit him.

Ms. Ross, who was walking ahead, was holding Xie Tan's hand. The first thing she asked was her final grades and how far she was from her winter break homework. Xie Tan quickly changed the subject: "Aunt Ross, why are Sister Wanzi and the other girl walking so slowly?"

Ross glanced back—

"Where have you two been? Hiding in the back, having your romance?"

This sound interrupted their secret love talk.

Everyone looked over, and burst into laughter.

Xia Wanzhi was so embarrassed she wanted to crawl into a hole: "..."

Once inside, Ross asked Xie Tan, "Why didn't I see your stepmother?"

Uncle Xie continued, "She's still in her postpartum period."

Ross exclaimed in surprise: "She's born?"

Xie Tan nodded in agreement: "She had a little sister."

She is no longer the only little princess of the Xie family.

Seeing the dejection in Xie Tan's eyes, Ross forgot to even offer his congratulations and instead pulled Xie Tan onto his lap to cheer her up.

Uncle Xie was a little embarrassed, and wisely shut his mouth and drank his tea.

Logically speaking, Xie Qiyan shouldn't have agreed to their presence at today's banquet.

Only now, noticing the way Richard and his wife were scrutinizing them from the main seats, did they understand the old man and Xie Qiyan's intentions.

Even if they are not close to Xie Qiyan, they are still related by blood.

This precisely proves how much the old man and Xie Qiyan valued this marriage.

Even if they don't need to speak, the Xie family must be present; it's a matter of courtesy.

Grandpa Xie was busy greeting Richard and Ms. Qiao Shu, and the old man mostly talked about the two children, which Xie Qiyan was listening to.

Listen to the old man's boastful talk, as he tries his best to explain his merits.

Xie Qiyan: "..."

I'm not used to it yet.

Xia Wanzhi listened with both ears, taking in bits and pieces. When she heard the old man praising him so enthusiastically, she couldn't help but chuckle and whispered to Xie Qiyan, "Grandpa is so afraid you won't be able to find a wife?"

Xie Qiyan glanced at her and said, "I'm afraid I won't be able to marry you, my dear little princess."

Xia Wanzhi smiled so hard her eyes crinkled: "Be serious, there are so many people watching."

Xie Tan had been secretly watching them, and he twirled his two index fingers on his cheeks, exclaiming, "Hey, brother, that's embarrassing!"

Ross was overjoyed and hugged Xie Tan, giving him a kiss.

The meeting between the two families was lively and cheerful, with even Xie Lin and Xie Nan wearing smiles on their faces.

After all, it was members of the Becker family who came.

Poor hospitality is a serious offense.

Xie Nan, in particular, was terrified that Xia Wanzhi would come after her.

Xia Wanzhi, whose seat was directly opposite Xie Lin, suddenly remembered something and asked Xie Qiyan, "Your second uncle's son is getting married at sixteen?"

Xie Qiyan didn't care about the date and couldn't answer, so he simply asked Xie Lin directly.

Xie Lin nodded and said with a smile, "Yes, it's the sixteenth of the year. I hope you'll bring your wife to share in the joy."

"Sherling is getting married too?" Xia Yongqing exclaimed in shock. "That's great, he's the first one!"

Seeing that Xia Wanzhi seemed interested in this matter, Xie Qiyan asked her, "What's wrong?"

Xia Wanzhi knew he knew nothing about the matter, so she simply spoke directly to Xie Lin: "Second brother, you got your marriage certificate?"

Sherlin was surprised by her address and paused for a moment before replying, "Not yet, the plan is to get it after the New Year, before the wedding."

Xia Wanzhi nodded thoughtfully.

Xia Yongqing quickly followed up on the topic and chatted with them.

Xia Wanzhi didn't hear anything behind her. The surroundings were bustling and lively, but she was completely immersed in her own world.

"If they haven't registered their marriage, then they're not the first one," Xia Wanzhi muttered softly.