Chapter 137: Meeting the Parents
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
“All!” Jiang Li was startled by Zhou Chao’s sudden attack, and she stood up from her seat, ready to playfully hit him. However, she noticed that people around them were looking at them strangely.
“You naughty guy, always picking on me,” Jiang Li said with a blushing face, and her hand had already reached Zhou Chao’s waist.
“Ouch, my dear, go easy on me! That’s starting to hurt,” Zhou Chao exclaimed as he felt his waist muscles protesting from Jiang Li’s pinching.
“See if you dare to bully me again in the future!” Looking at Jiang Li’s proud expression, Zhou Chao couldn’t help but pinch her cheek.
“Ah Li, will there be many people tonight?” Zhou Chao wanted to be mentally prepared because it was his first time meeting her family, and he was feeling quite nervous.
“What’s the matter, Brother Chao, are you scared?”
“Scared? Come on, All Li, do you think your Brother Chao is that kind of person?” Zhou Chao heard the teasing tone in Jiang Li’s voice but wanted to show his confidence. After all, he needed to maintain a strong presence.
“Tonight, it’s a small gathering, only a few tables. It’s just our family, including my grandpa, Uncle Xiao Yang’s family, and my aunt’s family. Originally, it was meant to be a family dinner, and Grandpa thought it was sufficient for our family to come together, so he didn’t invite anyone else.”
“Phew!” Zhou Chao let out a sigh of relief upon hearing this, feeling much more relaxed. However, he noticed Jiang Li looking at him with an amused expression.
“It’s not that I’m scared, I’m just taking a deep breath, you know? Yes, just taking a deep breath!” Jiang Li’s laughter rang out like silver bells, attracting the attention of others in the room.
“Let’s go, I’ll take you upstairs to meet everyone!” With that, Jiang Li held Zhou Chao’s hand, and they headed for the elevator.
Inside the elevator, Jiang Li felt Zhou Chao’s hand gripping hers even tighter. As the elevator neared its destination, Jiang Li could clearly feel Zhou Chao’s hand starting to sweat slightly.
“Brother Chao, it’s okay! They’re all easy-going people,” Jiang Li reassured him in a soft voice.
When the elevator reached the third floor, Jiang Li led Zhou Chao out. Zhou Chao let out a deep breath and, with renewed confidence, followed Jiang Li towards the private dining room.
“Wait a moment!” When they were about two meters away from the private room, Zhou Chao stopped Jiang Li.
“What’s wrong?” Jiang Li looked at Zhou Chao with concern.
“It’s nothing, just give me a moment!” Zhou Chao closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths. When he opened his eyes again, he was back to his confident self.
“Let’s go!” Jiang Li, seeing Zhou Chao’s transformation, smiled slightly and led him inside.
Inside the private dining room, all the seats were already occupied, and only a few seats were left. At the head of the main table, two elderly people were sitting, chatting and laughing. One of them was the guest of honor today, Old Master Jiang.
When the door of the private room opened, it attracted the attention of everyone inside. Jiang Li walked in with a handsome young man in tow.
“Grandpa Jiang, Grandfather Xiao (she’s addressing her maternal grandfather), Dad, this is my boyfriend, Zhou Chao!” Jiang Li introduced Zhou Chao directly to the elders.
“Mr. Jiang, Mr. Xiao, Uncle, nice to meet you,” Zhou Chao greeted them respectfully. Both Old Master Jiang and Old Master Xiao nodded in approval, while Jiang Li’s father, Jiang Youdao, stared at Zhou Chao with sharp eyes. Zhou Chao smiled back at him.
“Grandpa, I picked out the collector’s walnut gift for you with Zhou Chao’s help!” Jiang Li said proudly to Grandpa Jiang.
“Oh, really? This young man has good taste!” Grandpa Jiang praised Zhou Chao, making Jiang Li beam with pride.
“Old Master, this is a gift for you. i hope you like it,” Zhou Chao said politely as he handed over the gift.
Old Master Jiang was about to respond, but Old Master Xiao, who was sitting nearby, took the gift from Zhou Chao’s hand.
“Young man, you’ve given Mr. Jiang such a fine gift. I’m wondering why you haven’t given me anything,” Old Master Xiao said, teasing Zhou Chao.
“Well, Old Master, last time, didn’t Brother Yang bring you a bottle of fine wine?” Zhou Chao replied, trying to playfully divert attention away from himself.
“Just one bottle isn’t enough!” Old Master Xiao declared confidently.
“Um, Brother Yang actually took my last bottle later, saying he was taking it back to offer you as a sign of respect. I hope he didn’t secretly drink it himself!” While getting cornered, Zhou Chao conveniently threw Xiao Yang under the bus.
“That little rascal, watch how i deal with him when I get back! Old Jiang, if you don’t want this gift, I’ll take it back with me!” With that, Old Master Xiao shook the box in his hand, still teasingly.
“Of course, how could I refuse? This is a birthday gift from my grandson-in-law. Old man Xiao, you wouldn’t want to snatch it from me, would you?”
“Hmph, who’d want to?” With that, he gave the box to Old Master Jiang.
“You Dao, you’ve been staring at young Chao for quite a while. Say a few words!” Old Master Jiang, noticing his son’s continuous gaze at Zhou Chao, decided to break the ice.
“1,1 was just curious to see which breed of pig stole my cabbage. My drafty little cotton jacket won’t keep me warm anymore!” Jiang Youdao’s words surprised Zhou Chao, as he had thought Jiang Youdao wouldn’t approve of him being with Jiang Li.
“Dad, why are you saying such things?” Jiang Li retorted, placing her hands on her hips as she looked at Jiang Youdao.
“All of you just look at this. She hasn’t even married him yet, and she’s already speaking up for him. Ah, my little cotton-padded jacket is losing its warmth!” Jiang Youdao’s words elicited laughter from everyone at the table.
“Both of you, please take a seat. You’re already considered part of the family, there’s no need to be so formal,” Old Xiao said warmly. Jiang Li then guided Zhou Chao as she began to introduce him to the rest of the family. It was a modest gathering with only three families in attendance.
“This is my mom, Li Ya, my aunt, Jiang Youxi, and my cousin, Wen Shao. My uncle couldn’t make it today.” Zhou Chao greeted the family members.
“Xiao Chao, if Jiang Li ever throws a little tantrum, just let me know, and I’ll set her straight!” Jiang Li’s mother said to Zhou Chao with a smile.
“Don’t worry, Auntie, 1 won’t let her throw a tantrum,” Zhou Chao said, squeezing Jiang Li’s hand.
“Both of you sit down first.” Jiang Li led Zhou Chao and they found an empty seat.
At first, Zhou Chao thought it might be a chaotic scene, but it turned out to be quite peaceful. Moreover, it seemed that Jiang Li’s father and mother had already approved of him. This left him puzzled.
“Brother Chao, what are you thinking?” Jiang Li asked as she noticed Zhou Chao’s puzzled expression.
“Ah Li, how did your uncle and aunt approve of me so readily?”
“Hehe, you don’t know what I did for you back at home.” Jiang Li often mentioned Zhou Chao at home, praising him for various qualities, and with her brother, Jiang Yu, supporting her, they had already formed a favorable impression of him before meeting him in person.
“You’re quite something!” Zhou Chao couldn’t help but playfully tap Jiang Li’s nose.
“Oh, All Li, your mom’s last name is Li, but why did you call Old Xiao ‘Grandfather’?
“My mom was entrusted to Grandfather Xiao by my biological Grandfather’s comrade-in-arms before passing away, and Grandfather Xiao never asked her to change her last name.”
“I see!”
While the two were chatting, the private room’s door opened again, and three people entered. One of them was Xiao Yang and Zhou Chao immediately stood up.
“Zhou Chao, come here!” Xiao Yang waved to Zhou Chao, who walked over.
“Dad, this is Zhou Chao!” Xiao Yang introduced Zhou Chao to the middle-aged man beside him.
“You must be Zhou Chao! Not bad, young man. It’s a blessing for Xiao Feng to have you as his buddy. I’m Xiao Yang’s father, Xiao Zhong, and this is his mother.”
“Uncle, Auntie, nice to meet you,” Zhou Chao greeted them respectfully.
“You did well with the previous matter.” Xiao Zhong patted Zhou Chao’s shoulder and walked over to Old Master Jiang.
“Brother Yang, I’m sorry.” Zhou Chao apologized before sitting back down, leaving Xiao Yang standing there in confusion..
