Iris felt like she shouldn't be listening to this kind of private family matters. Although they were very nice to her and insisted on treating her like family, they just met each other today for the first time after all. So she cleared her throat to get everyone's attention. Then she excused herself to go the washroom.
Grandma Li and Huang Yuyan finally realized that they said too much in front of her. They stiffened. On the other hand, Grandpa Lu looked carefree.
A maid led Iris to the nearest powder room.
When she was gone, Grandpa Lu's carefree expression turned into a scowl. "Hmph! Just so you know, I'm already eyeing Xiulan for my Haohao!" He glared at his friend. "Your grandsons are already taken so don't even try stealing her away!"
"Our youngest might be engaged, but there's still our eldest," Grandma Li retorted.
"But Mother, he already has a girlfriend," Huang Yuyan said.
Grandma Li: "A girlfriend is not a wife, nor a fiancée. Wait, are you sure it's girlfriend and not a boyfriend?"
"Uh, I'm sure he said that it's a girlfriend."
Grandpa Lu: "Ahahaha!"
"He also told me that he plans to marry his girlfriend."
"I don't know. But he said that he'll introduce her to us soon."
"He sounds serious. It matches his personality. He's very decisive, just like his grandfather." Grandma Li sighed. "I just wish he met Xiulan earlier than his girlfriend. It would be great to have a granddaughter-in-law who's a Cross Academy student. Brother Jianhong, why didn't you introduce Xiulan to us sooner?"
"Hmph! I'm now regretting introducing her to you in the first place! If I only knew that you'll also eye her, I would've hidden her until my Haohao returns to the country!"
"You selfish, old man." Grandma Li rolled her eyes.
"You thieving, old hag!"
"Say that again, you loud-mouthed gorilla!"
The two continued to insult and glare at each other, while Huang Yuyan looked at them helplessly.
Finally, Iris returned. The two bickering friends immediately transformed into dignified elders. They began chatting pleasantly with each other, as if they weren't bickering like two unruly children just a few seconds ago.
Huang Yuyan sighed in relief and gave Iris a grateful smile.
Iris smiled back, clueless as to what happened.
"I'm a musician," she answered.
"Oh! My younger son is also a musician," Huang Yuyan said.
Grandma Li nodded.
"Hmm. Now that you mention it, I do feel like I've seen you before. You look familiar," Huang Yuyan said, studying Iris. "Have you released any songs recently?"
Before Iris could answer, Grandpa Lu's voice boomed. "Of course! Xiulan is a popular celebrity! Her music is currently number 1 in the music charts! She even defeated your son! Ahahaha!"
Iris tilted her head to the side. What did he mean by she defeated Auntie Yuyan's son?
"No, the one who defeated my son is the singer named Iris Long…" Then Huang Yuyan's eyes widened. "Long Xiulan…Iris Long…Long... Wait, don't tell me!"
Iris had no reason to lie. "Yes, Auntie. I am Iris Long."
"Oh!"
Huang Yuyan nodded. "Yes, Mother. Her music is currently being played everywhere. Like Uncle Jianhong said, her music is currently number 1 in the music charts. My son was originally number 1 but she kicked him off."
Realization dawned on Iris. "Auntie, is your son Jin Chonglin?"
"Yes, he's my son."
"Oh." Then another more important realization struck Iris. "Then your older son is Jin Liwei?"
"Yes."
Iris bit her lower lip, trying hard not to laugh out loud at the sheer coincidence. It was only a few days ago when Jin Liwei told her that he wanted to introduce her to his grandmother and mother. She felt really nervous and worried at that time, but today she unknowingly met them and was even calling them Grandma and Auntie.
She could've told the two ladies that she was Jin Liwei's girlfriend but suddenly feeling mischievous, she ended up not telling them. How amusing it would be to watch everyone's reactions when they learned about the truth. She was looking forward to her man's reaction the most. She bet that he would be stupefied. Just imagining his reaction was making her giggle.
"Oy oy, girl!" Grandpa Lu gave Iris a suspicious look. "Why are you smiling like that? Do you have a crush on that Liwei boy? I want to know!"
"Hmm... Jin Liwei is handsome. He's as handsome as my boyfriend."
"How shameless," Grandma Li retorted. "My late husband was more handsome than you, so of course our grandson will be more handsome than your grandson."
"What did you say?!"
The two bickered once again like children. Iris chatted with Huang Yuyan. Now that Iris knew that she was Jin Liwei's mother, she treated her even more warmly.
Later, they were called for dinner. They headed to the dining area and ate an array of dishes. The food was more comforting than sumptuous. They looked and tasted very much like delicious homemade food. They were very appropriate for the cold weather.
After dinner, they headed to a lounge room to drink digestive tea. Iris had another busy schedule the next day, so she and Grandpa Lu only stayed for another thirty minutes before bidding goodbye to the two Madams.
Huang Yuyan already felt attached to her and almost didn't want to let her go. She tried inviting Iris to sleep over, but Iris had to decline. In the end, Grandma Li needed to pull her daughter-in-law from Iris.
"Grandma Li, Auntie Yuyan, thank you very much for today. I promise that we'll see each other again soon," Iris told him. 'Perhaps the next time will be with Liwei,' she thought.
"Good," Grandma Li said. "You can come back whenever you want to. If your Grandpa Lu doesn't lend you his helicopter, just give me a call, my dear, and I'll send one to pick you up."
"Who're you calling selfish?!"
Later, the two ladies heard the sound of a helicopter taking off from a distance.