âShaoqian, this isâ¦â Yang Yun said as she looked at He Xiyan in confusion.
âThis is your daughter-in-law, momâ¦â Chen Jiahang wrapped his arm around her shoulders as he introduced He Xiyan to his mother. âSheâs Chen Yan but I usually call her Yan Yan. I bought her to be my wife while I was at Mang Village.â
The corners of He Xiyanâs lips turned upward and she smiled when she heard Jiahangâs introduction.
âHello, aunty,â she said and stretched her hand out to greet Chen Jiahangâs mother. However, she did not address her as âmomâ as Jiahang did because she knew that she was not legally her daughter-in-law.
âOhâ¦â Yang Yun exclaimed in surprise and her wrinkles could clearly be seen when she frowned. She reached out and gently clasped the hand of this woman whom her son said was her daughter-in-law.
This woman did not look very young and she guessed that Chen Yan was probably already thirty years old. She was very average-looking, a little chubby, and tan, and also not very tall.
They looked like a very⦠mismatched couple!
âHelloâ¦â Yang Yun finally greeted her with a smile after a while.
âAlright, letâs head inside,â Gu Chengli said. He was full of excitement and happiness at the thought that his precious son was still alive, and he had naturally also ignored this woman who his son had brought home.
He didnât care whom she was nor did he care what she looked like. He was only concerned about his son. Everything else didnât matter.
He Xiyan was led into the house by Chen Jiahang.
The living room was decorated in a classical manner and the furnishings were all made of red sandalwood while many famous paintings and works of calligraphy hung on the walls.
This house was not as luxuriously decorated as an expensive mansion but it was very elegant and tasteful and there were many small planters in the house.
He Xiyan sat on a red sandalwood sofa and felt a little awkward. She didnât even know where to place her hands.
âYan Yanâ¦â Chen Jiahang noticed how uneasy she felt and walked over to hold her hand. âDonât feel so uncomfortable. You should treat this place like your own house.â
He Xiyan smiled but her smile felt a little forced. She didnât answer and merely nodded in response.
She didnât feel uncomfortable but she was only acting this way because she knew that this was not her home.
Her home was in Ming City and it was the house that she had worked her to buy with Jiahang. This was her true home.
This was Gu Shaoqianâs home and also Jiahangâs home, but it wasnât her home.
Aunty Qin brought over two cups of tea and a plate of fruits. She placed one cup in front of He Xiyan and said politely, âMiss Chen, please have some tea.â
He Xiyan accepted the cup of tea and thanked her politely. No one noticed the flash of sorrow and helplessness that flitted past her eyes.
She knew that by addressing her as âMiss Chenâ, this was her status in this household. She was merely âMiss Chenâ here.
He Xiyan sipped at the tea. The tea wasnât bitter and even had a refreshing fragrance but she felt as though the tea was bitter because she felt this bitterness in her stomach and her heart.
Jiahang was called into a room by his mother and she guessed that they had a lot to catch up on. She was left all alone with Aunty Qin.
Aunty Qin looked like she didnât know what to say to her. She would glance at her occasionally and smile awkwardly.
He Xiyan flashed an equally awkward smile back in return. She didnât know what to do other than smile.