CHAPTER 162: CHAPTER 162: THE BRIDE CHOSEN BY THE OLD LADY

So, they seized the opportunity, prepared generous gifts early on, and came under the pretext of visiting Mrs. Huo.

Mrs. Huo, feeling melancholic, brightened up considerably when unexpected old acquaintances arrived at her door.

In the lavish and elegantly decorated living room, Mrs. Huo’s eyes, aged but sharp, gleamed brightly.

She discreetly studied Chu Tingting, who walked in at the very end of the group.

Today, Chu Tingting wore a well-tailored dress and had her hair styled in a princess updo, showing off her smooth forehead and her lovely delicate face—no matter how one looked, she was utterly likable.

"Hello, Grandma Huo!" Chu Tingting followed her mother forward and greeted softly, her voice as clear and sweet as a songbird’s, making her instantly endearing.

Mrs. Huo, having been upset by Lin Banxia earlier, now found herself charmed by the polite and well-bred young lady, gaining an immediate fondness for her.

Comparing Chu Tingting’s family background, her innate aristocratic elegance, and those gentle, obedient eyes, Mrs. Huo became increasingly reluctant to let the stubborn and disagreeable Lin Banxia step through the Huo Family’s door.

"Old sister, how has your health been lately?" Mrs. Chu, being a few years younger, affectionately addressed her as ’sister,’ giving an impression of intimacy.

Mrs. Huo replied cheerfully, "Health’s been alright."

"Grandma Huo, this is a small token I brought back from abroad, and I hope you’ll like it." Chu Tingting suddenly turned to the side, took a long and exquisite box from the servant who accompanied them, and gently offered it with both hands.

"What’s this?" Mrs. Huo’s eyes lit up, filled with curiosity.

Chu Tingting replied with a bright smile, "I heard from Grandma that you enjoy collecting fans. As it happens, during an auction I attended, I spotted an extraordinarily fine fan and decided to bid on it especially for you."

As she spoke, Mrs. Huo’s attendant quickly opened the box. Mrs. Huo took out the fan, crafted from very rare redwood and adorned with intricate lotus carvings—it was exquisite beyond words.

Mrs. Huo took an instant liking to it and nodded repeatedly in approval: "It’s truly remarkable. Tingting has grown up and become increasingly thoughtful. What a lovely child, Grandma likes it very much."

Chu Tingting’s cunning eyes discreetly exchanged glances with her grandmother and mother, unable to hide a trace of pride in her gaze.

The group strolled in the Huo Family’s garden, casually chatting about everyday topics, unknowingly arriving near the grand villa where Yan Ting lived.

Mrs. Chu immediately took the chance to ask, "Old sister, has your Yan Ting been busy lately?"

"Busy, he’s busy every day," Mrs. Huo responded.

"Oh, is he? My Tingting has been thinking about him a lot, wondering when they might meet and have a meal together."

Mrs. Huo suddenly stopped in her tracks, a hint of delight flickering in her expression: "Now that you mention it, I suddenly remembered—they were betrothed as children. It was arranged between my late daughter-in-law and your family’s daughter-in-law back then."

Mrs. Chu, Li Ruyue, immediately lowered her head and dabbed her eyes a few times. Upon closer look, the rims of her eyes were already red.

She cried!

"Sister left us so suddenly. Thinking about it now still feels hard to accept!" Li Ruyue adopted a deeply sorrowful expression.

Mrs. Huo’s mood also became somber: "My daughter-in-law was a learned and courteous woman, a truly wonderful person. It’s such a pity her life was cut short. Thank goodness Yan Ting has grown up now; it saves me from worrying as much."

Mrs. Chu took the opportunity to suggest, "Old sister, since the children have all grown up, why not bring that engagement forward on the agenda?"