CHAPTER 46: CHAPTER 46: THE ZHEN FAMILY MEMBERS

Qin’s mother smiled and said, "Don’t just keep praising her, she’s shy. She might get embarrassed by your compliments later."

Wen Xin playfully scolded, "You protective spirit! I’m praising her, not scolding her. Why are you so quick to defend her?"

Qin’s mother laughed, "So what if I am? Isn’t every daughter-in-law in a family meant to be protected?

Your He Ling, don’t you also protect her wherever you go?"

He Ling is Wen Xin’s daughter-in-law. Wen Xin has a son and a daughter, her son He Shuo and her daughter He Jie.

Her daughter He Jie married into the Qin Family, leaving Wen Xin with just her son He Shuo and daughter-in-law He Ling by her side. Therefore, Wen Xin cherishes He Ling as well. Whenever she attends a banquet, she takes He Ling along...

Today, she also brought He Ling to the Qin Family, but at the moment, He Ling is with He Jie, hence not present...

As soon as Qin’s mother said this, the other ladies laughed along.

Qin’s mother joked with Wen Xin for a bit and then introduced other ladies to Xiao Li. Those who came today were either business associates of the Qin Family or relatives by marriage, so Xiao Li needed to remember them, avoiding the embarrassment of forgetting names at future banquets.

Since it was still early, not many people had arrived. While Qin’s mother was introducing people to Xiao Li, more guests came.

When an elderly woman with a middle-aged woman and two young women entered, Qin’s mother hurried to greet them...

"Mom, why didn’t you tell me you were coming? I would have asked Qin Tan to welcome you. I thought only my sister-in-law would come today."

Qin’s mother said as she led the elderly woman’s group into a room on the first floor, followed quickly by Xiao Li.

The guests in the living room saw Qin’s mother leaving them to welcome the newcomers into the room, but they didn’t dare say anything.

The elderly woman being surrounded was Qin’s mother’s mother — the old Mrs. Zhen.

Old Mrs. Zhen had been in poor health for several years and had been undergoing treatment abroad for the past few years, accompanied by Mrs. Zhen and some younger family members.

Therefore, appearances of the Zhen Family at banquets had been rare in recent years.

The Zhen Family had only returned to the country yesterday. When the call ended, Qin’s mother was delighted and planned to visit her mother after the birthday celebration today.

Unexpectedly, her mother came first.

Old Mrs. Zhen smiled and said, "With your brother, sister-in-law, and these little ones here, there’s no need for Qin Tan and the boys to pick me up...

I’ve been abroad for a few years, and your family has grown a lot. It’s such a good day today; how could I not come to join the fun..."

Mrs. Zhen laughed and said, "Sister, don’t worry. Mom has been receiving decent treatment abroad the past few years. She’s much healthier now than a few years ago..."

Qin’s mother smiled and said, "Thanks to my sister-in-law’s careful care, Mom looks sturdier than when I visited her two years ago.

I owe my sister-in-law a lot for taking care of her over these years."

Two years ago, Qin’s mother traveled abroad. Initially, she and Qin’s father visited a couple of places, then went to stay with old Mrs. Zhen.

She originally planned to stay longer, but after Xiao Zhennan passed away, Qin’s father and mother, being in-laws, hurried back...

Since then, He Jie gave birth to a child, and then Xiao Li had a child, keeping Qin’s mother busy, and she hasn’t gone abroad to stay with old Mrs. Zhen...

Mostly because Qin’s mother knew her sister-in-law took good care so she felt relief staying in the country.

Mrs. Zhen laughed, "Taking care of Mom is what we should do, nothing to be tired about..."

Old Mrs. Zhen didn’t bother with the chit-chat between her daughters-in-law and directly waved at Xiao Li...

Seeing this, Xiao Li quickly came over and squatted down in front of old Mrs. Zhen, "Grandma..."

Old Mrs. Zhen held Xiao Li’s hand, "Good child, you look even better in person than on the phone...

You look so beautiful, no wonder my grandson hastily married you. He couldn’t even wait for his parents to return..."

Over these years, when Qin’s mother often video-called with Mrs. Zhen, Xiao Li would chat with old Mrs. Zhen...

Xiao Li smiled shyly, "Back then, the situation was urgent, and we didn’t think it through completely."

Old Mrs. Zhen shook her head with a smile, "Good child, I’m not blaming you for not thinking it through. I’m sorry you were wronged.

You got married without the groom’s parents present, sorry for the grievance."

Xiao Li shook her head, "No, I’m very happy being married to Qin Xiao."

Old Mrs. Zhen patted Xiao Li’s hand, and Mrs. Zhen helped Xiao Li up, "Good child, don’t squat there, or your legs will get numb."

Xiao Li stood up with a smile, just as the door opened, and it was Qin’s father, the whole Qin Tan family, and Qin Xiao who had come upon hearing the news.

As soon as Qin’s father came in, he called, "Mom, sister-in-law."

Qin Tan, He Jie, and Qin Xiao hurriedly greeted, "Grandma, Aunt."

Old Mrs. Zhen immediately noticed the little Stone standing by He Jie and little Mianmian being held by Qin Xiao, and eagerly said, "Oh, my two little darlings, come over and let me see..."

He Jie quickly led little Stone to old Mrs. Zhen, and Qin Xiao put little Mianmian down in front of her.

Mianmian, who could now walk a step or two, stood there steadily.

Old Mrs. Zhen reached out to touch little Stone and little Mianmian, deeply fond of them.

On the Zhen Family side, Mrs. Zhen had had two daughters before having a son, so her son, Zhen Xunwen, was younger than Qin Tan and Qin Xiao and still unmarried...

Mrs. Zhen’s two daughters were the two young women who came along with old Mrs. Zhen just now.

Zhen Qing, 36 this year, and Zhen Wen, 32, both unmarried. Having stayed abroad for a few years, they found the single life quite enjoyable, so neither was in a rush to marry...

Due to this, the next generation of the Zhen Family has yet to come, so seeing little Stone and little Mianmian brought joy not only to old Mrs. Zhen but to Mrs. Zhen as well...

After touching the children, old Mrs. Zhen turned to Mrs. Zhen, extending her hand. Mrs. Zhen quickly opened her handbag and took out two boxes...

Old Mrs. Zhen gave a blue box to little Stone, "Little Stone, this is a gift from your great-grandmother. Make sure to hold it well."

Then, handing a red box to Xiao Li, she said, "Mianmian is still young, you keep it for her!"

Xiao Li gave a slight bow, "Thank you, Grandma..."

Old Mrs. Zhen smiled and patted the two children gently, then said, "Alright, you shouldn’t all stay here. There are so many people outside to attend to."

We’ll have time later to chat more as a family."

Qin’s father quickly said, "Yes, we’ll go out and greet the guests first. After the banquet, we can catch up as a family..."