CHAPTER 218: CHAPTER 218: COMMOTION

Zhang Haijun’s family arrived at the dinner table embarrassingly late.

Originally, Zhang Haijun had come home early, but Lin Cuifen delayed repeatedly, pretending she suddenly remembered in the evening to tell him that Zhang Yuan had returned, and he brought his fiancée along.

Zhang Haijun didn’t even know when his son got engaged. Now he was back to introduce her to the family. Filled with anger, he brought his whole family here.

When they entered, people were already seated at the table, clearly not waiting for him, the father, to join. His suppressed anger suddenly flared up.

"Zhang Yuan, do you still see me as your father or not? You didn’t even tell me about this big event like your engagement? How come your fiancée has already come home and I, your father, know nothing?" Zhang Haijun didn’t even have time to greet Mr. Zhang Sr.; he just rushed over and pulled Zhang Yuan up from the chair, scolding him.

Lin Xue was sitting right next to Zhang Yuan. Seeing this scene truly made her eyes widen in surprise, forgetting to get up and greet them.

"Haijun, what are you doing? Let go of Xiao Yuan quickly!" It was Grandma Zhang who first spoke to stop her son from acting out.

"What am I doing? I’m disciplining this brat. Ever since he was little, he wouldn’t listen, and now he even makes major decisions about marriage on his own. Is this how a son is supposed to act? I, his father, didn’t even know about his engagement!" Zhang Haijun wasn’t afraid of his mom criticising him, glaring as he shouted back at her.

"Shut up! All of you, get out!" Mr. Zhang Sr. slapped the table and shouted, his veins bulging in anger.

"Haijun! Is it you who doesn’t care about Xiao Yuan or does Xiao Yuan not consider you his father? Last time when he came back, he mentioned he was already engaged. You, as a father, didn’t even care about your son, let alone reversed the blame on him. Is that reasonable? You’re always listening to those ignorant women’s words, almost forgetting how old your own son is, right?" Grandma Zhang’s reproach left Zhang Haijun speechless, as it dawned on him that it may indeed have been the case. Last time Xiao Yuan returned, it seemed it was because he was engaged that he refused the Gao Family’s marriage proposal. How could he have been so forgetful?

Now, he didn’t know what to say. He glanced awkwardly at Lin Xue, but was struck by the girl’s stunning appearance.

Similarly enchanted were a mother and her two sons, their eyes roving over Lin Xue with scrutinizing glances.

Zhang Ting went to the countryside for work. At home, there were only Zhang Yang and Zhang Yu, who also came along with their parents. Zhang Yang, the same age as Lin Xue, was sixteen and already understood what it meant to like someone. That one look made him take a liking to the soon-to-be sister-in-law engaged to his older brother.

Who was Lin Xue? She had long noticed the curious stares from the mother and sons. Calmly, she stood aside, waiting for Zhang Yuan’s father’s drama to end.

"This... even though Xiao Yuan is a university graduate from Capital City, and despite having been to the countryside for some time, he shouldn’t just muddle along and marry some country girl! Dad, you can’t just sit by and let him fool around! The Gao Family has very high standards! Xiao Yuan even refused them. You guys really spoiled this kid!" Zhang Yuan didn’t expect his so-called father to say such things in front of the young girl.

He was about to angrily retort when suddenly the stepmother spoke up.

"Haijun! What are you saying in front of the girl? Dad and Mom are both here! You’ve gone too far with your words! Stop talking!" Then, she pulled him over to sit at the side.

The two sons followed and sat down.

Once the family of four sat down, Mr. Zhang Sr. spoke, "The girl Xiao Yuan chose, we are very satisfied! She is well-educated, well-mannered, and beautiful, perfectly suitable for our Xiao Yuan!" The elder spoke while nodding towards Lin Xue, "Xiao Xue, come sit down! Sister-in-law Zhang, bring some juice over!"

Lin Xue knew she was exempt from even introducing herself or greeting Zhang Yuan’s father’s family. Being pulled to sit down by Zhang Yuan, Grandma Zhang immediately took hold of her hand as she sat.

"Xiao Xue dear, don’t mind them, Xiao Yuan and his father have been at odds like this for ages now and probably can’t change this temperament. Whatever he says, don’t take it to heart, okay?"

Lin Xue shook her head gently, smiling moderately without a hint of ingratiation, nor did she display any displeasure over Zhang Haijun’s earlier rudeness.

This sight gave Lin Cuifen a slight jolt. This country girl was not only not rustic but also difficult to deal with; despite the harsh words thrown at her, she could still wear such a warm smile.

Zhang Haijun snorted, turning away to avoid meeting Mr. Zhang Sr.’s fierce gaze.

"Alright, alright! Everyone, stop arguing. Xiao Yuan, here is a meeting gift for your fiancée from Auntie! Help me put it on her!" Lin Cuifen pulled out an exquisite paper bag that she had been holding and handed it over.

Seeing Zhang Yuan not reaching out to take it, she felt slightly awkward and held it there until Sister-in-law Zhang took it and passed it to Zhang Yuan. Zhang Yuan didn’t immediately open it to put it on Lin Xue, merely offering a tepid ’thank you’ and leaving it at that.

Originally, Lin Cuifen intended to put it on Lin Xue when she called her by name, but due to the commotion caused by her husband, that part was skipped. It was unfortunate because she had spent ten yuan on the bracelet and didn’t want to waste it. This way, she still managed to do a good deed in front of her parents-in-law.

"Alright, let’s eat!" Mr. Zhang Sr. waved his hand, beginning the welcoming dinner for the evening.

Throughout, Zhang Yang and Zhang Yu didn’t say a word or even greet Zhang Yuan, their elder brother. The truth was that they were not familiar with this elder brother at all; they rarely talked. Since childhood, their brother had lived with their grandparents, and they rarely came here. Their grandparents also maintained a distant attitude towards them, making them even more hesitant to come here, naturally growing estranged over time.

"Xiao Xue, try this, a Capital City specialty, quite tasty!" Grandma Zhang continuously attended to Lin Xue, serving her dishes, chatting with her occasionally to avoid making her feel awkward.

Lin Xue found Grandma to be exceptionally considerate, capable of understanding even her inadvertent expressions.

Additionally, with Zhang Yuan conversing with her now and then, serving food to her, she didn’t feel the slightest hint of.

Lin Cuifen sat across from them; the dinner table was too large, making it impossible for her to even pretend to be virtuous.

Zhang Yang hardly ate properly during the entire meal, his gaze lingering around Lin Xue, not straying far.

By the meal’s end, Mr. Zhang Sr.’s face had softened significantly, his mood considerably uplifted despite Zhang Haijun’s influence, while Zhang Haijun himself wasn’t in such a good mood, often glaring at Zhang Yuan, scrutinizing Lin Xue, and observing his father’s reactions.

Lin Cuifen kept to herself, eating her meal, occasionally serving her two sons, showing no emotion in her eyes, smiling appropriately.

Every time she came here, she behaved like this, a habit formed over time, and although no one paid much attention to her, she still strove for perfection.

Soon, Sister-in-law Zhang brought over some fruit juice. Lin Xue chatted with Grandma Zhang for a while, and seeing the elderly lady was tired, she helped her go rest, then wandered outside with Zhang Yuan.

The two of them played for the better part of the day, then ate out before returning, not feeling hungry at all. Plus, with Grandma and Zhang Yuan serving her food earlier, she now simply craved a sip of the cold juice, which was promptly provided by Sister-in-law Zhang.