Chapter 542: Chapter 542
He Jinxia suddenly perked up, staring at the screen without a word.
Sheng Yan: [You’ve fallen asleep, but I can’t sleep yet.]
He Jinxia’s eyes flickered, but she still didn’t speak.
Sheng Yan: [I’m very happy today, it’s the best New Year’s gift I’ve received.]
He Jinxia’s eyes curved slightly, feeling a great rapport with Mr. Sheng.
What a coincidence, at the end of last year, Sheng Yan took the initiative to ask her for a New Year’s gift for the coming year, and He Jinxia had agreed.
At that time, she had thought for a long time, not knowing what to give Sheng Yan. The gift of "publicly acknowledging their relationship" was something she came up with this year.
Originally, she had wanted to go public later, preferably after her career had stabilized and she had become a top star.
She wasn’t in a hurry, but Sheng Yan was.
Last year, she had been worn down by Sheng Yan in private, his pitiful little eyes making her feel as if she was a heartless scoundrel.
Under the subtle influence of Sheng Yan, He Jinxia felt really guilty.
She thought that if she had to endure another year of Sheng Yan’s wheedling, she would definitely break!
So, He Jinxia had a change of heart.
Since they were doomed to go public this year, it was better to say it sooner than later. By announcing it earlier, she could set Sheng Yan’s mind at ease, and her own as well, and it would be just the right gift, multiple birds with one stone. New ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄhapters are published on novel·fire.net
Lost in her thoughts, her phone vibrated with a buzz, another message from Sheng Yan.
Sheng Yan: [I love you❤]
He Jinxia’s smile widened, unable to keep her composure, she also replied:
He Jinxia: [I love you too❤]
Not long after the message was sent, Jinxia felt it was too cheesy, instantly retracted the message, and then deleted the one from Sheng Yan. Only then did her wildly beating heart calm down.
However, the next second, Sheng Yan sent over a picture—
It was a screenshot of the conversation they’d just had!
He Jinxia’s eyes widened, feeling particularly embarrassed, yet her hands honestly and quietly saved the picture. She was that typical case of verbal dislike but secretly pleased!
Just as she had steeled herself to ignore Sheng Yan and was about to turn off her phone, a voice call came through.
He Jinxia hesitated between answering and not answering for a long time, finally picking up just as it was about to hang up automatically after nearly a minute.
On the other end of the line, the first thing Sheng Yan said was:
Jinxia was instantly spooked, chickening out and hanging up, shutting down her phone, all in one fluid motion!
She then pulled the blanket up high, covering her head, as if this would stop all thoughts, her mind endlessly reciting the Heart Clarity Spell, to drive Sheng Yan out of her thoughts.
On the other side, Sheng Yan, listening to the voice message "The number you have dialed is switched off" on the phone, his expression turned somber, sinking into contemplation.
Had he... scared off his wife?
The next day, the first day of the New Year, the weather was clear and sunny.
The sun came out, radiating warmth and heat, unlike the slightly cold temperature of yesterday. Today was very warm, and everyone had shed their heavy coats to don light, thin jackets, going from house to house paying New Year’s visits.
This day was also the happiest for the children, as they could receive generous red envelopes from the hands of the adults.
Customs varied from place to place, some regions stopped giving red envelopes to those over eighteen, while in others one could receive red envelopes regardless of age, as long as they were still in school.
The conditions for receiving a red envelope greatly varied, but the conditions for giving them were mostly the same: once married and settled down, one must give them out.
The Sheng family did not come over in the morning, visiting instead at noon, just as Mrs. He and Jinxia had also gotten up late, skipping breakfast and going straight to lunch.
Meeting the two elders of the Sheng family again, He Jinxia felt a significant difference from before.
Previously, she could interact with Aunt Rui frankly, even joking around, but now she was somewhat restrained, afraid to speak out of turn and leave a bad impression on the elders of the Sheng family.
However, Aunt Rui and Uncle Sheng felt completely the opposite. When their relationship status was still uncertain, they treated Jinxia with an attitude of watching over a junior. Aunt Rui, although long aware the two were dating, would not overtly spoil He Jinxia.
But now things were different. With the relationship status settled, Aunt Rui and Uncle Sheng grew more and more satisfied with Jinxia each time they saw her – so satisfied that they wanted to take Sheng Yan and marry Jinxia that very day!
Look at Jinxia, how lovable she is, with her fair and tender skin – they could completely treat her as if she were their own daughter!
Not having a daughter, only a son, was the regret of Aunt Rui and Uncle Sheng.
For several generations, the Sheng family had only male descendants. None in the family had a daughter, and having one was almost a shared lament amongst all Sheng family members.
Aunt Rui sat in the living room, staring at Jinxia, and couldn’t help but sigh softly in her heart. She regretted it!
If only she had known earlier, she would have helped her son quickly settle the marriage arrangement, so they could marry sooner.
Uncle Sheng’s gaze was not as overt as Aunt Rui’s, but he was also sizing up Jinxia covertly, nodding to himself, thinking that they should hurry the engagement and not delay too long, lest such a good girl be snatched up by someone else.
It had to be said that Uncle Sheng understood his son very well, knowing that his son was taciturn and afraid he couldn’t charm a girl to his liking. Uncle Sheng would be more at ease if things were settled sooner.
On the other hand, Mrs. He was also observing Sheng Yan, noting his composed entrance and that he wasn’t in a rush to show affection to Jinxia. Mrs. He nodded to herself, appreciating that he knew the proper etiquette.
After some thought, Mrs. He stood up and said, "Sheng Yan, come help me with something."
Sheng Yan immediately stood up, without a trace of reluctance, "All right."
He Jinxia looked longingly at Mrs. He, hoping her mother would take her away too since Aunt Rui and Uncle Sheng’s stares were too intense!
But she knew it was impossible...
Her mother was doing this for her own good. Sooner or later, she would have to marry into the Sheng family, and it was better to get accustomed to her future in-laws early on.
Under the assault of their stares, He Jinxia felt like she was on pins and needles. Not knowing what to do, she could only fall back on her acting skills. With a smile on her face and a composed demeanor, she calmly allowed the two elders to assess her.
Uncle Sheng and Aunt Rui nodded to themselves in approval, even more certain of their judgment.
Indeed, she was composed and had the demeanor of a lady from a distinguished family.
Aunt Rui took out a red envelope from her bag with a smile, and handed it to He Jinxia, "Happy New Year, this is from Uncle Sheng and me for you."
One must not refuse a gift from an elder, so He Jinxia accepted it promptly and decisively.
This pleased Aunt Rui and Uncle Sheng even more.
Once Sheng Yan finished helping Mrs. He with the dinner, and both families were well-fed, they sat together, chatting away. Mrs. He also gave Sheng Yan a red envelope.
Only after the Sheng family had left did He Jinxia dare to take out her red envelope and open it, with Mrs. He helping her count the money.
As they counted, Mrs. He said, "In Qingdu, there’s a custom that when a man brings a woman home to meet his parents, the parents of the man will prepare a red envelope for her. The amount in the red envelope signifies their level of satisfaction with the woman."