Chapter 133: Chapter 118: Arriving in Shangjing, the ideal daughter-in-law for the Jiang Family for the first tChapter 133: Chapter 118: Arriving in Shangjing, the ideal daughter-in-law for the Jiang Family for the first tAs winter began, a thin fog enveloped everything, and all creation was draped in morning dew, one could barely see another person within a hundred meters.
Only when the sunlight dispersed the fog did it start to spill recklessly through the car windows.
Tang Wan slightly lowered the window, letting in the cool breeze. Though chilly, the air inside the car felt much fresher. Having had the heater on with several people packed inside, it was bound to get stuffy.
"Where are we now?" The old man and Tang Wan were sitting in the back, and he had closed his eyes for a little nap as soon as they got in the car.
Tang Yunxian, seated in the passenger seat, replied, "We just left Wusu." Jiang Jiu was driving. He was reliable in his work, which put Jiang Jinsang at ease.
"Why have we only cthis far?” the old man turned to glance outside the window.
"The fog was dense earlier so we couldn't speed up," Jiang Jiu explained, "The old lady called before to remind us that safety is more important than arriving before lunchtime." "How's your grandma doing?" Old Tang straightened up and unscrewed the thermos he had placed nearby, wetting his throat.
"She's fine, but she was diagnosed with diabetes a couple of years ago and still eats whatever she wants. She ended up staying in the hospital for a while." Tang Wan had already rolled up the window and was quietly listening. So, the Jiang family's old lady has diabetes? "By the way, Grandpa, does Fifth Brother's father have any cousins? But it seems like Grandma Jiang only had one son," Tang Wan wasn't very familiar with the Jiang family's affairs.
Old Tang chuckled, "His grandfather had a brother, and that side also had a son. Among the grandchildren, there are three boys and a girl. It seems the eldest passed away early, so actually, Yanting is the second eldest but is treated as the eldest." "After all, it is from the side of Xiaowu's grandfather's brother. As the older generation passes on, the relationship isn't as close as before." Old Tang seemed to be recalling past events and let out a helpless sigh, "Old Jiang just left us too soon, what a pity-" Seeing that he didn't wish to continue, Tang Wan didn't ask further.
Stlater, the phone vibrated with a message from Jiang Jinsang: [How's everything on your end? Is Grandpa Tang doing well?] [He's fine. What about you?] [I'm okay. And Jiangjiang? He could barely keep his eyes open when he got in the car, must have been dead tired.] [He's asleep now.] Jiang Yanting glanced at his brother beside him, who was still on his phone with a smile on his face, finding it strangely eerie.
They were living in the scourtyard. Even though he only stayed at the Tang family's house for one night, he hadn't noticed any common topics between the two, nor had they spoken much. Yet, now they were chatting online after being apart.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtStill, he could clearly feel that Tang Wan was guarded against him. He considered several reasons, and eventually suspected that the most likely possibility was...
They weren't familiar with each other.
"You didn't tell Ze Yan and the others you were returning to Beijing?" Jiang Yanting inquired.
"Didn't he mention in the group chat that it's the year-end, and he's too busy? Told us not to bother him if it's not important," Jiang Jinsang answered without looking up, still busy messaging Tang Wan.
"Miss Tang coming to Beijing isn't important?” It was then that Jiang Jinsang lifted his eyelids to look at the person beside him, "What does my business have to do with him?" Qi Zeyan was currently in a meeting at his company. The temperature had dropped significantly recently. Ever since having the brass hot pot with Jiang Yanting and feeling warm all over after eating, he was a bit careless on his way hand caught a cold the next day.
Today, he was impeccably groomed with a slicked-back hairstyle, sporting a three-piece suit; dashing and elegant in appearance.
The only thing was, he had a box of tissues in front of him and kept sneezing occasionally, inevitably interrupting the manager who was reporting.
The elder sitting at the head of the table observed him, "If you have a cold, go hand rest." "Grandfather, it's not necessary, I'm fine. You all continue, don't mind me.” Qi Zeyan had no intention of going home. With this group of old men meeting together, who knows what botherstasks they could assign him if he left.
His assistant, Xiaozhu, sat behind, taking minutes on her laptop, while a young girl beside her was tilting her head, watching how he worked.
Almost all tasks were new to her, requiring her to learn from scratch.
Meanwhile, Qi Zeyan, caught off guard, sneezed a few more times...
Xiaozhu whispered, "You've been sick for three or four days and haven't gotten better.” The girl beside pursed her lips and thought to herself, How much hair gel did he use to style his hair? Such fierce sneezing, and yet not a single hair is out of place? Unbelievable! Tang Wan cto Beijing and didn't tell her best friend, because she was there to see a doctor and had many things to deal with. Her best friend had recently switched jobs and was busy learning new things. They were both busy, so there was no need to disturb her.
** The car traveled from south to north, and the vegetation gradually revealed a touch of frost, even sof the willow branches were wrapped in white frost, resembling the silver branches of the north.
After exiting the toll station, the car did not head into the city center but took another road onto the elevated freeway. Skyscrapers were a common sight in Beijing, which used to be the political, economic, and cultural center of many dynasties. The combination of classical and modern elements breathed new life into this ancient city.
Being the nation's capital, where every inch of land is worth its weight in gold, one could imagine the pressure of life here.
Descending from the elevated road, the car quickly arrived at a high-end residential area. Apparently having given prior notice, the car drove straight in without any obstruction.
It was not until the car drove deep into the area that it stopped in front of a house.
Tang Wan turned her head to look outside and first saw a small fountain pool; the landscape trees on both sides were pruned exquisitely. Her eyesight landing on the steps leading up to the house.
It stood apart from the other houses in the neighborhood, commanding its own space, emanating an air of solemnity and unapproachability.
Just as Tang Wan was pushing the door open to get out of the car, the front door of the house opened, and an elderly lady with silver hair down to her ears cout. She wore an embroidered red and purple cotton jacket, with a string of agarwood beads around her neck. She was slightly overweight, but her eyes were a warm and friendly crescent when she smiled.
At this moment, Jiangjiang also jumped out of another car. He was about to rush over and call out to his great- grandmother when the old lady quickly walked over to Tang Wan's side, "Wanwan?" "Hello, Mrs. Jiang." "You resemble your grandmother when she was young, beautiful. Fortunately, you didn't inherit your grandfather's looks." Inside the car, Old Tang's mouth twitched.
Was his appearance really so unbearable? "Great-grandma!" Jiangjiang had already rushed over and embraced her legs.
"Let great-grandma see, who has cback!" The old lady, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, exuded warmth and composure that cwith years, and her every move displayed elegance.
"Oh my, have you gained weight?" The great-grandmother was delighted to see her great-grandson gaining sflesh, indicating that he must have been well catered to in the Tang Family. Her gaze softened even more as she looked at Tang Wan.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmBy now, everyone had gradually gotten out of the car, and a middle-aged couple followed out from the house.
The man looked to be just over fifty, with a well-proportioned face but an imposing aura, though he was m smiling as he shook hands and greeted Tang Yunxian. There was a sense of authority in his eyes, indicative of someone accustomed to being in a position of power. This was Jiang Jinsang's father-Jiang Zhenhuan.
The Jiang Family had been in business for generations, and the patriarch was one of the first to go into business. His son benefited from the good times of economic reform and opening up, and seized the opportunity to rise.
From the nZhenhuan, one could see how ambitious the old man was and how much hope he had pinned on his son.
"Wanwan." The smiling lady who walked out had already affectionately taken Tang Wan's hand.
They had kept in touch over the phone, and Tang Wan's voice was recognizable as she greeted, "Hello, Aunt Jiang." Jiang Jinsang's mother-Fan Mingyu.
She was one of the first generation of singers in the country, had held solo concerts at the National Centre for the Performing Arts, and even performed at the Spring Festival Gala. She rarely appeared in public after marriage, a beautiful woman with a sweet voice. The temperament and looks of the two brothers were different, each inheriting traits from their parents. "Old gentleman, please take it slow." After greeting Tang Wan, Fan Mingyu reached out to support the old gentleman, "Mom, I suppose you want them to cinside? It's quite cold outside." "Look at me... I got too excited," the old lady laughed.
At the old lady's age, most of her old friends were gone, and she was genuinely excited to have Old Tang cover.
"Xiaowu, how are you? Can you handle sitting in the car for so long?" Fan Mingyu hadn't seen her youngest son for a while and scrutinized him for stime, noting he looked healthy and then glanced at Tang Wan's silhouette.
She'd seen photos before, but seeing the person herself, looking at her manners and posture, gave a definitely different feeling.
Tang Wan's beauty wasn't the stunning-at-first-sight kind; she had a gentle and pleasant appearance. The more you likable she became. Most elders don't prefer a very aggressive-looking appearance, and Tang Wan was likamooked at her, the more simply the ideal candidate for a daughter-in-law. She thought to herself: How could we keep this girl from the Tang Family here? "I'm quite fine." "It must be warmer in Pingjiang? Let's go inside quickly." Fan Mingyu pulled Jiang Jinsang inside, turning her head towards her elder son.
"Yanting, make sure someone brings the luggage in. Don't dawdle-we're going to eat soon..." Jiang Yanting bit his cheek...
Ever since he brought only Jiangjiang back home, his status in the family had been declining. His position in the household was self-evident.