Chapter 1812 - 62: Return to Beijing, Unexpected Changes, Blocking Third Master Fu (2)
Chapter 1812: Chapter 62: Return to Beijing, Unexpected Changes, Blocking Third Master Fu (2)
How did he end up hanging out with Jiang Chengsi?
"Yan Chi is here." Jiang Chengsi, unaware of what each of the three were thinking, looked at Yan Chi with a smile, "I’ve already talked to your brother-in-law, and we’re going to have dinner at our place later."
Yan Chi and Jiang Ruan: (⊙o⊙)...
"By the way, Third Master, should I call your wife and invite her to join us as well?" Jiang Chengsi chuckled.
"Actually, my wife is already cooking at home..." Fu Chen, overwhelmed by this enthusiasm, would have normally dealt with it coldly, simply ignoring it.
But this overly enthusiastic man in front of him couldn’t be ignored.
"Let her come to my place, that’s settled then."
The other three: "..."
Jiang Chengsi and Fu Chen both drove their own cars, one taking his daughter, the other his brother-in-law, and set off for the Si Family in East City.
After getting in the car, Yan Chi asked Fu Chen, "Brother-in-law, how did you meet him? Didn’t I ask you to wait for me in the garage?"
"Don’t mention it, as soon as I parked the car, he showed up."
Fu Chen came today to pick up Yan Chi to discuss going to the Si Family, but as soon as he parked, someone knocked on his window.
Turning his head to see Jiang Chengsi, he immediately felt something was off, but since he had just parked and turned off the engine, he couldn’t pretend no one was in the car, so he had to lower the window and greet him.
"Third Master, what a coincidence, did you come to the airport to...?"
Jiang Chengsi wasn’t loitering around; he had parked his car to pick someone up and happened to spot Fu Chen’s car.
He’s naturally sensitive to cars, and coupled with that impressive license plate, it was impossible to ignore, instantly recognizing whose car it was.
Normally, Jiang Chengsi wouldn’t have greeted him, not knowing him that well. However, a project that Fu Chen abandoned ended up in his hands recently, a stroke of luck he didn’t think owed to his lack of skill.
Still, considering that Yan Chi had visited his home during the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day with many gifts, and they were family, he figured he should at least say hello.
Fu Chen couldn’t make up some lie about being on a business trip because the parking lot was right next to the airport exit.
If he were on a trip, he wouldn’t have parked there.
He had no choice but to reluctantly say:
"I’m here to pick someone up."
"I’m also here to pick up my daughter. You wouldn’t be here to pick up Yan Chi at this time, would you? Why don’t we go together?"
Fu Chen’s heart skipped a beat, but he kept a straight face and simply smiled:
"I need to make a call, so I might be a bit late. You go ahead."
Some lies are easily exposed, and if Fu Chen claimed he wasn’t there to pick up Yan Chi and got caught, it would be hard to explain.
Jiang Chengsi chuckled, "Since we’re picking up someone from the same flight, I’ll wait for you."
"..."
Fu Chen really had no choice but to get out of the car and go to the arrivals area with him.
The two didn’t talk much on the way. When Jiang Chengsi confirmed Yan Chi was coming to Beijing, he thought to invite him over for dinner.
At that moment, Jiang Chengsi didn’t overthink it; he just thought Yan Chi’s visit seemed normal:
The Yan Family has a branch in Beijing, and Yan Chi’s sister is also in Beijing; it just happened to be the same flight as his daughter.
Last time, when Yan Chi visited the Si Family, he brought many gifts, proving he’s got manners, so running into them meant he had to invite Yan Chi over.
Since the family already had guests today and Qi Zeyan’s family would also be visiting, it didn’t matter to have a few more people. During a family-only gathering, Jiang Chengsi might not insist on inviting Yan Chi.
That’s how things unfolded to what they were now.
Jiang Ruan couldn’t figure out how things developed this way.
They were supposed to meet her parents the day after tomorrow, and now all plans were disrupted. She glanced sideways at her father, who was on the phone with her mother, and secretly texted Yan Chi:
[What should we do? Should we move up our plans?]
When Yan Chi’s sister arrives, everyone will be there. If they don’t reveal their relationship today, it might be awkward when they visit the day after tomorrow.
[My brother-in-law and I are discussing it too. Let’s buy some things first, then meet up with my sister and go together.]
[Okay.]
Given the situation, they could only go with the flow.
At this time, Jiang Chengsi was telling Si Qingxiao about running into Yan Chi.
"Then you should invite him for dinner." The Si Family had a great impression of Yan Chi, except for the twin brothers.
"I already invited him, and coincidentally, Third Master Fu is here, so his wife might also come; we’ll probably need three extra place settings." Jiang Chengsi was in high spirits, his voice tinged with joy.
"Then I’ll cook a couple more dishes. I heard Third Master Fu is a Buddhist; does that mean he doesn’t eat meat? Should I make more vegetarian dishes?"
Jiang Ruan listened to her parents’ conversation, pursing her lips.
Thinking back to when they ate at the Yan Family, she didn’t recall Third Master Fu being particularly pious or picky.
He was probably...
Not particular about diet.
But she dared not voice these thoughts, instead burying herself in texting Yan Chi, continuing to discuss meeting the parents later on.
**
Originally, Fu Chen was following closely behind Jiang Chengsi’s car but didn’t head directly to the Si Family upon reaching East City. He instead changed direction towards Wanbaohui Mall.
At this time, Yan Chi’s sister had arrived and was shopping for tea at a teashop.
"Why so sudden? Weren’t we supposed to visit the Si Family the day after tomorrow? I’m completely unprepared." Song Fengwan had been called out on short notice, hastily changed her clothes, and got ready.
"It’s a long story." Fu Chen sighed.
He didn’t know how to explain his predicament of being cornered by Jiang Chengsi in the parking lot, stuck between a rock and a hard place.
Jiang Chengsi wasn’t one to follow the norm; previously, he definitely wouldn’t invite Fu Chen for dinner at his place, and today he was overly enthusiastic.
Under normal circumstances, if Fu Chen didn’t want to go, he’d refuse without hesitation, regardless of the other party’s reaction. But now things were different; he needed to court favor, leading to such a situation.
"There’s a few bottles of Maotai in the trunk. We should also pick up some tea. See what else we need to bring over." Considering her brother’s significant other, Song Fengwan was diligent about the situation.
...
Even though dating Yan Chi seemed natural, and he had met her family as her boyfriend, Jiang Ruan’s mood was certainly different, and she spoke little on the way.
Anxious and nervous.
Jiang Chengsi attributed her quietness to the fatigue of flying and didn’t give it much thought.
What surprised Jiang Ruan was, upon arriving home, aside from the family, Qi Zeyan’s entire family of four was there too.
And her cousin—
Jiang Mutang!
Why are there so many people!
"Sister Xiaoruan." Qi Zhiyi hurried over to take her arm as she returned, "What a surprise, right?"
"I..."
Jiang Ruan was so "surprised" she nearly fainted.
With so many people at home, she hadn’t anticipated this.
Would she and Yan Chi have to face all these people when meeting the parents?
"You didn’t come back on New Year’s Day last time, and I feel like I haven’t seen you in ages. After lunch, do you want to go for a stroll?" Qi Zhiyi, who hadn’t seen Jiang Ruan in a long time, clung to her side chatting, leaving Jiang Ruan no chance to give Yan Chi a heads-up.
"Didn’t you say Yan Chi and Third Master Fu were coming? Where are they?" Si Yushan asked, looking towards the door.
"Their car was right behind us earlier; they should be here any minute." Jiang Chengsi explained.
Jiang Mutang and Qi Lie were playing chess, initially surprised when hearing Yan Chi was coming, now glanced at each other, setting their pieces aside.
They hadn’t expected Yan Chi to actually come?
And bring his brother-in-law along.
What’s going on?
The three, led by Yan Chi, moved quickly. After selecting gifts, they drove swiftly to the Si Family, not wanting to keep everyone waiting.
So when Jiang Ruan claimed she needed to change clothes and sneaked away to text Yan Chi about the household situation, the reply she got was:
[We’re already at your home entrance.]