Evening.
Huitian Village. Luan Family.
A Santana stops in front of a house, and Dong Xuebing alighted. He went to the boot to get the gifts. Xie Huilan had bought clothes, ties, cosmetics, food, etc., and even Dong Xuebing cannot carry everything himself. She went over and helped to carry two shopping bags before entering the courtyard. The northern room is brightly lit, and they can see people and hear Dong Xuebing’s Uncle and his wife’s voices.
Luan Xiaoping heard someone opening the gate and went out to take a look.
Dong Xuebing laughed. “Mum, I brought her back. This is Huilan. You all had met before, and I can save on the introductions.”
Xie Huilan smiles and walks over. “Nice to meet you, Auntie.”
“Ah… Yes.”
“We drop by the mall on the way here.” Xie Huilan continued. “Sorry to let you wait.”
“It’s fine.” Luan Xiaoping did not even look at her son. Her eyes are glued to Xie Huilan, and she kept looking at her with a smile.
Dong Xuebing laughed. “Mum, what are you looking for?”
Luan Xiaoping looks away. “Oh, why did you buy so many things?”
“I had said so, but Huilan refused to listen.”
“Come in. Dinner is ready.”
Dong Xuebing’s Uncle, Aunts, and their families are present. All of them stood up when Dong Xuebing and Xie Huilan entered the North room. All of them are looking at Xie Huilan. Dong Xuebing quickly took out the gifts and gave them to his relatives, introduces them to Xie Huilan. She followed the way how Dong Xuebing addresses them with a smile.
Dong Xuebing’s Uncle is thrilled when he heard the County Mayor called him Uncle. They quickly offer a seat to Xie Huilan.
“Mayor Xie, what tea do you like?”
“Auntie, just call me Huilan.”
“Ah… Huilan. Haha… I will pour some tea for you.”
Everyone felt restrained as Xie Huilan is their County’s Mayor. Dong Xuebing’s Uncle and Aunts felt awkward talking to her as her elders. But after a while, they noticed Xie Huilan has no air and is always smiling. They felt more at ease.
Suddenly, Tang Jin entered while panting. “I just finished work. Is my Sister-in-law here?” She saw Xie Huilan sitting there and got a shock.
Dong Xuebing’s Second Aunt gave her daughter a stare. “Stop making a fool out of yourself.”
“Are you Xiao Jin?” Xie Huilan looks at her. “I heard a lot about you from Xiao Bing. Haha… I thought you are working in the County town? Why didn’t you call your brother? We can come back together.”
Tang Jin looked at Xie Huilan and greeted her. “Sister-in-law.”
“Yes. Haha…” Xie Huilan acknowledged.
Tang Jin saw Xie Huilan acknowledging her greeting and went closer. “Sister-in-law, are you dating my brother? Have you all started dating when my Brother was hospitalized?” She knows about this much later from her mother. When she heard Mayor Xie is her cousin’s girlfriend, she got shocked and quickly rushed home after work.
Xie Huilan did not correct her and smiled.
Tang Jin is nosy and ignored her parents’ stares. “Who made the first move? Did you go after my brother, or did my brother court you?”
Dong Xuebing gave Tang Jin a stare. “Go away… Stop asking!”
“I am just curious!” Tang Jin replied.
Xie Huilan laughed. “This is not a secret. The first time I met Xiao Bing is around two years ago. I was passing by Heping Road North, and my wallet was pickpocketed when I was using the phone. Xiao Bing appeared and caught that thief. That is considered our first meeting, and a lot happened after that. Hmmm… I should be the one who went after Xiao Bing. Haha…”
The Mayor had courted Xiao Bing first!?
Tang Jin, Luan Xiaoping, and the rest were dumbfounded, and all turned to look at Dong Xuebing.
Dong Xuebing blushed. He and Xie Huilan did not court each other. They started dating at Senior Xie’s mansion after she asked, “Do you want to date me?” and he nodded. Xie Huilan’s answer is not wrong, as she is the one who asked this question.
Tang Jin is deeply impressed and showed Dong Xuebing a thumbs up.
Luan Xiaoping also felt her son is unbelievable. He can let the beautiful Mayor court him. At this moment, she finally believes her son is dating Xie Huilan, and Xie Huilan is going to be her daughter-in-law. She did not allow Tang Jin to ask any more questions. “Xiao Jin, your Brother is shy. Stop asking.”
But after stopping Tang Jin, Luan Xiaoping held Xie Huilan’s hand and started asking.
“Huilan, how many people are there in your family?”
“Three. Haha… I am also an only child.”
“Good… I heard Xiao Bing and you are planning to get married. Have you two decided on the date?”
“No. We also don’t dare to set the date.” Xie Huilan gracefully replied. She held Luan Xiaoping’s arm and smiles. “We are waiting for you and our elders to decide. Haha… But I must apologize first. Xiao Bing and I had been dating for a while, and I took too long to visit you.”
“It’s alright.” Luan Xiaoping patted Xie Huilan’s hand. “I will be overjoyed if Xiao Bing can have you as his wife. Our family is not concern about these customs.”
“Oh, I bought a necklace for you.” Xie Huilan took out a jewelry box from her bag.
Luan Xiaoping puts on a stern look. “What are you doing? No…”
“Try it on. I spent a while to pick this, and I felt it suits you.” Xie Huilan opens the box, and it was a platinum necklace with diamonds on it. It cost at least 30 thousand. She took it out and insisted on putting it on Luan Xiaoping. Luan Xiaoping rejected a few times but later gave in. She touched the necklace on her neck and looks at it.
Dong Xuebing’s Uncle wife, and Aunt looked at Luan Xiaoping enviously.
“Huilan… Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it. Haha…”
Luan Xiaoping can’t stop grinning. She doesn’t care about the price as it is the thoughts that count. She did not let go of Xie Huilan’s hand and continued chatting. Even Dong Xuebing’s Uncle and Aunts could not join in the conversation.
Dong Xuebing felt neglected and smoked a few cigarettes in a corner. “Mum, shall we start dinner? I am starving.”
“That’s right. I had forgotten about it.” Luan Xiaoping stood up. “I will go and cook the dishes.”
Xie Huilan also stands up. “Auntie, let me do it.”
Dong Xuebing’s Uncle wife, and Aunts don’t dare to let Xie Huilan cook for them and quickly stop them before going to the kitchen.
When Dong Xuebing was still staying in Beijing, Luan Xiaoping’s status at home is not high. Dong Xuebing’s Second Aunt and her are the ones doing the cooking and dishes. But it is different now. She has not been into the kitchen most of the time now.
After dinner.
Tang Jin continued to paster Xie Huilan to ask about her courtship with Dong Xuebing.
Dong Xuebing took the opportunity to signal to his Mum to go out to the courtyard. “Mum, how is it? Are you satisfied with her?”
Luan Xiaoping laughed. “Haha… of course. Fortune favors fools.”
Dong Xuebing is mad. “Fool? Me? I am not a fool.”
Luan Xiaoping sighed and patted her son’s hand. “I was worried when I heard you are dating the Mayor. She is holding a higher rank and is much older than you… I was afraid you would be bullied by her after you all got married. But after seeing her, I feel much better. She is a nice woman.”
Dong Xuebing rolled his eyes. “Can you stop looking down on me? Who do you think I am? Bully me? You can ask her if she dares to bully me. Hmph! I am the one calling the shots, and she doesn’t dare to oppose me.” He only dares to boast when Xie Huilan is not around.
Luan Xiaoping knows her son well and is amused. “Carry on boasting.”
“I am telling the truth.” Dong Xuebing had drunk some alcohol earlier and did not blush for saying these.
“Alright… I am in a good mood and don’t want to argue with you.” Luan Xiaoping laughed. “Anyway, I am very happy with this daughter-in-law. She is beautiful and nice. My foolish son has finally made me proud. Haha… Be good to her, or she will leave you.”
Dong Xuebing replied. “What are you talking about? Even if I ask her to leave, she will not bear to do it.”
“Are you going to start boasting again?”
“You don’t believe me? You can ask Huilan!”
Suddenly the door opens, and Xie Huilan walks out. “Eh? Why are you two here? What is it you want to ask me?”
Dong Xuebing’s face changed, and smiled embarrassedly. “Ah… nothing… I was chatting with my Mum.”
Luan Xiaoping saw this and laughed in her heart.
