On the elevator upstairs, Xia Wei"s heart rose up into her throat alongside the numbers. Jiang Zhi Zhou took Man Man and glanced sidelong at her. "Relax. You look like you"ve been summoned to the princ.i.p.al"s office."

　　"...ahem." Xia Wei cleared her throat. "I"m surprised your parents live in such a normal-looking neighbourhood. I thought it would be more like a mansion."

　　"My dad"s very independent and a bit of a maverick. All my other uncles and aunts live in the Jiang family mansion."

　　"Ah..." Xia Wei liked the thought. If his father hadn"t had such an independent personality, then when she and Jiang Zhi Zhou got married they too, would have had to live in the Jiang family mansion. It was a bit terrifying to think about. "Does Man Man live there too?"

　　"Yeah," Jiang Man Man nodded. "It"s no fun. The house is real big, Man Man is afraid of sleeping alone."

　　Xia Wei stroked her fluffy hair in silent comfort.

　　"Here we are." When the elevator came to a halt, Jiang Zhi Zhou led Man Man out. Xia Wei, however, lingered in the elevator. Jiang Zhi Zhou looked back at her and asked with a smile, "Would you like me to carry you?"

　　Xia Wei: "..."

　　Upon following them out, Xia Wei took a deep breath. Don"t be afraid, it"s not like you haven"t met his parents already. She"s a big girl! What hasn"t she seen?

　　While she was psyching herself up, she heard Jiang Zhi Zhou ring the doorbell. The door to opened to reveal his mother, and when Jiang Man Man saw her, she greeted her sweetly. "Third grandma!"

　　"h.e.l.lo, Man Man darling." Mother Jiang hugged Man Man before greeting Jiang Zhi Zhou and Xia Wei. "Come on in."

　　After changing shoes on the porch, Jiang Zhi Zhou pulled Xia Wei inside. Father Jiang was sitting in the living room. Smiling, Xia Wei greeted them. "Uncle, aunt, I hope you"re well."

　　"Xia Wei, glad you made it." Father Jiang stood up to greet her. "Why don"t you keep Man Man company for a little? Zhi Zhou will be giving me a hand in the kitchen."

　　Xia Wei blinked quickly. Not for nothing was this man Jiang Zhi Zhou"s father. Even a chef like Jiang Zhi Zhou was only able to help out in the kitchen. Jiang Zhi Zhou followed Father Jiang into the kitchen, while Mother Jiang stayed outside. Though she still felt a little nervous, Man Man"s presence diffused the awkwardness somewhat.

　　"Little aunt, your nails are so beautiful! Man Man also wants painted flowers." Jiang Man Man took Xia Wei"s hand and studied her fingernails. Xia Wei told her, "Man Man"s nails are still too small to be painted. But when you grow up, little aunt will help you paint flowers on them."

　　"Hurray~"

　　Xia Wei smiled, then suddenly felt uneasy. Why on earth had she followed blindly after Man Man and claimed to be an aunt?! Jiang Zhi Zhou"s mother was sitting right there!

　　Although embarra.s.sment sat heavy on her heart, Jiang Zhi Zhou"s mother fortunately said nothing. Instead, she simply brought out some toys and candy for Man Man.

　　In the kitchen, cutting vegetables, Father Jiang inquired of his son, "How are you and Xia Wei?"

　　Jiang Zhi Zhou replied, "We"re doing very well. Why do you ask?"

　　"I was afraid that your mother and aunt scared her off last time." He looked back at Jiang Zhi Zhou. "Don"t take what your mother said to heart. Those weren"t originally her thoughts, but influenced by your aunt."

　　Father Jiang"s statement gave Jiang Zhi Zhou a funny little feeling inside. He smiled, "I"m no longer a child, and neither is Xia Wei. We understand. Don"t blame little aunt, she wasn"t being malicious about it."

　　"I"m glad that"s how you feel. Personally, I think Xia Wei"s a pretty decent girl. It hasn"t been easy for you to find a girlfriend, so take good care of her."

　　"I know."

　　The meal created by two chefs was soon complete. Jiang Man Man gazed at the table full of her favorite dishes and couldn"t help but be wowed. "Third Grandpa and little uncle are so good at this! Man Man"s got to marry the best cook when I grow up!"

　　Jiang Zhi Zhou pinched her cheeks, laughing. "Man Man, thinking about getting married so young?"

　　Jiang Zhi Zhou"s mother chimed in, "Indeed, our family"s Zhi Zhou is already thirty years old and still not married."

　　Jiang Zhi Zhou: "..."

　　"Eat up, everyone," Father Jiang snorted, but nonetheless latched on to the topic Mother Jiang had brought up. "Well, that said, you should still be making plans for your future."

　　Jiang Zhi Zhou told them, "I just bought a house with Xia Wei today."

　　Mother Jiang paused. "Where is it?"

　　"Kerry International."

　　"Oh... their houses aren"t bad at all." Mother Jiang considered before asking him, "How do you plan to decorate? Do you need our help?"

　　"Now, now, don"t interfere. Let them decorate the place how they like." Father Jiang picked up his chopsticks and added some of Mother Jiang"s favorite food to her bowl. "Eat up."

　　Mother Jiang gave him a pointed look, but did not inquire further. Meanwhile, Father Jiang proceeded on to feed Jiang Man Man.

　　"Thank you, Third Grandpa." Jiang Man Man said to him in a childish voice as soft and sweet as honey.

　　"You"re a good girl." Father Jiang praised. Turning to Jiang Zhi Zhou, he admonished, "When you and Xia Wei have kids, don"t take after your eldest cousin, that nonexistent father."

　　Jiang Zhi Zhou said, "Don"t worry, I definitely won"t be anything like him."

　　Meanwhile, Xia Wei buried her head in her food and pretended that she didn"t exist.

　　Hearing her father criticized, Jiang Man Man came to his defense. "Daddy"s very good to Man Man!"

　　Jiang Zhi Zhou"s mother immediately glared at the Jiang father and son. "What are you saying in front of a kid?" she demanded, then asked Man Man with a smile, "What else would you like to eat, Man Man? Grandma will make it happen."

　　"I wanna eat uncle"s steamed eggs."

　　"Alright."

　　Although the topic of the meal often turned to Jiang Zhi Zhou"s marriage, Xia Wei felt a great deal more at ease compared to the last time. After the meal, she stood to help wash the dishes, but was stopped by Jiang Zhi Zhou"s mother. "It"s your first time here, how could I let you wash the dishes? Let me do it."

　　Although she said this, Xia Wei was still embarra.s.sed to impose. "The dishwasher that Jiang Zhi Zhou and I use to wash dishes is very clean and convenient. Why don"t I buy one for you?"

　　"Oh, no need, we can buy it ourselves. Save your money."

　　"But..."

　　Jiang Zhi Zhou stood by, watching them with a smile on his face. "Mom, let her buy it. She just doesn"t want to wash dishes. She practically twisted my arm into getting the one in our house."