Chapter 11: Family Meeting

The hotel’s lunch arrived shortly afterward, and Guan Xi finally managed to escape from Jiang Suizhou’s unreasonable entanglement, getting up from the bed. Jiang Suizhou also sat down at the dining table leisurely, picking up chopsticks to eat.

Guan Xi took a bite of the dish, glanced at him, and just now, he mentioned being very tired and wanting to sleep. He forcibly closed his eyes and rested for ten minutes. Perhaps, having rested enough, he now seemed to be in a good mood.

Buzz—

The phone vibrated.

Guan Xi glanced at it and found a WeChat message from her father, asking why she hadn’t arrived yet.

Guan Xi picked up her phone and sent a voice message: “Got held up by something, will be there later. You don’t need to wait for me.”

Guan Xinghao didn’t reply to her message, and Guan Xi knew he understood her meaning. She didn’t want to face the scene of reuniting with her relatives, eyes filled with tears. After putting down her phone, Guan Xi continued to eat.

Jiang Suizhou: “Going to your grandfather’s house today, just to make that… public.”

“Guan Ying.”

“Oh.”

Guan Xi said, “After it’s made public, gradually, people outside will know too.”

“Are you going there later?”

“Otherwise, wouldn’t it be strange not to go at a time like this?”

Jiang Suizhou: “I’ll take you, it’s on the way.”

Initially, Guan Xi wanted to say that she had her own car and didn’t need him to take her. However, she then thought that Jiang Suizhou hadn’t accompanied her to her family for a long time. And in the current situation, she seemed to need him to show his face.

But… he never really liked going to her family’s place, and today he took the initiative?

Jiang Suizhou seemed to sense what she was thinking and said, “Not needed? I thought you would need it.”

“I do need it. Who said I don’t need it?”

Jiang Suizhou faintly curled his lips.

Guan Xi leisurely played the role of flirty girlfriend, “I happen to have a slight headache and don’t want to drive. Since you insist on giving me a ride, I’ll let you be a free driver for once.”

Jiang Suizhou ignored her affected manner and put down his chopsticks, “Then eat quickly, let’s depart early. I have something to do in the afternoon.”

“Oh.”

On the way to Guan’s ancestral home, Guan Xi’s phone kept receiving WeChat messages.

A group of siblings from the same generation bombarded her with messages. It seemed that each one of them was shocked by the sudden appearance of Guan Ying. Her youngest sister, Guan Zhiyi, even sent a series of voice messages in a vocal array, each lasting 60 seconds, giving her a headache.

She randomly opened a few messages.

“…How come there’s another sister? I haven’t heard about this… Sister, what’s going on? Why didn’t you tell me… Why aren’t you here yet? I’m secretly sending you messages from the bathroom, I need to go out soon… She looks so much like you…”

Guan Xi replied to her: [Stop sending, it’s too long to listen]

Guan Zhiyi sent her a pitiful expression emoji.

Guan Xi chuckled and, with a soft heart, sent a message: [Be good, I’ll be there soon]

**

Half an hour later, the car pulled into the Guan family’s ancestral home.

Jiang Suizhou’s car stopped at the parking space, and together with Guan Xi, he entered the house. There was a maid waiting at the entrance, who, upon seeing the two, greeted them and hurried inside to inform the people within.

At this time, everyone had finished their meal, and the main event of the family reunion had just concluded. Guan Xi’s arrival was perfectly timed. Today, both the Guan and Wei families were gathered in the house, a spacious living room filled with grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins from both families—everyone was present.

“Sister, you’re here!” Guan Zhiyi, upon seeing Guan Xi, was the first to run over. After arriving by Guan Xi’s side, she politely greeted Jiang Suizhou.

With Guan Zhiyi approaching, the attention of everyone in the room shifted to Guan Xi. Trying to remain calm, she greeted everyone and then said to Guan Zhiyi, “Little Zhiyi, you’ve been at home these past two days. I thought you were filming outside.”

Guan Zhiyi, holding her hand, replied, “I was filming, but I happened to have a two-day break.”

“I see.”

“Suizhou is here too.” Grandfather Guan Hong, after looking at Guan Xi, had various thoughts in his eyes. However, he quickly composed himself, waved his hand, and said, “Come over and sit. It’s been a long time.”

Jiang Suizhou nodded to everyone and walked over to Guan Hong’s side. “Grandfather.”

“How have you been lately? Busy with the company, I presume.”

“How have you been? How is your health lately?” Jiang Suizhou asked politely.

“I’m doing well,” replied Grandfather Guan Hong.

While Jiang Suizhou engaged in polite conversation with the family members, Guan Xi was pulled aside by Guan Zhiyi. At this moment, except for Guan Ying, who was sitting with the elders, the other young people were in a separate area.

“Guan Xi, how come you didn’t say anything about such a big matter during this time?” Guan Yuanbai, upon seeing Guan Xi, immediately remarked.

Guan Zhiyi added, “Yeah, why didn’t you tell us?”

Guan Xi shrugged, “You all know now, don’t you?”

Wei Xiuyang looked peculiar, “At least give people some preparation.”

“There’s nothing to prepare for.” Guan Xi, with a relaxed expression, teased, “Xiuyang, you gained an extra sister, eh?”

“Do you think I’d be happy about having one more? Having you is troublesome enough,” Wei Xiuyang glared at her, “You’re already troublesome as it is.”

“Tsk, can’t you speak more kindly?”

…

The younger generation rarely gathered together, especially during such a significant event. They quickly began discussing in hushed voices. Guan Xi, uninterested, went to the kitchen to get a drink.

“You seem to be in a bad mood.” While pouring juice, a familiar voice came from behind.

Without turning around, Guan Xi knew it was Wei Xiuyang’s sister, her cousin Wei Zihan, who had come to chat. She was used to it, as every time she encountered her cousin, it was either quarreling or making a fuss. They had been tearing each other apart since childhood.

Guan Xi turned to look at her, “Hmm? What are you saying?”

Wei Zihan chuckled, “I don’t need to say it. You, someone like you, it’s strange if you can peacefully coexist with someone who threatens you.”

Guan Xi raised an eyebrow, “You’re worrying too much. My sister is not like you. She is not petty and is easy to get along with.”

Wei Zihan sneered, “Easy to get along with? Guan Ying suddenly appearing will surely compete with you for family property and favor. How can you get along well with her? I find it hard to believe.”

Guan Xi wouldn’t let Wei Zihan take the upper hand. Sipping her juice, she intentionally provoked her, “Not afraid. Even without the things my family gave me, I can live very comfortably. After all, I still have Jiang Suizhou. It doesn’t matter.”

Wei Zihan’s face changed slightly. She had been compared to Guan Xi since childhood, and she had even started comparing herself with her in various ways. She refused to admit that she had lost in anything else, but when it came to boyfriends, she never had the confidence to say that she had won.

And about this person, Jiang Suizhou… In high school, she was in the same class as him and even pursued him, but she was rejected.

This was a thorn in her heart.

“What are you showing off for? Do you really think Jiang Suizhou loves you so much? If you had nothing, would he be with you? It’s really ridiculous.”

“Don’t worry about me. We are doing well now, as happy as clams.” Guan Xi infuriatingly displayed a shy expression, “Oh, by the way, I heard your last boyfriend dumped you? And seamlessly replaced you with a D-list actor? Ah, sister, look at you now, you have everything, yet no one wants to be with you.”

“You!”

“When you worry about me, first take care of yourself. After all, you’re my sister now, and I find it heartbreaking to see you like this.” After saying this, Guan Xi put down the juice, ignoring Wei Zihan’s angry face, and walked straight out.

But her smug and arrogant face suddenly changed when she turned her back to Wei Zihan, as if something had been abruptly stripped away. Guan Xi turned back with an indifferent face.

How unlucky.

On the other side, the elders were still sitting and chatting.

Jiang Suizhou’s arrival broke the previously sticky and awkward atmosphere. The emotions of the two elderly members of the Wei family stabilized, and they chatted with Jiang Suizhou for a while, conveying greetings to the elders at home.

Guan Ying obediently sat beside the elders, her gaze fixed on the young man in front of her. Compared to her unintentional restraint in this difficult situation, the young man in front of her remained calm among the many elders. Polite but not overly enthusiastic, his demeanor exuded a calm and self-assured aura, a hint of aristocracy in his high position.

After she arrived, she encountered many outstanding brothers and sisters, but Jiang Suizhou still easily captured her attention. Not just because of his handsome and steady appearance and temperament, but also because, walking in with him, was Guan Xi.

This person mentioned frequently by my parents these days turns out to be Jiang Suizhou.

“Sui Zhou, this is Guan Ying. Have you heard about all the family matters from us?” Guan Hong introduced.

Guan Ying looked at him as he heard the voice, his gaze indifferent. He nodded at her, a form of greeting. Guan Ying was slightly surprised, quickly nodding in response.

“We’ve talked about it. Congratulations to Grandpa,” Jiang Suizhou said emotionlessly.

Guan Hong smiled, “Yes, everyone is very happy.”

**

After a brief chat, most of the elders got up and left. The younger generation didn’t rush to leave, chatting in groups outside the garden. Guan Xinghao and Wei Shaomin hoped that Guan Ying could get to know her siblings better, so they didn’t hurry to take her away.

At this moment, Guan Ying was being pulled by Wei Zihan for a conversation. She had just arrived, and others were polite and not very familiar, but Wei Zihan was very friendly.

“Sui Zhou, are you going back to your company later?” Guan Yuanbai’s voice came from nearby.

Jiang Suizhou: “Yes.”

“And Guan Xi?”

Guan Xi: “I’m not going with him. Oh, my car is parked at Nan Jue. Please ask someone to move it for me later.”

…

Wei Zihan was speaking enthusiastically when she suddenly noticed Guan Ying’s gaze wandering elsewhere. She followed her line of sight and, seeing Guan Xi, snorted lightly, “Difficult to get along with, right?”

Guan Ying turned to look at her, “What?”

Wei Zihan: “Guan Xi. It must be difficult for you to get along with her during this time at home.”

Guan Ying fell silent for a moment, “During this time, she hasn’t been home much, so we haven’t interacted much…”

Wei Zihan smirked, “Well, you’re really lucky. Let me tell you, Guan Xi has been pampered by everyone since childhood. With her stubborn temper, she always gets her way, and no one dares to stop her. You, on the other hand… coming back suddenly like this, she must be unhappy. Don’t think she’ll be happy to have another sister. She’s very selfish and doesn’t want anyone to share the attention with her.”

Guan Ying remained silent.

Wei Zihan continued, “I’m not intentionally speaking ill of her. Anyone you ask will tell you about her personality. In the past few years, she’s become even more arrogant, especially since she’s with Jiang Suizhou. No one dares to provoke her.”

“Jiang Suizhou?”

“Yeah, the guy next to her,” Wei Zihan glanced at her and added, “If you had been at home all this time, she probably wouldn’t have the chance.”

Guan Ying: “…”

Seeing Guan Ying’s stunned expression, Wei Zihan hurriedly said, “Oh, I was just joking, just a casual remark. But, you know, the marriage between the Jiangs and your family was originally for business interests. Jiang Suizhou doesn’t really care about who the other person is.”

Previous

Next