Chapter 134: Meeting the Parents (4)

It was nearly noon when Yang Xiaofan and his wife arrived at Qin Nuanyu’s hometown. At the highway exit, they met Yang’s parents and his two younger sisters, who had arrived a step ahead of them.

"Uncle, Auntie, sorry to keep you waiting," Qin Nuanyu said first. Yang’s parents waved their hands with smiles. "It’s no trouble at all. We only just arrived ourselves."

"Let’s get going then. It’s almost noon. I’ve already booked a restaurant, but we have to stop by the Qin family home first. At this rate, who knows when we’ll actually get to eat?"

"No hurry," Yang’s father insisted. "We need to buy some gifts. We can’t show up empty-handed for our first visit to Nuanyu’s parents."

Qin Nuanyu waved her hands repeatedly. "Uncle, Auntie, there’s no need. It’s too much trouble. My parents don’t really want those things; they don’t snack or drink sodas."

Yang’s father remained firm. "That won't do. Your parents may not need them, but our family must provide them. It’s a custom that has existed for generations, and it shows our sincerity."

"This... well, alright then." Qin Nuanyu didn't want to burden them, but since it was a matter of tradition, she had no room to argue. After all, customs were important; ignoring them would cause a loss of face for her own family, as well as for Yang’s parents. Her parents, even if they didn't say anything, might secretly feel that the Yangs were stingy or disrespectful. It was best to avoid such misunderstandings.

Yang Xiaofan watched her with a smile, making her blush. "Why are you looking at me like that? Are you making fun of me?"

Yang Xiaofan shook his head. "Not at all. I’m just happy."

"Happy about what?"

"Happy that you’re not familiar with these formalities. If you were, I’d be quite worried."

Qin Nuanyu was sharp and understood his implication immediately. He was suggesting that she was a "pure" woman who hadn't experienced such things, implying that he had gotten a great deal. She couldn't help but roll her eyes at him.

"Do all you men prefer women who have never dated before?"

"Of course. Who wants a used car? Even if they settle for one, it’s just a temporary measure. Once they have money, they’ll eventually trade it in for a new one."

"Then why are used house sales so popular?"

"That’s different! With houses, you’re forced into it—real estate is too expensive, and you have no choice. Besides, you can change the locks on a house, right? The doors can be new, and the renovations can be redone. But a car? How many people change the locks on those? For all you know, the previous owner still has the key and might sneak out for a joyride every now and then. Most importantly, nobody wants to buy a house where someone has died, right?"

Qin Nuanyu was left speechless by Yang Xiaofan’s twisted logic. What kind of bizarre philosophy was this?

Soon, Yang’s father finished shopping, buying eight cases of various common beverages. While neither the Yang nor the Qin family lacked the money, it was the gesture that mattered. With the gifts loaded, the Yang family drove toward Qin Nuanyu’s home.

Qin’s parents and sister, Nuancin, were no longer living in their original home. That place had become too crowded; people kept coming by to see if Yang Xiaofan was there, and the threshold was practically being worn down. So, they had moved into a different, more secluded property where the neighbors were strangers, providing them with some much-needed peace and quiet.

Yang’s parents were nervous on their first visit, displaying the typical reserved and subtle nature of country folk. The Qin parents, meanwhile, were extremely polite, terrified of showing even the slightest discourtesy to Yang Xiaofan. Both parents, along with Nuancin, hurried out to greet them.

"Brother Yang, we’ve finally met."

"Sister-in-law, you’ve traveled a long way. You must be exhausted."

Qin’s father shook hands with Yang’s father, while Qin’s mother did the same with Yang’s mother. Though the two families were meeting for the first time without any prior connection, they became incredibly intimate through the union of their children. Yang’s parents were touched by the Qin family's hospitality and responded with warm smiles.

"We really should have visited sooner, but the children had to report back to school, so we were delayed by a few days. Brother Qin, sister-in-law, please don't take it to heart."

"Not at all. We know your intentions. Nuanyu has told us how you treat her like your own daughter—that is our family’s good fortune."

"You are too kind. Our Xiaofan is the lucky one to have married a woman as beautiful and sensible as Nuanyu!"

Yang Xiaofan rubbed his temples. Once they started with the pleasantries, it never seemed to end. He gave Qin Nuanyu a look, and she cleared her throat. "Well, it’s getting late. Let’s head inside for a while before we go to the restaurant."

Qin’s father slapped his forehead. "Right, right! You’ve traveled so far, how could we leave you standing outside? Come in, come in. I just bought some West Lake Longjing tea; Brother Yang, you must try it."

"You're too polite, brother. Let me bring the things in first."

"You shouldn't have brought anything! You’re too much of a stranger."

"It’s only right. This is our first visit, and these are the proper courtesies."

As they spoke, Yang’s father and Xiaofan began unloading the car. Since there were so many items, everyone pitched in—the Qin parents, Nuancin, and even Yang’s sisters. Yang Xiaofan, being the strongest, carried several cases at once. Everyone tacitly agreed not to let Qin Nuanyu lift a finger; she was the most precious treasure of both families, and the child she was carrying was their collective heart and soul.

Once inside, Qin’s mother prepared tea while the two fathers sat on the sofa, exchanging cigarettes and snacks with relentless politeness. Yang Xiaofan felt a sense of melancholy—why had his own first visit been such an ordeal? However, he pushed the thought aside. With both sets of parents meeting to discuss his wedding, he couldn't just sit there idle. When his mother-in-law went to the kitchen, he followed to help serve the tea.

The two families sat together, chatting warmly about everything from their home life and personal histories to their characters and beyond.