Chapter Ninety-Three: Gathered from Every Quarter (3)

In truth, it was not only Qin Nuanyu who was nervous; the whole Yang family was tense as well.

This was the first time in their lives that they had ever met a daughter-in-law, after all.

When everything is a first, it is only natural to feel a little overwrought.

As soon as the car stopped and the door was opened, Yang’s mother was the first to come forward and greet her. She reached out at once and took Qin Nuanyu’s small hand.

“So you’re Nuanyu, aren’t you? Welcome, welcome. We have been waiting and waiting, and at last we’ve brought you here.”

Qin Nuanyu was startled, but the warmth in Yang’s mother’s hand calmed her almost at once, and most of her nervousness vanished.

Yang’s mother’s hands were rough, like those of many ordinary rural women, worn with calluses and full of uneven little pits and ridges.

But they were warm and comforting, giving one a sense of safety.

Unlike so many people who smile brightly with their faces while their hands remain cold as ice.

“Hello, Auntie. I’m Nuanyu.”

Qin Nuanyu introduced herself with a smile, while Yang’s mother looked her over from head to toe with delight.

“Good child, you’re absolutely beautiful. Our Xiaofan is blessed to have found such a lovely girlfriend.”

Qin Nuanyu lowered her head slightly, a little shy.

“You flatter me, Auntie. It is my blessing to be with Xiaofan.”

“Oh, none of that modesty. You’re as pretty as a star on television. If this had been years ago, I wouldn’t even have dared to dream that Xiaofan could find a girlfriend this beautiful. I always thought it would be amazing enough if he could marry the prettiest girl in our village.”

Yang Xiaofan’s face darkened.

“Mom, am I really that bad? I got into South Jiang University, and it’s one of the top national universities. I’ve got plenty going for me.”

“All right, all right, you’re promising enough, happy now? Nuanyu, this is your uncle, and these are Xiaoyun and Xiaoqing.”

Qin Nuanyu inclined her head toward Yang’s father.

“Hello, Uncle.”

Yang’s father nodded, a little at a loss, but unwilling to look awkward in front of a junior. He cleared his throat and said, slightly flushed:

“No need to be so polite. From now on, you and Xiaofan are family. Just treat this place like your own home.”

“Mm, thank you, Uncle.”

After thanking him, Qin Nuanyu turned her attention to Yang Xiaoyun and Yang Xiaoqing.

Facing the two younger girls, she felt much less tense, and greeted them with a smile and a wave.

“Hello, Xiaoyun, Xiaoqing.”

Xiaoyun was the soft, delicate sort, shy and timid, and she answered with a faint blush.

Yang Xiaoqing, however, kept hiding behind her, peeking out with only her head visible. Her big eyes were fixed on Qin Nuanyu, rolling around curiously as though she were thinking of something.

Yang’s mother shot her a fierce glare.

“You little brat, your sister is talking to you. Are you deaf? Why do you have no manners at all?”

Yang Xiaoqing stuck out her tongue at her and trotted back into the house, paying them no mind.

Yang’s mother felt a little embarrassed and said, “Xiaoqing is the youngest in the family, so we’ve spoiled her rotten. She’s a bit ignorant at times. Don’t take it to heart, Nuanyu.”

Nuanyu smiled and said, “It’s fine. Children are just shy.”

Yang’s father spoke up from the side. “All right, all right, stop standing around outside. Come in, all of you. It’s past noon. Mother of the children, I’ll tend the fire, you cook. Hurry and get things ready.”

“Right, right.”

Yang’s mother nodded and hurriedly invited Qin Nuanyu inside.

Qin Nuanyu took the initiative and said, “Auntie, let me help you with the vegetables.”

Yang’s mother was overjoyed, but she waved her hands again and again.

“No, no. It’s your first time here. How could we let you do that?”

“Then let me help with the fire.”

“No need, no need. You live in the city, you won’t know how to use a country stove like this.”

“But if you won’t let me do anything, I’ll feel embarrassed.”

“You silly child, you don’t need to do a thing. Just the fact that you care makes Auntie very happy already. Sit and talk with Xiaofan for a while; we’ll have the meal ready soon enough. Xiaoyun, come help Mom pick the vegetables.”

“Okay!”

The three of them immediately headed into the kitchen to get busy.

Watching their flurry of movement, Qin Nuanyu could not help saying, “Xiaofan, should I go help them after all?”

“No need. Even if you go, they still won’t let you help.”

“But...”

“Enough, no buts. You’ve been in the car for hours; you must be tired. Let me give you a massage and loosen you up a little. It’ll help your blood circulation and help provide oxygen to the baby.”

“Then... all right.”

Hearing him mention the baby, Qin Nuanyu no longer refused.

Still, she felt a trace of guilt in her heart for not being able to help the Yang family.

The Yang family was so simple and sincere toward her; acting like this made her feel almost like some pampered young lady, which did not sit well with her.

In fact, leaving aside that this was her first time visiting the Yang family and that such an important guest would never be asked to go into the kitchen to help with vegetables, the fact remained that she was carrying Yang Xiaofan’s child.

The Yang family would not dare let her do even the slightest bit of work.

That was the Yang family’s bloodline, the Yang family’s descendants.

The old couple were positively longing for a grandson, eager to continue the family line and carry on the lineage. How could they possibly dare let Qin Nuanyu do anything strenuous?

If something went wrong, that would be a disaster.

At that moment, Yang’s mother suddenly cried out, “Oh no, the salt is gone. I forgot to buy salt. Xiaoqing, go buy some salt quickly.”

But Yang Xiaoqing did not answer. Yang Xiaofan said, “I’ll go. I’m on an electric scooter, so it’ll be faster.”

Qin Nuanyu immediately said, “I’ll go with you.”

Yang Xiaofan waved a hand and refused. “No need. It’s only to the convenience store at the village entrance, and I’ll be back quickly. Besides, the country roads are bumpy, and riding an electric scooter is rough. If you’re sitting on it, I’d be worried instead.”

“Then... all right.”

Since he said so, Qin Nuanyu had no choice but to let it go.

Yang Xiaofan rode his electric scooter out through the back door, and only then did Qin Nuanyu notice a little head hiding in the corner, staring at her intently.

For a moment she froze, then could not help but laugh. She beckoned to the other person.

“Xiaoqing, come here. Come sit with your sister.”

Yang Xiaoqing hesitated for a moment, then slowly came over to Qin Nuanyu’s side, though she still kept more than two meters between them, her eyes full of caution.

Her expression made it seem as if Qin Nuanyu were some dangerous person.

Qin Nuanyu did not know whether to laugh or cry.

“Why are you so scared? I’m not going to eat you.”

“But you ate my brother. My brother is completely wrapped around your finger now. So you’re dangerous.”

Yang Xiaoqing’s first words left Qin Nuanyu even more speechless.

“How do you figure?”

“Hmph! I’ve seen plenty of people like you. You just saw that my brother had money, so you came running over, threw yourself at him, got pregnant with his child, used that to blackmail him, and then married him to become a billionaire’s wife.”