Volume One, Chapter 13: The Visit of My Aunt and Her Family

As Xia Xiyin stepped out of the company’s main entrance, she saw Zhou Yu’an’s car parked sideways at the door. His assistant and bodyguard, Hai Bo, hurriedly opened the rear door for her.

“Thank you, Assistant Hai.”

“You’re welcome, Miss Xia.”

Xia Xiyin awkwardly forced a smile and got into the car.

Zhou Yu’an naturally took her hand and asked curiously, “Why did you come out so slowly? I saw several people from your department already came out.”

Xia Xiyin replied, “Zhou Minghao handed me the Interstellar Technology project. I spent the entire afternoon in meetings with my team. I was even thinking about working overtime.”

“That project is quite challenging. Any issues?” Zhou Yu’an inquired.

Hearing this, Xia Xiyin quickly took out her phone, found her notes, and grinned. “Just waiting for you to ask. There are indeed some confusing points I want you to clarify.”

“Go ahead, tell me.”

Xia Xiyin went through each uncertain decision and question in her memo, consulting Zhou Yu’an one by one.

Zhou Yu’an listened carefully and offered the most comprehensive explanations and suggestions. Some questions even led to new discussions, all of which benefitted Xia Xiyin greatly.

“Now that you’ve explained it, I understand. I’m lucky to have you,” Xia Xiyin said, jotting down notes on her phone. “This is my first time leading such a big project; I truly lacked confidence.”

Zhou Yu’an comforted her, “Be confident. I think you’re quite capable. The questions you asked were right on point.”

“Really?” Xia Xiyin was flattered. “Getting praised by you at work satisfies me a lot.”

When they returned home, they saw Xia Xiaoman carrying dishes out of the kitchen, placing them on the dining table.

“Sis, brother-in-law, you’re back? Just in time for dinner,” he said cheerfully.

Xia Xiyin changed her shoes and asked curiously, “Shouldn’t you be back earlier? Or did someone send you home?”

Wiping his hands on his apron, Xia Xiaoman looked embarrassed and glanced at Zhou Yu’an. “When Brother Hai took me to Blue Ocean before, the head chef seemed hesitant—maybe out of respect or caution—so he didn’t assign me any chores. They treated me like a guest, so I came back early.”

Zhou Yu’an nodded knowingly. “I see. I’ll talk to them later.”

“Brother-in-law, please don’t let them know who I am. Just being taken there by Brother Hai made them forbid me from doing anything. It was awkward, and no one taught me anything,” Xia Xiaoman said plaintively.

Xia Xiyin smiled, “Your brother knows what’s what. Let’s eat first.”

Just as the three sat down to eat, the doorbell rang.

“I’ll get it. Maybe it’s the gas meter inspector,” Xia Xiaoman said, putting down his chopsticks and heading to the door.

The moment he opened it, Yang Su’e’s sharp laughter rang out, overly enthusiastic. “Oh, Xiaoman’s home too? It’s been so long! Looks like you’ve grown taller.”

“Aunt?” Xia Xiaoman looked at the woman at the door, then beyond her, calling, “Uncle? Cousin? What brings you here?”

Uncle Zhang Wen pushed his wife aside and looked over his nephew. “Well, it’s been a while, so I thought I’d come check on you.”

Though puzzled, Xia Xiaoman let the trio in.

Hearing Aunt Yang Su’e’s laughter, Xia Xiyin immediately knew their purpose and frowned. She whispered to Zhou Yu’an, “See? They’ve come chasing us home.”

How embarrassing, she thought, her face flushing slightly.

When the uncle’s family entered, both Xia Xiyin and Zhou Yu’an stood out of respect for their elders.

Yang Su’e quickly waved them off. “You two keep eating, don’t mind us.”

“Uncle, Aunt, have you eaten? Join us if not,” Xia Xiyin asked.

Zhang Wen replied with a smile, “We ate before coming.” His gaze lingered on Zhou Yu’an, appraising him.

The three sat on the sofa while the others continued eating.

Within moments, Yang Su’e, smiling obsequiously, pulled up a chair next to Xia Xiyin and patted her arm intimately. “Xiyin, you know your uncle and I aren’t strangers. Why haven’t you told us about such an outstanding boyfriend?”

Before her niece could answer, she turned to Zhou Yu’an with a flattering smile. “President Zhou, I just learned of your prestigious status today. It truly overwhelms our humble family. Xia Xiyin is blessed to have you; it must be a fortune earned over many lifetimes.”

Xia Xiyin cast a sideways glance at her aunt—no wonder she rushed over so eagerly tonight. So she had found out about Zhou Yu’an’s identity.

Zhou Yu’an replied calmly, “No need for such flattery. Xinyin is no less impressive; it’s just that you don’t see it.”

Yang Su’e was taken aback but quickly smiled. “Not at all. We do cherish Xinyin.”

Zhang Wen couldn’t stand it any longer. “Su’e, sit down and stop disturbing the kids’ meal.”

“All right, all right. You eat; I won’t bother,” Yang Su’e said with a forced smile and returned to the sofa.

Soon after, the three finished eating, and Xia Xiaoman cleared the table and washed up in the kitchen. Xia Xiyin and Zhou Yu’an sat opposite the uncle’s family.

“Uncle, let me introduce you. This is my boyfriend, Zhou Yu’an, CEO of Tianyu Group.”

The two men stood, shook hands, and Zhou Yu’an politely addressed him as “Uncle.”

Zhang Wen nodded stiffly and awkwardly praised, “Young man, promising and accomplished. Not bad.”

Yang Su’e scoffed beside him, “Not bad? He’s the richest man in Ning City, head of Tianyu Group. What kind of joke is that?”

Embarrassed by the title, Zhang Wen forced a smile at Zhou Yu’an and sat down.

“Aunt,” Xia Xiyin, displeased with her aunt’s sycophantic attitude, called out, “don’t go boasting recklessly. Just keep it to yourself.”

Yang Su’e responded with an exaggerated “Oh, oh,” her fake smile lingering as if she wanted to say more but held back.

“How’s Grandma lately?” Xia Xiyin changed the subject, pretending not to notice, “I’ve been busy and haven’t had time to visit. She isn’t upset with me, is she?”

Yang Su’e clearly avoided talking about the visits and replied perfunctorily, “She’s living with us, well fed and cared for. No need to worry.”

“Xiyin, Aunt came not only to see you but also to ask a favor,” she said without waiting for a response.