Volume One, Chapter Seven: From Now On, I Will Cherish You

Zhou Yu’an did not avoid Xia Xiyin; he sat beside her and answered the call.

As soon as the call connected, a strong, lively voice came through the phone: “You little brat, didn’t you say you’d come back to the old family mansion for dinner tonight? You stood your old grandma up.”

Zhou Yu’an let out an “Ah!” and slapped his forehead in frustration, hurriedly apologizing, “Grandma, I’m sorry, I was too busy today and completely forgot.”

“Hmph!” The elderly lady expressed her displeasure over the phone, then asked curiously, “I heard you have a girlfriend now?”

It was no surprise that Zhou’s grandmother knew; with so many people at last night’s banquet, it was inevitable that someone close to her was present.

Zhou Yu’an smiled and glanced at Xia Xiyin before pulling her hand and candidly admitting, “Yes, we just started dating last night. You’re quite well-informed.”

“Perfect, bring her home tomorrow, I want to meet her,” Grandma said warmly.

Xia Xiyin heard everything clearly and couldn’t help but feel a bit nervous. Meeting the family so soon after starting to date—wasn’t that a bit too fast?

Zhou Yu’an seemed oblivious to her anxiety and smiled, “Sure, we’ll come back for dinner tomorrow night.”

“Not tomorrow night, come back in the morning,” Grandma ordered firmly.

Seeing Grandma’s urgency, Zhou Yu’an agreed.

After hanging up, Xia Xiyin asked, “You’re bringing me home to meet your family tomorrow? Such an important thing—aren’t you going to think it over?”

Zhou Yu’an understood the implication behind her words and spoke plainly and sincerely, “Xinyin, I’m dating you with marriage in mind. I’ve never thought about separating from you, so there’s nothing to consider.”

Xia Xiyin felt a sudden pressure upon hearing this. “Yu’an, I believe what you say. But will your family accept us? Our backgrounds don’t quite match.”

Zhou Yu’an said, “Xinyin, I’m a mature and independent adult. I make my own decisions about love and marriage; I don’t need my family’s approval. Besides, they won’t interfere in my marriage—they respect my choices.”

Xia Xiyin looked surprised. “Really? Did I save the galaxy in a past life to enter such a progressive wealthy family?”

Zhou Yu’an smiled, “My parents have been vacationing abroad and haven’t returned yet. Tomorrow I’ll take you to the old mansion to see Grandma, and probably Second Uncle’s family as well.”

Xia Xiyin asked, “Your family is quite large, right? Lots of relatives?”

Zhou Yu’an explained, “Grandma had three children: my dad, Second Uncle, and my aunt. The rest of the extended branches aren’t worth worrying about.”

After hearing this, Xia Xiyin said, “Let me tell you about my family as well.”

---

“A few years ago, my parents had a car accident. Although they were initially rescued, they couldn’t be saved in the end—they both passed away,” she said sadly. “To save my parents, the family’s savings were all spent, and we borrowed a lot from relatives. After graduating from university, I worked while paying off the debts, only finishing last year.”

Zhou Yu’an didn’t realize her unfortunate situation—she and her brother were orphans.

He tenderly wrapped an arm around her shoulder and said with deep affection, “From now on, I’m here. I’ll take care of you.”

Xia Xiyin wiped away her sadness and tilted her head coquettishly at him. “Hey, you said that—you can’t back out. I’ll remember it forever!”

“Nonsense! I’m your man. If I don’t care for you, then who will?” Zhou Yu’an said, then shyly hooked his pinky finger out. Xia Xiyin smiled, raised an eyebrow, and hooked her pinky with his.

“...For a hundred years, no changing,” Xia Xiyin murmured.

She thought to herself, one must have a conscience. Zhou Yu’an was sincere toward her; she wouldn't be half-hearted in return. At this moment, her secret crush on Zhou Minghao became a thing of the past.

---

The next day, after having breakfast at home, Xia Xiyin accompanied Zhou Yu’an to his place to change clothes. She also bought some of Grandma’s favorite pastries and fruits before heading to the old mansion.

After more than an hour’s drive, the car stopped in front of a traditional courtyard house.

Xia Xiyin looked through the window at the residence. Though somewhat prepared, she was still overwhelmed.

“Xinyin, get out,” Zhou Yu’an said, unbuckling her seatbelt as they both stepped out.

Carrying pastry boxes in one hand and holding Xia Xiyin’s hand with the other, Zhou Yu’an led her into the spacious courtyard.

The courtyard was dotted with a few flowering trees. Underneath one, an elderly lady was following a fitness video on a tablet, energetically doing aerobics. She looked to be in her seventies, vibrant and rosy-cheeked, dressed in sportswear.

“Grandma!” Zhou Yu’an called out.

The elderly lady stopped, hands on her hips, looking at the approaching pair.

Xia Xiyin was surprised. She had imagined a grandmother in her seventies dressed in a qipao, hair neatly pinned, with a gentle and kind smile, sitting gracefully on a sofa. But this grandma was a fitness enthusiast and looked healthier than many younger people.

When they reached her, Zhou Yu’an introduced, “Grandma, I brought my girlfriend home.”

“Hello, Grandma, my name is Xia Xiyin,” Xia Xiyin greeted politely, a sweet smile on her face.

Grandma gave her a brief, approving look, smiling warmly. “What a beautiful young lady. Very nice.”

Xia Xiyin blushed shyly at the compliment.

“Come, let’s go inside,” Grandma said as she headed indoors.

Xia Xiyin linked arms with Zhou Yu’an and followed her inside.

Shortly after they settled in the living room, Second Uncle and Second Aunt arrived.

As soon as they entered, Second Aunt’s cheerful laughter filled the room. “Yu’an is here already, isn’t he? I saw his car parked outside.”

Xia Xiyin turned toward the voice and saw Second Aunt Fang Huiping walking in—slender-eyed, thin-lipped, with a shrewd and calculating face.

“This is Second Aunt,” Zhou Yu’an introduced.

Xia Xiyin greeted warmly, “Hello, Second Aunt.”

“Good, good, good,” Fang Huiping surveyed Xia Xiyin carefully and praised, “Such a good girl—pretty and refined. She truly suits our Yu’an.”

Grandma mildly scolded, “Second Aunt, you’re so noisy, you’re giving me a headache. Lower your voice a bit.”

Fang Huiping paused, then smiled again and said to Grandma, “Mom, you see, I’m just happy. Yu’an has a girlfriend now; that’s one less thing to worry about for you.”

Grandma ignored her daughter-in-law’s words and sipped her tea.

Second Uncle, Zhou Kang, tugged at his wife and asked her to sit beside him.

“This is Second Uncle,” Zhou Yu’an said to Xia Xiyin.

Xia Xiyin obediently greeted, “Hello, Second Uncle.”

Zhou Kang took a red envelope from his pocket and handed it to her. “You’re a fine girl. Take good care of Yu’an. I hope to attend your wedding soon.”

Xia Xiyin accepted the red envelope graciously. “We will, thank you, Second Uncle.”

Holding the thick envelope, Xia Xiyin sensed that the Zhou family’s wealthy background was more complicated than it appeared.