18 No Playing Cute! (2/2)
”There's a security camera at the doorstep. I'll just check the footage tomorrow morning.”
”It's your call,” said An Xiaoning nonchalantly.
She was sure that he was just trying to scare her. Out of the multiple times she had passed by the front door, she had not noticed any security camera, or anything of the sort.
Having calmed down, Jin Qingyan turned towards An Xiaoning, who had her eyes closed, and said, ”If I ever find out that you cheated on me, you shall face dire consequences.”
”You won't have it any better either, if I find out that you cheated on me too!”
Pressing his lips together, Jin Qingyan continued, ”It's just a matter of time before I find out who that man is.”
A momentary silence filled the air.
Just as she was about to fall asleep, An Xiaoning suddenly felt a hand sliding down her side beneath the sheets. Smacking his hand as hard as she could, she hissed, ”Get that hand away from me. I'm not in a great mood this evening, will you just let me sleep in peace?”
He had no choice but to do as instructed. An Xiaoning then went back to sleep, her back facing him.
——
According to customs, she should only be allowed to return to her parents' home three days after the wedding. However, An Xiaoning went to the home of the Gu Family early in the morning the day after because she had to settle the procedure of changing her household registry and being added as to the Gu Family genealogy.
The old Mr. Gu began to take charge once all the members of the Gu Family had gathered at the ancestral hall.
An Xiaoning followed the instructions given and went ahead with the worship and bowing ceremony. By the end of the ritual, An Xiaoning had successfully been added to the Gu Family genealogy.
An Xiaoning did not even have to settle the changing of household registry herself. The procedure was quickly completed, in less than an hour.
Following the customary ceremonies, she then served some tea to her newly-acknowledged Godparents and God-grandfather.
As noon approached, everyone gathered to have a reunion lunch.
The old Mr. Gu was grinning from ear to ear, excitement written all over his face, as he spoke calmly.
They were enjoying their meal when the helpers outside announced the arrival of Jin Qingyan.
”You're here, my grandson-in-law. Come in quickly, please,” welcomed the old Mr. Gu, who was still smiling, as he enthusiastically instructed for the helpers to bring him in.
Clad in a black suit and black coat, Jin Qingyan took his time to enter while handing the helper the gifts he had brought along. He then sat on a chair brought over by the helper, facing An Xiaoning.
”Have I interrupted anything by visiting at this hour?” he asked.
”Of course not, the timing is perfect. I was just asking Xiaoning why you were absent this morning. She said that you had something urgent to attend to at the office. We've just started eating. Do make yourself comfortable, at home,” assured the old Mr. Gu, gesturing with his hands.
”Thank you, Grandpa.” Upon hearing the way he addressed the old Mr. Gu, An Xiaoning shot him a glance before quietly continuing to savour her meal.
All of a sudden, An Xiaoning felt a leg from opposite, tightly hooking onto hers. Having gotten a shock, she almost dropped her chopsticks.
Looking up to see who it was, she noticed that he was chatting merrily with the members of the Gu Family, all prim and proper. She felt a sudden urge to call him a hypocrite.
To the relief of An Xiaoning, the meal finally ended. She had felt as if she were stepping on eggshells the entire time.
”You did that on purpose, didn't you?”
”Not on purpose, but intentionally,” jested Jin Qingyan.
”What was that for?”
”It was rather fun, especially when you had to suppress your anger and remain silent. How interesting,” sneered Jin Qingyan. Gazing at his alluring, slanted eyes, sharp and straight nose bridge, and rosy lips, it was truly a tough feat for An Xiaoning, staying mad at such a perfect face.
”Why did you come here, all of a sudden?” asked An Xiaoning.
”This will be your maternal home from now on. As your husband, it would be rude not to come down to pay a visit,” said Jin Qingyan as he reached out to hold her hand. Years after, An Xiaoning would still clearly remember that simple gesture of his. She would still remember the way he reached his hand out to her gracefully, full of vigour and excitement, on that perfect afternoon.
——
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