Chapter 40 (1/2)

Tricky Mother-in-law

Though it was indeed a match-making family dinner, there were also some higher-ups and elite engineers from East Wind Heavy Industries attending. However, Ning Yuan-Shan had arranged for them to be seated far, far away. He had a private room for themselves and it was just himself, Ning Yuan-Hai, Ning Jing’s mother, Zhang Hui-Lan, Xia Lei and Ning Jing for a total of five around a large, round table. It was a bit of a waste.

It was Xia Lei’s first time meeting Ning Yuan-Hai and Zhang Hui-Lan. Ning Yuan-Hai and Ning Yuan-Shan looked quite alike and both were in their fifties. Zhang Hui-Lan looked younger - she looked to be in her early forties and had no obvious signs of aging. She was very similar to Ning Jing and though she was getting on in years, she was a mature beauty, the type who had face, body and temperament.

‘Didn’t expect Big Sister Ning’s mother to be so young. I wonder if Big Sister Ning will look something like this when she’s her mother’s age?’ Xia Lei had a strange thought.

“Father, Mother, Uncle, Xia Lei is here,” said Ning Jing.

There was actually no need for introductions since Ning Yuan-Hai and Zhang Hui-Lan had looked Xia Lei top to toe and back up to his face the moment he walked through the door. Based off the small detail of Ning Jing holding hands with him, they’d concluded who he was.

Being stared at like a convict by Ning Jing’s parents made Xia Lei nervous. He paused in one spot, unsure of how he should proceed.

Ning Jing nudged Xia Lei’s waist with her elbow and urged softly, “What are you standing still for? Go, go.”

Xia Lei was prodded into action and he quickly walked forward, “Uncle, Aunt, Uncle Ning, sorry I’m late. I’ve made you wait.”

“It is important to be punctual, young man,” said Ning Yuan-Hai.

“That’s right. You’re late for our first meeting,” said Zhang Hui-Lan.

Xia Lei wanted to explain himself but he could not speak for embarrassment. He’d expected that this would not be a relaxing time and would be difficult but he didn’t think it would be this difficult. Ning Jing’s parents had set the difficulty level for him right from the get-go.

Ning Jing chimed in, “Lei was late because he was busy buying gifts for you. Don’t chide him.”

Xia Lei presented the gift baskets next, “Uncle, Aunt, this is a small token of my sincerity. Please accept it.”

Ning Yuan-Hai held the gift basket and looked at it but Zhang Hui-Lan did not even glance at it before she set it down on the table. The two of them seemed to have discussed matters beforehand and were not going to go easy on Xia Lei, probably meaning to test his temper.

Xia Lei sighed inwardly, ‘Please start dinner soon so I can leave. Next time, I won’t go along with Big Sister Ning’s charade even if she holds a knife to my throat.’

Just then, Ning Yuan-Shan walked towards the door, saying as he went, “You guys take your time and chat, I’ll ask the kitchen to send the dishes out. Geeze, look what time it is and they still haven’t served us. This service is too slow.”

Xia Lei glanced at the door and thought, ‘Would a five-star hotel have this sort of problem? Don’t lie to me. You guys instructed the staff to send out the dishes later, didn’t you?’

Ning Yuan-Hai seemed to view him more kindly. It was not difficult to see that he was pleased by Xia Lei’s charming handsomeness.

“Urmh, ahem,” Zhang Hui-Lan coughed all of a sudden, then said, “Xia Lei, when did you meet our Jing?”

“Half a year ago, in a bookshop. I love books and so does he,” said Ning Jing.

“Shut your mouth. I didn’t ask you.” Zhang Hui-Lan glared at Ning Jing.

Ning Jing closed her mouth; she seemed to be afraid of Zhang Hui-Lan, who looked to be the head of the house.

Xia Lei went with it, “Yes, that’s right. We met half a year ago in a bookshop.”

“Which bookshop?”

Xia Lei thought for a bit, “Xinhua, Xinhua Bookstore.”

“It’s been half a year. You were together for half a year and kept it from us.” Zhang Hui-Lan seemed mad, “Xia Lei, are you ignoring the existences of us parents, or just playing some sort of game with our Jing? A responsible man would not be doing something like this.”

Xia Lei’s scalp was starting to go numb. He bit the bullet and said, “I apologise, Aunt. I definitely did not have that sort of intention, I…”

Zhang Hui-Lan cut him off, “How old are you this year?”

“Twenty-five.”

“Parents?”

“My mother passed early on. My father… is also not around. It’s just my sister and myself. My sister was accepted into Jing-Du University and she will be going to study there in a few days.” Xia Lei just gave her all the details since Zhang Hui-Lan would ask about it anyway.

An almost indiscernible smile appeared on Zhang Hui-Lan’s lips. She caught Ning Yuan-Hai’s eye and they exchanged looks. It was easy to see that she was quite satisfied with Xia Lei’s age, appearance, temperament and family situation.

“What about Uncle? Why isn’t he back yet? Why haven’t we started our meal?” Ning Jing prompted, “I’m starving.”

“Manners.” Zhang Hui-Lan glared at Ning Jing.

Ning Jing shut her mouth again.

Zhang Hui-Lan’s gaze turned back to Xia Lei, and it was almost as if she could see through him, “Xia Lei, do you have a home in your name?”

Xia Lei replied somewhat awkwardly, “Yes, my parents left it to me but it is very small - just 75 square metres*.”

Zhang Hui-Lan followed with, “It is indeed too small. If our Jing marries you, how are you going to fit yourselves and your sister into that flat? And when you have children the place will be even more cramped. You have to work hard and earn more money, then buy a bigger house - at least 150 square metres.”

Xia Lei was speechless.

“How about a car? Do you have a car?”

Xia Lei shook his head. “No.”

“This can’t do either. You need a 500,000 yuan car, at least. It’s best if you have a 7-seater urban SUV so we can all sit comfortably when we go out as a family.”