Zhou Yao and Han Xuan returned to the Zhou home. The helpers opened the door, and Zhou Yao pushed Han Xuan, who was in a wheelchair, into the living room.
Old Master Zhou, Master Zhou, and Madam Zhou were all present. The three of them sat down on the sofa, but none of them said anything. The atmosphere was serious and stressful, and the entire living room was cold.
“Grandpa, Dad, Mum.” Zhou Yao greeted them.
They did not get up. They only raised their heads up to have a glance at Han Xuan, before they looked over at Zhou Yao, then said, “You are back?”
“Yeah.” Zhou Yao nodded his head.
Han Xuan knew from the first moment that this family did not like her. They were very unfriendly. Their gazes paused on her face for two seconds before they quickly turned their gazes elsewhere.
Although she did not want to admit defeat, she believed that as long as she was a little sweeter with her words and worked hard enough, she would get the approval of this family sooner or later, so she had a sweet and obedient smile on her face. She followed Zhou Yao and greeted them, “Grandpa, Dad, Mum.”
The moment she greeted them, no one responded to her.
Old Master Zhou was still seated on the sofa to read the papers. Master Zhou had a book in his hands. Madam Zhou was holding the needle as she was sewing something. They were all busy with their own matters, and it was just as if they did not hear her voice.
Han Xuan’s expressions froze, and she felt even more awkward.
At this moment, the helper ran over and asked, “Old Master Zhou, Old Mistress, the meal is ready now. Should we start eating?”
Old Master Zhou threw his newspaper onto the coffee table, then he waved the walking stick and got up as he said, “We will start now!” He walked over to the dining table, and when he walked past Zhou Yao’s side, he let out a heavy sigh.
This made Han Xuan’s expression get even worse.
The entire family was seated down around the rectangular dining table. Han Xuan was seated by Zhou Yao’s side. At this moment, Master Zhou, who was seated opposite Zhou Yao, asked him, “When will you return back to the base?”
This question made Han Xuan’s heart skip a beat. She spoke quickly and said, “Older Brother Zhou will not go back to the base for some time. We just got our marriage certificates today; we will have to hold a wedding in due time.”
In the eyes of traditional Chinese people, it was only when they held a boisterous wedding and invited all of their family and friends to come over and then it would be truly considered to be a real marriage. Naturally, she wanted to hold a wedding.
All women would want to put on a beautiful wedding gown and hold the hand of the man she loves as they walk down the aisle. This was also her dream.
As she finished speaking, the entire dining table became silent. Old Master Zhou, Master Zhou, and Madam Zhou all raised their heads up to look at her.
They were all suddenly looking over at her, and Han Xuan froze.
Old Master Zhou slammed the bowl and chopsticks that he was holding onto the table. His expression was serious as he said, “Fooling around! Zhou Yao is a soldier. He has to be on call 24 hours a day. He is also not on leave right now. Even if you are going to hold a wedding, he also needs to report for approval from management. Did you think that these matters are something that you can decide? The important matters of the country and your personal wedding, don’t you know which one takes larger priority?”
Old Master Zhou’s cloudy eyes were sharp as he stared at Han Xuan.
Han Xuan’s face turned pale as she said, “I…”
“I am not eating. You guys can eat by yourselves!” Old Master Zhou stood up and shook his sleeves as he headed out of the dining room, then went upstairs to go back inside his own room.
“Dad, you should calm down. Someone come over. Boil a bowl of plain porridge for Old Master Zhou.” As he spoke Master Zhou stood up and said, “You all can eat slowly. I will go check on Dad.”
Master Zhou also left.
Two people had suddenly left the dining room, and even the helpers felt that there was a nervous energy around the table and did not dare to go out. Han Xuan’s left hand that was drooped on her kneecaps was tightly clenched into a fist. The important matters of the country… They said it so nicely, but based on how she saw it, they did not want to give her a wedding!
Madam Zhou chewed on a mouthful of rice, and she had a tightly knitted frown on her face before saying, “Han Xuan, let’s talk about holding a wedding later on. Our family has yet to prepare ourselves for it.”
Han Xuan closed her eyes and controlled the anger inside her heart. Her voice was soft as she said, “But Mum, if we do not hold a wedding, others will gossip about us. Older Brother Zhou is a soldier…”
“Hah!” Madam Zhou scoffed out loud, and she raised her head up to look at Han Xuan and said, “If you are really afraid of others gossiping, it would be great then. Zhou Yao is a soldier. What other soldier has gotten married twice? I am afraid that all of T City is gossiping about our family right now.”
As she spoke, Madam Zhou put her chopsticks down and said, “I am full. I must go.”
Madam Zhou also left the dining room.
Only the two of them were left. A helper served a bowl of hot soup, and when the helper noticed that everyone had already left, she carefully glanced over at Han Xuan.
Han Xuan saw the helper.