Lin Xinlan hurriedly extended her hand with a smile, "Big brother, it’s a pleasure to meet you."
Rong Mingyan shook hands with her and smiled, "Sister-in-law, I heard from Grandpa that you’re pregnant. I’ve prepared a gift for you. Take a look and see if you like it."
He took a paper bag from his seat and handed it to Lin Xinlan, who reached out to accept it, "Thank you, big brother."
She opened the package to find a jade bracelet inside - its color was clear and bright, its hue vibrant, clearly worth a five-figure sum at least.
Such a gift was neither too light nor too heavy; it was just right.
Rong’s mother took it and helped her put it on, laughing in admiration, "Mingyan has really good taste, it looks very nice on Xinlan."
"As long as sister-in-law likes it, that’s good."
Rong Guangguo asked everyone to take their seats for dinner. Throughout the meal, Rong’s mother occasionally helped Rong Mingyan with his dishes, and Rong’s father also chatted with him. They played the roles of uncle and aunt quite well.
Rong Guangguo was very affectionate towards Rong Mingyan, asking him about some past events.
Rong Mingyan shared that he had lived a tough life with his uncle. After his uncle’s death, he worked and studied part-time, slowly building up his own small company.
He did not overly dramatize his past hardships; he spoke calmly and lightly.
Rong’s mother couldn’t help shedding tears upon hearing this, "Poor child, it’s all your uncle’s and aunt’s fault. If we had found you sooner, you wouldn’t have had to suffer so much."
"Auntie, you don’t have to feel sorry for me. I never considered living a difficult life as something pitiable. Instead, I see it as a form of training. Without the past, I wouldn’t have the present," he said.
Rong’s mother smiled, nodding in agreement, "You’re right; it’s rare for a child to be so sensible. If Shaoze could be half as steady as you."
Rong Shaoze gave a shallow smile, "Mom, you’re starting to lecture me again. Let’s eat, today is a day of happiness, let’s not bring up sad topics."
"That’s right, today is a happy day, everyone should enjoy their meal. Mingyan, try this, it’s Chef Zhang’s signature dish; it’s very delicious." Rong’s mother served Mingyan a lion’s head meatball, her face showing a loving expression.
Now pregnant, Lin Xinlan didn’t have much of an appetite, but Rong Shaoze thoughtfully asked her what she would like to eat and specifically picked it out for her.
Rong’s mother said to Rong Guangguo with a smile, "Dad, look at how well Shaoze treats Xinlan. He never knew how to be caring before. It seems marriage and having children really make a person a lot more stable and sensible."
Lin Xinlan paused slightly, while Rong Shaoze smiled as he served Rong Guangguo some food, saying, "Grandpa, I think my mom is wrong. I’ve always known how to care for people, and I’ve always been stable and sensible, don’t you think?"
Rong Guangguo smiled affectionately, "Your mother is right, you have become more sensible than before. That’s a good thing; only a stable person can achieve great things."
Rong’s mother’s eyes sparkled, and her smile grew even happier.
During the meal, smiles were on everyone’s faces, but how many of those smiles were genuine, and whatever hidden agendas lay behind them, remained unknown.
At last, after finishing the meal, Rong Mingyan received a phone call and left first.
The remaining people stayed in the living room drinking tea and chatting, while Rong Guangguo asked a maid to bring over an envelope, which he handed to Lin Xinlan, saying:
"Since you married into the Rong Family, I have yet to give you a gift. Now that you’re pregnant, I might as well give you the gift all at once.