Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Normally, when the in-laws visited, both parents of the hosting family were supposed to be present and welcome them, to show proper respect.
However, in this instance… only Mei Feng was present. Where was Shen Xiu?
Dad Xia cleared his throat.
Mei Feng sighed, “He’s just returned from work and is still upstairs, showering and changing. He’s particular about some things! You’ve turned up early and we were caught off guard, so we’re not quite prepared yet.”
Turned up early and caught off guard?
She made it sound like the Xias were in a hurry to meet them.
Xia Nuannuan’s expression changed as anger rose within her.
She explained, nevertheless, “We weren’t too far away when you called.”
Mei Feng said immediately, “That explains it! I thought that, since our in-laws had just arrived yesterday, you must be still resting at the hotel today. After all, it takes about an hour to get here from the hotel. I apologize that Zihao’s father is not here to greet you. Please, come in quickly!”
Following these words, she stepped aside to let them through the house entrance.
Xia Nuannuan her lip and looked at Mei Feng. Then she said, “Aunty Mei, since you’re not prepared, why don’t we just come some other day?”
She really did not feel like visiting them with her parents.
Who knew what else would happen once they were in the house?
However when Mei Feng heard this, she sighed immediately. “Please don’t. In-laws are already here right at our doorstep, how could you not come in?! Zihao’s father is waiting for you both, we should discuss the children’s marriage!”
Initially, as Mei Feng let them through, Dad Xia had studied the door and noticed something.
Xia Nuannuan and Mom Xia had been less exposed to the outside world, so they might have been unaware.
However, he was much more knowledgeable.
These wealthy people were particular about decorum. Which door a guest used depended on the person’s status. It all mattered.
The doorway they were being shown now to enter the house was a side door. This was the equivalent to a concubine’s status in the old days.
It was their right, since they were now relatives, to be shown the front door and ushered into the house through the main doorway.
However, sensing how cold and unwelcoming Mei Feng was right now, Dad Xia couldn’t help but wonder if this was intentional.
Dad Xia was put in a dilemma over this matter. He wanted to leave, but because Mei Feng had mentioned that they should discuss the children’s marriage, he felt they had to stay.
Since the young couple had already obtained their marriage certificate, a wedding ceremony should follow.
After all, according to the Chinese custom, a marriage was only official after the formalities of a wedding.
Hence for the sake of Nuannuan, they must not leave.
Mom Xia thought the same way and immediately smiled, as she said, “Very well then, we will have dinner here.”
Then following Mei Feng’s lead, they entered the house.
Dad Xia suppressed the discomfort he was feeling.
He glanced at the door again. Eventually, he walked in without another word.
The moment they entered, Mom Xia was overwhelmed by the scene before her.
But remembering that she must not embarrass her daughter, she steeled herself and continued walking with her husband into the house.
Mei Feng spoke, “Look at this place, it’s big but with disadvantages. It took me 5 minutes to walk from here to the gate! That’s why I had to keep you waiting.”
As she spoke, they walked further into the house.
Xia Nuannuan bit her lip and said , “Aunty Mei, you’re too formal.”
Right after she inquired this, they heard a voice coming from upstairs, “Aunty Mei? Shouldn’t it be Mom?”
All of them turned around simultaneously and saw Shen Xiu coming down the stairs. He looked at Xia Nuannuan with a sharp expression. “This is your Mom.”