Volume 1, Chapter 8: Grandmother Approves of You Two

After Fang Huiping sat down, her voice softened, and with a warm smile, she asked Xia Xiyin, “Xiao Xia, what do your parents do for a living?”

Although Xia Xiyin had mentally prepared herself to be asked about her family background, she still felt a twinge of insecurity when faced with the question.

“Auntie, my parents passed away in a car accident a few years ago. It’s just me and my younger brother at home,” she replied calmly.

Fang Huiping was clearly taken aback and instinctively glanced toward Old Madam Zhou.

“Oh, so it’s just the two of you siblings. That must have been tough,” she said with sympathy.

Then, with curiosity, she asked, “How did you come to know our Yu’an?”

“I work in the overseas marketing department at Tianyu Group,” Xia Xiyin answered.

“Ah, so you’re one of our Tianyu employees,” Zhou Kang chimed in. “No wonder.”

Xia Xiyin lowered her eyes, keenly sensing that her uncle and aunt were not pleased with her family background—which wasn’t surprising.

At that moment, Old Madam Zhou spoke up, “Xiao Xia, come sit here beside me.”

Feeling somewhat overwhelmed by the honor, Xia Xiyin rose and sat next to the grandmother.

The elderly lady looked at her with bright eyes and praised, “You’re a strong, good child. Is it tiring working in the overseas marketing department?”

Xia Xiyin answered politely, “It’s alright. I don’t mind working hard or being tired, as long as I’m learning something.”

“You have to travel a lot, don’t you?” The grandmother’s question was directed at Zhou Yu’an.

But she seemed to already know the answer, and without waiting for her grandson’s reply, she continued, “You should transfer Xiao Xia to another position. Constant travel and long-distance aren’t good.”

Zhou Yu’an chuckled, “Grandma, I respect Yin Yin’s work. If she doesn’t want to leave, she can stay in the overseas department. A few days’ business trips don’t count as a long-distance relationship.”

Old Madam Zhou pursed her lips, “You say it lightly now, but when the time comes, you’ll know how hard it is.”

His uncle and aunt exchanged knowing smiles, making Xia Xiyin a bit shy.

After chatting a while longer, Zhou Yu’an led her out, heading toward his room.

Once inside, Xia Xiyin nervously asked, “Yu’an, do you think grandma is satisfied with me?”

“How could she not be satisfied with such a wonderful girlfriend?” Zhou Yu’an wrapped an arm around her shoulder as they sat on the sofa. “The fact that she asked you to sit beside her means she likes you very much.”

“Really?” Xia Xiyin asked cautiously, unsure if he was just flattering her. “You’re not lying, are you?”

Zhou Yu’an affectionately pinched her cheek, “No, I’m telling the truth.”

Xia Xiyin, flushed by his intimacy, felt reassured. Given her circumstances, she knew whether the elders approved or not wasn’t entirely in her hands. All she needed was to genuinely cherish Zhou Yu’an and remain true to herself.

Then she brought up the transfer issue, “I’m quite content in the overseas department right now and don’t want to be moved.”

“I know,” Zhou Yu’an said understandingly. “Don’t take grandma’s words too seriously. She forgets what she says sometimes. I’ll respect your wishes about work and won’t force you.”

Her eyes sparkled as if discovering a treasure, and she playfully exclaimed, “President Zhou, you’re so kind. Can I kiss you?”

“Hahaha,” Zhou Yu’an laughed, “Of course you can.”

This was a line Xia Xiyin had picked up online, and seeing him smile, she found it quite effective.

Without hesitation, she leaned in and gave him a light kiss on the cheek, calm and gentle.

Zhou Yu’an stroked his face, amused, “Just that?”

“Not satisfied?” Xia Xiyin raised an eyebrow, teasingly coy.

“Of course not,” he said boldly.

Then, cupping her face in both hands, he kissed her deeply and passionately, tilting his head slightly.

Xia Xiyin was stunned for two seconds but quickly responded in kind.

When they parted, Zhou Yu’an grinned mischievously, “Yinyin, you have to kiss me like that from now on.”

Xia Xiyin let out a cute “tsk” sound, dragging it playfully, “Got it.”

At noon, the family chef prepared a sumptuous lunch, and several family members gathered around the table, eating and chatting.

“Xiao Xia, pick whichever dish you want. Don’t be shy,” Fang Huiping said to her.

Xia Xiyin looked at the abundant spread on the lazy Susan and nodded obediently, “Okay, Auntie.”

Zhou Yu’an sat next to Old Madam Zhou, and the two quietly discussed company matters.

While talking with Grandma, he kept an eye on Xia Xiyin, replenishing her plate when it emptied and occasionally turning to say a few words so she wouldn’t feel neglected.

Xia Xiyin ate dish after dish and chatted now and then with her aunt beside her.

“How’s the food? Good, right?” Fang Huiping smiled. “Our family chef has won awards worldwide.”

Xia Xiyin exclaimed in surprise, “Wow, that’s amazing. It’s delicious!”

Fang Huiping placed a piece of fish on her plate with a disdainful smile and whispered, “This is wild coral trout, tender and flavorful. People from small families like yours probably wouldn’t even dare to eat this when they go out, right? Eat more.”

She deliberately raised her voice on the last four words so Zhou Yu’an could hear.

Xia Xiyin stared at her aunt’s two faces in astonishment and couldn’t help but laugh.

She pushed the fish back, saying, “Such good fish should be for you, Auntie. I’m allergic to seafood.”

Before she finished, Zhou Yu’an turned to her, “Allergic to seafood? I just put shrimp on your plate.”

“I put the shrimp back on yours,” Xia Xiyin said with a playful smile.

Old Madam Zhou instructed the butler behind her, “Tell the kitchen not to prepare seafood for Yin Yin anymore.”

“Yes, Madam,” the butler acknowledged and left.

Xia Xiyin, touched by the favor, served some dishes to her grandmother, “Thank you, Grandma.”

Fang Huiping lowered her head and, with a sneer, pushed the fish aside, full of disdain. She simply couldn’t believe that Zhou Yu’an would willingly bring home someone with no family background or connections. There had to be some hidden agenda.

After the meal, Xia Xiyin accompanied Old Madam Zhou to the courtyard for tea and conversation.

“I saw the video of your confession to Yu’an. It was very good, brave even—just like me when I was young,” the grandmother generously praised.

Xia Xiyin almost choked on her tea and responded awkwardly, “Grandma, I was just drunk that day, giving myself false courage.”

“Even false courage is courage,” the grandmother said. “From now on, besides matters of love, you must learn a lot about business, social etiquette, and broaden your horizons. Yu’an will take you out often, and you mustn’t be lacking in conversation or knowledge. Understand?”

Xia Xiyin replied earnestly, “Grandma, I understand. Don’t worry. With Yu’an’s status, I won’t disgrace him. I’ll study hard.”

“That makes me feel at ease,” Old Madam Zhou said with a gratified smile. “The fact that Yu’an brought you to meet me shows how important you are to him. You two should get along well and try to marry soon.”

After speaking, she took a brocade box from the butler behind her and handed it to Xia Xiyin. “This is a gift from me to you. When the time comes, it can stand in for me.”

A treasured token? Xia Xiyin thought with a smile. Opening it, she found a jade pendant bordered with 18-karat gold—clearly valuable.

“Grandma…” she said, feeling the weight of the gift.

Old Madam Zhou nodded firmly, “You and our Yu’an are destined. I approve of you both. You won’t part. Take it.”