Zhou Dang smiled, put away his phone, and went over. "Grandma, you'll have to put in a good word for me with the old man later."
Old Madam Zhou's health hadn't been great the past two years; she didn't look as vigorous as the old master, but she was very approachable: "Your grandfather scolded you again?"
Before Zhou Dang could complain, the old master came downstairs, leaning on his dragon-headed cane, the other hand behind his back, his steps steady and imposing: "If I don't scold him, who should I scold? He's not young anymore, and he's still so muddleheaded!"
He sat down, naturally holding his wife's hand, and softened his tone: "Don't bother with his nonsense. When his father gets back, he'll get what's coming to him."
Zhou Dang couldn't be bothered to watch the two elders show affection. He picked up his phone and glanced at it again. Still no reply from Xuan Yang.
Instead, Chen Xingyue, who he hadn't heard from in a while, coincidentally sent him a message: [Help help help! Dang Ge, help!]
Zhou Dang frowned, his long fingers typing lazily: [What, did an enemy come knocking?]
Chen Xingyue should be on a nice vacation on one of his islands right now. What could possibly happen?
Zhou Dang didn't take his message seriously.
But Chen Xingyue sent several more messages in a row.
[Not an enemy! It's my dad!]
[I've been caught and am being escorted to the Xuan family! Crying emoji]
[My dad said we have to finalize the engagement between Xuan Yang and me tonight no matter what! What do I do, Dang Ge? I'm dying!]
[Didn't you say you'd handle this? Didn't you say you'd definitely take care of it for me? Grudge emoji]
[What do I do now? They're gonna take my phone away again soon!]
...
Chen Xingyue had been caught by his father, Chen Xinghe, and brought back to Jingbei. He was currently on his way to the Xuan family.
His old man was ruthless—on the flight back, Chen Xingyue couldn't even touch his phone.
Now that they were almost at the Xuan family, he used the excuse of sending a message to Xuan Yang to inform her, and his old man finally returned his phone.
Chen Xingyue only had five minutes; he'd have to hand the phone back afterward.
...
Just thinking about it was miserable.
Zhou Dang wasn't in the mood to listen to his complaints. He just focused on the key point: [Are you at the Xuan family?]
After sending the message, he stood up from the dining table with a grave expression.
Just then, the second branch's family of four entered the courtyard. Zhou Lin spotted him at once: "A Dang, you're back? When did you get in?"
Zhou Dang didn't have time to acknowledge him. He said a quick goodbye to the old couple and hurried out.
Old Master Zhou asked where he was going, but got no answer.
After Zhou Dang left the courtyard, Zhou Lin pushed his father, Zhou Lishen, to continue inside.
His sister Zhou Xue and mother Jiang Wen lagged behind a little.
Seeing that Zhou Dang ignored Zhou Lin, Jiang Wen's expression soured. She muttered under her breath: "Now that he's in power, he doesn't even bother to greet people."
Zhou Xue, holding her arm, also felt Zhou Dang was bullying them, completely disregarding her brother.
Zhou Lishen glanced back at Jiang Wen, apparently displeased with her grumbling.
Zhou Lin just smiled, as humble and gentle as ever: "Judging by A Dang's demeanor, he probably has something urgent."
The family of four soon took their seats at the dining table.
Not long after, Zhou Yao and Zhou Min from the third branch also arrived.
Once everyone was present, Butler Zhong quickly instructed the kitchen to serve.
During the meal, Old Madam Zhou asked: "Why didn't the third son's wife come to dinner?"
Zhou Yao had been out all day and had no idea where his mother was. He shook his head: "I don't know. She wasn't home when I got back."
The old lady looked at the quiet, refined Zhou Min beside him.
Zhou Min immediately put down her utensils, sat up straight, and spoke softly: "Mom went to Aunt's place. She'll be back later."
The old lady nodded understandingly and didn't ask further.
But Jiang Wen from the second branch gossiped: "What did she go there for?"
Zhou Min glanced at her timidly and shook her head.
She never asked about her mother's affairs; she only knew that Uncle had called her there.
Jiang Wen curled her lip, annoyed by Zhou Min's timid demeanor.
In the end, Zhou Lin broke the tension by asking after the old lady's health, and the atmosphere at the table gradually eased back to normal.
-
Meanwhile, at the Xuan Family Villa.
Before coming downstairs, Xuan Yang had taken off her ring.
She hadn't figured out how to tell her adoptive parents about her marriage to Zhou Dang and planned to put it off for a couple of days.