Seeing Chu Yi, Eldest Aunt Chu’s smile dropped instantly. “Why are you back!”
Chu Dazhi’s girlfriend, Yao Ke, politely asked, “Who is he…?”
Eldest Uncle Chu cut in quickly. “He’s Dazhi’s cousin, comes back occasionally to see his grandparents. He doesn’t live here usually.”
Grandma Chu had already gotten up and grabbed Chu Yi’s sleeve, as if afraid he’d say something, and chimed in, “That’s right, he doesn’t live here.”
Chu Yi found it a bit amusing but didn’t refute.
The two cousins looked seventy percent alike, but Chu Dazhi was more pampered and fair, while Chu Yi was darker and thinner. However, Chu Yi’s features were more defined upon closer look.
Yao Ke had pretty much guessed, but since Eldest Uncle Chu hadn’t introduced his name, she didn’t know how to address him and just smiled brightly, nodding. “Hello, I’m Yao Ke, Dazhi’s girlfriend.”
She was poised and graceful, her eyes clear and pure—a breath of fresh air compared to the calculating Chu Family members.
Chu Yi had a good impression of her and smiled back. “Hello.”
Seeing this, Grandma Chu wasn’t pleased and dragged Chu Yi toward the kitchen. “Little Yi, perfect timing you’re back. Come help Grandma in the kitchen. Grandma has something to tell you.”
Aunt Chu caught the hint in her words and thought about how the post-meal dishwashing and kitchen cleanup could be handed to Chu Yi, so her expression improved a lot.
She knew her mother-in-law was calling Chu Yi to the kitchen to squeeze money out of him. But she wasn’t in a hurry—her son had brought his girlfriend home, so wouldn’t his grandparents show some gesture? Anyway, that money would end up with her son in the end!
Chu Yi stood still. “Aren’t all the dishes already done? We won’t have room for another table.”
He unceremoniously sat down at the table and called to Grandma Chu, “Grandma, come sit and eat too.”
The little brat had grown bold, even daring to ignore her words!
Grandma Chu’s somewhat harsh old face fell, but with Dazhi’s girlfriend there, she didn’t dare curse him out like before.
Chu Dazhi’s sister, Chu Sihui, was unhappy that everyone was fussing over her brother’s girlfriend and chimed in sarcastically. “Exactly, no matter how much you make, they might not appreciate it. Fawning like this, it’s like my brother can’t find a wife!”
“Chu Sihui!”
“Sihui, how can you talk like that?”
Chu Dazhi and Eldest Uncle Chu’s voices rang out almost simultaneously. But while Chu Dazhi looked at his girlfriend after speaking, Eldest Uncle Chu shot a vicious glare at Chu Yi before quickly changing to a smile. “Little Ke, don’t mind Sihui. Chu Yi here lost his parents early, and we didn’t teach him well. Little Ke, this is your first time visiting, so no amount of enthusiasm is too much. Otherwise, if you tell your parents about it, they might think we don’t value our future daughter-in-law.”
Yao Ke was just dating and visiting her boyfriend’s home for the first time; she hadn’t thought that far ahead about becoming a daughter-in-law. But with the elders speaking, she couldn’t very well object and just shyly lowered her head with a soft smile.
Eldest Uncle Chu exchanged a look with Chu Dazhi. He knew his son hadn’t sealed the deal with Yao Ke yet—meaning, with her already at home, he should get smart about it.
Dazhi had told him on the way back that Yao Ke’s family was in business. They’d already bought her a house in Capital City early on. If his son married Yao Ke, it’d be a straight shot to the top—they could settle in the capital.
Chu Dazhi got the message and returned a “don’t worry” look.
Chu Yi noticed and, thinking of how they’d seized his original body’s house, understood everything. Yao Ke was too naive; she probably hadn’t discussed this visit with her parents.
Whatever, luckily she’d met him. Otherwise, she’d probably get chewed up bones and all!
Chu Yi had no concept of politeness and ate whatever good meat or dishes he wanted. Grandma Chu shot him several dark glares during the meal, but he pretended not to see.
In the past, his original body had done the most work and still got lectured by Grandma during meals for being unfilial. He’d never dared eat much as a kid, and even during the two years of working before, he’d handed over every cent without fail. Why shouldn’t he eat?
After the meal, Chu Dazhi made an excuse about showing Yao Ke the sights of Chu Village and coaxed her out the door.
Chu Sihui curled her lip and followed behind. Rather than stay to watch the elders squeeze her cousin, she’d rather find ways to break up her brother and this woman!
As soon as Yao Ke’s figure disappeared outside, Grandma Chu couldn’t wait and spoke up. “Little Yi…”
She was just about to ask what good things Chu Yi had brought back this time, if he’d made money, when she noticed he arrived empty-handed except for a small backpack.
Grandma Chu was a bit displeased but then thought direct cash worked too.
She was about to use her usual tactic of playing pitiful to get money from Chu Yi when he cut her off out of nowhere. “Does Eldest Uncle only have two kids, Cousin and Sihui? How come I feel like there should be three?”
