Hearing the voice, Lin Zhiyi’s smile faded a bit and she looked up.
An elderly couple was approaching arm in arm.
Though their hair was frosted with gray, their demeanors were exceptional.
The man was upright.
The woman was gentle and smiling, with crow’s feet that betrayed warmth and the passage of time.
Truly, time doesn’t defeat a beauty.
The woman lightly patted her husband’s side: "Such a bad temper, yet misses Gong Chen every day."
Saying that, she looked at Lin Zhiyi, scanning her from top to bottom.
Her gaze was soft and without scrutiny.
"You look truly beautiful, no wonder Gong Chen keeps thinking about you..."
"Auntie."
Gong Chen interrupted awkwardly.
Hearing the address, Lin Zhiyi quickly stepped forward and greeted politely.
"Mr. Jiang, Mrs. Jiang."
Mrs. Jiang Zhong Min smiled discreetly upon hearing Lin Zhiyi’s title.
"Finally someone calls me something other than ’old lady.’ I’ve been called that for so many years I feel ancient."
Lin Zhiyi naturally didn’t want to truly become Gong Chen’s little niece, so she deliberately changed the address.
Zhong Min didn’t correct her and accepted it very naturally.
It was clear she was satisfied with Lin Zhiyi.
Lin Zhiyi quickly handed over her gift.
"This is a scarf designed by an old tailor from Jing City. Hope you like it."
Zhong Min opened the box, and inside was a silk scarf with Su embroidery magnolia, which matched her outfit today.
She wore it around her neck, smiled: "It’s fate, I really like it."
Lin Zhiyi raised her hand to tie a pretty knot, perfectly revealing the magnolia.
Zhong Min looked up at her, suddenly her eyes reddened a bit.
Lin Zhiyi was startled, fearing she might have unintentionally hurt her.
Zhong Min held her hand: "Sorry, it just reminded me of my daughter-in-law. She loved dressing me up too, unfortunately..."
Lin Zhiyi opened her mouth to console, but was sharply interrupted by Mr. Jiang.
"Why mention this suddenly? The child is still here."
Mr. Jiang looked at the twins.
"She’s the stepdaughter of the second child in the Gong Family, technically on the same level with you two, don’t call her wrongly, people might think we’re taking advantage of their family."
"..."
The twins stood silently, reluctant to defy their grandpa.
Lin Zhiyi was stunned for a moment.
Not wanting the twins to feel awkward, out of courtesy, she quickly took out the gift prepared for Mr. Jiang.
"Mr. Jiang, this is..."
"Give it to the housekeeper."
Mr. Jiang waved his hand, and the housekeeper immediately stepped forward to receive the gift from Lin Zhiyi’s hand.
Lin Zhiyi felt somewhat embarrassed but maintained a smile on her face.
Just as the housekeeper was about to leave, Gong Chen pressed his hand down on the gift box.
"Since uncle doesn’t like it, let’s not force it, Chen Jin, put it back in the car."
"Yes, Third Young Master."
Chen Jin swiftly retrieved the gift.
The housekeeper looked at Mr. Jiang in shock.
"Gong Chen..."
"What’s wrong? Uncle likes it?"
Gong Chen didn’t give Mr. Jiang a chance to continue.
Just as Mr. Jiang hadn’t given Lin Zhiyi a chance to speak.
Mr. Jiang frowned, and his gaze tightened.
Zhong Min noticed and quickly stepped forward to change the subject.
She stared at the child in Gong Chen’s arms.
"Is this your daughter? She’s grown so big, really adorable."
Mentioning his daughter, the coldness in Gong Chen’s expression eased a bit.
Lin Zhiyi didn’t want Zhong Min to feel awkward, so she stepped forward to agree: "Thank you for the compliment, Xingxing, call..."
Suddenly she was stumped.
"Grandma."
Xingxing spoke up on her own.
She didn’t quite understand titles yet, just thought the lady in front was as pretty as her grandma.
So she called her the same.
The name happened to strike a chord with Zhong Min.
She had always wanted a daughter, but ended up with just one son.
"Regardless, it’s what you deserve. Now, while we old folks still have the ability, we’ll try to fulfill it so it’s clear in the future, otherwise, it might not be possible."
Mr. Jiang insisted, his gaze subconsciously landed on Gong Chen.
"..."
Lin Zhiyi understood.
He was afraid she’d use this as leverage to ask for something not hers.
Like, Gong Chen.
Lin Zhiyi put down her chopsticks, directly faced Mr. Jiang.
"Rest assured, Mr. Jiang, you’re overthinking it. If there’s something I really want, I’ll fight for it myself, without asking others, let alone for something that’s not a thing, right?"
"You..." Mr. Jiang choked.
Gong Chen frowned: This sounds like she’s scolding me.
"Sorry, I’m quite straightforward. Someone as generous and magnanimous as Mr. Jiang surely can understand, right?" Lin Zhiyi smiled and countered.
Mr. Jiang didn’t hear what he wanted, and furrowed his brows.
"Sharp-tongued."
Gong Chen wiped his mouth: "I can’t win against her either, but they say listening to your wife makes you rich."
Lin Zhiyi paused slightly upon hearing the word ’wife.’
She turned to stare at Gong Chen, a questioning look in her eyes: What are you talking about?
Gong Chen: Again trying not to acknowledge people?
Lin Zhiyi: ...
Mr. Jiang watched the two exchange looks, intending to interrupt.
But Zhong Min kicked him abruptly.
"No talking during meals. Where are your manners?"
"..."
Mr. Jiang coughed lightly and slowly stood up.
He pointed at Gong Chen: "Come with me."
Gong Chen gave Lin Zhiyi a reassuring look, stood up, and followed Mr. Jiang.
After.
Zhong Min looked towards Lin Zhiyi and comforted: "You don’t need to mind him; he’s seen Gong Chen as his own son, and previously both Song Wanqiu and Sang Ran used their favors to pressure Gong Chen, so he’s worried you’ll do the same in the future."
"Sorry, I just..." Lin Zhiyi opened apologetically.
"It’s fine, saves him from always thinking about meaningless things," Zhong Min smiled, "Let’s eat."
"Mm."

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