Chapter 2390: Chapter 1513: Wedding Banquet (2)

"Was it Aunt Pan who cleaned up?"

Jiang Chen understood immediately.

Fang Qing didn’t say anything.

"Didn’t I say it wasn’t necessary to go to any trouble? If I come back, just tidying up a bit would be fine."

"My mom said, now that you have a girlfriend, no matter how successful you become, you’ll definitely want to bring her home to see your place. It wouldn’t be great if she came in and found the place a mess."

Jiang Chen was taken aback, the inexpressible feeling of guilt growing heavier.

He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but nothing came out.

Fang Qing sat down on the wooden sofa, where the red paint was largely aged and faded.

"It’s okay, a few months from now, everyone will move away, and they won’t have to worry about that anymore."

Jiang Chen also sat on the sofa, leaving a gap of two seats between them. For some reason, the atmosphere suddenly felt a bit stifling.

Playing around with Fang Qing since childhood had long become a habit ingrained in his bones. In comparison, facing the two elders who treated him like their own was actually more difficult.

Resolving this situation, there’s probably only one way.

——It could only be if Fang Qing also found someone to date.

But Qing Gege, her standards are just too high.

"I still need to go buy something."

Jiang Chen suddenly stood up.

Fang Qing was slightly taken aback, then couldn’t help but laugh, "Come on, my mom didn’t clean your place hoping for something. If you buy things for them because of this, they’ll really get upset."

Jiang Chen felt like there was no way to reciprocate.

Indeed.

He was now extremely wealthy, but some bonds can’t be measured with money, and even using money as repayment would be a complete insult.

One must know that Mr. and Mrs. Fang’s kindness to him didn’t start after his life’s reversal but dated back to his birth.

After his parents passed away, everyone kept their distance, including relatives, except for Uncle Fang and Aunt Pan, who remained unchanged, even intensifying their kindness towards him.

No wonder Fang Qing always mentioned it.

If he were Fang Qing, he might also wonder who was truly their biological child.

"If Uncle Fang and Aunt Pan need anything, let me know."

Jiang Chen sat down again.

"They don’t need anything. My mom even goes dancing in the square every night now, so you don’t need to worry."

"Really?"

Jiang Chen laughed, "Does Aunt Pan have a talent for dancing?"

"You bet, they even asked her to be the lead."

Jiang Chen looked incredulous, "Is it because of you, their daughter?"

As they chatted idly, footsteps sounded from outside.

The two turned to look.

Pan Hui, surprised at how the Jiang Family’s door was open, also looked in. Seeing Jiang Chen, she was startled and then broke into a wide grin.

"Little Jiang is back."

Jiang Chen immediately stood up, "Aunt Pan."

"You girl, why didn’t you tell us in advance? Come in, sit down."

Pan Hui hurriedly took out her keys. The enthusiasm seemed even more than what she might have for future in-laws.

"Went grocery shopping?"

Fang Qing walked out to help her mother with the shopping bags.

Pan Hui glared at her while opening the door, "Trying to surprise us, huh?"

"Aunt Pan, don’t blame Fang Qing. I actually didn’t tell anyone; it was Tong Dan who leaked my flight information."

Jiang Chen didn’t let Qing Mei be wrongly accused, though historically, Fang Qing had often teased him.

But a good man doesn’t bicker with a woman, right?

"Where’s Uncle Fang?"

"Yeah, Dad? Didn’t he go with you to the store?"

For some reason, a hint of unease appeared on Pan Hui’s face as she opened the door and vaguely explained, "He’s downstairs; he’ll be up soon. Little Jiang, come on in."

The kids had grown up, after all, and became remarkable people. With Jiang Chen and Fang Qing’s insight, how could they not see Pan Hui’s discomfort?

Are the couple fighting?

Jiang Chen and Fang Qing exchanged a glance but tactfully kept silent.

"Qing Qing, make Jiang Chen some tea."

"Aunt Pan, no need, I’m not thirsty."

"I’ll call your uncle to come up right away."

Pan Hui deliberately walked into the kitchen, clearly something was up; otherwise, there was no need for secrecy.

Jiang Chen gave a slight nod.

Fang Qing got the hint, stood up, and followed her mother. As soon as she reached the kitchen door, she heard her mother’s low reprimand.

"Enough! Little Jiang having a girlfriend is a fact; what’s there to argue about? It’s not like there’s any malice. Little Jiang is back, quickly come up!"

"Yes! He’s already home, hurry up!"

"Mom, what’s going on?"

Pan Hui, startled by Fang Qing’s voice as she hung up, turned around quickly, trying to cover up, "What are you doing in here? Go chat with Jiang Chen."

"What’s Dad doing downstairs?"

"Not much. Just clearing his mind."

"Clearing his mind?"

Fang Qing chuckled, "In the middle of the afternoon? Who upset him?"

"No one upset him; he’s just being petty."

"Dad doesn’t seem like a petty person."

"He’s not petty? Constantly boasting outside that he watched Little Jiang grow up, as if Little Jiang were his biological son. Then someone casually asked when they’d drink at your happy occasion, and he got upset."

"A happy occasion? Whose happy occasion?"

Pan Hui looked at her daughter, hesitating before sighing lightly.

"Who else? We bumped into an old friend at the supermarket earlier, one you should call Uncle. He used to live in the compound, but later moved out. Today, coincidentally, we met at the market. He’d heard about the achievements you and Jiang Chen have made and, recalling how close you two were as kids, jokingly asked if you were dating and to not forget to invite him to the wedding. It was just a conventional pleasantry, with no other implication, but your dad got upset the whole way back..."

Does she really not know why her husband is upset? 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

"Why not just tell the truth?"

Fang Qing smiled, acting casually, "So he’s just downstairs, right? I’ll go find him."

"No need, he’s already on his way up."

"You do like to surprise us, don’t you?"

The mother and daughter in the kitchen could hear the hearty laughter coming from the doorway, full of energy, with no trace of gloom.

They exchanged a look.

"Your father’s quite the actor too."

Pan Hui shook her head with a smile, "Let’s go out."

Jiang Chen was oblivious to what had happened and was deceived by Fang Weiguo’s act, thinking it was just the couple’s usual squabble.

After all, which couple doesn’t argue?

"Uncle Fang."

A certain someone, who could chat quietly with Cao Jinse during high-level meetings, quickly stood up, as if the ordinary man walking briskly towards him weighed more than the dignitaries in high places.

Fang Weiguo’s face was flushed, filled with genuine, unhidden joy as he firmly patted Jiang Chen on the shoulder.

"Good kid, I thought I’d have to wait until New Year to see you again."

"Just like Qing Qing, Little Jiang and Tie Jun are childhood friends. It’s impossible for him not to come back for Tie Jun’s wedding."

Pan Hui and her daughter emerged from the kitchen.

Fang Weiguo glanced back at his wife, feeling a bit awkward, but fortunately, his wife didn’t expose his façade.

"Exactly! You must come to Tie Jun’s wedding. Tie Jun, that kid, was always the most steady among you as children, and sure enough, he’s the first to settle down."

Fang Weiguo, suddenly understanding, continued his wife’s topic with a smile.

Jiang Chen wasn’t very well-behaved as a kid.

But...

Life is unpredictable.

"Fortunately, Aunt Pan and I went grocery shopping, so we have ingredients. Let Uncle Fang show off his skills today."

"Uncle Fang, perhaps I could..."

"Don’t worry about your Uncle Fang’s cooking. Maybe it’s boredom, finding something to do for himself, he’s started studying culinary arts and now makes dishes that are quite edible."

Pan Hui’s teasing brought laughter from everyone, including Fang Weiguo.

"You guys have eaten my cooking for over twenty years; it’s about time you had a change of taste."

"Aunt Pan, I could never tire of your cooking."

Jiang Chen immediately replied.

Fang Weiguo stopped speaking, smiling broadly as he pointed at Jiang Chen, "You kid, you’re better at acting than I am!"