Recalling Old Master Zhan's attitude back then, Uncle Mu wasn't sure if this marriage could happen.
So he tentatively asked Zhan Yichen, "Yichen, you're quite busy with work. Does your grandfather know about your visit here?"
Zhan Yichen naturally knew he was indirectly probing his grandfather's stance, so he replied, "Of course. He also asked me to send his regards to you both."
Hearing him say that, Uncle Mu had a general idea of the Zhan family's attitude. He decided he needed to express his own stance at some point today. Of course, before that, he had to see what his daughter thought, as he hadn't spoken with her for three years.
Aunt Mu chatted with their daughter for a long time and came out of the bedroom with teary eyes, "Your father, go buy some more groceries. Yichen is here, I'll add a few more dishes."
He only knew his daughter would be back, so the groceries he bought were all things Mu Linjing liked to eat. Since Zhan Yichen was also coming, adding dishes was appropriate. This wasn't just about a meal; it was also about expressing his guilt.
In the past three years, Zhan Yichen always came for a long time but left without even eating a meal. Now that he was back with their daughter, they had to find a way to make up for the past deficiencies. Although a meal couldn't fully compensate, intention and negligence were two different things.
The meal was very harmonious. Uncle Mu even shared a couple of drinks with Zhan Yichen. Fueled by alcohol, Uncle Mu finally managed to apologize to Zhan Yichen in person.
"Yichen, it was my fault back then. This drink today is my apology. I hope you can forgive me and get along well with Linjing."
Zhan Yichen quickly raised his glass, "Uncle, you shouldn't. You don't have to do this. It's only right that I treat Linjing well."
Although Mu Linjing didn't want to see her father act like this, the events of the past were ultimately something they owed Zhan Yichen. An apology was necessary; otherwise, it would be too unfair to Zhan Yichen. How could the feelings between two people always be one-sided?
After drinking the wine, Zhan Yichen poured himself another glass, "Uncle, this glass is my promise to you. I will definitely treat Linjing even better in the future. I mean what I say."
With that said, Uncle Mu naturally voiced his expectations, "Yichen, Jing'er is not young anymore. Do you have any plans?"
Zhan Yichen nodded repeatedly, "Uncle, we came today to tell you that our family is canceling the engagement and proceeding directly to the wedding. What do you think? If you feel it's not appropriate, we can get engaged as soon as possible."
This question struck a chord with Uncle Mu. He waved his hand, "No need for such trouble. Marriage isn't for outsiders to see. If your family wants to proceed directly to the wedding, then follow your family's wishes."
If not for those events back then, he might have been holding his grandson by now. Uncle Mu regretted it and found the Zhan family's intention perfectly aligned with his own.
Before coming, Mu Linjing hadn't expected things to be discussed so smoothly. It seemed the two families had reached a tacit understanding long ago. She was the only one who had been conflicted.
Calculating it, they had wasted so much time they could have spent together.
With smooth discussions, they ate heartily. As they were discussing their wedding requirements, a knock on the door interrupted their conversation.
Aunt Mu went to open the door, only to find Liu Xin and Zhang Xinyi paying a visit.
"Sister-in-law, I saw you bought a lot of vegetables yesterday. Did you have distinguished guests, or has that girl Linjing returned? I came to take a look."
Aunt Mu's face darkened, "To take a look? I think you're here to freeload. I didn't buy any groceries. Go back quickly."
How could she not know her daughter disliked this mother and daughter pair? She had finally welcomed her daughter back; how could she let these two disturb her daughter's good mood? So she wanted to close the door and send them away.
But Liu Xin was accustomed to being shameless. She had already wedged her foot in the door and was pushing it open forcefully, "Sister-in-law, we are relatives and should interact more. Don't push me away so far."
Perhaps due to her frequent freeloading, Aunt Mu's strength was no match for her. The door was pushed open, and Liu Xin entered the house swaggeringly with her daughter.
Seeing Mu Linjing sitting there was one thing, but what was more important was that Zhan Yichen was beside her. Hadn't they broken up yet?
"Oh, it really is Linjing! You're back this time and won't leave, right? You're something else, you're already such a big girl, how could you just leave your parents at home without a word and not care for them? You should know filial piety. Look at my Xinyi, she'll spend a month during the summer break to accompany me at home. How obedient she is."
She started lecturing as soon as she entered, spoiling Mu Linjing's good mood.
"Aunt, if you're really that idle, go find a job as a storyteller. Don't come to other people's homes to lecture their children. With your mouth in our house, it's like creating a ruckus. Do you think we welcome you here?"
For such relatives, there was no room for tolerance anymore. Moreover, Mu Linjing had noticed that Zhang Xinyi hadn't said a word since entering because her eyes had been fixed on Zhan Yichen. How could she be happy?
As for why she could return home during the summer break instead of going out with her classmates, it was likely because she was running out of money. She couldn't say she knew her cousin's character well, but it was highly likely she was right.
Liu Xin was immediately rebuked upon entering, and she immediately put on her elder's airs, "I am your aunt. I just felt bad that your parents had no one to look after them for the past three years. You're taking it so seriously. Don't you think my Xinyi is well-behaved?"
Zhang Xinyi, being mentioned again, finally shifted her eyes from Zhan Yichen and said in a sugary tone, "Yes, sister. We also felt that Aunt and Uncle were very pitiful. Brother Yichen, why are you here too?"
She didn't say much before her attention returned to Zhan Yichen, which was very annoying.
Zhan Yichen finally turned his head and stared at the mother and daughter with a fake smile, "I'm here to discuss the wedding arrangements. Your sister will be my wife very soon. It's more appropriate for you to call me brother-in-law, as you did before."
"Wedding?"
Zhang Xinyi was clearly stunned. She thought they would have broken up during the years Mu Linjing was away. Moreover, during her university years, Zhan Yichen occasionally gave her some living expenses, which she mistook as him being interested in her.
She had planned to ask Zhan Yichen to let her work at the Zhan Corporation after graduation. With proximity, by the time Mu Linjing remembered to return, she would have already taken Zhan Yichen.
If Mu Linjing had mind-reading abilities, she would probably burst into laughter.