Melody belonged to Lu Qingxu, so it was up to him to provide the venue for her visit.
The group decided that after visiting Melody in the hospital, they would head to his clubhouse that afternoon.
Lu Mingzhe and Xiang Wan had returned with their child, and everyone knew Lu Mingzhe had a daughter.
It was their first formal meeting, and it wouldn't look good to come without a gift. However, they weren't sure how much to give. Before the afternoon arrived, Zhou Jinbei sent a message in the group chat asking Jiang Nan Fang and Chen Jiaojiao how much they were planning to give.
Jiang Nan Fang replied, "These things are just for good luck; the amount doesn't really matter. But your second brother has known Lu Mingzhe for so long, I'd feel awkward giving too little, and too much wouldn't fit in the red envelope."
"How about this, we give gifts. Since there's still time, let's go out shopping."
Zhou Jinbei thought this was the best idea.
Nowadays, giving cash was so tacky.
"Jiaojiao, why aren't you saying anything? Aren't you going tonight?"
Chen Jiaojiao was having a dilemma.
Although she and Xiang Yang had already registered their marriage, they had kept it a secret from everyone, especially Xiang Wan.
If she went, she'd feel guilty and awkward.
But if she didn't go, she'd feel even more awkward.
She didn't have any romantic feelings for Lu Mingzhe. They had known each other for so long and were so familiar with each other. If everyone else went and she didn't, it would seem like she was dwelling on past events. She was in a difficult position.
So, she decided to call Xiang Yang for advice.
Unexpectedly, Xiang Yang said his sister had told him that she knew his sister had returned to Nancheng recently, and he would also be coming back that evening.
"You don't need to prepare anything; I'll get the gift. Just get yourself dressed up nicely and come."
Chen Jiaojiao pretended she hadn't seen the message because she was busy. After discussing with Xiang Yang, she replied to them.
"I was busy just now and didn't see it. We can go, but what gift should I give? And in what capacity? I won't give anything."
"I can go shopping. Let's leave now."
After preparing their gifts, around 5 PM, everyone started arriving at the private room of the clubhouse.
Although Zhan Bei Jue had a child, none of the four were at the scene, and they were already very familiar with each other.
It was the first time they had seen Nian Nian so young, so cute and adorable. She instantly became the center of attention, the darling of everyone, and everyone wanted to pet her and play with her.
They greeted each other, exchanged blessings, and the room was filled with laughter and warmth.
Zhou Jinbei, being pregnant and having never raised a child before, felt a surge of maternal instinct and showed particular affection for Nian Nian.
She was so reluctant to give Nian Nian back to Lu Mingzhe that it was Xiang Wan who reminded her not to tire herself out or the baby she was carrying, which finally made her reluctantly hand Nian Nian over.
"Oh my, Melody and Lu Qingxu are suffering in the hospital right now. We're laughing so hard here, drinking their liquor, and using their place. Doesn't that seem a bit heartless?"
Lu Mingzhe loved to retort, "Conscience, how much does it cost per pound? You even know about this thing?"
Zhou Jinbei glared at him, "What do you mean by that? Are you saying I'm heartless? If you're going to talk about anyone among us, you're the most heartless, and you have the nerve to talk about me?"
Lu Mingzhe, having had a few drinks, was starting to feel a bit tipsy. Just as he was about to argue with Zhou Jinbei about how he was heartless, Xiang Wan's phone rang.
She glanced down and interrupted Lu Mingzhe.
"Xiang Yang is here. I'm going to pick him up. Come on, you come with me."
Chen Jiaojiao's nerves instantly tensed up upon hearing this.
Lu Mingzhe put his arm around Xiang Wan's waist, handed the child back to Zhou Jinbei, and walked out with anticipation.
Soon, Xiang Yang, wearing a baseball cap, mask, and sunglasses, dressed in trendy clothes, looking like a celebrity, was brought in by the two of them.
As he gradually removed his accessories, revealing his young and handsome face, Zhou Jinbei and Jiang Nan Fang's eyes lit up, and they couldn't help but exclaim.
"He's so handsome, no wonder he can be a star. He instantly outshines all these old hands."
Xiang Yang greeted everyone individually, calling his older siblings sweetly.
When he reached Chen Jiaojiao, Chen Jiaojiao pretended not to know him and shook his hand lightly.
Lu Mingzhe, well aware of their relationship, didn't introduce them and vaguely brushed over it.
Then, he arranged Xiang Yang next to Xiang Wan.
Having not seen her younger brother for a long time, and seeing how much more mature he had become, Xiang Wan had a lot to tell him.
She looked at her brother's eyes with affection, occasionally tucking his hair for him and tidying his clothes. All her attention was on him, and she completely ignored Lu Mingzhe for the rest of the evening.
It wasn't just Lu Mingzhe who felt uncomfortable; Chen Jiaojiao also felt the same.
She hadn't seen Xiang Yang in a long time either.
In fact, this was their first meeting since they had registered their marriage.
Not only could she not speak to him openly, but she didn't even dare to make eye contact.
Watching him interact so sweetly and warmly with his sister, watching his hand held tightly by Xiang Wan, she wished desperately that the person beside her was her.
Although Xiang Yang missed his sister and wanted to talk to her, he now had a wife, and he knew his sister would get annoyed if he listened to her too much.
He could feel Chen Jiaojiao's gaze occasionally sweeping over him. He really wanted to talk to her, even find an opportunity to be alone with her, but Xiang Wan was too excited.
From the moment she sat down, she had been pulling him, constantly asking questions, inquiring about his work, as if they hadn't spoken for ages. Xiang Yang couldn't find an opportunity.
Finally, Lu Mingzhe lost his patience. He picked up a glass of soda water, sat between them, put his arm around Xiang Wan, and said.
"Alright, you've been pulling him to talk for over an hour, and your eyes have never left his face. Aren't you tired?"
"It's not like you won't see him again. Why are you so clingy? If you keep this up, I'll get jealous. You should look at me too. Here, have some water and rest."
Xiang Wan wasn't thirsty; she still had so many questions for her brother. She glared at Lu Mingzhe and pushed him away.
Xiang Yang quickly moved a little to the side.
"Brother Mingzhe is right. It's not like we won't see each other again. Why are you watching me so closely?"
"Sis, take a break and drink some water. I've taken two days off, so don't worry, I'm not leaving tonight."
"Not leaving tonight? That's great! Come stay at my place, don't go to a hotel. Not only do I have questions, but Grandma does too. She hasn't seen you in so long and misses you terribly. We'll video call tonight, and you can chat with her properly."
Chen Jiaojiao heard all of this clearly.
Even his evening time was taken up by his sister. How wonderful.
Everyone present was in a couple.
Although Zhan Bei Jue was talking to Ah Zhong, Jiang Nan Fang was sitting in his lap.
Ah Zhong was holding Zhou Jinbei, who was holding Nian Nian.
Lu Mingzhe was holding Xiang Wan, and she was the only one sitting in the middle like an idiot, watching them show off their affection.
The more she thought about it, the worse she felt. After Xiang Wan mentioned that Xiang Yang would video call with their grandmother, she stood up abruptly.
"I'm going to the restroom."
She didn't really need to go to the restroom, but feeling frustrated, she sat in a stall and fiddled with her phone.