Chapter 34 - Family Dinner
Chapter 34 – Family Dinner
When Raelle and Shui Xian entered the private room booked by their families, everyone was already present. Two seats were left empty considerably for the newlyweds.
Seeing Raelle's hand in Shui Xian, Grandfather Xiang's lips curved up in a smile that came straight from his heart. Even his strict countenance slightly softened.
"Ah! You're finally here. Come, join us…"
As Raelle was gonna sit with Mu Chenyan, the latter said, "Go over there and sit with your father-in-law. Let me sit with our son-in-law."
Raelle looked at her face before saying, "I'm still here and you've already changed sides?"
Before Mu Chenyan could say anything in her defense, Grandfather Xiang spoke up, "Poppet…"
That was enough for Raelle to move to the other chair that was beside Shui Koshing who had a gentle smile on his face. Raelle looked at him and noticed the small but unmistakable similarities between him and Shui Xian. Although Shui Koshing didn't have the dazzling beauty like youths, his countenance was like a trickling stream, well worth a second glance. And not to mention the amiable and gentle look in his eyes that made people feel comfortable around him.
"We finally meet," said Shui Koshing. Raelle bowed her head slightly to greet him and he chuckled softly, "No doubt, you look even more beautiful in person. I feel so fortunate to get this beautiful daughter."
Raelle's movements paused ever so slightly but Mu Chenyan had noticed it already. This was Raelle's first time hearing someone calling her 'daughter.' It sounded strange for some reason. She was a granddaughter to her grandfather, and Mu Chenyan had always treated her as a friend she could lean on. So, the term 'daughter' had been missing from her life.
Grandfather Xiang took the lead to say, "Poppet, greet your father nicely."
"F-Father?" she repeated as she looked at her grandfather.
Mu Chenyan elaborated it for her, "Your husband's father is now your father as well. So, obviously, you should be calling him father."
Shui Koshing also added, "Xian calls me Bà, if you like you can call me the same way." He noticed the way Raelle hadn't moved and went on, "Actually, I don't mind how you call me. Just treat me as a friend and call me by my name. Whichever way you like it, we'd do it."
"Does daughter-in-law get special privilege?" voiced out Shui Xian. "You never gave me such an offer."
"You still do whatever you want," was Shui Koshing's reply before he turned back to Raelle. "Why aren't you saying anything?"
Raelle's lips curved up slightly before she leaned over and whispered to Shui Koshing, "It seems Yanyan said a lot about me to you. No wonder you're so attentive."
Shui Koshing was amused by her words and chuckled before replying in the same way, "I'm not being cautious. I just want my daughter to feel comfortable. I don't want you to feel like you're leaving something behind."
Raelle looked at him carefully before saying, "It seems you do know I'm weird and yet you chose me for your son?"
Shui Koshing was about to place his hand on her head but stopped himself since he knew she'd take time to get used to his presence. Instead, he said, "It's because you're peculiar that I selected you for my son. But the main reason is, I chose you because I like you."
"What secrets are you telling her?" asked Shui Xian.
"Well, I need to share some embarrassing moments of your life with her. How else will I bond with my daughter?"
"So, you're planning on bonding over my misery?"
Raelle suddenly spoke up, "Oh, I like that idea. Bonding over someone's misery. I like it!"
Shui Xian looked at Raelle and his father before saying, "It seems you both are gonna be very good friends."
"I think so too," agreed Shui Koshing without hesitation.
Shui Xian shook his head at his father and felt like someone was staring at him. He turned his head and saw both Grandfather Xiang and Mu Chenyan looking at him intently.
"It's an honor to meet you, Major Xiang," said Shui Xian in a polite manner.
"I'm already retired," answered Grandfather Xiang. "But it's nice to know that you did your research."
"I didn't have to," replied Shui Xian. "You're grandfather's friend. I remember meeting you when I was young. You used to come to see my grandfather." He took a pause and added, "And I've also seen your photos in grandfather's study. He used to talk about you a lot.
Grandfather Xiang nodded in understanding, "I didn't think you'd remember meeting me." He was pleased to hear that the young man before him could actually recall such an old memory. He sighed out and said, "It was your grandfather who originally wanted his one and only grandson to marry my granddaughter. I really didn't think his wish would come true in this way."
Shui Xian was surprised to hear that. Although he knew his grandfather wished for him to marry someone of his choice, he never learned who that person was. Now, that he sat there, he realized how he took so many turns to reach the same place his grandfather had wished for him.
"Our Elle is very special in her own way. I hope you take care of her," said Mu Chenyan. "Although she seems very capable, she doesn't know anything about taking care of herself."
Shui Xian nodded his head, "You don't even have to say that. She is my wife, it's my responsibility to take care of her to the best of my abilities."
Hearing him say it like that, Mu Chenyan's heart settled. She was genuinely happy to hear this. And she could see that Shui Xian wasn't being perfunctory. His sincerity could be seen in his eyes.
"I believe my extra special granddaughter has already tested your patience?"
Shui Xian's lips parted as he looked at Grandfather Xiang's straightforward words.
"Elder Xiang," Mu Chenyan called him in a low voice.
He didn't pay attention as he continued to look at Shui Xian, "I can tell with just one look."
Shui Xian couldn't seem to hide it anymore as he nodded his head.