To the old couple, Jiang Liu was their precious treasure.

"Mom!"

Jun Qingmeng quickly stood up and called out obediently, walking over to take the suitcase from Lin Qiu.

"Ah, Qingmeng, you’re looking even better. Liu’er hasn’t been bullying you, has he?"

Lin Qiu hugged Jun Qingmeng and asked with concern, holding her hand.

She even shot a warning glance at Jiang Liu.

"No, not at all. He’s been very good to me." Jun Qingmeng lowered her head shyly.

"Haha, that’s good."

"Grandma! Grandma! Did you forget about your little darling? Waaah."

Lin Qiu looked down and feigned surprise. "Oh, it’s my little darling! You’re so small I didn’t see you."

"Hmph! Then Tongtong will eat a lot and get really tall! Hehe."

"Grandma, I want a hug!"

"Alright, come here for a hug."

Xiao Han and the others watched from the side with envy.

’These are Jiang Liu’s parents?’

’They look so kind and warm!’

’And their mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationship is so harmonious.’

It was as if "my little darling" was written all over Jun Qingmeng’s mother-in-law’s eyes!

The three of them once again felt a secret pang of jealousy.

’Why her?’

’How did Jun Qingmeng end up with such a great guy?’

And she’s so well-liked by her in-laws, too. She’ll definitely be the one calling the shots in this family in the future.

Lin Qiu teased Tongtong a few times, and the little girl giggled happily in her arms.

She looked at Xiao Han and her two friends, who hadn’t left yet, and then glanced questioningly at Jiang Liu. "Son, and these are?"

Jiang Liu smiled and introduced them. "Mom, these are Qingmeng’s friends from Jing City. They used to be classmates."

’Qingmeng’s friends?’

Lin Qiu immediately warmed up. "Come, come, have a seat, kids. Have you eaten? Would you like to stay for a bite?"

The three were envious.

’If only she were *their* mother-in-law.’

Jun Qingmeng looked at Xiao Han.

The meaning in her eyes was clear.

’Xiao Han complained internally.’

’What a mean woman!!’

’It’s bad enough she’s hogging such a great husband, but now she’s hogging his mother and won’t even let us look?’

’Too much!’

’So possessive, Qingmeng!’

Yang Zishan politely spoke up, "No thank you, ma’am. We just ate at your son’s place and are about to head back to rest."

"Ma’am, I never expected you to be so beautiful. No wonder your son is so handsome."

She even threw in a bit of flattery for Lin Qiu at the end.

You had to admit, Yang Zishan knew what she was doing.

"Haha, your auntie is old now, what’s there to call beautiful?" Lin Qiu said this, but her body shook with laughter.

Jun Qingmeng said nervously, "Weren’t you guys going back to rest? You should get going and rest early."

"Alright, we’re off then, Qingmeng."

"Goodbye, ma’am! Goodbye, sir."

"Good night, Brother Jiang!"

Hearing Yang Zishan’s "good night," Jun Qingmeng raised an eyebrow.

’You must have a death wish, don’t you?!’

"Goodbye." Jiang Liu waved a polite farewell.

The three of them left.

"That was so much fun today, I’m posting on my Moments!"

Yang Zishan took out her Fruit phone, adding the location and a candid photo of Jiang Liu’s side profile.

Caption: "OMG! The owner of this shop is hotter than a celebrity. Is he trying to put all the pretty-boy stars out of a job?"

"Boss Jiang’s buns are unbelievably delicious! And the tuna sashimi, yak and potatoes, ham, and fruit juice!! Trust me, girls! Just go, don’t even think about it. If you don’t try Boss Jiang’s food at least once, you’ll regret it for the rest of your life!"

"After you eat, don’t thank me—just help me chase after Boss Jiang!!!"

Yang Zishan then changed her status signature to: That annoying Jun Qingmeng!

Xiao Han and Rui Ning also posted on their Moments, marveling at the day’s wonderful discovery.

In their twenty-odd years of life, they had never eaten such incredible food.

The three of them got in a car and headed for their hotel.

Time to get some sleep.

And when they woke up, they’d come back to eat.

.........

「In the kitchen.」

Lin Qiu watched the busy Jiang Liu and asked, her heart aching for him, "Son, have you been tired these past few days?"

"Not really tired, everything’s been pretty good, actually."

Jiang Liu glanced at his mom with a smile as he stir-fried some scrambled eggs with tomato.

Jun Qingmeng brought over a stool and poked Lin Qiu in the back. "Mom, please sit."

"Ah, my daughter-in-law is the best."

"Would you like some water, Mom?"

"Sure, pour me a glass." Lin Qiu had no qualms about asking Jun Qingmeng to do things for her.

Jiang Dahai hid in a corner, drawing circles on the ground.

’He was becoming more and more invisible in this family!’

’I’m finished!’

Jun Qingmeng placed a glass of warm water on the refrigerated counter next to Lin Qiu.

She had an obedient expression on her face.

A complete transformation from the cold, aloof female CEO she once was.

If any of the rich young masters who had once pursued Jun Qingmeng saw this, they would definitely rub their eyes in disbelief.

’Is this still that same frosty, heaven-favored belle?’

A warm smile graced Lin Qiu’s face, crow’s feet appearing at the corners of her eyes. "Qingmeng, I heard you and Liu’er are going to see your father the day after tomorrow?"

"Mhm! Yes, Mom."

Jiang Dahai seized the chance to ask, "How are the preparations for the gifts? I have some good liquor at home, take it if you need it."

"As the groom’s side, we need to show enough sincerity."

Jiang Liu said, "It’s okay, Dad. I’ve already bought what I need. There’s no need to bring a huge pile of things. A reasonable amount is fine."

"What did you get?"

Jiang Liu told Jiang Dahai about the gifts he’d bought, and how the supermarket owner had given him a discount.

Jiang Dahai nodded in satisfaction. "That’s enough. It’s proper and appropriate, just right. For a family like ours, this level of courtesy is perfect. Bringing too much would be counterproductive."

’He was proud in his heart.’

’His son had grown up and his network was expanding. Now, even when buying cigarettes, people were eager to give him a discount.’

As a father, Jiang Dahai felt a deep-seated pride in having such a son.

Lin Qiu took a sip of water and asked, "Son, do you want me to go with you?"

Before Jiang Liu could speak, Lin Qiu explained:

"If I go, people of our generation will have more in common to talk about. And even though your mom isn’t very capable, if your father-in-law gives you a hard time, I can be there to shield you."

Lin Qiu was concerned for her three little cubs.

She would rather get an earful herself than let her precious cubs be scolded.

Jun Qingmeng said earnestly, "Mom, don’t worry. I’ll protect Jiang Liu and Tongtong. If he dares to scold us, I’ll talk back to him!"

Lin Qiu took Jun Qingmeng’s hand. "Qingmeng, if your father says anything too harsh, don’t hate him too much for it."

"If a daughter I’d raised for twenty years was about to get married, I wouldn’t be happy about it either."

"Let’s take things one step at a time. If your father has any conditions, we’ll overcome them together."

Jiang Tongtong walked over, took Jun Qingmeng’s hand, and looked up at her with an adorable expression. "Mommy, don’t worry! Tongtong is here, and she will always protect you!"

Jiang Liu chuckled from the side.

He didn’t say anything.

’His mom and daughter had said it all, leaving him with nothing to add.’

Jiang Dahai said grumpily, "You little rascal, what can *you* protect?"

’His granddaughter wasn’t even as big as a grasshopper, yet she talked so big.’

Jiang Tongtong clenched her little teeth, pouted, and said proudly, "Tongtong can call Daddy over, and when Daddy comes, he can protect Mommy, can’t he?"

’Grandpa is so mean, he doesn’t listen!’

This made everyone laugh.

The atmosphere became much more cheerful.

Jiang Dahai laughed and placated her, "Yes, yes, yes! Tongtong can play a crucial role."

"Hmph!"

’I’m ignoring you.’

The family sat in the kitchen, chatting.

Before long, the fragrant aroma of cooking food filled the entire kitchen.

......