A glimmer of amusement deepened the man’s gaze. Mei Ran realized she was right and wanted to sit up at once, fleeing the danger zone, but her body gradually went limp. On this bright and sunny morning, after being coaxed into saying many "sweet nothings," she sank once again into a new round of deep sleep.
When she woke once more, the time had already jumped to half past ten. Mei Ran rubbed her eyes and was about to get up when, in her gradually clearing vision, the man’s suddenly magnified handsome face became imprinted there. Before her brain could react, her body very honestly clutched the covers and crawled to the other side of the bed.
Seeing her reaction, Fu Shijin sat by the bed, watching her with amusement, then surprisingly began to reflect. Was the intensity too much? Or was the process... too long?
Thinking like this, the depths of his eyes instantly intensified, and a trace of unrestrained, tender delight shimmered in the corners.
He simply lay down on the bed as well, caught her, and drew her into his embrace. His chest was flush against her back, so close that Mei Ran could almost count his heartbeats.
"Ranran, last night, I thought about many things."
"Thought about what?"
"You."
Apart from the blank period in the past, all of my present and future are related to you.
I almost thought all the way to the end of my life. As long as I can spend every minute, every second of the rest of my life with you, my heart swells with limitless joy.
Mei Ran’s voice was husky, as if polished jade, carrying a unique texture. "That night, watching the flashing taillights of the car you were in grow increasingly blurred in the distance, do you know what I was thinking then?"
He wrapped his arm around her waist and whispered into her ear, "What?"
"I thought, what kind of woman would this man belong to?"
Who would have thought that it was just a fleeting glimpse back then, not even a chance encounter, and yet somehow, a seed was planted in my heart from that moment on. It was a very strange feeling. Even if we never met again in this lifetime, even if I married someone else, had children, and belonged elsewhere, I’d probably never forget that man in my entire life. I’d never forget that night filled with a cool breeze and chilly moon, permeated with the faint scent of lavender.
Mei Ran’s smile was light and faint, carrying a trace of smugness. "Who would have thought he ended up being mine."
"Yours, what?" he coaxed patiently.
She grasped his hand and gave it a little shake, turning her head. "My man."
Warm fingertips grazed her waistline. Mei Ran shivered, and he immediately sealed her soft gasp back into her mouth with a kiss. Once having tasted the marrow of pleasure, this man really couldn’t bear to be provoked. Fortunately, he was considerate of her, only going so far and not deeper. Otherwise, Mei Ran felt she might not be able to get out of bed at all today.
What she didn’t know was that Fu Shijin actually had other plans.
After lunch, Mei Ran sat on the sofa playing with her phone. Yu Sheng had been radio silent these past few days—calls wouldn’t connect, and messages had no replies. She was somewhat worried if something had happened. She called the Yu Family Steward to ask, but he indicated he wasn’t aware. She also inquired about Old Master Yu’s recent situation, hearing he’d been secluding himself to meditate these last few days. She was very surprised—hadn’t Old Master Yu put aside needlework a long time ago? Who had such immense prestige to persuade him to pick up the scissors again?
She also searched recent entertainment news. Aside from so-and-so’s affair and so-and-so’s drug scandal, there was no trace of Yu Sheng at all. Mei Ran didn’t know whether to be concerned or relieved.
He’s such a grown-up already; he probably wouldn’t get into any real trouble.
"Ranran, come help me with my tie."
Mei Ran set down her phone and walked to the dressing room. The man had changed into a suit, standing tall and poised by the door, a tie draped over his hand.
"You have another meeting this afternoon?"
She took the tie and sized it up first. Fu Shijin cooperatively leaned slightly, lowering to a height suitable for her. "You could say it's a kind of meeting."
Although Mei Ran’s movements were somewhat clumsy, her learning ability was high. With his close guidance for several minutes, she eventually managed to tie it.
"Kind of?"
He nonchalantly tossed out the answer, "A Family Meeting."
Mei Ran froze in confusion. In her impression, these three words related more closely to students. What did it have to do with him?
Fu Shijin had already casually taken a pre-prepared dress from the wardrobe. "Our Family Meeting."
Meeting... family?
Having decided to return home with him, Mei Ran had long been psychologically prepared, but hearing it now, a wave of nervousness still arose within her. "Why didn’t you tell me earlier?"
"Busy."
Busy with what? Last night, he’d been with her the whole time; saying a sentence wouldn’t have taken a minute. Where was he ever busy to that degree?
But ever since crossing that line, Mei Ran deeply felt that any words from this man couldn’t be taken at face value anymore. Sure enough, it didn’t take long before she grasped the deeper meaning hidden behind that word “busy.”
What could he possibly have been busy with?
Busy indulging in romantic pursuits and all sorts of... delightful intimacies, that’s what!
The style of the dress wasn’t her usual one; it looked more luxurious and elegant. Just as Mei Ran was about to take it, he surprisingly didn’t let go. She frowned in confusion.
"You just helped me with my tie, right?"
Mei Ran, step by step, was guided by him into his trap and nodded.
The man slowly hooked a smile at the corners of his lips. "So I feel it’s absolutely necessary to... return the favor."
By the time both of them finished changing, it was almost half an hour later. To match her outfit, Mei Ran had even purposely applied light makeup and pinned up her long hair with a hairpin, exposing a stretch of fair, clean neck. Merely standing there quietly, she seemed like a picture-perfect scene.
When she walked out arm in arm with Fu Shijin, the servants waiting outside all turned to look, their intertwined gazes undeniably filled with barely concealed admiration, even without paying close attention.
"No need to be nervous."
"Mm," Mei Ran acknowledged softly.
"They will all like you very much. And also…" he tilted his head slightly and whispered something by her ear.
Mei Ran: "My dad is here too?!"
Mei Hongyuan had actually arrived not long ago. There were still some loose ends to deal with back home; he had finished tying them up before coming.
The moment she saw her father, the last trace of unease in Mei Ran’s heart completely dissipated. This man would forever be her most powerful backstop and pillar of support.
Seeing his daughter standing tall and graceful before him, Mei Hongyuan seemed to glimpse the shadow of his late wife for an instant, and a profound sense of solace filled his heart.
Rongrong, can you see? I haven’t let you down. I’ve raised our daughter so well, so well indeed.
In the future, I will walk with her down the red carpet and place her hand into another man’s. I will watch as she brings forth new life and continues our bloodline... I will witness it all for you with my eyes, remember it all for you with my heart.
"Dad."
"Hey!" Mei Hongyuan answered, stepping forward to hold her hand.
Walking into the grand hall, Mei Ran finally understood why he earlier referred to "meeting the family" as a "Family Meeting." There were nearly forty or fifty people inside, men and women alike, everyone dressed in extremely formal attire. Seeing Mei Ran appear, dozens of pairs of eyes all turned to gaze at her.
Mei Ran’s first thought: This was the most luxurious 'Elder Delegation' she had ever witnessed in her life—there had to be more than fifty people, right?
Luckily, she was accustomed to big scenes and didn’t succumb to stage fright at the last moment.
Turns out the family’s branches were extensive. And being right at the time of the family’s annual gathering, everyone had specially rushed back, especially after hearing that Fu Shijin had “suddenly” acquired a fiancée… There was quite a story behind this “suddenly.” Most people in the family knew how discerning this newly selected young heir was. Many young society ladies before couldn’t catch his eye, and someone predicted he’d get married only after he turned 35 at the earliest. For a time, there was even a rumor: He might not get married in this lifetime at all.
Therefore, curiosity about this woman who would finally end Fu Shijin’s singlehood was like burning kindling, nearly getting out of control.
However, it was said his fiancée was Chinese. Before the meeting, many had brushed up on Chinese marriage customs to avoid acting inappropriately towards this fair lady.
Although there were certain differences in aesthetic standards between East and West, with the preconceived notion — this woman was chosen by the extremely discerning Fu Shijin — the moment they laid eyes on Mei Ran, their first impression could be summed up in four words: the icing on the cake.
Since Fu Shijin had already informed them in advance, this "Family Meeting" proceeded very harmoniously. The only thing that troubled Mei Ran was: The elders were too enthusiastic, and she had received far too many gifts.
Following behind Fu Lanxin, watching her converse with others with such poise and calm, her smile light yet her entire being radiating a charm mixed with a subtle, daunting authority, it was clear from everyone’s attitude that they held her in high esteem as well. Mei Ran couldn’t help but feel even more respect.
For a Chinese woman to establish herself and hold her ground in a foreign land—she couldn't imagine the heartbreak and struggle that lay within.
In the end, the gifts of greeting that Mei Ran received filled almost an entire suitcase. By the time the Elder Delegation had been seen off, her feet were so sore she could barely straighten her waist, and she had to lean on the man beside her.
The two heads of household finally had time to sit down. Fu Lanxin poured two cups of tea. "Long time no see."
Mei Hongyuan chuckled, "Over twenty years—a very long time indeed."
He looked up just in time to see his daughter yawn and gave a slight laugh. "Ranran’s tired already so quickly? Didn’t rest well last night?"
This was an unintended remark, but its listener took note. Fu Lanxin gave her son a meaningful glance before gently saying, "Ranran, since you’re tired, you can head back to rest first. I’d like to chat with your dad a bit."
Mei Ran was indeed very tired and didn’t refuse.
Old acquaintances meeting naturally had much to reminisce about from past events. More so now that because their children would soon become in-laws, there were even more topics to discuss.
After catching up on some memories, Fu Lanxin went straight to the main point. "The wedding will probably need to be held in both places, so the procedures are rather complex. Let’s first set the date for their engagement."
Mei Hongyuan smiled lightly. "That’s fine."
While the two elders amiably discussed these significant life events, Mei Ran had already returned to the room. Changing out of her clothes, removing her makeup, and after taking a bath, she directly collapsed into bed and fell asleep.
In a drowsy haze, she felt someone lie down beside her, and she instinctively turned to curl into his embrace, falling asleep enveloped in the familiar, cool, crisp scent.
Fu Shijin kissed her forehead. "Sleep."
Listening to the even breathing of the person in his arms, he retrieved a red string from his pocket, wound it around the ring finger of her left hand, and gently tied a slipknot as a marker. Then he removed the red string and placed it in the small cabinet by the headboard.
Having done all this, Fu Shijin secretly let out a sigh of relief. Just as he closed his eyes, he suddenly thought of something, lifted a corner of the blanket, and let his gaze drop accurately to her chest area. After an assessment, his slender fingers parted her nightgown and directly probed inside.
The measurement of this area... seemed to have increased from before?
Might as well re-measure it properly!
A moment later, he revealed a meaningful smile.
Time passed quietly. When Mei Ran woke up, the man was no longer on the bed, but she could faintly hear his voice, as if talking to someone on the phone?
She slowly walked towards the source of the sound.
"Yes, the bust measurement still needs adjusting." Fu Shijin was holding his phone. Upon turning his head, he spotted her standing at the door. Raising an eyebrow in a smile, he continued speaking to the other side. "Thank you."
Mei Ran’s mind was still a bit hazy, having only caught bits and pieces. She asked, "What needs adjusting?"
The man walked over and ruffled her hair. "Mom and Dad just set the date for the engagement."
"When?" Her attention was successfully diverted, as expected.
"The tenth of next month," he said. "We’ll hold it back home. As for the official wedding, it’ll be in two parts—the preliminary plan is one ceremony in Chinese style, one in Western style."