mesbooks Chapter 123 Thank you, Ayu
Chapter 123 Thank you, Ayu
As the black Bentley drove through the vermilion gates of the Meng family's old mansion, Shen Qingyao tightened her grip on the hem of her dress.
Looking up, the antique-style buildings with upturned eaves spread out under the warm sun, with green tiles and white walls complementing the well-trimmed pines and cypresses in the courtyard, exuding a sense of nobility that has been passed down for generations.
"Won't your family dislike me?" Shen Qingyao asked anxiously.
"No, if I like you, they will like you too."
"Besides, I showed them your photos beforehand, and they loved them."
"Really?" Shen Qingyao said, half-believing. "Don't lie to comfort me."
Meng Jiangyu placed his hand on the back of her hand, the warmth of his fingertips soothing her tension, his voice as deep and reassuring as ever: "Don't be afraid, I'm here."
"Yaoyao, believe in yourself. Even if my family doesn't like you, I'm the one who should be worried."
"Silly girl, why are you panicking?" Meng Jiangyu comforted her.
Meng Jiangyu led Shen Qingyao out of the car, and a waiter took out a gift that Shen Qingyao had prepared in advance from the trunk and followed behind the two.
As the two walked inside, two people emerged from the hanging flower gate.
The old lady walking in front had her full head of silver hair neatly combed and was wearing a maroon brocade cheongsam. Although she was over seventy years old, her back was straight and her eyes were sharp but not intimidating.
The woman following behind her had a gentle demeanor, wore a beige dress, and bore a resemblance to Meng Jiangyu in her features.
"Grandma, Mom." Meng Jiangyu led Shen Qingyao forward, his tone unusually submissive, "This is my girlfriend, Shen Qingyao."
The old lady's gaze fell on Shen Qingyao, and she looked her up and down for a few seconds without saying a word, but first reached out her hand to her.
This child has delicate features and a clean-cut demeanor; he looks like a good kid.
Shen Qingyao was a little nervous, so she quickly stepped forward and respectfully greeted, "Hello, Grandma, hello, Auntie."
Meng's mother smiled and took the child's hand, gently stroking it: "This child is so handsome, come in quickly."
"Grandma, Auntie, just call me Yao Yao," Shen Qingyao said with a smile.
"Okay, Yao Yao."
The group walked in, passed through the covered corridor, and saw that tea and snacks had already been set out in the main hall.
Meng Jiangyu's cousins and their wives had been waiting for a while, and they all stood up to greet them when they came in.
"Fifth brother has finally brought his wife back!" Eldest cousin Meng Jianglin joked with a smile. "We've been waiting for this for so long."
Meng Jiangyu raised an eyebrow, put his arm around Shen Qingyao's waist, and said with an undeniable possessiveness, "Let me introduce you to my girlfriend, Shen Qingyao."
With his embrace, Shen Qingyao felt the cool, crisp scent of cedar emanating from him, and her nervousness instantly dissipated. She smiled and greeted everyone.
The old lady sat in the main seat, watching the two of them together, and the sharpness in her eyes softened unconsciously.
She pointed to the empty seat next to her: "Yaoyao, come and sit down."
"Okay." Shen Qingyao sat down as instructed. The old lady held her hand and slowly said, "Jiang Yu is a cold-hearted boy. I thought he would remain a bachelor for the rest of his life."
Everyone in the room laughed when he said that.
Meng Jiangyu didn't refute, but looked down at Shen Qingyao, his eyes almost overflowing with tenderness.
"He said he wanted to bring you back a while ago, and I was overjoyed." The old lady took out a box made of Phoebe zhennan wood. "This is a gift for you."
"Thank you, Grandma." Shen Qingyao didn't refuse, took the box and opened it. "Wow, what a beautiful bracelet!"
The old lady was delighted; she loved children who were outgoing and natural. "I'm glad you like it."
Meng's mother took out a blue velvet box. "Yaoyao, this is a gift from your aunt."
Shen Qingyao took the box. "Thank you, Auntie."
Shen Qingyao opened it and saw a set of sapphire jewelry. "It's so beautiful!"
"I'm glad you like it." Mother Meng was very happy that her future daughter-in-law liked the gift she gave her.
Her cousin and his wife also prepared gifts for her, and Shen Qingyao kept receiving the gifts, feeling a little embarrassed.
The maid brought over a bowl of warm lotus seed soup and handed it to Shen Qingyao: "Yaoyao, try this. Auntie made it herself."
Shen Qingyao was flattered and quickly thanked him. She scooped up a spoonful and put it in her mouth. The sweet but not cloying taste melted on her tongue, warming her heart.
Meng Jiangyu watched her eat in small bites, and a faint smile appeared on his lips.
From this moment on, Shen Qingyao truly became a member of the Meng family, and from now on, she would be a part of this old house through spring, summer, autumn, and winter.
Passing through the covered walkway and around the courtyard planted with winter plum blossoms, Meng Jiangyu, holding Shen Qingyao's hand, stopped in front of a room with a plaque that read "Jingsi Residence".
As you push open the door, you are greeted by the crisp scent of pine wood; the entire room has a minimalist style.
A light gray carpet stretched to the feet, the black walnut furniture had clean lines, and only a traditional Chinese ink painting hung on the wall. There were no superfluous decorations, but the whole place exuded the owner's calm and reserved nature.
"This decorating style is exactly what I expected," Shen Qingyao commented.
Meng Jiangyu released her hand, walked to the safe against the wall, and quickly pressed the combination lock with his fingertips, making a crisp click sound.
The moment the cabinet door popped open, Shen Qingyao caught a glimpse of the neatly stacked documents inside. He bent down and took out a sandalwood box.
He walked up to her and opened the box.
Inside lay a longevity lock, entirely gilded, with traditional auspicious cloud and bat patterns. In the center of the lock, a string of birth dates was clearly engraved.
"This was obtained by my grandmother from the temple when I was born," he said in a low voice, his fingertips holding the gold lock slightly cool. "According to the Meng family rules, a male's lock must be passed on to the person he has chosen for his entire life."
Shen Qingyao's heart skipped a beat. Her fingertips gently touched the patterns on the golden lock, and the warm sensation spread from her fingertips to her heart.
Her nose stung with tears, and she murmured softly, "I...I don't have a gold lock. My family didn't have that custom when I was little."
Upon hearing this, Meng Jiangyu's eyes softened with a gentle smile. He didn't speak, but turned and walked back to the safe, quickly taking out another identical box.
The moment she opened it, tears welled up in Shen Qingyao's eyes.
The gold lock inside was exactly the same style as his, only the patterns were more exquisite, and her birth date and time were engraved on the lock body.
"I prepared it for you long ago," he said, raising his hand and gently wiping away the tears on her cheek with his fingertips, which were calloused, yet his movements were incredibly gentle. "I personally went to the temple to ask for the lock."
Shen Qingyao clutched the two gold locks, the cold metal pressed against her burning palms, and her tears fell even more fiercely, but not from sadness, but from a feeling of warmth that filled her completely.
She threw herself into his arms, her nose brushing against his shirt collar, and choked out, "Thank you, Ayu."
Meng Jiangyu tightened his arms, holding her tightly in his embrace, his chin resting on the top of her head, his voice low and tender: "Shen Qingyao, I love you."
He raised his hand and placed the gold lock engraved with her birth date around her neck. The cold metal pressed against her collarbone, leaving a mark that would last a lifetime.
Then he carefully placed the one engraved with his birth date into her palm, saying, "Keep this for me. From now on, my life is in your hands."