It was a windy day, yet Iris and Jin Liwei still bravely rode his helicopter. The turbulence was a little alarming but the pilot deemed that the windy weather was still within the safe limits the aircraft and his abilities could handle.
The wind grew stronger as they reached the mountains, yet true to the pilot's word, the aircraft soldiered on like a bulldozer.
Finally, the helicopter landed. Iris and Jin Liwei disembarked together with his two subordinates.
"Welcome back, Master Liwei!" A man greeted him. It was the same man who greeted Grandpa Lu and Iris before. His eyes widened in surprise when he recognized Iris.
He was about to greet her as well when Iris stopped him with a look. He seemed to understand because he stopped himself and reverted to a neutral expression. Indeed, he was a professional.
"The two Madams and Sir Lu are waiting for you inside," he informed them.
"Oh? Grandpa Lu is here as well?"
"Yes, Master Liwei."
Jin Liwei turned to Iris, pulling her close to his body. "Baby, there's one more person that I want you to meet. We aren't blood-related but he's a very important part of our family. I consider him as my grandfather. He can be a little weird but that's just the way he is. Don't feel offended at some of the things he might say. He's a jokester but he has a good heart. Okay, baby?"
She nodded. She almost burst into laughter at how Jin Liwei described Grandpa Lu. If Grandpa Lu could only hear what Jin Liwei said about him, she bet that the elderly man would scold Jin Liwei for an entire day.
They began walking up the stone steps. It was colder than when Iris first came here. Even with a thicker coat, a scarf, and gloves, she still felt cold. Jin Liwei pulled her closer to his body. He rearranged her scarf so that it covered her more and pulled her hood over her head. Then he kissed her between the brows.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtThe eyes of the man leading them almost popped out of his head. He couldn't believe that Master Liwei was acting so intimate with a woman. What was even more shocking was that the woman was none other than Miss Xiulan who the two Madams fell in love with. What was going on? He had the impression that Sir Lu wanted Miss Xiulan for his own grandson. If that was the case, why was Miss Xiulan suddenly with Master Liwei?
Finally, they reached the huge brick country house.
"There you are, Liwei my boy! I heard that you're introducing your girlfriend today so I came! Oh! Looks like it's really a girl! Good! Very good! Ahaha!" Grandpa Lu's voice immediately boomed when they entered.
Iris' face was covered by her scarf and hood, so only her eyes were visible. Grandpa Lu and the others didn't recognize her yet.
"Grandpa Lu, good to see you," Liwei greeted.
"Close the door," Grandma Li ordered. The man who led them inside obeyed and closed the massive wooden doors. "Liwei, my dear. It's so windy today. We could've postponed this until tomorrow or when the weather—"
Grandma Li wasn't able to finish her sentence because she saw Iris taking off her hood and her scarf. She immediately recognized her.
"Xiulan?" she asked.
"Oh!" Huang Yuyan covered her open mouth with a delicate hand.
"Oy oy oy! What are you doing here, my girl?! And why are you with Liwei boy?! I want to know! Wait! Don't tell me that you two are—no way!"
Iris smiled sweetly and walked towards them, leaving behind an utterly confused Jin Liwei.
"Hello, Grandma Li, Grandpa Lu, Auntie Yuyan," she greeted them. "It's so great to see you all again."
Grandma Li held Iris' upper arms. "Xiulan my dear, what's going on?"
She already had an idea as evident by her excited eyes, but she still wanted the confirmation.
"Yes, I want to know what's going on as well," Jin Liwei said as he also walked and stood beside Iris. "Baby, what's going on? You met my family before?"
"B-baby?! What did you just call my granddaughter, boy?!" Grandpa Lu's expression of disbelief was a sight to see. He also looked enraged at the same time.
Jin Liwei frowned. "Grandpa Lu, why are you calling my girlfriend your granddaughter?"
"Girlfriend?!!! No!!!" Grandpa Lu looked like his world just ended. He turned to Iris, looking very heartbroken. "Xiulan my girl, tell Grandpa you're not really this boy's girlfriend."
"What are you saying, you old buffoon? My grandson just said that Xiulan is his girlfriend." Grandma Li looked at him in triumph.
"Hmph!" Grandpa Lu decided to ignore her for now and turned back to Iris. "Well, my girl?"
"Grandpa Lu, Liwei is indeed my boyfriend."
"You naughty girl! Why didn't you tell me?! I want to know!"
"Yes, my dear. Why didn't you tell us?" Grandma Li asked as well. "Did you know about our relationship with Liwei when you met us before?"
"At first, I didn't know. It was only when Auntie Yuyan confirmed his two son's names did I learn of Liwei's connection to you. Please forgive me for not telling you right away. I wanted to surprise you."
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmGrandma Li laughed in delight. She gently patted Iris' cheek. "Silly girl. Don't worry. I'm very happy that you're my grandson's girlfriend. In fact, this is the best situation that I can hope for."
"Son, is it really true?" Huang Yuyan asked Jin Liwei.
"En."
"Oh!" Huang Yuyan burst into tears.
"My dear! Why are you crying?" Grandma Li went to her daughter-in-law and rubbed her back.
"I-I'm just so…happy! I already…love Xiulan and I want her to be my…d-daughter. And now she has r-really become my daughter!"
Grandma Li chuckled.
"Hmph! What are you talking about, Yuyan?! What daughter?! Xiulan is only the boy's girlfriend! They're not married yet!"
"Oh, be quiet," Grandma Li snapped at Grandpa Li.
"What did you say, you old hag?!"
"What did you call me, you old gorilla?!"
"Auntie Yuyan, please don't cry," Iris said.
"Oh, Xiulan!" Huang Yuyan ran and threw herself at Iris, hugging her tightly.
Afterwards, the three led Iris away to the living area.
Jin Liwei stood in a daze, as he watched his baby girl being led by his family. What was going on? They were too preoccupied with her that they completely forgot about him!