Chapter 600: Chapter 215: Son, This House is Too Small to Accommodate Three Daughters-in-law_3
"Auntie, that’s not quite right. Li Yuan is better at math and science, while I’m just pretty good at English and Chinese. He used to tutor me often. We just motivated each other and learned from one another..."
"Still, he’s not as good as you. Yuan has always been an honest kid... ahem. Your uncle and I had to leave for work early and didn’t spend much time on his education. Fortunately, his schoolwork wasn’t neglected, and for that, we really have to thank you. Thanks for keeping an eye on Li Yuan and making sure he didn’t get into trouble..."
"Auntie, you’re giving me too much credit. Li Yuan is very self-disciplined, extremely smart, and very talented. He’s actually the one who has helped me more."
"It’s good that you two can understand and support each other. Now that you’re at the same university, make sure to get along well. Whatever happens, don’t get emotional. Just calm down, and I’ll make things right for you."
"Mm, thank you, Auntie. Can I come visit you at home more often in the future?"
"Of course you can! I don’t know anyone here in Modu; I’m a stranger in a strange place. I’d be overjoyed if you came to visit me often."
"Okay, then Auntie, I’ll come and visit you and Zixia more often from now on."
...
Li Yuan, standing to one side, listened as Empress Dowager Xia and Bai Weixi chatted enthusiastically. Their conversation ranged from high school studies to hometown customs, and from how they first met to local culture.
How odd. I never realized Bai Weixi was so eloquent. She can chat so congenially with a rural woman who only has an elementary school education. This completely exceeds my expectations.
He could hardly get a word in on some of the topics they discussed, so he could only stand there and occasionally pinch Li Zixia’s cheeks.
Listening to them chat, for some reason, Li Yuan had the strangest feeling, almost an illusion. It seemed as if Bai Weixi was deliberately picking out compliments and pleasantries. It seemed she had come well-prepared with the specific intention of closing the distance with Empress Dowager Xia. He hadn’t gotten this feeling when Empress Dowager Xia was chatting with Xia Zhijin and Zhong Tingyue.
This girl, Bai... is she planning on taking the ’mother-in-law’ route? Trying to overtake on the bend?
Bai Weixi, unaware of Li Yuan’s thoughts, continued to chat warmly with Empress Dowager Xia.
"Bai, stay for dinner tonight. I’ll make some dishes from our hometown. It must have been a long time since you’ve had them, right?"
"Auntie, my parents actually came to Modu to see me recently, too."
"Oh, your parents came to Modu? Do they know about you and Li Yuan?"
"Auntie, my parents already know. They’ve even met Li Yuan. They praised him to the heavens."
"They’ve met already? That’s good. When the New Year comes, our families can sit down together. It hasn’t been easy for you two, coming all the way from high school to university."
"Why don’t you, Yuan, and Zixia chat for a bit. I’ll go make dinner. You’re eating here tonight."
"Auntie, let me help you!"
"Bai, you know how to cook?"
"Um, Auntie, I’m not very good at it. My mom always did the cooking back home. But I can learn."
"It’s alright. I don’t have anything better to do anyway, and cooking isn’t hard. Go chat with Li Yuan."
...
While Empress Dowager Xia was busy in the kitchen, Bai Weixi nervously leaned close to Li Yuan’s ear and whispered, "Brother, how did I do just now?"
Li Yuan chuckled to himself, patting her head. "You did great. If you two had talked any longer, you’d have become her biological daughter, and I’d be the son-in-law marrying into the family."
"Hee hee, I’m doing it all for you!" Bai Weixi shot Li Yuan a playful look and smiled slyly.
"Auntie is just as I imagined—very kind and easy to get along with. Can I come visit her more often?"
As if I don’t know what you’re up to. You’ve started your diplomatic offensive!
"Of course you can. I’m going to be very busy in the future and probably won’t have much time to come home. Plus, Zixia has evening self-study sessions for high school. It would be great if you could come and keep my mom company."
Receiving Li Yuan’s affirmative answer, Bai Weixi let out a huge sigh of relief. She could already see a glimmer of victory.
...
During dinner, Bai Weixi put her sweet-talking skills on full display. Even Li Yuan was secretly impressed, having never realized she was so good at flattery.
"Auntie, your braised eggplant is delicious! It tastes exactly the same as the dish from that big restaurant next to No. 1 Middle School."
"Your cooking is amazing, Auntie. Could you teach me sometime? I want to learn how to cook, too."
"Are these the shredded potatoes Zixia cut? Zixia, you’re incredible! When I try to shred potatoes, they end up looking like potato chunks. They’re so ugly."
"Zixia, did you make this dish? It tastes so good! I feel like you could compete in our university’s Top Chef competition."
...
After dinner, while Bai Weixi was in the restroom, Empress Dowager Xia pulled Li Yuan out onto the balcony, her expression serious as she asked, "Li Yuan, you’ve already met Bai’s parents?"
Seeing his mother’s solemn expression, Li Yuan was baffled. He nodded and explained, "Yes. They came during the National Day holiday, so I had a meal with them."
Empress Dowager Xia frowned. "So, what are your plans now?"
Li Yuan asked in confusion, "What do you mean, ’what plans’?"
"You and Bai have already met each other’s parents. Back in our hometown, that’s as good as being engaged. I’m very satisfied with Bai, too. We know her background well. Her parents are teachers in the county town, and they live very close to us..."
As Xia Qin went on, Li Yuan’s brows furrowed deeply.
"You can’t possibly have all three of them. You’ll have to choose one to marry eventually. What are your intentions?"
