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CHAPTER 514
"Greetings parents and... whoever you two are? I'm back and I came with your son-in-law," Ning Xiaozhi announced with her trademark fake smile.
Her both parents who were about to welcome her were stunned senseless. The way they stared at their daughter and the man beside her was as if their brains were trying to process this whole thing.
Like... What just happened?
"Xiaozhi, you came. And you brought a surprise with you," Mr Ning was the first to break out from the awkward silence looming over the room.
"Yes, she did. A human surprise at that," Mrs Ning added as she stood up from the couch and elegantly walked toward them.
Her white high-neck bodycon gown that reached her ankles were now in full view. There was a little side slit at the left showing a little of her long legs but not up to her thigh.
The white shawl that was wrapped around her shoulder hand fallen to the side of her slender arms. It stylishly kept in place as she clasped both hands together.
She stopped in front of them as so did the sour of her clicking white heels came to an end. Her sharp brown eyes stared fiercely and yet warmly at the only child that looked so much like her.
Ning Xiaozhi did not back down from her stare and even lifted her chin up a little with her brows. It was as if she was saying, 'you don't scare me' but through her eyes and not her mouth.
Ning Xiaozhi's cousins as well as Mr Ning watched the awkward scene display before them but none had a word to say. The air was tensed and cold to the point they felt frozen.
As for Mr Han and his son, Han Duyi, they were both speechless, confused and not to forget shocked.
Here they were ready to make an agreement for an arranged marriage. And the other party's daughter arrived but withan she claims is her husband.
'What is going in here?" Han Duyi asked himself.
After staring for long, Mrs Ning finally moved. She tilted her head and a bright smile adorned her youthful face.
"Welcome home, Iris."
Long gone was the fierce look in her eyes and the tension in the air was instantly dispersed. She held Ning Xiaozhi's free hand and squeezed a little.
Her action confused everyone more. Even Ye Chaoxiang and Mr Ning were sceptical bout her behavioural change.
Was she not angry just a few moments ago? Why is she so welcoming now? The same thoughts filled their minds.
However, no matter how smooth her attitude is, Ning Xiaozhi did not let her guard down. She knew that her mother would start questioning her about Ye Chaoxiang and her words she used to introduce him.
And as expected, Mrs Ning began.
"Carr to explain what this act is all about, dearie?"
"Oh, mother. This is not an act. It is more real and better than whatever you were planning with your.... Guest," Ning Xiaozhi let her cold gaze trail off to Mr Han and his son.
"Iris, don't try whatever plan that is going on within that little head if yours," Mrs Ning warned.
"I shall tell you exactly the same. Don't push me too far, mother."
"You–"
"Why don't we have a nice chat over lunch? I believe a good meal with set a good baseline for this discussion," Mr Ning quickly cut in.
Mrs Ning slowly exhaled before nodding her head. The eyes held words that meant that Ning Xiaozhi was saved this time by her father. She let her eyes access Ye Chaoxiang before humphing and walking away.
Mr Ning smile apologetically at them before following behind his wife. Ning Xiaozhi rolled her eyes and she made sure he saw her do it.
"Are you okay?" Ye Chaoxiang asked after everyone left.
"I am. I should be the one asking you that city considering the fact that my mother didn't give you any face," Ning Xiaozhi said and sighed.
"It's alright. The first stage did not go too bad," he shrugged. When he saw Ning Xiaozhi raising her brows at him he smiled.
"I was expecting to be surrounded by bulky men ready to throw me out on your mother's orders," Henley her in on his initial scenario.
Ning Xiaozhi laughed and hit his arm. Here she was feeling bad for how her mother behaved to him. And he was thinking of silly situations he expected to find himself in.
"It's good to see you laugh and loosen up a bit," he said as he swept a stray strand of her hair behind her ear.
"I am fine. Seeing her just brought out the past anger in me and I realised I can face her without an atom of fear."
"But you almost broke my fingers due to that anger. You never told me you had a iron grip," Ye Chaoxiang teased.
Ning Xiaozhi pouted and glared at him. "How can you tease me like that and make such a straight face?"
Ye Chaoxiang chuckled. "We should get going before your mother really ask security to kick me out."
"Then it would be the two of us getting kicked out, because I'm not letting you go anywhere without me," Ning Xiaozhi remarked before leaving him too dining room.
On getting there, she noticed that her mother and the so-called guest were almostbdone with dishing out food on their served plates. It was only her father and cousins that waited for them.
Not only that, she saw that there was one plate missing. Ning Xiaozhi sighed.
Even if she came with another person, for a good name at least, they would have asked the maids to bring another plate.
"I'm sorry but the lunch was prepared for eat individuals. Your presence with us was unannounced," Mrs Ning said.
"That's not a problem," Ye Chaoxiang spike foe the first time.
"We can eat from my plate," Ning Xiaozhi added and Mrs Ning sent her a secretive glare.
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