The Whole World Wants Me To Get Divorced chapter 45
New Year’s Eve
The next day, Rong Xiao indeed returned home early with Wen Yan.
However, there wasn’t much for them to do when they got at Wen Yan’s home. Everything had been taken care of by the aunt and the servants.
As Rong Xiao entered, he handed the prepared gifts to Qiao Shan and Wen Luojiang. Qiao Shan received a set of high-quality jade jewelry, while Wen Luojiang received an antique porcelain.
Both of them accepted the gifts but didn’t know how to express their thanks.
In terms of seniority, Qiao Shan and Wen Luojiang were considered Rong Xiao’s elders. Still, in terms of age, they were not even close to being considered as Rong Xiao’s great-grandchildren.
Rong Xiao intervened, breaking the awkwardness: “You’re Wen Yan’s parents, just call me Rong Xiao, as he does.”
Qiao Shan and Wen Luojiang then managed to exchange pleasantries.
Wen Yan was completely unaware of the dilemma between his parents and his fiancé.
Upon entering the house, he took off his coat and scarf. Clad in slippers, he roamed around the house as if he were a little lion surveying his territory. Finally, finding nothing to do, he sat on the couch with a fruit platter, watching TV.
He behaved as if he were eight years old, leaning against the sofa, playfully complaining to his mother about how strong the wind was outside, making his face ache.
Qiao Shan reached out and pinched his face: “And now? Does it still hurt?”
Wen Yan howled in response, sprawling all over the couch. He felt that his mother didn’t love him anymore.
Rong Xiao watched with amusement.
Wen Yan always had a childish side at home, but it just showed that he grew up in a pampered environment. No matter how old he was, he was still the treasure in his parents’ hearts.
As a guest, Rong Xiao had nothing to do. Qiao Shan and Wen Luojiang seemed a bit nervous in his presence. Not wanting to add to their discomfort, he sat down and started peeling nuts for Wen Yan.
Wen Yan was accustomed to this kind of service. His eyes were fixed on the TV, not paying attention, just opening his mouth for one nut after another. He even directed Rong Xiao, “Peel another chocolate one.”
Qiao Shan watched on the side, feeling both speechless and itchy in her palm.
Not to say it aloud, but compared to Rong Xiao’s mature and steady image, her son did seem a bit like a slacker, carefree and incompetent in everything he did.
But she felt a bit comforted in her heart.
She went to the kitchen, pretending to be busy but secretly whispered to Wen Luojiang: “I used to worry a bit, wondering if Mr. Rong really likes our Yan Yan. Now it seems he’s genuinely good to him. Our son is really…”
She thought for a moment, wanting to praise her son but struggling to find the words. “Simple people have simple happiness.”
Wen Luojiang had just seen how Rong Xiao treated Wen Yan. At their age, they could naturally tell sincerity from pretense.
But he disagreed with Qiao Shan’s evaluation: “How is it simple happiness? Our Yan Yan is smart. He always ranks in the top three in his grade. It’s only right for someone to like him.”
He was quite proud.
Qiao Shan didn’t bother reasoning with this silly father-son pair. Looking at Wen Yan’s lazy appearance just now, if she were a young girl and she were his girlfriend, it would probably be over on the first day.
Wen Yan and Rong Xiao didn’t stay in the living room for long. It soon got dark, and it was almost time for dinner.
The Wen family were all southerners, so they didn’t make dumplings. Instead, they had the tradition of making tangyuan (sweet glutinous rice balls), which they would eat the next morning.
Usually, Qiao Shan and Wen Luojiang were the ones who made the tangyuan, and Wen Yan just enjoyed eating them. This year, he brought Rong Xiao home and insisted on joining the fun. Fortunately, the kitchen was spacious enough that it didn’t feel crowded even with all four of them in there.
Wen Yan, holding a pink rabbit apron, wanted to put it on Rong Xiao, confidently saying, “A real man should wear pink.”
He himself was wearing a blue one, claiming not to be a real man. While making tangyuan, he mischievously tried to put some into Rong Xiao’s portion, pretending it was Rong Xiao’s handiwork.
Qiao Shan watched from the opposite side, silently sighing. On New Year’s Day, she couldn’t scold her child. It was really suffocating.
After making the tangyuan, it was time for the New Year’s Eve dinner.
Although there were only four people, with the sound of the Spring Festival Gala on the TV and a table full of dishes, it didn’t feel lonely. Instead, there was a lively and festive atmosphere.
Wen Luojiang and Qiao Shan were both easygoing and pleasant people. After the initial awkwardness, they didn’t treat Rong Xiao as an outsider. Wen Luojiang even proposed a toast to Rong Xiao.
After dinner, she took out two red envelopes, giving one to Wen Yan and one to Rong Xiao.
Rong Xiao was a bit stunned, thinking that Qiao Shan must have gotten confused from drinking. At his age, someone was actually giving him a red envelope. It felt like an upside-down world.
Qiao Shan smiled at him, “I know we can’t be considered your elders, but since you and Yan Yan are already partners, according to our customs, you should receive a red envelope. Consider it for good luck and peace in the coming year.”
Wen Yan subtly nudged Rong Xiao, signaling him to accept it.
Rong Xiao accepted it sincerely, saying, “Thank you.”
He didn’t dislike these human customs. Although it was his first time experiencing the New Year, he could feel the warmth in the air.
However, this warm atmosphere was soon tinged with a bit of awkwardness.
In preparation for Rong Xiao’s arrival, Qiao Shan and Wen Luojiang had already arranged the guest room, decorating it meticulously to ensure Rong Xiao’s comfort.
But they had miscalculated and forgot that their son was unconventional.
Wen Yan, holding Rong Xiao’s hand, stood at the stairs, confidently stating, “Why sleep in the guest room? Of course, he will sleep with me. We are soon getting married. There’s no reason to sleep separately.”
Rong Xiao, who had secretly sneaked into his bed several times when he came home last week, now that he was here openly, there was even less reason to sleep separately.
Qiao Shan and Wen Luojiang were dumbfounded.
Wen Luojiang struggled to ask, “Do you… always sleep like this?”
Wen Yan nodded.
The couple covered their hearts together, looking at their lively and lovely son, then at Rong Xiao beside him, their lips trembling.
There was no trace of the satisfaction they felt a moment ago when they looked at their son-in-law. Instead, they looked at him as if they were seeing a prodigal son, full of condemnation.
Rong Xiao awkwardly shifted his gaze away.
Clearly, he hadn’t done anything, yet he inexplicably felt a sense of guilt.
After a moment, unable to withstand the gaze of the couple across from him, he coughed and said, “I’ll go get a glass of water.” Then he went upstairs first, displaying a fleeing posture for the first time in his life.
Wen Luojiang and Qiao Shan took advantage of the situation to give their son some ideological education.
They told him that premarital activities were not advocated in their family, especially considering that Wen Yan was still young and might not have fully developed.
Wen Yan was furious, asking who hadn’t developed yet and whether they were his real parents.
He grumbled, “We are perfectly innocent, okay? I wanted him to do something with me, but this old-fashioned monster is so conservative, he refuses to even touch me.”
Wen Luojiang and Qiao Shan breathed a sigh of relief.
In the end, Wen Yan was allowed to sleep in the same room as his fiancé. Before going to bed, he cooked a bowl of tangyuan for himself, not sitting on the couch but squeezing onto the windowsill with Rong Xiao. He ate one and fed Rong Xiao one.
There were two flavors of tangyuan, rose bean paste and purple sweet potato sesame.
Rong Xiao only had two to be polite and stopped eating. Wen Yan finished the rest without any worries about digestion.
However, perhaps the tangyuan was too sweet, as his mouth remained upturned.
He was exceptionally happy today.
Not the joy of the New Year, but a gentle emotion that flowed in his heart, making his entire heart soft and warm.
On New Year’s Eve, in the house where he grew up, Rong Xiao was just like any ordinary young person, meeting his parents, helping make tangyuan, and having the New Year’s Eve dinner together.
This made him feel that Rong Xiao had truly become a part of his family.
Putting the white porcelain bowl aside, he took two steps forward, squeezing himself into Rong Xiao’s arms. Under the starry night outside, he coquettishly nestled in Rong Xiao’s arms, saying, “In the future, will you accompany me home for every Spring Festival?”
Rong Xiao paused for a second before saying, “Okay.”
Wen Yan wasn’t satisfied yet and asked, “Do you know what day it is after the New Year?”
He looked at Rong Xiao with shining eyes, and the answer was almost written on his face.
Rong Xiao certainly knew.
He knew everything about Wen Yan.
Not long after the New Year, it was the Lantern Festival, also Wen Yan’s birthday.
His Ah Yan was born on the Lantern Festival, a good day.
“I know, it’s your birthday.”
Wen Yan was satisfied. He looked at Rong Xiao, happier than ever. “Correct answer.”
He declared loudly, “I still have fifteen days to go, then I’ll be eighteen.”
There was still half a sentence he didn’t say, but he knew Rong Xiao would understand.
When he turned eighteen, he could marry Rong Xiao.
Over half a year ago, when he first went to Rong Xiao’s house to meet his fiancé, he felt reluctant and full of grievances. Now, half a year later, he leaned in Rong Xiao’s arms, eager to get a household registration book with Rong Xiao.
They were already lovers. There would be many years ahead to spend together, long-lasting and unwavering.
How could Rong Xiao not understand his meaning?
He held Wen Yan, the starlight shimmering outside the window, and the distant laughter from a family that he didn’t know. It was New Year’s Eve, a day of family reunion throughout the year.
This day should not leave any regrets.
So, he gently kissed Wen Yan’s fingertips and completed the unfinished half sentence for him.
“After you turn eighteen, you’ll be an adult, and you’ll have to marry me.”
Wen Yan’s eyes widened suddenly.