After mailing out the invitations for everyone else, Ji Xiu and Xu Yun picked a day to take Ji Xiaocong to visit his maternal grandparents. Before going, Xu Yun hesitated multiple times before finally calling home to ensure they wouldn't arrive to an empty house.
Her father, Father Xu, answered. He was a high-level intellectual—rigid, serious, and possessed such a formidable presence that he was rumored to be able to stop a child's crying throughout the entire neighborhood. Hearing Xu Yun's voice, he showed no surprise. His tone was as flat as if she were simply a student calling to say she was bringing a classmate home to do homework.
"Come if you must. Don't bring gifts!" He dropped those eight words and hung up, colder and more forceful than ever.
Xu Yun collapsed into Ji Xiu's arms, nearly in tears. "They won't forgive me."
Ji Xiu patted her back gently. "Don't be afraid. We’ll go and apologize properly. Your parents are reasonable people; they will forgive us."
The original owner’s memories lacked information about the Xu family. After talking to Xu Yun, Ji Xiu realized their background was complex. Both were retired researchers from the provincial institute—high-salaried and work-obsessed. Growing up, Xu Yun was often alone; her elder brother was much older and had moved out by the time she was in elementary school. The parents had focused all their retired energy on the son’s marriage and children, neglecting Xu Yun until her scandalous pregnancy forced a confrontation.
Ji Xiu realized that while Xu Yun had made mistakes, she wasn't the only one at fault. The parents' neglect and the brother's indifference had pushed her toward the first man who offered her a "home."
…
They drove to the neighboring city. Ji Xiu steered while Xu Yun sat in the back with Xiaocong. The toddler, unaware of the tension, chattered incessantly about his friends from the show. "Papa, I told Brother Chenchen to wait for the invitation! And Xiaoxiao is so cute..."
Participating in the variety show was the best decision Ji Xiu had made. Xiaocong was no longer introverted; he was lively—sometimes to the point of giving Ji Xiu a headache.
When they reached the Xu residence, Father Xu opened the door. He looked cold enough to freeze a person solid. Ji Xiu worried Xiaocong would be terrified, but the boy simply blinked, let out a small "O" of surprise, and said shyly, "Hello, Grandpa."
Father Xu's face turned even colder at the title, his eyes flashing with annoyance. Xu Yun quickly pulled Xiaocong forward. "Not Grandpa—this is your Maternal Grandfather (Wai Gong). Greet him properly."
"Wai Gong?" Xiaocong looked up curiously and gave a bright smile. "Hello, Wai Gong!"
Father Xu remained silent for a long time, let out a dry cough, and turned back into the house. "Come in."
…
Inside, the atmosphere was stiff. Father Xu sat at the tea table, ignoring them. Xu Yun asked tentatively, "Where's Mom?"
Father Xu pointed toward the kitchen. Xu Yun was shocked—her mother had never cooked a meal in her life, preferring to hire help even after retirement. Did she finally decide to see what chemical reaction oil and salt would produce?
Father Xu called out, "Old woman, someone's here!"
Mother Xu emerged from the kitchen with a plate of fruit. When she saw her daughter, the plate slipped from her hands and shattered on the floor. "Yunyun..."
She rushed forward and pulled Xu Yun into a sobbing hug. "You're finally willing to come back? Do you not hate us anymore? Have you forgiven us?"
Xu Yun was stunned. She looked at Ji Xiu, who remained calm. He had sensed the change in the atmosphere from Xiaocong’s relaxed reaction.
It turned out that after Xu Yun left years ago, her elder brother had returned and had a massive fallout with the parents, accusing them of twenty years of irresponsibility before taking his own family and leaving as well. The shock forced the two elderly researchers to reflect. For two years, they had been learning how to be "parents"—Father Xu working on his temperament and Mother Xu learning to cook. They were too ashamed to reach out, waiting in their old house for a day when their children might return.
"I didn't think you'd call," Father Xu summarized. His voice was thick with unspoken emotion.
…
Tears flowed as the family reconciled. Ji Xiu stepped forward and formally addressed them: "Father-in-law, Mother-in-law."
They acknowledged him awkwardly. They no longer felt they had the right to criticize him; at least he had stayed by Xu Yun’s side when they had driven her away.
Ji Xiu brought out the gifts and then the main event: the invitation. "Xu Yun and I are having our wedding ceremony next month. Here is the invitation. We hope you will both be there."
The parents froze, looking at the card with misty eyes. "We’ll be there. We’ll definitely be there," Mother Xu promised.
As the parents went to the market to buy groceries for a celebratory lunch, Ji Xiu asked for the brother’s address as well. "I didn't write a separate invitation for Big Brother, but I'd like to send him one."
The parents' hands trembled. If this wedding could bring their son back too... Ji Xiu was truly their family's benefactor.
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