Chapter 5: Your Presence Is the Greatest Gift

“*Cough, cough, sorry.*”

Realizing she had lost her composure, Jiaxin’s cheeks flushed slightly as she quickly composed herself.

“Do you really know the author of *Flame Emperor*?”

“Yes, I’m quite familiar with him.”

Suppressing her excitement, Jiaxin continued, “Could you help me get in touch with him? I want to discuss the adaptation of *Flame Emperor*.”

Ah, that matter.

Chen Fan had already researched Jiaxin’s company and knew they had a department dedicated to novel adaptations.

“Sure, I’ll ask him later.”

“Thanks, hubby~”

Jiaxin beamed and planted a kiss on Chen Fan’s cheek. Just this morning, she had been worried about what to do, but now a breakthrough had unexpectedly appeared. She was genuinely happy.

What’s this sneaky attack for?

Chen Fan’s face visibly reddened.

Seeing this, Jiaxin couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

How adorable her husband was.

“Oh, by the way, after we finish shopping for my uncle and aunt tomorrow, could you come home with me for a bit?”

“Huh? Uh… okay.”

Chen Fan’s mind was still a bit muddled; he hadn’t caught everything Jiaxin said, but he agreed nonetheless.

“My parents saw my post on social media and are insisting on meeting their son-in-law for dinner.”

Jiaxin turned her phone screen towards Chen Fan.

Among countless likes, the first comment was from her father — a puzzled emoji. Right after, her mother commented, “Bring your son-in-law back quick so I can see him!”

Clearly, her mother didn’t care if her son-in-law’s surname was Xiao or not; as long as her daughter was married, that was enough.

“I just talked to them. They said when your uncle and aunt arrive, both sides will gather together. Before that, you should go home and let her… see.”

Jiaxin hesitated to quote her mother directly and chose to rephrase.

Mother: Hurry up and bring my son-in-law back so I can admire him!!!

Chen Fan snapped back to reality and nervously rubbed his pant leg.

So soon, he was going to meet the parents.

But on the other hand, since they already had their marriage certificate, it would be improper not to meet them.

“Alright, I’ll tell my parents later too. By the way… what do your uncle and aunt like? I want to buy them some gifts while shopping tomorrow.”

---

“Hmm…”

Jiaxin pondered, seemingly considering her parents’ preferences.

“My dad likes a bit of liquor. When you come to my place tomorrow, just pick up a couple of bottles of Erguotou downstairs.”

“Eh?”

Chen Fan thought he misheard and asked in disbelief, “Erguotou? Like the kind sold at the local convenience store?”

Jiaxin nodded sincerely, making Chen Fan believe that his future father-in-law was surprisingly down-to-earth.

“I thought you were worried I didn’t have money,” Chen Fan murmured quietly.

“What did you say?”

“Nothing. What about your mom?”

“No need for her. Having you come over as her son-in-law is the best gift she could ask for.”

…

At that moment, in the most prosperous villa district of Sucheng, the number one mansion—the kind that money just can’t buy—stood proudly.

It belonged to the head of the Peng Group, Peng Guojun, reserved solely for his own residence.

Peng Guojun was a legendary figure in Sucheng, having built a business empire from scratch. In his youth, when he had nothing, he famously eloped with the heiress of the Bai family.

Back then, everyone in the Sucheng business circle knew him.

Such a man, when it came to matters concerning his daughter, seemed powerless except for venting his anger in front of his wife.

“Look at her, getting married without saying a word to us. What kind of manners are those?”

Peng Guojun sat on a leather sofa, scowling in displeasure.

“I don’t even know who had the nerve to tell our daughter to bring home her son-in-law and ask my wife to speak on our behalf.”

His wife, Bai Meilan, was a well-maintained woman in her fifties who looked barely older than thirty. She sat by his side with a cup of warm milk, calmly sipping before continuing:

“In the end, it’s because you spoiled her. If there’s anyone to blame, it’s yourself.”

Peng Guojun’s stern expression softened. He wrapped his arm around Bai Meilan’s shoulder.

“Ah, honey, aren’t we supposed to be discussing how to deal with that scoundrel who stole our precious girl? Why are you blaming me now?”

“To be honest, with your daughter’s personality, I think it’s more likely that we stole her baby boy.”

“That…”

It really was possible—and quite likely!

“I’m just worried she might have picked a bad guy. I think Xiao is a good kid. At least they should meet once. What if Xin Xin changes her mind?”

Bai Meilan glanced at her phone, showing the conversation with her daughter.

Whenever Jiaxin mentioned her unknown husband, her tone became lively. Even now, she kept sharing how many surprises her husband brought her.

For her, who her daughter married wasn’t important—only that she was happy.

At least for now, Jiaxin seemed happy.

“Hmm… I’m not getting involved in this. If anyone should talk, it should be you.”

Finishing her milk, Bai Meilan got ready for bed.

She needed to rest early to meet her son-in-law tomorrow in the best condition. Hmm… maybe she’d do a face mask later.

“Hey, wait, honey. If you go, won’t that ruin my grand fatherly image in our daughter’s eyes? Why don’t you say a few words for me?”

Bai Meilan rolled her eyes as she climbed the stairs.

Image?

Do you really think you have any image left in front of our daughter, you doting dad?

She didn’t bother to argue further and went upstairs for her face mask.

Peng Guojun sat on the sofa, anxiously scratching his head.

He actually didn’t dislike Chen Fan… at least not as a person. But once the title “son-in-law” was attached, he couldn’t help but feel uneasy.

Indeed, it wasn’t Chen Fan himself he was against, but any male creature approaching his daughter!

Peng Guojun’s overprotectiveness was the main reason Jiaxin had remained single for so long.

Of course, Jiaxin didn’t think her father’s protectiveness was wrong. On the contrary, she was grateful for the safe environment he provided.

It kept all the opportunistic boys far from her life.

The only downside was that it limited her opportunities to make friends.

After more than twenty years, she had only one close friend she could truly open her heart to.

When she was younger, Jiaxin sometimes envied groups of girls hanging out together. But now, she was just thankful to have that one friend by her side.

After racking his brain with no solution, Peng Guojun decided to seek help from his wife upstairs.

Meanwhile, Jiaxin encountered a small problem.

That friend she mentioned earlier was now a bit upset.

Just as Jiaxin was boasting to her mother about how wonderful her husband was, her WeChat was suddenly bombarded by a message from someone named Xue Jing.

“Jiaxin! I’m boarding the plane now. If I don’t see a perfect explanation before I land, you’re as good as dead!”

Jiaxin was at her wit’s end.

“What should I do, Chen Fan? I… I think I’m doomed.”

“???”