"Mom, didn't I text you? I won't be back until tonight..."
"What's keeping you? Hurry back. It's been a year since you last came home. You know your poor mother misses you terribly, right? Come back now. No more excuses..."
Huang Xiaojue hung up the phone, shrugged, and laughed, "There's no escaping it. My mom is insisting I head home."
Mrs. Yan quietly stepped out. She observed the atmosphere and saw how the young man's gaze followed her daughter's every move, displaying an obvious reluctance to part. She immediately said, "Xixi, why don't you accompany Xiaojue and visit his parents?"
Yan Xixi was taken aback, utterly unprepared. She hadn't even considered visiting Huang Xiaojue's house. But upon hearing this, Huang Xiaojue was absolutely thrilled, rubbing his hands together. "My parents have been wanting to meet Xixi. But, Auntie, who will take care of you if Xixi leaves? Would that be alright?"
"Xiaojue, you don't need to worry. My condition is chronic but not severe. I can take care of myself. Xixi, go with Xiaojue, but remember to bring some gifts for his parents, so you don't show up empty-handed and give them something to tease you about."
"Alright, I'll take Xixi home after dinner, Auntie, don't worry."
Yan Xixi felt disgruntled at her mother's meddling, but she found herself unable to turn down the invitation. A myriad of thoughts and feelings roiled in her mind. For some reason, she really didn't want to go to Huang Xiaojue's house. His parents probably had no idea about her family's situation. After all, in this day and age, what parents would want their child to shoulder such a heavy burden?
Huang Xiaojue, completely oblivious to her concerns, enthusiastically held onto her. "Xixi, my parents made it a strict rule for me to bring a girlfriend home this year. They'll be overjoyed to see you."
Yan Xixi hesitated. "I need to change my clothes."
"Why change? You look great as you are. Xixi, you're beautiful no matter what. Don't worry. I have a bunch of female cousins who pride themselves on being beauties and always dress up elaborately. But in my eyes, all of them combined aren't even a tenth as beautiful as you..."
Even with her heart full of concerns, Yan Xixi couldn't help but laugh, lightly scolding him, "That's because beauty is in the eye of the beholder."
"Hehe, as long as you know it."
Yan Xixi let him drag her out the door. Feeling nervous and unsure, she asked, "Xiaojue, what should I buy for your parents? What do they like?"
Huang Xiaojue went straight to a nearby fruit stand and bought a fruit basket, grinning. "This should do."
"Is this okay? Isn't it a bit too casual?"
"Xixi, stop worrying. Even an ugly wife has to meet her in-laws eventually. Trust me, my parents will definitely like you."
Convinced by his confident tone and infectious smile, most of her anxiety dissipated.
The Huang Family lived in a somewhat renowned high-end residential area, in a two-floor duplex unit.
As soon as the doorbell rang, a fashionably dressed middle-aged woman rushed out. She dramatically embraced Huang Xiaojue, exclaiming loudly, "Son, you're finally back! Mom missed you terribly! Look, you've lost weight! Ah, is it because North City doesn't have decent food or lodging? I've always said North City isn't a good place, with its dry air and sandy winds. The food isn't even to our taste. It's not fit for living. You suffered there! Son, Mom's prepared so many delicious dishes for you. You must nourish yourself well this time you're home..."
She prattled on like a machine gun, focusing only on affectionately catching up with her son, completely ignoring the stranger standing outside. Yan Xixi remained at the doorway, feeling slightly awkward.