Cecilia Gu sat in the car. Ever since they entered the village, she had started to feel nervous.
Has Mom been doing well these days?
"Cecilia, answer me first," her mother insisted. "I want the truth."
Cecilia can only feel at ease when she sees with her own eyes that her mother is doing well.
Charles Yin's long, narrow eyes lifted slightly as he glanced sideways at the anxious-looking Cecilia, his gaze unreadable.
Alex slowly drove in front, following at the end of the convoy, an earpiece clipped to his ear as he listened to reports from ahead.
At Majestic Hotel, Charles had said those cold, harsh words, making it clear she should know her place and not overstep.
Normally, Cecilia would need to walk to the Gu family gate. That's the tradition in their hometown.
When a new son-in-law comes to visit, tradition dictates that he must go door to door, offering gifts and drinks to the elders in the clan.
However... because this son-in-law's background is so powerful, the Gu family didn't dare make Charles Yin bring gifts to the door himself. Instead, everyone dressed up early and waited together at Grandma Gu's house to greet them.
Although Charles Yin didn't have to visit each house, it still felt a bit improper to make the elders wait around like this.
That's why Alex asked in such a roundabout way.
Cecilia thought for a moment before replying, "Alright, stop up ahead and I'll get out..."
"Cecilia, you haven't talked to your mom in ages. I'll handle things here. Go rest with your mom for a bit," Charles said considerately, noticing Cecilia's mother seemed to have something to say. "If you need anything, just ask Alex."
"Yes, President." Alex grinned—he'd already guessed the President would say that.
To the President, the Gu family didn't matter at all.
This trip home was just to back up the Young Madam.
In the President's eyes, the Young Madam and the Gu family were two completely different things!
"Cecilia, I have something to ask you, and I want you to be honest with me." Her mother pulled Cecilia to sit on the bed. "Are you and Charles... truly in love?"
"Cecilia..." Her mother had barely managed to call her daughter's name when, before she could say anything else, Grandma Gu's sharp voice rang out from behind: "Your daughter and son-in-law are visiting today, and you're not coming over to help? So many people from the clan are here—am I, an old woman, supposed to take care of everyone?"
To bully the Young Madam of the Yin family is to bully the entire Yin family!
How could the Yin family ever allow such a thing to happen?
"No," Cecilia replied with a single word, then said no more.
She couldn't shake the feeling that something was off between them.
They'd clearly argued that day, but after just one night, the tension had somehow turned into harmony...
Cecilia didn't even know what kind of expression she should use when facing Charles now.
At Meiqi Hotel, Charles had said those cold, harsh words, making it clear she should know her place and not overstep.
But when Charles was with her in the hospital room, dealing with company matters, he would casually ask for her opinion—and several times, he actually followed her advice.
What was that supposed to mean?
So, the less she spoke, the better.
As soon as the car stopped, someone came over to open the door for Cecilia and Charles, and a sunshade was quickly held up to shield Cecilia from the sunlight.
Before Cecilia could react, Charles reached out and took her hand, lowering his voice again: "If we're going to act, we have to do it all the way!"
Well... there was that line again.
Cecilia didn't resist and let Charles hold her hand.
The Gu family members quickly noticed their fingers intertwined and immediately felt relieved!
Looks like Cecilia has a pretty good standing in the Yin family!
She hadn't been back in over half a month, and her face looked even more radiant.
As long as Cecilia is favored in the Yin family, they can ask for more money!
Grandma Gu started plotting, wondering what excuse she could use to get more money out of Cecilia...
Cecilia and Charles walked up to Grandma Gu, and Cecilia greeted her, "Grandma, we're back!"
"Grandma." Charles kept it simple, just greeting her plainly.
"Good, good, it's wonderful you're home! Come in, come in, let's talk inside!" Grandma Gu couldn't hide her delight when she saw all the attendants carrying bags and boxes from the cars.
Cecilia greeted everyone one by one, while Charles just nodded at them.
It wasn't until Cecilia's mom and dad came over that Charles called out, "Mom, Dad!"
Though they were Cecilia's adoptive parents, they were the ones who raised her.
Especially her mother—Cecilia was closest to her.
If it weren't for her, Cecilia probably wouldn't have agreed to marry Charles so readily, right?
Unlike the Gu family, who looked down on Cecilia's mother, Charles' respect made Cecilia deeply grateful.
Even though Charles only greeted them simply, it still raised her mother's status in the family.
From now on, anyone in the clan who wanted to bully Cecilia's mom would have to think twice about offending the Yin family!
Cecilia's mother was filled with gratitude—she understood perfectly what her son-in-law meant.
Cecilia's father stood off to the side, looking a bit timid.
Cecilia noticed her dad was dressed up today and looked much more energetic.
But her mother's clothes were still the cheap ones Cecilia bought with her first month's salary after graduation last year.
Even after marrying into the Yin family, does her mom still get bullied in the Gu family?
Cecilia's nose stung with emotion.
Charles squeezed her hand a little tighter, as if silently comforting her.
Cecilia glanced up at Charles, the tears at the corner of her eyes making his heart clench painfully.
Damn it, seeing her tears made him feel so protective...
"Xixi..." Her mother had barely managed to call her daughter's name when, before she could say anything else, Grandma Gu's sharp voice rang out from behind: "Your daughter and son-in-law are visiting today, and you're not coming over to help? So many people from the clan are here—am I, an old woman, supposed to take care of everyone?"
Cecilia's mother's eyes dimmed instantly. She lowered her eyelids, hiding her tears, and obediently replied, "Yes, Mom! I'll go start cooking right away!"
Cecilia grabbed her mother's hand and said firmly, "No need to rush today. Charles and I brought chefs with us! How could you possibly cook for so many people by yourself? Charles is thoughtful—he brought chefs and equipment ahead of time. You've worked hard for me for twenty-three years, so today, just relax and enjoy yourself."
Her mother looked up in surprise at Cecilia.
Cecilia shook her head firmly at her mother.
She had sacrificed so much just to help her mother escape this den of wolves.
Now that she was married into the Yin family, if she couldn't stand up for her mom, her mother's situation would only get worse after she left.
Her mother hesitated.
Though happy her daughter was standing up for her, years of obedience and filial piety had worn down her courage.
She still didn't dare go against Grandma Gu's orders.
Charles said gently, "That's right, Mom. We brought chefs and fine dishes today. You've worked all your life—it's time to enjoy some comfort! How about trying some of the food your son-in-law brought?"
Hearing Charles say that, Grandma Gu instantly perked up and smiled warmly. "Oh, how could I possibly accept? Since my daughter and son-in-law are so thoughtful, you can rest today!"
With Grandma Gu's approval, Cecilia's mother finally felt at ease.
Grandma Gu gave Cecilia's mother a meaningful look, making her stiffen instinctively.
"Xixi, you haven't talked to your mom in ages. I'll handle things here. Go rest with your mom for a bit," Charles said considerately, noticing Cecilia's mother seemed to have something to say. "If you need anything, just ask A."
"Okay." Cecilia was delighted—she really had so much to say to her mom, and didn't even notice the meaningful look Charles gave her.
Cecilia took her mom by the hand and headed to her room, eager to talk.
As soon as they entered, her mother made sure to close all the doors and windows.
"Mom?" Cecilia looked at her mother in surprise. "What's wrong?"
"Xixi, I have something to ask you, and I want you to be honest with me." Her mother pulled Cecilia to sit on the bed. "Are you and Charles... truly in love?"
"Mom, why are you suddenly asking me this?" Cecilia looked at her mother, puzzled. "Did something happen?"
Cecilia's mother's eyes couldn't hide her sadness, though she tried her best to smile—it looked painfully out of place.
Cecilia knew her mother best and immediately asked, "Is Grandma giving you trouble again? Didn't we already give her two hundred thousand before the wedding? Once my baby is born, the Yin family will transfer my money into my account, then I can..."
"Xixi, answer me first," her mother insisted. "I want the truth."
Cecilia opened her mouth, staring blankly at her mother.
How could she and Charles possibly be truly in love?
From that night to the wedding, they'd barely seen each other.
Where was the love supposed to come from?
But how could she tell her mother the truth?
Wouldn't that just make her worry?
Cecilia lowered her gaze and answered softly, "Mom, Charles is a good husband. We'll be fine!"
Hearing Cecilia's answer, her mother finally relaxed, letting out a breath and saying, "That's good. As long as you're doing well, I can rest easy! You're my only child, and I don't ask for anything else—just your happiness is enough for me."
"Mom, has Grandma been giving you trouble again lately?" Cecilia grabbed her mother's hand anxiously. "Please, answer me!"
"Not really trouble, but..." Her mother's eyes darkened again. "Your grandma used the two hundred thousand from the Yin family to buy a new house in the county."
She bought a house?
Cecilia was stunned.
This outcome was truly unexpected.
She'd considered every possibility, but never imagined Grandma would be so bold as to buy a house!