Reborn As Super Heiress

Chapter 369: Chapter 365: What about the candlelight dinner we agreed on?

Seeing everyone’s faces showing hesitation, Huo Sining smiled naturally and said:

”This really is just a small token of my appreciation. When I was in Bashu, I had no relatives and didn’t know how to handle familial relationships. Suddenly gaining so many relatives, I felt I couldn’t possibly show up empty-handed.”

”I prepared these gifts in a hurry, and I truly didn’t know everyone’s tastes, so I could only guess.”

”Great-uncle, having spent the past few months with me, you should know my temperament. I am used to living frugally, and I try to save wherever I can. If I had bought these items, I would certainly be heartbroken, and probably wouldn’t have been able to bring them out.”

With that being said, Huang Chengyi had nothing more to say. Having gained such a capable and circumspect grandniece, he knew his family had landed a great advantage. Sighing, he no longer said anything and accepted the gift box back.

Once the elders had expressed their stance, the others naturally accepted the gifts as instructed.

The rest were fine, but the three aunts exchanged a silent glance, clearly delighted with the pair of Mutton-fat Jade Bracelets they each received.

The Huang Family was indeed a grand clan, but because the three men of their generation held government positions, they lived modestly in daily life.

The women also dared not dress too extravagantly for fear of displeasing their in-laws, but this time, the Mutton-fat Jade Bracelets that Huo Sining had given could be worn without reproach from their mother-in-law.

Moreover, the Mutton-fat Jade Bracelets Huo Sining had given were genuinely top-quality Hetian Jade. Wearing them was a low-key yet luxurious statement that would undoubtedly bring honor.

The three aunts originally thought Huo Sining was a scheming and cunning young girl, potentially arriving in the Imperial Capital to divide the inheritance. But after seeing how forthright and genuine Huo Sining was, without any pretense of generosity, they realized how wildly wrong they had been.

Perhaps the human heart is such that, without knowing someone, there’s always various suspicions, doubts, and defenses.

Time reveals a person’s true nature. Although daily interactions can provide some insights, such a process takes too long.

Huo Sining was here to recognize her relations, naturally hoping to integrate into the Huang Family as quickly as possible—therefore, material gifts were the most direct and effective strategy.

Noticing the aunts’ eyes softening towards her and their smiles becoming genuinely heartfelt, Huo Sining knew her approach had been correct.

After all the commotion and time passing, it was getting late. Once Huo Sining and Li Quan’s rooms were arranged, the elders went to sleep, while the younger sisters teased Huo Sining and Gu Xu with smiles full of innuendo.

Huo Sining felt a bit embarrassed, but Gu Xu was unabashed: ”I am Gu Xu, Huo Sining’s boyfriend.”

Huang Hanyun recognized Gu Xu and was aware of the prominent status of the Gu Family in the Imperial Capital, so she was extremely shocked that Huo Sining could become Gu Xu’s girlfriend.

On the other hand, Huang Ranping was excited and thrilled: ”I know, I know, Sister Ning Ning is the ’Miss Magic’ who went viral online. I also saw Mr. Gu’s public declaration of love on Weibo—it was so romantic!”

”Miss Magic?” Huang Hanyun, who paid scant attention to online gossip, was utterly confused by Huang Ranping’s words.

”You don’t get it, big sister. You obviously don’t follow entertainment gossip. You wouldn’t be interested even if I explained; better stick to your current affairs news.”

Huang Ranping looked at Huang Hanyun disdainfully, then turned her head back, eyes sparkling: ”When did you two start? I also saw the video at Guangzhou Airport; were you already boyfriend and girlfriend then?”

Huo Sining was speechless. How could her cousin from her third uncle’s family be even more naive than Su Qingqing?

”Not at all. At that time, we were just friends. To subdue that criminal, we deliberately acted to confuse him and then took the opportunity to deliver the fatal blow,” Huo Sining didn’t answer, but Gu Xu jumped in ahead of her.

Upon hearing this, Huang Ranping’s eyes lit up with joy, and she immediately became a curious baby with a hundred thousand whys in her tummy.

”So, brother-in-law, when did you start falling for my sister?” In Huang Ranping’s eyes, the light of gossip twinkled.

Hey, hey, hey, who’s your brother-in-law? It was Mr. Gu just a moment ago, and you’ve changed your tune already? I’m still a maiden here, not married yet, okay?

Huo Sining glared at Huang Ranping, but unfortunately, the latter was completely oblivious and simply stared at Gu Xu.

Gu Xu couldn’t help but reveal a trace of embarrassment and shyness in his eyes. He involuntarily glanced at Huo Sining and then chuckled lightly, saying,

”The first time I met your sister, I took notice of her, but I didn’t know then that it was love. I only gradually realized it later.”

Hearing this, Huo Sining was taken aback and just as she was about to ask Gu Xu where they first met, Huang Ranping, as if she were the worm in Huo Sining’s stomach, directly posed the question:

”Love at first sight? Where did you two first meet?”

”Is this an interview session? You’re drilling with questions!” Seeing Huang Ranping relentlessly questioning Gu Xu, Huang Hanyun felt it was a bit impolite and couldn’t help but slap the back of Huang Ranping’s head, interrupting the back-and-forth between the two with irritation.

Only then did Huo Sining snap out of it, remembering that Gu Xu hadn’t had dinner and quickly said, ”It’s getting late, everyone’s about to sleep. Let’s call it a night, Gu Xu, you should head back first.”

Upon hearing this, Gu Xu’s face stiffened momentarily and with a silent, reproachful look, he glared at Huo Sining: Wife, you promised to have dinner with me, didn’t you?

Huo Sining felt somewhat guilty; indeed, she had promised to have dinner with Gu Xu that evening, but she seemed unable to get away under the circumstances.

Huang Ranping once again offered divine assistance: ”It’s not even eleven yet, why go to sleep so early? Let’s go for barbecue at a street food stall. There are enough of us to fill a table, and the food stalls are lively at this hour.”

”That sounds good. I haven’t had Old Beijing barbecue in a year. I really miss that taste!” Su Qingqing, no longer afraid of breaking out with pimples, didn’t hesitate to partake in meats and greasy delights and thus was the first to respond.

”You guys go ahead, I’ll finish up some work and then head to bed.”

Huang Hanyun seemed a bit reluctant; she finally had a day off and wanted to rest well to adjust her sleeping schedule. She had been suffering from insomnia, barely sleeping at night, and the slightest noise would wake her.

”Big sister, don’t be such a party pooper, okay? I know you too well; even if you go back to your room, you won’t be able to sleep. You might as well come with us for good food and drinks!” Huang Ranping said, exasperated.

”Exactly, and when we come back, let Sister Sining massage you. Guaranteed you’ll sleep soundly through the night until morning, wake up with a radiant complexion, and all your pimples disappeared!”

Pushed and persuaded, the group got into Gu Xu’s car. Gu Xu pulled a long face as he drove towards the snack street, shooting mournful looks at Huo Sining from time to time.

Wife, what happened to our cozy dinner for two, our candlelit evening? How did it turn into a crowd at a street food stall barbecue?