Back to 1984: Earning Money, Raising Kids, and Keeping the Household Busy

Chapter 278: Changing the Time?
When Chen Xinyue returned from her trip, she noticed that the receptionist was looking at her differently. She was wondering what was going on when she got on the elevator and arrived at the office, where she was immediately surrounded by stares from everyone.

Lin Fei quickly moved closer to her and asked in a low voice, "Xin Yue, I heard you and the boss are getting engaged! Congratulations!"

"You all knew?" Chen Xinyue was dumbfounded.

Lin Fei nodded frantically, unable to stop sighing, "I never thought you would be the one to win over the boss in the end. It seems that our Xinyue is a hidden talent."

The Xiao family has an extraordinary background; a woman who can get the Xiao family to nod in approval must have a powerful background.

Chen Xinyue felt that everyone seemed to have misunderstood something, but she didn't want to pry, so she just smiled.

Xiao Jinlin acted quickly, contacting a private studio to take wedding photos in less than a week.

These days, only famous photographers run studios like this, and they charge a hefty price tag.

Xiao Jinlin made the decision without the slightest hesitation, and even contacted the makeup artist in advance before taking Chen Xinyue to choose a wedding dress.

The two discussed it carefully and even took a special flight to a southern coastal city to take their wedding photos.

It took a week to shoot more than a dozen outfits.

He Xue was amazed when she received the photos and ran to share them with Old Madam Xiao.

As soon as I entered, I saw Xiao Bai and his wife with Xiao Jinchen and his wife, but without their child.

He Xue's expression darkened slightly. She barely acknowledged Guo Lingyue's greeting and sat down directly next to Old Madam Xiao.

Seeing that she was dressed casually, Old Madam Xiao scolded her, "Why didn't you call before you came? Are you having dinner here with Asheng tonight?"

"Mom! It's only this late, I'm not here to freeload!" He Xue pouted, her attitude very casual.

Mu Qinglian sat upright to the side; it would be a lie to say she wasn't envious.

Both were daughters-in-law of Old Madam Xiao and had two sons. However, because her family was not as powerful as the Xiao or He families, she could never be as relaxed and comfortable in front of her mother-in-law as He Xue.

Madam Xiao didn't take it seriously and pressed further, "Then what are you doing here?"

He Xue proudly opened her phone, saying, "I've got something good to show you."

Madam Xiao quickly put on her reading glasses and saw the sweetly embracing couple in the photo in her hand. She instantly smiled and her face crinkled with wrinkles. "Oh! Where was this taken? Our Jinlin is so handsome! Xinyue is beautiful too. They're a match made in heaven."

He Xue nodded vigorously, "That's what I think too. They're in a coastal city in the south right now, so they can have a few days of fun before going back to Anshi. They'll come back as soon as they're done. Mom, Jinlin's idea is to hold the engagement banquet on the second day of the twelfth lunar month. His company will take care of the arrangements, and all we have to do is show up."

Madam Xiao was extremely satisfied. "I trust him to handle things. It's settled then."

Xiao Bai's expression was somewhat unpleasant, and he couldn't help but interrupt the two women who were getting carried away, "Mom, why didn't you discuss such a big matter as Jinlin's engagement with us? We were originally planning to take our granddaughter out for medical treatment during that time, could we change the time?"

He Xue was displeased. "Big brother, what are you saying? Mom and Dad had already discussed it with the Chen family. If there's nothing important, why would they suddenly change the date? If you really can't be there, that's fine. Ah Sheng, Mom and Dad, and I can attend. Jin Lin won't say anything."

Xiao Bai's face stiffened, and he hurriedly explained, "Sister-in-law, that's not what I meant. We didn't expect Yuanyuan's condition to be so serious."

Guo Lingyue's eyes were already red, and tears were streaming down her face. Seeing her like that, Old Madam Xiao's expression fell.

He Xue knew the old lady's thoughts best. Her eyes darted around, and she said, "Big brother, you said it was an emergency. You can handle it. There's no reason to continue to wrong Jinlin and make him change the engagement date, right?"

Xiao Bai's lips moved, but he felt extremely embarrassed and awkward, unable to utter a single word.

Mu Qinglian lowered her head and twisted her hands into a knot.

Madam Xiao waved her hand impatiently, "Alright, you can decide your own affairs. I know, so go back now."

Seeing his mother's attitude, Xiao Bai felt utterly disheartened. He wanted to say something, but seeing that his mother didn't want to talk to him, he could only lead his family away in a dejected manner.

As soon as they left, Old Madam Xiao snorted in dissatisfaction, "Those clueless people! They said the child was sick but didn't leave anyone at home to look after him. They all came here to me. What? Can an old woman like me treat a child's illness?"

Jin Chen was the same; seeing his parents so embarrassed, he didn't even try to help them out. He just stood there like a pouting gourd, it was infuriating to watch!

The old lady and her husband were not satisfied with their eldest grandson, Xiao. They felt he was not tactful enough and was somewhat willful and petty. Since they did not live together and their eldest son and his wife protected him, the old lady did not like to say anything. However, they were increasingly dissatisfied with him and wanted to find fault with everything he did.

He Xue chimed in, "Exactly! Especially Guo Lingyue. She was perfectly fine when I arrived, but she started crying as soon as I sat down and we barely exchanged a few words. She's like a little wife. What? Did I bully her? What a piece of trash! She's so unlucky."

Knowing that He Xue was dissatisfied with Guo Lingyue, and recalling the scene just now, Madam Xiao couldn't bring herself to say anything against her conscience, and could only sigh, "Forget it, let them be. Anyway, your father and I don't rely on them."

In the eyes of the elderly couple, their eldest son was good at maintaining the status quo but not at expanding, and his style of doing things was rather conservative. They figured he would stay that way in the future. Their eldest grandson was raised by their eldest son, so there was nothing to be surprised about.

The younger son is more decisive, quick-witted, worldly-wise, and capable. He will definitely achieve more than the older son in the future. Both of the grandsons are top students. With their parents around, there is no need to worry.

The second grandson is a big shot in the business world, and his net worth has reached a certain level. Even if he does nothing in the future, he will still be rich and can live a carefree life.

They seem less troublesome than the eldest son and grandson.

Not wanting to upset Old Madam Xiao, He Xue quickly changed the subject to the wedding photos.

Guo Lingyue, who was already in the car, was still bothered by what had just happened and couldn't help but look at Mu Qinglian, "Mom, when did my brother-in-law start talking about marriage with Miss Chen? Why didn't he tell us?"

Mu Qinglian's expression wasn't good, but she still explained to her, "The Chen family came over during the National Day holiday, and everyone met them. That's when it was decided."

Guo Lingyue's eyes flickered slightly as she glanced at her unmoved husband beside her, then at her in-laws, and her heart sank a little.

When she got home, she hid in her room and cried.

Seeing her like that, Xiao Jinchen frowned involuntarily. "Why are you crying?"

Guo Lingyue pitifully raised her tear-filled face, "Don't you want me anymore? Don't Mom and Dad want me as their daughter-in-law anymore?"

"What nonsense are you thinking?" Xiao Jinchen sat down.

Guo Lingyue felt increasingly aggrieved. "You all knew about your brother's engagement, but you kept it from me. Does that mean you don't consider me family? I thought that after I gave birth to your child, you would truly accept me, but it turns out I was just being delusional."