Chapter 11 - An Aristocratic Arrival
Jiang Yuan had always known that Xie Chengnan possessed impeccable taste. The man seemed to harbor a borderline obsession with formal attire; even when they had ventured out to a bar the previous night, he had maintained the air of an elite professional ready to step onto a high-stakes negotiation floor at a moment's notice.
However, when Xie Chengnan actually appeared at the threshold of the Zhang residence, Jiang Yuan found himself genuinely breathless. Beside him, Zhang Siqi was stifling a gasp, her hand clamped firmly over her mouth while she ruthlessly pinched Zhang Siyi’s thigh. Siyi’s face turned a painful, bruised shade of blue, but he didn't dare make a sound in the presence of the elders.
Xie Chengnan had clearly invested significant effort into his appearance today. His fine, dark bangs were neatly swept back, revealing deep-set, striking features and a brow that spoke of both intellect and authority. Over a vintage plaid three-piece suit, he wore a tailored camel-colored overcoat, looking every bit like an aristocratic gentleman stepped out of a classic celluloid film—mature, elegant, and possessed of an effortless, wind-swept grace.
The members of the Zhang family observed him with quiet, practiced scrutiny. Unlike the younger generation, who were merely there to witness the unfolding drama, the elders felt a far more complex swirl of emotions. Before the Xie family’s sudden decline, they had held a prominent, respected seat among Nancheng’s Four Great Families. Though the two households had never been exceptionally close in business, the Zhangs were far more familiar with Xie Chengnan than most outsiders, largely due to the influence of Jiang Yuan’s late mother, Zhang Yuehua.
They had witnessed firsthand just how far the Xie family had fallen during those dark years. They hadn't expected that this child, absent for over a decade, would not only avoid being ground down into mediocrity by life's hardships but would instead return as a young man so accomplished that the word "exceptional" felt like a staggering understatement.
Xie Chengnan handed his coat to the waiting butler and stepped toward Elder Zhang, bowing his head slightly with a warm, respectful smile. "It has been a long time, Grandpa Zhang."
Looking at the man before him—whose features were those of a stranger and yet hauntingly familiar in the set of his jaw—the old man’s eyes began to mist over. In the Zhang household, the name 'Xie Chengnan' was inextricably linked to the memory of the departed, bringing with it a sharp, inevitable pang of heartache for a daughter lost too soon.
He patted Xie Chengnan’s shoulder, a thousand unspoken thoughts racing through his mind. Finally, he spoke in a raspy, emotional voice, "You’ve grown up. You’re even more handsome than your father was. If Yuehua could see you now, she would be so incredibly happy."
Sensing the old man’s burgeoning melancholy, Xie Chengnan offered a playful remark to lighten the heavy atmosphere. "I’m actually afraid I might make Auntie Yuehua quite angry instead."
Elder Zhang choked for a moment, his sentimental train of thought derailed. He suddenly remembered that the man before him was the "culprit" who had effectively made off with his precious grandson. If his daughter were still alive, he wasn't entirely sure how she would react—but he knew that, at this very moment, he felt a sudden, itching urge to give the brat a good thrashing.
Seeing the old man’s face darken with mock indignation, Xie Chengnan smiled faintly and presented a simple, antique-looking box with both hands. "I came in a bit of a hurry and couldn't prepare a proper gift. I hope you won't find this too meager for your collection."
Elder Zhang’s expression softened slightly at the gesture. "You’re here now; there was no need for gifts. Your presence is enough."
Xie Chengnan remained humble and respectful. "It’s nothing extravagant. Just a few books to help pass the time when the afternoons get long."
Curious about the contents, Jiang Yuan urged his grandfather to open it. After a bit of dignified posturing, the old man couldn't resist his favorite grandson’s prodding and opened the box with practiced care. Inside, nestled on a bed of rich silk, lay several well-preserved, thread-bound ancient volumes. The paper was yellowed with the graceful patina of age.
"The *Ming Shi Bie Cai Ji*? Oh, and it’s the complete set!" Elder Zhang was genuinely delighted, his eyes widening as he traced the calligraphy on the covers. Compared to gold, jade, or fine porcelain, he far preferred collecting rare editions and literary fragments. Xie Chengnan’s gift had hit the mark with surgical precision.
"It was a stroke of luck," Xie Chengnan replied with a modest smile. "I happened upon them while I was abroad and decided to acquire them, thinking of your library."
Having accepted such a thoughtful gift, Elder Zhang could no longer maintain his stern, protective facade. He gestured for Jiang Yuan to introduce the rest of the family to Xie Chengnan, marking the official start of the visit.
They gathered around the sprawling dining table for a feast that smelled of home and high tradition. Jiang Yuan was seated in the prime spot to the left of Elder Zhang, with Xie Chengnan right beside him. The family was naturally curious about Xie Chengnan’s career, and he did his best to explain his work in robotics and affective computing in layman's terms, using analogies that even the non-tech-savvy elders could grasp.
Seeing the faint confusion on the old man’s face—and his stubborn refusal to admit he didn't quite understand the nuances of AI—Jiang Yuan interjected thoughtfully, "Next time, I’ll have Brother Xie bring the robot from our house to show you. It’s incredibly smart; it can clean the house, monitor health, and even play games with me."
Elder Zhang nodded, then his sharp mind suddenly caught the key detail. "The two of you are living together?"
Jiang Yuan hadn't expected the old man’s logic to leap so quickly to the domestic arrangements. He choked on a sip of tea, coughing into his napkin before trying to sound composed. "Ah, yes. Brother Xie just returned to the country and didn't have a permanent place to stay yet. I happened to have a spare room in my villa, so it just made sense."
The old man clearly didn't buy the "spare room" excuse. He looked between the two of them with deep, narrowed suspicion. He was well aware that young people nowadays were more liberal and that premarital cohabitation was common. However, the realization that his grandson might already be sharing a bed with another man still left a bit of a sour, protective taste in his mouth.
A strange, heavy silence fell over the table, broken only by the occasional clink of silver against porcelain.
A servant soon brought out a platter of steamed hairy crabs, their shells a vibrant orange. Jiang Yuan looked at them with longing but didn't move a muscle. His fastidiousness often manifested in odd ways—for instance, he would rather suppress a craving than get his hands messy peeling seafood. Over the years, even the Zhang family had come to believe he simply didn't care for the dish.
Without a word, Xie Chengnan picked up a set of 'crab-eight-pieces'—the traditional silver tools—and skillfully began deconstructing a crab. With surgical precision, he extracted the roe and the sweet leg meat, placing a small bowl of the succulent harvest in front of Jiang Yuan.
Jiang Yuan thought back to his "roundworm" theory—the idea that Xie Chengnan was like a parasite living in his gut, knowing his every thought—and couldn't help but let out a sudden, bright laugh.
Xie Chengnan tilted his head, looking at him with a questioning, indulgent gaze.
Jiang Yuan didn't dare explain the joke. He finished the crab meat in a few quick bites, then tilted his chin toward the remaining crabs on the platter, wordlessly signaling for Xie Chengnan to peel another. Xie Chengnan merely smiled, withdrew his gaze, and focused entirely on serving the young master.
Jiang Yuan leaned his cheek on his hand, watching the rhythmic, steady movement of Xie Chengnan's fingers. He noted that the man seemed composed in everything he did, whether it was coding a complex algorithm or peeling a crustacean; combined with his striking looks, the sight was truly a feast for the eyes.
Diagonally across from them, Zhang Siqi was turning a vivid red from holding back her excitement. Her mind was screaming in a digital frenzy: *I want to take a picture so badly! When a god-tier man dotes on someone like this, it’s just too much! Who could possibly resist this level of devotion?!*
Jiang Yuan ate two crabs in a row and still looked unsatisfied, but Xie Chengnan wiped his hands on a warm towel and pushed a bowl of freshly served chicken soup toward him. "Drink some soup to warm your stomach first."
Jiang Yuan blinked, his eyes wide and pleading. "I want one more."
"No," Xie Chengnan said firmly but gently, sipping his own soup. "Crabs are 'cold' in nature according to traditional medicine. You shouldn't overindulge, or you'll have a stomachache later."
Jiang Yuan pouted, looking like a slighted prince, but he didn't press the issue.
Elder Zhang had been secretly observing the pair throughout the meal. He had initially worried that the age and experience gap would make Jiang Yuan too submissive or weak in the relationship. But seeing Jiang Yuan command Xie Chengnan as if it were his birthright—and seeing Xie Chengnan dote on him without a hint of impatience—he began to worry about the opposite: that Xie Chengnan would spoil the boy until he was utterly unmanageable.
His heart was a mess of contradictions. Yet, seeing that Xie Chengnan was not only attentive but also knew when to set boundaries, and that Jiang Yuan actually listened to him, the old man finally felt a weight lift from his chest. He was becoming increasingly satisfied with this "grandson-in-law" who made his teeth ache with the sheer sweetness of their interaction.
After dinner, the family gathered in the parlor to chat over tea. The topic inevitably turned back to the couple and the story of how they had reunited and fallen in love. Jiang Yuan offered a carefully crafted, half-truthful explanation that finally satisfied the family's curiosity.
Before he could breathe a sigh of relief, Zhang Siqi leaned in and whispered, "A-Yuan, do you have any photos of the two of you? Something... you know, intimate? I posted on social media that you were together, but my classmates are being trolls. They say 'no photo, no proof'!"
They didn't have any photos, of course. Moreover, Jiang Yuan wasn't sure of Xie Chengnan’s stance on publicizing their "relationship." After all, Xie Chengnan’s professional circle was prestigious and conservative; a public outing could have unforeseen consequences.
Xie Chengnan, however, seemed to have overheard. "Neither of us is particularly fond of selfies," he said casually, setting down his teacup. "Why don't you take a proper one for us now?"
Zhang Siqi was thrilled. "Really? Great! Wait right here!" She sprinted upstairs and returned moments later with a professional-grade DSLR camera.
Jiang Yuan made a face, feeling a bit shy. "Cousin... is all this gear really necessary?"
She rolled her eyes while adjusting the aperture settings. "This is my first time officially photographing the famous Professor Xie. I refuse to settle for a grainy phone snap!"
Xie Chengnan chuckled, the sound low and pleasant. "I’m no longer a professor, Siqi. You can just call me by my name."
Unsure whether to address him as a brother-in-law just yet, she smiled and said, "Then I’ll follow A-Yuan’s lead and call you Brother Xie."
Elder Zhang suddenly chimed in, his voice commanding. "Since the whole family is gathered, Siqi, take a full family portrait first."
This was a momentous, tacit acknowledgment of Xie Chengnan’s place within the Zhang family fold.
Jiang Yuan felt a slight headache brewing; the pace of this "fake" relationship was spiraling into a reality he hadn't prepared for. Xie Chengnan, sensing his internal panic, reached out to tidy a stray lock of Jiang Yuan’s hair. "Just think of me as your older brother for the photo," he whispered, his breath warm against Jiang Yuan's ear.
Jiang Yuan felt a sudden sense of relief. Setting aside the charade, based on their childhood bond and the way Xie Chengnan looked after him now, the man certainly earned the title of an older brother—and perhaps something more.
As they prepared to leave later that evening, Elder Zhang pulled Xie Chengnan aside into the quiet of the foyer. After a long, heavy hesitation, the patriarch spoke. "After Yuehua passed away, A-Yuan’s personality changed. He became guarded, sometimes difficult. You’re older, and you've seen more of the world. If there are bumps in the road, I ask that you be patient with him. If he truly does something out of line, come to me. I’ll handle him. I won't let you be the one to suffer his temper."
Xie Chengnan smiled, his expression softening with a sincerity that reached his eyes. "Grandpa Zhang, please don't worry. I know him better than anyone. I will take good care of him."
Elder Zhang patted his shoulder heavily, a gesture of profound trust, as if transferring a great, precious weight into his hands. "I hope you are a man of your word, Chengnan!"
Xie Chengnan’s gaze remained soft yet absolutely resolute. "I certainly am."
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