The Scheming Ex-Husband's Courtship-Chapter 453: Quickly return to 403

Chapter 453: Quickly return to 403
After the fireworks, I returned to the living room and immediately received three large red envelopes, heavy in my hands,
"Ah, this is a small token from your parents and me. Your mom wanted to put a check, but our tradition here is to give cash, the real deal." The old lady said with a beaming smile, "Don’t think it’s too little."
"How could I? Thank you, grandma, and thanks to mom and dad." After a glance at Bai Chengxi, Bai Chengxi suddenly took out a red envelope from his pocket and placed it in her hand, "This is for you."
"You’re giving me a red envelope too?"
Bai Chengxi smiled and didn’t reply.
After watching the Spring Festival Gala with the old lady for a while, the programs after midnight were just filler, pretty uninteresting. The old lady started to doze off while watching, so I quickly helped her to her room to sleep.
At two in the morning, the fireworks outside also quieted down. Sitting on the bed, I opened the red envelope Bai Chengxi gave me and was surprised. Inside the red envelope was a brand-new one hundred yuan bill, the design was from many years ago, it seemed like I had hardly ever seen it. Looking at the date on the bill, wow, it dated back more than thirty years.
Even though it’s a thirty-year-old note, it’s been kept in very good condition, only a slight musty smell that paper develops over time.
Carefully putting it back, I curiously asked, "Is this a commemorative edition?"
Bai Chengxi had just finished blow-drying his hair, and upon hearing her, he came over and casually sat next to her, the fresh scent of shower gel wafting into her nostrils.
He glanced at the envelope: "This was the first New Year’s money I ever received. My mom has been keeping it for me because the serial number on this note just happens to be my birthday."
A hundred yuan from more than thirty years ago was a large sum of money, only the wealthy could afford to give that much.
"Actually, back then my family wasn’t wealthy. My mom was a housewife, my dad was neither famous nor obscure in the entertainment industry, the best he did was play a supporting male lead. My grandparents’ family was quite powerful, but my dad was too proud, he didn’t want to be a rich second generation who reaches out for everything, so he’s always been struggling on his own. He only became famous after he reached his thirties, literally overnight. After that, he acted in plays for over a decade before he took over the family business," Bai Chengxi casually shared his family’s history.
If he hadn’t mentioned it, I would never have known these things about the Bai Family. Behind everyone’s success, there’s bound to be struggles and efforts that ordinary people can’t understand, and that’s true for those who look glorious now as well.
"After receiving so much money, I’m a bit embarrassed." I put a pile of red envelopes into my backpack, then suddenly noticed the plane ticket that had been booked,
I had intended to tell Bai Chengxi about this matter, but I haven’t yet informed my family about my marriage, and I don’t know what kind of storm it might bring. Therefore, I wanted to sort this issue out before bringing Bai Chengxi back with me to meet my parents, just in case my family treats him coldly, or worse, my father-in-law might chase him out with a broom.
I didn’t want him to suffer that kind of humiliation; after all, I knew very well how the Bai Family treated me.
With their son being so warmly welcomed, I certainly couldn’t let him be mistreated.
After a moment of thought, I zipped up my backpack.
On the first day of the Lunar New Year, Bai Chengxi visited several of his aunts to give New Year’s greetings. After having a meal, he received many red envelopes. He also prepared some, giving out red envelopes to younger brothers and sisters. Although it was a meticulous process, it was an inevitable part of the customs.
The atmosphere of the New Year was obviously not as festive as before. Bai Chengxi had to return to his company to deal with some matters, while I went straight to the airport to pack my luggage.
Before leaving, I was hesitant. Bai Chengxi should know about my going home, but going home without him would surely make him angry. As such, I was conflicted all the way, until I arrived in City A. The familiar scent of my hometown hit me as I stepped off the plane, and my worries faded away. I decided to face whatever comes spontaneously.
Just as I left the airport, I saw Zhuo Yao’s car. Zhuo Yao, having heard that his daughter was returning, had been waiting there three hours early.
"Dad." I opened the driver’s side door, threw myself into his arms, and happily wrapped around his neck, jumping twice, "Happy New Year, I missed you so much."
Zhuo Yao’s face was stern, yet his eyes were filled with mirth: "You still remember to come back? You didn’t even come home for the New Year. I think you’ve gone wild. In the future, you will work in City A, not allowed to stay in Aus City anymore."
What I dreaded most was this kind of firm stance. To get to Aus City for university, I had to play tricks and pester him for nearly half a year, and it was only after falling seriously ill that I finally forced him to agree.
"I’m already this old, and you’re still restricting my freedom," I pouted discontentedly with a humph.
"No matter how old, you’re still my daughter. Get in the car, it’s cold outside," Zhuo Yao opened the other side of the door.
I quickly climbed in, seeking to please him, I had already planned to give him the gifts I brought back. Zhuo Yao likes to collect famous cars and car models, and the model I bought was a limited edition ordered abroad by a university classmate.
When Zhuo Yao started the car, he glanced at the gift and gave a light snort: "Spit it out. Are you asking me for a favor, or did you do something bad?"
Feeling guilty, I immediately hugged his arm, "Neither, I just thought you’d like it, so I bought it. Plus, it’s from my own salary, not your money."
"The money you earn isn’t even enough for your own expenses."
"I received a decent amount of bonus last month, don’t underestimate me."
"Oh, so my Qingzi is that incredible." Zhuo Yao lightly flicked her forehead, "Hurry back after you’ve had enough fun."
"Dad, I like staying in Aus City, and I plan to settle down there in the future."
Zhuo Yao’s expression darkened; he knew he couldn’t change her mind any time soon.
Back home, Qiao San and Zhuo Yan were both waiting for her, and the family of four had a joyful lunch together.
"Qingzi, when do you plan to go back?" Qiao San hadn’t seen her daughter in a long time, who now seemed like a busy person and rarely came home except for the holidays.
She initially planned to leave tomorrow so she could have an explanation for Bai Chengxi, but seeing Qiao San’s hopeful and unwilling gaze, her heart softened instantly. She felt like she hadn’t really spent quality time with her family, not even during the New Year’s Eve reunion.
"I don’t start work until the eighth day of the new year."
"Then let your dad book a flight for you on the seventh; it’s fine if you go back a day early." Qiao San was clearly delighted.
"Sure, no problem." She agreed readily, but her heart was already in a knot. Staying until the seventh... How was she going to explain this to Bai Chengxi? He would definitely be angry if he found out.
Ah, what should she do.
"Sis, your parcel." Zhuo Yan handed her a large envelope, "It arrived before the new year."
She opened it to find an invitation inside. It was from a high school classmate who was getting married. She stared at the red invitation, then suddenly flung it up, "All my high school girlfriends are getting married, ah, they look so blissful."
She made sure to say it loudly on purpose. Zhuo Yao, who was brewing tea, heard it and glanced over, "Getting married so early, who knows what their family is thinking, it’s like pushing their daughter into a pit of fire."
Hearing this, she blinked and didn’t know how to continue. In her father’s eyes, giving a daughter away in marriage was like throwing her into a pit of fire? What kind of logic was that.
"Look at what you’re saying. No matter how good our daughter is, she has to get married someday. That’s when our duty is fulfilled," Qiao San didn’t agree with his prejudice. She really wished she could take her to work too, echoing the old saying, "Too scared to melt her in the mouth, too scared to let her fly away from the palm." She had seen fathers dote on their daughters, but never to the extent that he did.
When she was in school, if a boy dared to give her a second glance, Zhuo Yao would ’have a talk’ with the teacher, almost resulting in the teacher assigning a bodyguard for her. He just feared his daughter getting hurt. Any boy who approached her would be met with his cold glare, retreating miles away.
It’s not that no one pursued her, but everyone knew she had an extremely wealthy and particularly fierce dad. So, that affection eventually turned into keeping their distance, and she has only had girlfriends, with no boys daring to get close.
It wasn’t until she started working and living in Aus City that Zhuo Yao’s protective behavior subsided, but whenever he heard "marriage," it would instantly incense him.
Even though he thought his daughter was still too young to marry too soon, Qiao San had spoken, and he didn’t dare to contradict, continuing to brew his tea with a cold face.
"Qingzi, come shopping with me tomorrow."
"Sure, I’m free at home anyway." She agreed cheerfully, completely unaware of Qiao San’s cunning and meaningful gaze.
While watching TV with Qiao San, the phone suddenly rang. She glanced at the caller ID, felt a bit guilty, and after making sure Zhuo Yao was busy with his tea and not paying attention to her, she quickly silenced the phone and sprinted back to her own room.
"Hello." After several hours on the plane, she felt tired and casually flopped onto the bed, grabbing a stuffed animal to embrace.
"What are you doing?" Bai Chengxi’s crisp voice came through the other end, deep and pleasing.
"Lying down."
"Go to sleep if you’re tired." Bai Chengxi fiddled with the documents in his hands.
"Did you have work today? You still have to work overtime during the holiday?" She flipped onto her stomach, facing the stuffed animal in her hands.
"A bit of work, but it’s almost done. I’ll try to get back early tonight. What would you like to eat?"
She nudged the stuffed animal against her nose, feeling annoyed and unsure how to answer his question. Should she tell him that she was currently in A City?