Travel · Imperial Capital arc (1): Xiao Yu: Actually, We Were Pretty Nervous Too

Ladies and gentlemen, we have arrived.

After the bus came to a smooth stop in front of the Xiao family mansion, Qiushui Shui immediately called out to remind the group of women behind her to prepare to get off the bus.

"We haven't come to the wrong place, have we?" Dania, staring at the courtyard house through the window, speechless.

She had heard online that such courtyard houses cost hundreds of millions of yuan. Although she had already slept in an eight-figure house, she felt that a courtyard house was still a bit too far out of reach for her.

"Hey, what are you saying? I've only been a driver for less than six months, but I know the roads like the back of my hand." Qiushui casually swiped the navigation app off her phone. "Get out, everyone. Lao Xiao's family is really looking forward to your arrival."

One sentence instantly made the women, who were previously relaxed, tense up.

They were so focused on planning their trip to the Imperial Capital that Qiushui's reminder made them realize they had an even bigger hurdle ahead of them.

They're going to meet the parents.

So, before getting off the bus, the girls touched up their makeup, straightened their clothes, and even Miss Honey Peach, who usually seemed particularly lazy, started grooming herself by the window.

"Hmm... is that alright now?"

Dania looked at herself and nodded in satisfaction before getting out of the car with her companions, ready to greet Xiao Ling's family.

The courtyard house was very large. Xiao Ling led the girls around and almost got lost. If Xiao Xue hadn't stepped in to lead the group back on track, these big kids might have started playing hide-and-seek with their elders inside.

In the courtyard.

"Dad, I've brought them over?" Xiao Xue led Xiao Ling and her group to the middle of the courtyard, where Aemeath and the others finally met Xiao Ling's four elders.

The middle-aged man at the head of the group had a kind and approachable face, but his expression was very serious, with his brows slightly furrowed. He wore a crisp, wrinkle-free short-sleeved white shirt, khaki suit trousers, and a pair of black leather shoes that were polished to a high shine, giving him a rather impressive appearance.

The second elder was a woman who still retained her charm. She also had a blank expression. A fitted linen-blend hazy blue dress made her skin look as white as mutton fat. Although there were slight wrinkles at the corners of her eyes, it was still clear that she was a stunning beauty in her youth. Lupa had a very keen sense of smell, could even smell the fragrance of herbs on her.

The third elder looked rather stern. Although he appeared to be a young man wearing black-rimmed glasses, his upright posture and undisguised scrutiny in his eyes made Yaya, who had already gained her uncle's approval, swallow hard. He seemed like a tough nut to crack.

Finally, the girls recognized her: Xiao Ling's mother, Xiao Yue, who was looking at them with a gentle smile as they finally arrived in the Imperial Capital.

Then she asked, "Girls, have you all eaten?"

As soon as he finished speaking, all the women nodded in unison, not daring to be negligent in the slightest.

"Why don't you care about me?" Xiao Ling protested, feeling wronged.

"You need to care? I'm already thankful if you don't cause me any trouble," Xiao Yue said irritably. "You said you'd come to the Imperial Capital after Hangzhou, but you changed your plans halfway through, making me wait a few more days."

"There's nothing we can do; plans can't keep up with changes."

Xiao Yue rolled her eyes at her son and then remained silent, waiting for the other three elders to speak.

The courtyard fell into a deathly silence. Hajiling thought to himself that he wouldn't be surprised if a crow flew by with a string of ellipses at this moment.

"I say, isn't the atmosphere a bit too serious?" Xiao Ling said helplessly. "You're the ones who asked me to bring my girls over to meet you, but the way you're acting doesn't feel like you're entertaining guests; it's more like you're here to intimidate me."

"Yeah, Dad, at least smile a little! My cousin brought so many pretty girls home, and you're all making these faces. What if you scare them away and they never come back?" Xiao Xue emphasized the importance of putting her learning into practice.

Xiao Yue looked at her eldest brother, second sister, and third brother who remained silent for a long time, sighed helplessly, and was about to speak when Xiao Xue interrupted her directly.

"Auntie, don't say anything yet. I'm going to teach them a lesson today..."

"Uh... we didn't mean to intimidate them." After being lectured by his nephew and daughter, Xiao Yu finally spoke up, "It's mainly..."

"We were quite nervous when we first officially met them."

One sentence completely shattered the tense atmosphere on set.

(So, the three of you are keeping such a tense expression to hide your nervousness?)

"Ha... It's understandable for the younger generation to be nervous, but what are you, as elders, planning to do by being nervous...?" Hajiling sighed, rubbing her forehead.

After the misunderstanding was cleared up, Xiao Yu and the others, acting as hosts, took the initiative to help the guests who had come from afar with their luggage.

"Little sister, have a seat!" Xiao Yu immediately called out to Xiao Yue, who was about to help, "The three of us can handle this."

"Really... Big brother, you're worrying about nothing again." Xiao Yue muttered a few words of dissatisfaction, then could only sit back down and watch them bustling around.

This courtyard house has quite a few rooms, about twenty in total. Each room can accommodate two people with room to spare. It also has complete dining and entertainment facilities. For the foreseeable future, this will be Xiao Ling and the girls' home in the Imperial Capital.

The perspective shifts to Dania's side.

"Okay, that should be all." Xiao Ji carried the last batch of luggage into the room, then smiled at Little Orange and Honey Peach, "Welcome to the Imperial Capital. My name is Xiao Ji, Xiao Ling's second aunt. There was a slight unpleasantness when we met earlier, please forgive me."

"It's alright, Sister Xiao Ji. Here, have a handkerchief to wipe your sweat." Sigrika was not only sweet-talking, but also sweet in her actions, taking out a clean handkerchief and handing it to Xiao Ji.

"Ah, thank you, Sigrika, you're so thoughtful." Xiao Ji nodded in thanks, accepting the kindness.

"At first I thought you were the kind of elders who were hard to talk to, and I was prepared to be interrogated..." Dania said honestly.

"Haha, did you misunderstand what happened just now?" Xiao Ji chuckled twice. "However, Xiao Ya, you look much better. It seems that little brat didn't mistreat you."

"Does Sister Xiao Ji know me?"

"I saw your poster in Little Xue's room before, and my first impression was that you didn't look well, like you were malnourished," Xiao Ji explained. "Besides, how could I make clothes that would satisfy you if I didn't know you?"

"Was that Hanfu your work?" Dania's eyes lit up. "Thank you! I really love that dress; I rarely wear it."

"Clothes aren't collectibles; they're meaningless if you don't wear them. If you like them, just tell me, and I'll make you a few more in the future."

"Won't that be too much trouble? Or can I pay for it or something?"

"These clothes I made myself can't be bought with money," Xiao Ji said with a smile. "Since Little Ling treats you all like family, then you're part of the Xiao family. Talking about money with family members hurts feelings; even close brothers should keep clear accounts—that's a family rule in our clan."

"But you can't just take my clothes for free; I have a request too."

What are the requirements?

"Be nicer to that little brat."

"I will." Dania smiled gently. "After all, I've given him my body; I'm set on having him for life."

"Really? Then I'll have to give him a good talking to later." Xiao Ji nodded with a relieved smile. "If he treats you badly in the slightest, come to me, and I'll have my ways of dealing with him."

"Um, Sister Xiao Ji, actually I also..." Sigrika said timidly.

"Hmm?" Xiao Ji turned towards Sigrika in confusion, and seeing her face so red it looked like it could bleed, he suddenly realized something.

Xiao Ji: These young people really know how to have fun.