NOVEL NEXT Chapter 49: Family Arrivals
Chapter 49: Family Arrivals
Lu Yuan’s earlier predictions were proving accurate. As peace settled across the empire and prosperity grew, the imperial city continued to expand. Being the nation’s heart, its population swelled steadily. When the Second Ring Road could no longer contain the growth, they built a Third, then a Fourth, and eventually a Fifth. The expanding boundaries gradually absorbed surrounding smaller cities, transforming them into districts.
The shops that had cost 12 yuan monthly were rented quickly, while the 15-yuan shop had been leased just yesterday. Business activity was increasing, with many newcomers seeking commercial opportunities. Property values rose naturally—precisely the appreciation Lu Yuan had anticipated.
After collecting the shop rent, Lu Yuan and Su Liyan enjoyed an evening stroll around Qianhai, returning home around eight or nine o’clock.
—
The following morning, around nine o’clock, a bus pulled into the East City Gate station. Jin Meijing disembarked carrying a large bag filled with homemade delicacies. During Lu Yuan’s previous visit, only half the provisions he purchased had been used for the wedding banquet. The remaining flour, meat, rice, and oil had been substantial. The mothers-in-law had prepared these savory dishes from the leftovers, sending them along with Jin Meijing.
With her other hand, Jin Meijing held Su Lina, who was visiting the imperial city for the first time since she was old enough to remember it.
Upon spotting Su Liyan, who had been waiting at the bus stop, Su Lina called out sweetly, “Sister!”
Su Liyan smiled, gently pinching the child’s cheek before looking up at Jin Meijing. “Mother,” she greeted warmly.
Jin Meijing smiled and nodded, her eyes scanning the surroundings curiously.
“My brother didn’t get up this morning, so I came alone,” Su Liyan explained.
Far from offended, Jin Meijing nodded understanding. “No need to make a fuss about it. If I hadn’t been away from the imperial city for so many years—and truly unable to find my way—you wouldn’t have needed to meet us. We could have managed ourselves.”
Su Liyan smiled. “How could I let you travel alone? It’s just that my brother has difficulty rising early; otherwise, he would have accompanied me.”
When Su Liyan had awakened that morning, her husband was sleeping soundly. She hadn’t the heart to disturb him. Besides, this was her mother—they were family—and she knew the route well enough to escort them home herself.
Jin Meijing waved dismissively. “Please, it’s nothing important. One person is sufficient for such a simple task. Let’s go.”
After taking just two steps, Jin Meijing paused, a knowing smile crossing her face as she lowered her voice. “Mother understands. Newly married couples need their rest, especially on days off. Your husband is only human, not like us old folks who can function regardless of sleep. Don’t exhaust poor Yuan’er.”
Su Liyan’s cheeks flushed. “Mother! What are you suggesting?”
Jin Meijing smiled sweetly but said nothing more.
—
When Lu Yuan finally awoke, he stumbled from the bedroom in a daze and checked the clock.
Half past nine? he thought with alarm. I arranged to meet them at nine!
He looked around the empty apartment. Where’s my wife? Did she go alone? How could I miss this? My mother-in-law arrives, and I’m sleeping at home? Unacceptable!
Lu Yuan hurried to wash up. Meanwhile, Su Liyan had already guided Jin Meijing and Su Lina into the compound.
As they entered, the men playing cards in the front yard nearly dropped their game pieces at the sight of Jin Meijing. She was breathtaking.
For these men in their thirties and forties, Su Liyan’s beauty was undeniable but distant—they regarded her as a junior, someone to admire from afar. Propriety, morality, and the stigma of “old oxen eating young grass” limited their appreciation to mere fantasy.
Jin Meijing, however, exerted a powerful attraction. As previously noted, she possessed extraordinary beauty and charm, with distinctive vertical pupils that enhanced her allure. For her trip to the city, Jin Meijing had worn the new clothes her son-in-law had purchased, tied her long hair behind her ears, and adorned herself with precious earrings she normally kept stored away.
The effect was stunning. The compound’s men stared in amazement.
Jin Meijing represented a woman at her most captivating age. Though Lu Yuan’s mother-in-law, she was only thirty years old—Su Liyan’s stepmother who had married her father at nineteen, conceived Su Lina at twenty, and delivered her at twenty-one. With Su Lina now nine, Jin Meijing had reached exactly thirty.
A woman in her thirties combines the lingering sweetness of youth with the flavor of mature womanhood—an irresistible blend. Jin Meijing’s exceptional beauty amplified this effect. Her charm was such that a mere wink could reduce weak-willed men to embarrassing situations.
Su Liyan introduced her stepmother to the compound residents, knowing Jin Meijing would be living there permanently. Jin Meijing greeted each person with a warm smile, causing the card-playing men to blush and stammer their responses.
Even after Su Liyan led her stepmother away, the men’s eyes followed Jin Meijing’s departure, their card game forgotten. Her cheongsam perfectly highlighted her figure—the ideal garment for a woman with excellent proportions. Standing nearly 1.7 meters in her several-centimeter black high heels, Jin Meijing cut an imposing figure. The men couldn’t help but swallow nervously as they watched her graceful movements.
In the backyard, Su Liyan made more introductions. The women assessed this newcomer with wary eyes, immediately recognizing a formidable rival.
Finally, Su Liyan brought Jin Meijing home. The backyard residents exchanged glances, then looked toward Lu Yuan’s curtained bedroom window with disapproval.
This young man! His mother-in-law arrives, and he doesn’t even greet her—just continues sleeping? Outrageous!