novelraw Chapter 299: Is This the Golden Husband-to-Be?
Chapter 299: Is This the Golden Husband-to-Be?
“Click—” The door creaked open.
Following that, Qian Guixiang peeked half her body out, holding a rag in her hand.
Seeing it was Wen Ruan, she quickly opened the door wide. “Ruanruan, what are you standing outside for? Come in quickly; it’s so hot in the hallway.”
She had heard her daughter’s voice outside and came to check.
Wen Ruan silently nodded, clutching her phone tightly as she stepped inside. Google seaʀᴄh novel~fire~net
“It’s too hot! Have some chilled watermelon—just bought this Kirin melon. It’s so sweet!”
Guixiang hurriedly dropped the rag, handed over a fruit platter, and took her precious daughter’s bag.
Wen Ruan pouted, finding her mom’s drastic change in attitude a bit amusing.
Before, her mom had been desperate to shove her out of the house over blind dates. Now, it was daily tender care, full of affection, as if they’d gone back to her childhood.
Biting into the juicy, sweet watermelon and enjoying the cool air-conditioning, Wen Ruan puffed out her cheeks and exhaled a long breath, finally relaxing a bit.She had mentally prepared herself earlier—she’d already feared and panicked over this. Now, nervousness and unease were more prominent.
This feeling stemmed from how she subconsciously regarded Su Yu as Tang Song’s future wife.
Since she’d willingly accepted being his mistress and even held shares in Xingyun International Group on his behalf, she knew she’d eventually have to face Su Yu.
Naturally, being outmatched in all aspects, she’d feel inferior.
Forget it. It’s all Tang Song’s fault! He’s the one who messed with me!
If Su Yu made her feel humiliated, she’d just take it out on Tang Song later, making him go after Su Yu!
Thinking of this, Wen Ruan felt a bit better, even slightly thrilled.
That’s Su Yu, after all!
The country’s hottest superstar, hailed as the “Masterpiece of the Goddess Nuwa” and a “Walking Spotlight.”
Hiss~~
It was hard to imagine how such a woman would react when playing basketball with Tang Song.
Would she trash-talk like I do?
...
“Ruanruan.” Qian Guixiang set everything aside, sat beside her, and beamed. “Tomorrow is May 20th on the lunar calendar. Has everything been confirmed with Tang Song? Can he come?”
“Thump—” The watermelon rind drew a perfect arc through the air and landed squarely in the trash can.
Wen Ruan pulled out a tissue to wipe her lips, then leaned comfortably against the sofa. “He said he can come. He’ll drop by our house in the morning and then head to Shengyuan Scenic Residence with us.”
“Great, great!” Qian Guixiang’s face flushed with excitement as she patted her daughter’s leg. “I’ve been cleaning all day. Take a look—if there’s anything off, I’ll tidy it again. It’s his first time visiting; we want to leave a good impression.”
She’d seen Tang Song’s luxurious penthouse at Yanjing Tiancheng before and knew their place was far inferior.
When they bought this house, they had no money left. The big pieces of furniture were all budget buys, making the overall look quite low-end.
Things like the water dispenser, fridge, and air-conditioner were still leftovers from their rental days, all a bit aged.
She could only make it as clean and neat as possible.
Wen Ruan glanced around the room and casually nodded. “It’s fine. Tang Song isn’t one to fuss over these things.”
“Oh, it’s just to show we care.” Guixiang muttered softly, “By the way, does Tang Song know about you being a senior manager at Xingyun International’s subsidiary? If there’s anything we can’t mention, let us know ahead of time to avoid awkwardness.”
Seeing her mom’s cautious demeanor, Wen Ruan couldn’t help but find it amusing. “Mom, there’s nothing to hide. He knows everything.”
“That’s good, that’s good!” Qian Guixiang earnestly advised, “Also, treat him warmly and communicate more. Even though Tang Song is younger, don’t put on airs.”
She knew her daughter well. Wen Ruan had been proud since childhood.
Her blind dates always ended up being just basic meals, with matchmakers often complaining about her aloofness.
After a moment of silence, Wen Ruan nonchalantly said, “It’s not like that. Besides, I’m earning so much now, I could achieve financial independence soon. Even if we break up, it won’t matter.”
She decided to preemptively prepare her parents for the possibility.
“Oh, you silly girl!” Qian Guixiang tapped her on the head. “You’re still just an employee. Who knows when you might get laid off? You still need someone to rely on.”
Wen Ruan joked, “What if I really become financially free—be a boss with tens of millions in savings, live in a big house, and drive luxury cars? Would you still push me to marry?”
Qian Guixiang paused, then muttered, “You and your wild ideas. If you truly did that, how could we dare to interfere?”
“Who knows? It might just happen one day. Wait and see.” Wen Ruan winked playfully.
She hadn’t disclosed the specifics of her upcoming role to her family yet.
The past few days, she’d been working with Xingyun International Group to restructure Guangying Media.
With her arrival, positions held by several senior executives and directors had been reshuffled.
Xingyun wasn’t foolish; they wouldn’t simply let these people leave.
The acquisition agreement clearly stated they had to remain for the next five years and meet revenue targets under a performance clause.
If they failed or maliciously diverted business, the payout for the shareholders would be reduced.
Once everything settled, Wen Ruan would officially become Guangying Media’s president.
Her annual salary would definitely exceed a million yuan.
Not to mention the additional perks:
Performance bonuses, stock incentives, director’s allowances...
And the resources brought by her elevated social status.
In a second-tier city like Yan City, this was a leap in social class for her family.
She looked forward to shocking her parents soon so they’d stop worrying about her marriage.
...
As mother and daughter spoke in hushed tones, the sound of the door unlocking interrupted them.
The front door opened, and Wen Jianxin walked in, drenched in sweat, with a couple behind him.
The man was in his early thirties, lean and upright, wearing round glasses and a blue shirt soaked through with sweat.
The woman, slightly younger, looked plain and wore a pink sun-protective jacket. Her face and neck were flushed from the sun.
“Dad, you’re back. Brother Pingshun, you’re here!” Wen Ruan smiled as she stood up. “This must be my sister-in-law, right? First time meeting her.”
The man was Wen Pingshun, son of Wen Jianxin’s older brother, Guanghua. He had agreed to help him find a job.
Wen Pingshun set down a box of drinks and introduced with a smile, “This is my girlfriend, Qiao Lei.”
“Lei Lei, this is Wen Ruan, the one I told you about.”
Seeing the glamorous, alluring Wen Ruan, Qiao Lei instinctively shrank back a little. She greeted timidly, “Hello, Wen Ruan.”
Qian Guixiang warmly invited the pair to sit and chatted with them for a while.
After about ten minutes of polite small talk, Wen Pingshun and Qiao Lei excused themselves, leaving soon after.
As the door slowly closed, Wen Ruan lowered her gaze and sighed.
Wen Pingshun, who worked as an IT administrator at Yanbei Printing Factory, had been under a lot of pressure lately. Ordinary tech workers like him found it increasingly hard to secure jobs in today’s competitive environment. After losing his job, he had been delivering food.
His visit today, accompanied by his girlfriend, was clearly to express gratitude for Wen Ruan’s earlier promise to help him find a job. However, afraid of imposing, he refrained from bringing it up directly.
Glancing at the gift Wen Pingshun brought—a box of locally made sour jujube juice—Wen Ruan felt a pang of nostalgia. It had been her childhood favorite but was now rarely seen due to the factory’s struggles, with the juice only available in nearby county towns. Naturally, as her childhood playmate, Pingshun knew this.
Shaking her head, Wen Ruan began inquiring about the printing factory's current state from her father.
The company had been unable to pay wages for four months, and 80% of the employees were set to be laid off. However, since the company couldn’t afford severance pay, the situation was in a tense and awkward stalemate.
After dinner, two more relatives came over to talk to Wen Jianxin and Qian Guixiang about the factory, layoffs, and finding jobs.
Between the lines, it was clear they hoped Wen Ruan could lend a hand.
This left Qian Guixiang feeling a bit guilty, as she’d gotten carried away boasting about her daughter—her entrepreneurial boyfriend and her upcoming role as a senior manager at Xingyun International Group.
Now these relatives were grasping at straws, one even daring to ask if Wen Ruan could save the printing factory.
Listening to their conversation, Wen Ruan’s expression flickered as she wrestled with her emotions.
She had always held a good impression of her father’s factory. It had supported their family and provided for her education, carrying many warm and happy memories.
As a future Xingyun International Group board member, she did have the capacity to revive the factory.
But...
Using the trust Tang Song had given her to secure benefits for her extended family felt wrong.
The printing factory’s facilities were outdated, and feeding it business from Xingyun International would be a clear case of abusing power for personal gain.
If word got out, it could cause misunderstandings with Tang Song and tarnish her reputation in the company.
Above all, there was Su Yu to consider. Deep down, Wen Ruan didn’t want to lose Su Yu’s respect either.
After showering and completing her skincare routine, Wen Ruan lay on her bed, tossing and turning.
Finally, she picked up her phone, opened her chat with Tang Song, and left a message:
“Little brother, I miss you.”
At Yanjing Tiancheng, Tang Song put down his book and glanced at his phone.
He immediately sent a video call request.
After indulging in pampering from a beautician and Little Xue for a few days, he’d returned home to give himself a break and recharge. After all, tomorrow he had to accompany Big Sister to meet her relatives.
The video call connected quickly.
Tang Song leaned against his headboard, looking at the sultry face of Big Sister on the screen. He smirked. “Where exactly do you miss me?”
“Pfft—” Wen Ruan broke into a smile on the screen, lowering her voice into a mature, teasing tone. “Everywhere. Here… and here… I can’t stop thinking about you.”
Tang Song felt a spark of heat rise. “I don’t believe you. Show me.”
“Hmph.” Wen Ruan playfully made a cute face before seductively licking her lips.
The camera flipped.
In the dimly lit bedroom, with only the bedside lamp glowing faintly, an indescribable scene gradually came into view through the phone camera.
Tang Song’s screen blurred into a mosaic—a tantalizing mix of mystery and allure.
Big Sister knew how to have fun and wasn’t shy about dropping a few risqué comments along the way.
Who could resist that?
Tang Song, who had felt utterly drained from days of indulgence with the beautician and Little Xue, suddenly found himself energized with newfound “yellow energy.”
After trading a few flirtatious jabs and chatting for a while, they reluctantly ended the call.
A moment later, Tang Song’s phone received two location shares.
One marked Wen Ruan’s parents’ residence at Oasis View Garden.
The other was her younger uncle’s new place at Shengyuan Scenic Residence.
Looking at the familiar address, Tang Song paused, surprised at the coincidence.
The house had been finished decorating last week, but they had both been too busy to reveal this surprise to each other.
And then there was the trust fund contract.
It was all ready—just waiting for her signature.
In the coming days, Wen Ruan would be busy with a mountain of work.
Since Tang Song had promised to handle all her troubles, he planned to take concrete actions. With tomorrow’s visit to Shengyuan Scenic Residence, he decided it was the perfect opportunity to deliver a surprise.
With the arrangements in place, Big Sister could finally put her worries to rest. But most importantly, there were her parents to consider.
Friday, July 7, 2023
Clear skies, 25–40°C
At 5:00 a.m., Tang Song woke up from a restful sleep.
He went for a run, worked out, corrected his posture, and had breakfast. Then, he carefully showered, shaved, and styled his hair.
Sitting at his computer, he began handling work emails and OA applications.
Besides reviewing the due diligence report for Slover Trust, his main focus was on Songmei Fashion’s operations.
With new employees joining and business expanding, the company was advancing by leaps and bounds.
Although Gao Mengting was assisting with daily management, this project was tied to the "Phase Two Growth Plan Task" in his system, and he wanted to be actively involved to enhance his overall skills and meet the system’s goals.
At 10:00 a.m., Tang Song sent Wen Ruan a message, closed his laptop, and went to the walk-in closet to change into a fresh outfit. He put on his Vacheron Constantin Overseas watch and began organizing gifts for Wen Ruan’s parents.
It was his first time meeting them as a prospective son-in-law. Naturally, he couldn’t help but feel a bit nervous.
But since he had already won over their daughter, this step was inevitable.
Oasis View Garden Complex
“Mom, Tang Song just messaged me. He said he’ll leave shortly and should be here in about half an hour,” Wen Ruan informed.
“Oh, Ruanruan, do you think this pearl necklace matches my outfit?” Qian Guixiang asked, fiddling with the accessory.
Wen Jianxin grumbled, “That necklace is over ten years old. The pearls have lost their luster. Honestly, you might as well not wear anything and spare yourself the embarrassment.”
“Oh, you’re one to talk, Wen Jianxin! In thirty years of marriage, I haven’t gotten a single decent piece of jewelry from you—not even silver, let alone gold!”
“Alright, stop! Enough!” Wen Ruan interjected, stepping between them with an exasperated look. “Dad, Mom, is your plan to start a fight on the day my boyfriend meets you for the first time?”
The couple exchanged sheepish glances and fell silent.
“Mom, you look great as is. Later, I’ll buy you a gold necklace, okay?”
“Ah, no need. I was just talking nonsense,” Qian Guixiang quickly replied.
“Knock, knock, knock—”
The sound of knocking suddenly echoed through the room.
“Who is it?” Qian Guixiang called out as she walked to the door.
“It’s me,” came a familiar voice from outside.
It was her elder sister, Qian Guimei.
As the security door opened, Qian Guimei stepped inside, followed by a fashionable woman wearing sunglasses.
“Good morning, Aunt, Uncle, Ruanruan,” the younger woman greeted.
“Feifei? When did you come back to Yan City?” Wen Ruan asked, surprised to see her cousin, Lv Feifei.
Lv Feifei, the daughter of her Aunt Qian Guimei, was two years her senior.
She used to work at a commercial bank in Yan City, but after getting married, she moved to Shanghai with her husband. Thanks to her husband’s extensive network, she landed a job at a major financial consulting firm in Lujiazui.
Her career was flourishing.
On her mother’s side, Wen Ruan’s relatives were all quite accomplished.
Aunt Qian Guimei and her husband owned four hotpot restaurants, and their daughter had a successful career.
Her younger uncle, Qian Chengjun, had tried his hand at various businesses over the years and made a decent fortune.
Even her cousin Qian Mingfeng’s 130-square-meter luxury apartment in Shengyuan Scenic Residence—purchased outright for nearly 4 million yuan—was evidence of their affluence.
In contrast, her own family was the least well-off.
For years, Qian Guixiang had struggled to hold her head high among the relatives, only basking briefly in her daughter’s academic glory when Wen Ruan was admitted to Imperial Capital Normal University.
That’s why, after Wen Ruan started dating a “golden husband-to-be” and was set to become a senior manager, Qian Guixiang couldn’t stop flaunting it.
“I got back last night,” Lv Feifei explained. “I just wrapped up a major project and finally have some time off. My dad’s legs haven’t been great lately, so I came to visit and figured I’d join you to check out Mingfeng’s place.”
Lv Feifei removed her sunglasses and gave Wen Ruan an appraising look. “Ruanruan, it’s been over six months. How do you look even younger? And prettier, too!”
Wen Ruan chuckled behind her hand. “Thanks for the compliment. Feifei, you’re looking great as well!”
Maybe it was love’s influence, but lately, she had noticed her skin becoming smoother.
“Alright, alright, you two can stop flattering each other. Come, sit down,” Qian Guixiang urged, inviting them to the sofa.
Qian Guimei sat next to her sister and eagerly inquired about Tang Song.
She was brimming with curiosity about Wen Ruan’s boyfriend.
Having heard that Tang Song would visit today, she decided to bring her daughter along to get a glimpse.
After all, she had introduced Wen Ruan to many eligible bachelors in the past, none of whom caught her eye.
Now, Wen Ruan had quietly found someone on her own.
Given their extensive connections in the restaurant and finance industries, Qian Guimei and her daughter considered themselves well-equipped to evaluate this young man.
On the sofa, Lv Feifei crossed her legs, pinched Wen Ruan’s cheek, and once again marveled at her transformation.
Then, out of nowhere, she asked, “Ruanruan, I heard from Gu Cheng yesterday that you blocked him on WeChat. Why’d you do that? Even if you have a boyfriend now, that’s a bit much, isn’t it?”
Gu Cheng was someone Lv Feifei had met through her contacts in the finance industry. They were acquaintances, and she had intentionally introduced him to Wen Ruan because he was an outstanding candidate in terms of character and conditions. It was out of pure goodwill.
Now that Wen Ruan had acted like this, it put Feifei in an awkward spot.
“I just felt we weren’t a good match. I’ve told him several times already, but he kept sending me strange messages. To avoid any misunderstandings with my boyfriend, I just blocked him,” Wen Ruan explained simply.
During the matchmaking process, she’d only seen Gu Cheng as a friend and made that clear. When she realized she wasn’t interested, she gave him immediate feedback.
But since he persisted, she had no choice but to make a clean break.
“You’re still so straightforward,” Lv Feifei shook her head. “Gu Cheng is an excellent contact, you know.” Then, she added, “By the way, Aunt says your boyfriend sounds almost too good to be true. Is he really that impressive?”
Qian Guixiang had gone all out with her praises for Tang Song. Entrepreneur, luxurious apartment owner, only 25 years old—his qualities sounded almost unreal.
Wen Ruan paused briefly, then broke into a dazzling smile. “He’ll be here soon. You can see for yourself.”
Seeing her cousin’s expression, Lv Feifei became even more intrigued.
Having known Wen Ruan since childhood, she was familiar with her personality. Wen Ruan had always been proud and selective, so a guy who could win her heart must indeed be exceptional.
The ringtone of Wen Ruan’s phone interrupted the conversation.
She glanced at the caller ID before quickly picking up. “Hello, Tang Song?”
“Mm-hmm, just park downstairs and let the security guard know,” she said, her tone softening.
“Alright, I’ll come down to meet you.”
After hanging up, Qian Guixiang asked excitedly, “Is he almost here?”
“Yes, he’s at the intersection, just waiting for the light to turn green,” Wen Ruan replied as she stood up to put on her shoes.
“Well, go meet him downstairs. I’ll tidy up a bit more.”
Waving her hand, Wen Ruan stepped out the door.
Inside the house, Qian Guixiang hurried over to the full-length mirror to adjust her hair.
She also smoothed out the wrinkles in Wen Jianxin’s clothes.
Qian Guimei and Lv Feifei exchanged a glance, then stood up from the sofa, their eyes shifting toward the entrance.
About five or six minutes passed before a knock came at the door.
“Coming!” Qian Guixiang called out, her face lighting up with enthusiasm as she opened the security door.
The moment the door opened, everyone’s eyes landed on the young man standing next to Wen Ruan.
He was tall—probably around 185 cm—and standing next to Wen Ruan, the two made a perfect match.
Dressed in a premium casual shirt and slacks, his figure was lean yet upright. His skin was smooth and fair, and his features were refined and handsome.
His calm, warm smile and exceptional aura left a lasting impression.
The four people inside froze for a moment.
Although they’d seen photos of him before, seeing him in person was entirely different—he was far more striking.
Tang Song smiled and greeted them. “Uncle, Aunt, I’m Tang Song. Sorry to intrude.”
“Oh, come in, come in!” Qian Guixiang’s face flushed with excitement.
What a perfect son-in-law! Bringing him around would be such a source of pride!
No wonder Wen Ruan hadn’t been interested in anyone else.
As they entered the living room, Wen Ruan gestured toward the sofa. “This is my aunt, and this is my cousin, Lv Feifei.”
“Good morning, Aunt. Good morning, Feifei.”
“Hello, come sit here,” Lv Feifei said with a smile, nodding in acknowledgment while her eyes sparkled with curiosity.
Her first impression of Tang Song was overwhelmingly positive. He was undeniably elegant and charming, with a unique appeal that was genuinely pleasing to the eye.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Qian Guixiang’s attention shifted to the refined gift bags Tang Song was carrying. “Oh my, you didn’t have to bring so many gifts just for a visit.”
“Mom, stop being so formal,” Wen Ruan teased, rolling her eyes.
“You!” Qian Guixiang muttered, twitching slightly as her daughter undermined her attempt at etiquette.
Tang Song chuckled and gave Wen Ruan’s waist a playful pat before setting the gift bags on the coffee table. “It’s my first time here, and I wasn’t sure what Uncle and Aunt would like, so I prepared a variety of things.”
“These are some skincare products and jewelry for Aunt, and this is tea and a watch for Uncle.”
Hearing about the skincare products and jewelry, Qian Guixiang’s eyes lit up immediately. “Thank you, Tang Song, you’re so thoughtful!”
Wen Ruan tugged on Tang Song’s arm, smiling brightly. “Mom, didn’t you just say you wanted some jewelry? Open it and take a look.”
She knew Tang Song well; his gifts were bound to be expensive.
With her mother’s personality, Qian Guixiang would probably stay up all night bragging to her friends.
Tang Song picked up one of the golden gift bags and pulled out two delicate jewelry boxes, handing them to Qian Guixiang.
Noticing the “Lao Feng Xiang” logo and feeling the weight of the boxes, Qian Guixiang’s heart skipped a beat.
Could these be gold?
Even Qian Guimei and Lv Feifei exchanged curious glances, leaning in to take a closer look.
Qian Guixiang swallowed nervously and carefully opened one of the jewelry boxes.
A dazzling golden glow immediately caught her eye.
A gold necklace!?
Its color was vibrant, and the design featured smooth, elegant lines. Judging by its thickness, it had to weigh at least 30 to 40 grams.
“Hiss—” Qian Guixiang stifled her excitement and opened the second box.
Another flash of golden brilliance greeted her.
This time, it was a solid gold bracelet with a minimalist ancient design, its craftsmanship impeccable. It easily looked like it weighed over 50 grams.
Together, the necklace and bracelet added up to roughly 100 grams. Considering Lao Feng Xiang’s current gold price, these were worth at least 60,000 yuan!
Qian Guixiang swallowed again.
Their family had never been well-off. After losing money in a shady demolition deal, they had scraped together their savings to buy a house.
Being frugal was second nature to Qian Guixiang, and she had never splurged on jewelry for herself.
In her 30 years of marriage, the only piece of gold she owned was a small ring Wen Ruan had given her for a birthday.
And now, this future son-in-law, on his very first visit, had brought such lavish gifts!
It was enough to make her heart race.
This is what it means to have a golden son-in-law!