CHAPTER 245: ARE THEY COMPATIBLE (1)_1

Sweet girl.

Shen Jing carried Jia He into the Xie Family’s ancestral home.

With her tiny hands, Jia He clung tightly to Shen Jing’s neck, struggling to get a good hold due to her small stature.

Shen Jing smiled helplessly.

Strangely, the atmosphere in the Xie Family home was eerily quiet today. It seemed there was some special event or formal arrangement in the main living room. The Xie Family elders had gathered there, undoubtedly to discuss important matters.

Guests were expected at the Xie Family home tonight.

Shen Jing skirted around the main living room, taking the little one to find her mother.

She did overhear Xie Qinyang saying, "Zhou Luchen, who else could it be? The Xie Family’s intentions are quite clear now; they’re looking to form a marital alliance. The Zhou Family is just trying to gauge his intentions—if he wants to marry, they’ll proceed; if not, they won’t."

"I have a cousin who’s extremely talented at drawing. Back when Achen was younger, weren’t those two very close? Judging by the wishes of both families, they’re checking to see if both parties are willing to get married."

Xie Qinyang didn’t get to hear the rest, as his father had chased him out of the living room.

The Zhou Family still had two unmarried sons. Never mind whether the Zhou family matriarch, at her advanced age, was anxious; it was the young ladies of Beijing who ought to be impatient. They waited and waited, but no news came of the Zhou Family seeking a matrimonial alliance.

One son followed in the footsteps of the Zhou Family patriarch, holding a government position. He ranked high and had smoothly ascended the ranks, receiving another promotion this year. It had reached the point where even seeing him, Zhou Xiangqun, required an official report.

The other son was in business, a titan of international trade. He was the CEO of United Bank, renowned for his power to effortlessly influence the markets.

Many families aimed to ally themselves with the Zhou Family, employing every conceivable strategy. Yet, the Zhou Family remained steadfastly unmoved. After all, they couldn’t truly control these two esteemed young masters.

Regarding the matter of their children’s marriages, the Zhou Family had reached an impasse. And wasn’t this impasse a consequence of the very strict and meticulous family rules they had upheld? Both sons’ wings had grown strong; the authority within the family now rested in their hands. Who else could the family elders possibly hope to control?

What was even more remarkable was that the two Zhou sons still had no girlfriends. They lived loftily, seemingly untouched by romantic or worldly affairs.

Jia He, nestled in Shen Jing’s arms, cooed and whined sweetly, "Auntie, I want Daddy... go to the living room."

At Jia He’s sweet coaxing, the people gathered in the living room occasionally glanced out the window.

In the courtyard, they could see Shen Jing holding Jia He, while a nonchalant Xie Qinyang playfully teased the child.

Perhaps feeling she was intruding, Shen Jing gave a slight nod toward the elders in the living room. Her gaze unintentionally fell upon a noble and elegant man seated in the place of honor. He was far away, and the steam from the tea veiled his face, making it difficult to discern if he was smiling or if his expression was calm.

He set down his teacup and idly rotated the platinum ring on his little finger, seemingly responding to someone in conversation.

Jia He called out in her sweet, babyish voice, "Auntie, who are you looking at..."

Possibly having heard, Zhou Luchen glanced over, his lips curling slightly as he offered a faint smile.

Shen Jing immediately turned around, carrying Jia He away.

She whispered to the child in her arms, "Your daddy will be free in a little while. He’s chatting with that uncle right now."

"I’ve met that uncle before..."

Hearing Jia He’s soft, childlike voice melted Shen Jing’s heart. "Oh? Did he bully Jia He at all?"

Jia He’s little head swiveled thoughtfully, and then she nodded. "Daddy asked him if he wanted to have a Jia He too. He said someone like Jia He is too much fuss, and he couldn’t be bothered to raise one. Auntie, am I really that much fuss?"

Shen Jing guessed Jia He had misunderstood the adults’ conversation and was holding a grudge. She cajoled, "Of course not! Jia He is the best!"

Jia He asked, "Auntie, why do you like looking at that uncle? He doesn’t even like a treasure like Jia He."

Being honest with the child, Shen Jing replied, "Because he’s handsome, and easy on the eyes. Actually, Auntie doesn’t like that uncle either. He’s so mean! How could anyone not love a treasure like Jia He?"

Someone like Zhou Luchen liking children? That would be a miracle. Having a wife and kids would seriously get in the way of him keeping mistresses in his Jinwu.

Just as Shen Jing turned, the man seated in the place of honor in the living room rose. He bid farewell to the Xie Family patriarch with a single word, "Busy," offering no further conversation.

Elder Mr. Xie courteously walked him to the door. "My apologies for any lapse in hospitality tonight. Please take care on your way out, and do visit again when you have time."