Time passed quickly, and before they knew it, it was Christmas Eve on December 24th.
Today was Friday, and it was also Ye Jinchen's 25th birthday. Ye Jinmeng had brought Xu Wanwan to the Ye Family Villa early in the morning.
It wasn't a big birthday celebration, just a party at the Ye Family Villa with their close friends like Shi Shuning, Shi Shuan, He Junting, and a few others.
He Junyan couldn't attend as she had gone abroad for a filming job, but she sent her birthday gift through He Junting.
Old Master Ye and Old Madam Ye also wanted to join in the fun with the young people, so they had Ye Junwen pick them up. When Ye Jinmeng saw her grandparents, she immediately ran over and clung to them: "Grandpa, Grandma, I missed you so much over this past week!"
Old Master Ye beamed with joy: "Haha, good girl, Grandpa and Grandma missed you too!"
"By the way, Grandpa, Grandma, let me introduce you to my best friend!" Ye Jinmeng pulled Xu Wanwan over, "Grandpa, Grandma, this is Wanwan!" Then she turned to Xu Wanwan, "Wanwan, these are our grandparents."
It was Xu Wanwan's first time meeting Old Master Ye and Old Madam Ye. Looking at the elderly couple, they didn't seem over seventy years old at all. She politely responded, "Hello Grandpa, Grandma, I'm Xu Wanwan."
Ye Jinmeng always mentioned Xu Wanwan whenever she went back to the old residence. Old Madam Ye had initially worried that her beloved granddaughter might have been deceived, but now that she had seen this girl in person, she found her quite likable.
Especially those eyes - clear and lively, she didn't seem to be a complicated person at all. Old Madam Ye was relieved.
She smiled gracefully, "So you're Wanwan. Our dear girl often talks about you. Seeing is believing, you seem like a good child."
As Old Master Ye looked into Xu Wanwan's eyes, he found them oddly familiar, but he couldn't recall who she reminded him of. He just smiled kindly at Xu Wanwan, then let Ye Jinmeng take her to join the others.
"My dear wife, didn't you think that girl's eyes looked familiar?" Old Master Ye held Old Madam Ye's hand as they sat on the couch.
Old Madam Ye pondered for a moment, "Now that you mention it, I do find her eyes a bit familiar."
Ye Junwen, who had been standing nearby, thought to himself: Of course they're familiar - they're exactly the same as your eldest daughter-in-law's eyes!
Whenever Old Madam Ye couldn't shake a nagging thought, she would dwell on it. "But who does she remind me of?"
Ye Junwen recalled the paternity test results and decided to give Old Madam Ye a hint. "Mom, I also find her eyes familiar. I think they look exactly like Sister-in-law's eyes, like they were cast from the same mold. Even Jinmeng's don't resemble them that much."
Upon hearing this, Old Madam Ye clapped her hands. "Ah, you're right! She does resemble your eldest Sister-in-law's eyes. Old man, don't you agree?"
Ye Junwen: Yes, yes, exactly! So, shouldn't you start suspecting something now?
But Old Master Ye didn't read too much into it. After all, many people shared similar facial features. He just smiled cheerfully, "Hahaha, you're right! I guess this means the girl is destined to be close friends with our dear girl!"
Ye Junwen: ???
The birthday party was held in the evening. The kitchen had prepared many dishes - stir-fries, seafood, desserts, and snacks - virtually a paradise for Ye Jinmeng.
Even with Old Master Ye and Old Madam Ye present at the dinner table, the atmosphere didn't become quiet. In fact, the elderly couple enjoyed the lively banter and laughter of the young people, making them feel decades younger.
As everyone ate and drank, they started playing Truth or Dare. Ye Jinmeng was happily devouring a Spicy Stick when the spinner landed on her.
Ye Jinmeng looked confused.
"Jinmeng, truth or dare?" Shi Shuan asked.
"Uh, truth!"
"Oh~" Shi Shuan glanced at her brother mischievously before asking, "If you could only choose one, would you pick the Spicy Stick or Shuning?"
Ye Jinmeng answered without hesitation: "The Spicy Stick!"
Shi Shuning: ???
Everyone at the dinner table burst into laughter upon seeing Shi Shuning's dejected expression.
"Jinmeng, I can't even beat out a Spicy Stick?"
Ye Jinmeng felt a little guilty and lowered her head, stuffing the last piece of lobster meat into her mouth while no one was watching. She mumbled with her mouth full, "Of course Shuning is the most important!"
Shi Shuning: I don't believe you!
In the next round, the spinner landed on Xu Wanwan. She also chose truth, and Shi Shuan had that mischievous look again. "If Jinmeng and Junting got into a fight, who would you help?"
Xu Wanwan glanced at He Junting, who felt delighted upon receiving her gaze. Then they heard her answer, "I would help Jinmeng."
He Junting: ???
Xu Wanwan added, "After all, as a man, it's wrong for Junting to hit a girl. Jinmeng is so sweet, how could she possibly start a fight?"
Ye Jinmeng looked touched. "Waaah! Wanwan, I love you, mwah mwah mwah!"
He Junting: !!!
Shi Shuning: !!!
...
Xiao Wenyao and Jian Hongmei had returned from abroad after undergoing IVF treatment. Xiao Wenyao had initially suggested staying overseas until after Christmas, but Jian Hongmei wanted to return home sooner to recuperate after the pregnancy.
So the couple returned to the country.
During their absence of over a month, they had left the company in the care of Xiao Jianren. Previously, Xiao Jianren had successfully secured a cooperation deal with the Ye Group, earning Xiao Wenyao's favor. With Xiao Jianren's repeated assurances, they felt comfortable entrusting the company to her temporarily.
Although it was said that Xiao Jianren would manage the company, in reality she was just a figurehead boss. She delegated all tasks to Xiao Wenyao's secretary, only skimming through documents that required her signature. The rest of the time, she sat in the office playing games.
Finally, it was time to leave work. As usual, Xiao Jianren drove herself to a bar to seek pleasure and indulgence, only returning home late at night reeking of alcohol.
With her parents away for over a month, Xiao Jianren had been the sole ruler of the Xiao family, doing as she pleased without anyone to supervise her.
However, as she entered the living room, she saw Xiao Wenyao sitting on the couch.
Xiao Jianren thought she was hallucinating due to the alcohol, suddenly feeling more sober.
She tentatively called out, "Dad?"
Seeing the person on the couch look towards her with a stern gaze sent chills down her spine. Xiao Jianren realized this was no hallucination - her father had truly returned.
"Dad, when did you come back?" Xiao Jianren asked, feigning composure.
The stench of alcohol on his daughter's body immediately angered Xiao Wenyao. He slammed his tea cup forcefully on the tea table and growled sternly, "Returning home so late, where have you been fooling around again?"
