After The Beautiful Drama Queen’s Marriage To The Wealthy Tycoon - Chapter 6

Chapter 6: Husband’s Status Wife’s Glory

The Qi family’s ancestral residence was located in the very heart of Sea City. This entire area consisted of preserved ancient estates; the ancestors of those who owned such manors were all historically renowned clans.

The Jiang family also owned an ancestral home nearby, not far from the Qis. However, since Old Master Jiang passed away, Jiang He rarely visited. He only returned during festivals to pay respects to his ancestors; otherwise, the place remained empty.

Jiang He had visited the Qi estate before when he was engaged to Qi Xu, but he hadn’t met Qi Hanchuan then; he had only shared a meal with the rest of the family.

Jiang He had an excellent memory. Despite the Qi family being a large clan, he remembered almost every face and title.

The moment he walked through the door, he greeted everyone with a smile: “Eldest Sister, Second Sister, Eldest Brother, Second Brother.”

Previously, he had called them Uncles and Aunts. Now, his status had suddenly elevated, putting him on the same generational level as these “old folks.”

The husband’s status is the wife’s glory.

Jiang He unconsciously puffed out his chest, looking like a little fox getting ahead of itself.

Walking side-by-side with him, Qi Hanchuan looked down and happened to catch the grin on Jiang He’s face.

The temperament of a child.

Knowing Qi Hanchuan was returning today, almost the entire Qi clan had gathered. Qi Hanchuan’s nephews and grand-nephews were several years older than Jiang He, yet they were forced to obediently call him “Little Aunt” or “Little Uncle-in-law.” Jiang He couldn’t have been more smug.

He was especially delighted to hear Qi Xu say “Little Aunt” as requested. Seeing the fading bruises on the other’s face, Jiang He felt even more refreshed. He patted Qi Xu’s head as if petting a dog. “Good nephew.”

Qi Xu wanted to swat his hand away, but with Qi Hanchuan standing right there, he could only endure it.

Everyone knew the history between Qi Xu and Jiang He, but they all feigned ignorance.

Finally, Qi Hanchuan’s eldest sister spoke up: “Let’s go inside. Dad has been waiting for a long time.”

Jiang He retracted his attention from Qi Xu and said to Qi Hanchuan with a smile, “Let’s go in.”

Throughout the entire ordeal, Qi Hanchuan remained expressionless. His cold demeanor made it seem as though he wasn’t returning home at all.

Jiang He had met the Qi family patriarch before, but back then he called him Grandpa Qi. Now, he had to call him “Dad.”

As soon as they entered and saw the white-haired elder sitting in the main seat, Jiang He called out crisply: “Dad.”

The room full of people froze. They hadn’t expected Jiang He to be so natural about it. After all, everyone present except Qi Hanchuan had heard him call the man “Grandpa Qi” left and right in the past.

Old Master Qi felt no discomfort at all. A kind smile appeared on his aged face. “Ah, come sit down. It’s been a while, Xiao He. Have you gained a little weight? You look like you have more color in your face than before.”

“Really?” Jiang He turned to Qi Hanchuan. “Did I get fat?”

How would Qi Hanchuan know? They had known each other for less than a week.

But seeing the expectant look in Jiang He’s eyes, Qi Hanchuan maintained his stiff expression and spoke: “No.”

Jiang He smiled and turned back to Old Master Qi. “Dad, you can’t just tell people they’ve gotten fat. You should just say they look healthy.”

Old Master Qi burst into laughter. “Hahaha, alright. Dad is old and doesn’t understand you youngsters. I’ll be careful in the future.”

The Old Master rarely showed such a gentle side. It seemed he truly liked Jiang He; otherwise, he wouldn’t have preferred Qi Hanchuan marry Jiang He over canceling the engagement entirely.

The Qi family was flourishing, and there were truly many people. However, Jiang He stuck close to Qi Hanchuan the entire time. During dinner, they sat at the Old Master’s table, with Jiang He positioned directly to the Old Master’s right.

Having received a list of food preferences from the Jiang family earlier that day, Qi Hanchuan had a general idea of Jiang He’s tastes. He was debating whether to help Jiang He serve himself when Jiang He suddenly bumped his shoulder and whispered, “I want that fish ball. Get it for me.”

Qi Hanchuan used the serving chopsticks to give him two. Jiang He then said he wanted fish, so he continued serving him.

Jiang He ate in small bites, but his eyes were fixed on the furthest dish: Braised Lion’s Head meatballs. He bumped Qi Hanchuan again. “I want that too.”

Qi Hanchuan served it to him, but remembering Jiang He’s mother’s instructions, he followed it up by placing a serving of green vegetables in Jiang He’s bowl.

The smile vanished from Jiang He’s face. He looked at Qi Hanchuan with a bitter expression. Those eyes were far too bright; when aggrieved, they made one’s heart ache. However, Qi Hanchuan remained as steady as a rock, looking straight ahead. “Your mother instructed me to make sure you eat more vegetables.”

“Can we start tomorrow?” Jiang He bargained in a low voice. “I already ate vegetables at home today. I don’t need to eat them tonight. Please.”

“No,” Qi Hanchuan said unsympathetically.

If they hadn’t been surrounded by people, Jiang He would surely have made a scene. But he didn’t want to throw a tantrum in front of so many guests. However, he also wouldn’t let himself suffer, so he surreptitiously moved the vegetables from his bowl into Qi Hanchuan’s.

Qi Hanchuan looked down, his brow furrowing instantly.

Jiang He followed up by placing another serving of greens into Qi Hanchuan’s bowl, raising his voice with a beaming smile: “Hubby, eat more.”

What had been a private conversation suddenly drew everyone’s gaze. Qi Hanchuan expressionlessly ate all the vegetables in his bowl.

Jiang He was satisfied, happily eating the dishes he liked. But before his smile could fade, another serving of greens landed in his bowl. The Old Master said kindly, “Xiao He needs to eat more vegetables too, so your nutrition stays balanced.”

Jiang He couldn’t smile anymore. His lip twitched. “Thank you, Dad.”

Under the Old Master’s watchful eye, he ate the vegetables with a distorted expression.

Jiang He didn’t dare hold a grudge against Old Master Qi, so he directed his resentment toward Qi Hanchuan—the son paying for the father’s debt. If it weren’t for Qi Hanchuan, the Old Master wouldn’t have served him vegetables.

Qi Hanchuan ignored the resentment and expressionlessly gave Jiang He a piece of carrot.

Jiang He looked ashen. Under the table, he kicked Qi Hanchuan’s knee with all his might. Qi Hanchuan remained as immovable as a mountain; he even reached down and gripped Jiang He’s slender thigh to keep him from moving.

In Qi Hanchuan’s view, being a picky eater was something only children did, much like the constant bumping.

While the Old Master was talking to others, Jiang He took the opportunity to swat Qi Hanchuan’s hand. His knee was instantly released, and he quickly pulled his leg back, not daring to move recklessly again.

Jiang He didn’t eat that piece of carrot. He quietly left it at the bottom of his bowl, covering it with two discarded vegetable leaves. He even swapped his bowl with Qi Hanchuan’s, pretending it was Qi Hanchuan’s leftovers.

Qi Hanchuan watched his “ostrich-like” behavior but didn’t expose him.

Anyone with a brain knew Qi Hanchuan had been raised with strict discipline since childhood and would never leave food unfinished. It was obvious whose masterpiece it was, but Jiang He remained smugly convinced of his own brilliance.

After dinner, Qi Hanchuan was called away by the Old Master. Jiang He stayed behind to chat with the younger generation of the Qi family. Except for the absent Qi Xu, everyone surrounded Jiang He. Since he was now married to Qi Hanchuan and the Old Master favored him, there was no harm in staying on his good side.

Jiang He saw right through them. The last time he had visited, these people were quite cold. He didn’t care, though, continuing to chat with them cheerfully.

In contrast to the light atmosphere outside, the study was incredibly oppressive. Old Master Qi seemed like a different person, sitting upright in his armchair with an eagle-like gaze. “You returned late today.”

Qi Hanchuan stood straight before the desk, offering no explanation.

The Old Master asked, “Went to pick up Xiao He?”

Qi Hanchuan gave a toneless “Mm.”

The coldness on the Old Master’s face softened slightly. “How are the two of you getting along?”

“Don’t you already know?” Qi Hanchuan said flatly.

Several servants in the house were placed there by the Old Master; he knew exactly what went on. Asking now felt redundant, and Qi Hanchuan’s rebellious streak made him reluctant to answer.

The Old Master’s face darkened instantly. “Qi Hanchuan, I am asking you. How are you and Xiao He getting along?”

Qi Hanchuan sighed inwardly and compromised. “Fine.”

The Old Master nodded with satisfaction. “Get along well. You are older; yield to Xiao He more. That child is lovely, just like a little kid.”

Qi Hanchuan was long used to the Old Master being lenient with others while being strict with him. He replied coldly with two words: “I see.”

Jiang He waited for a long time without seeing Qi Hanchuan return. Not wanting to deal with the nephews any longer, he made an excuse to find him.

As he reached the door, he happened to hear the Old Master scolding Qi Hanchuan. Jiang He recalled hearing that the Old Master demanded perfection from his son in everything. At the time, he thought the Old Master was a bit perverted—everyone has flaws, how could anything be perfect?

He had been blinded by the Old Master’s kindness earlier, but hearing the harsh scolding, Jiang He knocked on the door. The voices inside stopped immediately. He shouted through the door, “Qi Hanchuan, I want to go home. My kitten hasn’t eaten yet; I have to go back and feed it.”

It was a clumsy excuse, but it was the best he could think of.

Fortunately, the Old Master pushed the door open and emerged, smiling as he patted Jiang He’s head. “Xiao He has a kitten?”

“Yes, I found it,” Jiang He gestured with his palm. “It was only this big then. I raised it myself.”

The Old Master’s smile deepened. “Good boy. Go back with Hanchuan then. We can’t let the kitten go hungry.”

Recalling the brutal scolding he just heard and feeling the warmth on his head, Jiang He wondered if the Old Master had a split personality—one kind, and one malicious.

In the car, Jiang He kept stealing glances at Qi Hanchuan. Jiang He had been fragile since childhood; if his family spoke to him harshly, he would burst into tears. After being scolded like that by the Old Master, Qi Hanchuan should be feeling miserable, yet his face was totally blank. Is he a paralytic?

Jiang He wanted to offer a word of comfort, but Qi Hanchuan simply closed his eyes, clearly signaling he didn’t want to talk.

Jiang He’s temper flared instantly. He frowned with dissatisfaction. “Qi Hanchuan, you’re so rude. How can you just ignore me?”

Qi Hanchuan sighed but remained silent.

“You’re giving me the silent treatment. We’ve only been married two days and you’re already doing this. I can’t live like this!” Jiang He covered his face and faked a sob, peeking through his fingers.

He felt that Qi Hanchuan was about to be crushed by suppressed emotions, but there was a barrier keeping the world out. Qi Hanchuan wouldn’t open the door, and Jiang He couldn’t get in. Despite their lack of romantic feelings, Jiang He was a warm-hearted person and was willing to be a counselor, but the other man clearly wasn’t interested.

Qi Hanchuan, getting a headache from the noise, spoke with a sharp tone: “Be quiet. I’m tired.”

Jiang He had been worried about him, but now he felt genuinely aggrieved. He was being kind, and not only was it unappreciated, but he was also being snapped at.

“You’re mean to me. I’m not talking to you anymore,” Jiang He said huffily, turning to stare out the window, breathing loudly to ensure everyone knew he was angry.

Qi Hanchuan was indeed exhausted and had no desire to coax him. He stayed silent with his eyes closed the entire way back.