Chapter 162: Song Chengyi Competes for Favor Online

On the car ride to the old Song family residence, Luo Yixia and Zhou Yun sat in the back. Zhou Yun had brought along plenty of snacks. "Xia Xia, do you want to eat something?" she asked.

"Mom, I’m not hungry," Luo Yixia replied, feeling completely unsettled and without an appetite.

Song Chengyi sat in the front passenger seat and glanced up at the rearview mirror. Luo Yixia looked utterly listless, her head leaning slightly against the car window.

"Is Xia Xia nervous?" Zhou Yun smiled and asked.

"Huh? No," Luo Yixia replied awkwardly, as if someone had just peered into her mood.

"What’s there to be nervous about? Going back home is just like being at home. The old lady has been pestering to meet her granddaughter-in-law," Song Shaohui, who was driving, comforted her.

"Yeah, I know," Luo Yixia nodded, though her anxiety was still evident.

After a three-hour journey, they arrived at the Song family’s ancestral home. From afar, the traditional courtyard-style mansion made Luo Yixia feel as though she had stepped into a historical drama set in Hengdian. She had never realized such houses still existed in City A.

The entire residence was grand, with the plaque above the gate bearing the marks of time. With the New Year approaching, red spring couplets adorned the walls and vibrant red lanterns hung from the eaves.

The courtyard was expansive, with multiple gates and rooms, clearly indicating its vastness. Yet, despite its size and the fact that only Grandmother Song lived there, it felt warm and full of life.

Song Chengyi dragged two suitcases as everyone carried their belongings. Luo Yixia also brought along cookies she had baked herself. Her grip was a bit tight, her fingertips turning pale.

Standing outside the door, she glanced around and took several deep breaths.

"What are you standing there for? Want me to carry you inside?" Song Chengyi joked as he passed by with his suitcase.

Song’s parents glanced back with smiles, and Zhou Yun teased, "Does carrying your wife feel like a burden?"

Luo Yixia blushed deeply. "Mom, he’s joking."

Song Chengyi’s interruption eased her tension quite a bit.

"Madam," the housekeeper called from a distance, "Chengyi has brought your granddaughter-in-law home."

Following Song Chengyi, Luo Yixia saw the housekeeper supporting an elderly woman as she came out. The woman wore a red traditional Tang jacket, her face soft with a kindly smile.

For the first time, her gaze shifted away from her beloved grandson to the slightly nervous young woman beside him. She even broke free from the housekeeper’s support and walked straight over.

"Grandma," Luo Yixia called out cheerfully.

"Ah!" The old lady responded warmly, her eyes bright with happiness.

"Come, come inside quickly. Were you tired on the way?" She took Luo Yixia’s hand and began speaking affectionately.

Noticing the young woman was still holding something, her expression turned stern as she looked at Song Chengyi. "Are you just standing there watching? You can’t let your wife carry things by herself. Give them to me."

Song Chengyi looked innocent, clearly still holding two large suitcases.

"Grandma, he still has luggage, and this isn’t heavy. I can carry it myself," Luo Yixia replied. Though the old lady looked concerned and wanted to help, Luo Yixia gently refused.

Meanwhile, Song’s parents whispered to each other, feeling a bit neglected.

"Before Ze Ming and Chengyi were born, I was the apple of the family’s eye. Then with two sons, my status dropped. Now there’s a granddaughter-in-law, and even my precious grandsons are forgotten," Zhou Yun said with a teasing tone.

Song’s father laughed, "The old lady hasn’t been this happy in a long time."

Luo Yixia found herself somewhat overwhelmed by the attention, yet also pleasantly surprised by the grandmother's warmth.

"Put those down quickly. Let grandma see her granddaughter-in-law," the old lady urged.

She examined Luo Yixia carefully and praised, "You’re truly lovely. How did my shy grandson find such a lively girl? Even as a child, I thought you were adorable, and you’re still so endearing now."

"Grandma, you saw me when I was little?" Luo Yixia asked in surprise.

"Just once from afar. I never imagined you’d become my granddaughter-in-law. Had I known, I’d have visited you more often and spoiled you," the old lady said as she held Luo Yixia’s hand tightly.

"Grandma, you haven’t even looked at me yet," Song Chengyi complained, having put down his luggage.

"Why would I? I’ve been watching you for over twenty years," the old lady retorted with a teasing tone.

Luo Yixia couldn’t help but laugh softly.

"So you go by Xia Xia, right?" Grandma refocused on her granddaughter-in-law.

"Yes."

"I made lots of delicious food for you. Dinner will start soon; you’ll sit next to me," she said warmly.

Luo Yixia smiled and agreed.

At the dinner table, the atmosphere was lively. Most of the conversation was between the old lady and Luo Yixia, with others occasionally joining in.

The table was laden with dishes, and Grandma kept serving Luo Yixia more food.

"Grandma, she’s been trying to lose weight recently," Song Chengyi said, eyeing the small mountain of food before Luo Yixia.

Indeed, she had been well cared for by Song Chengyi lately, and winter had made it easy to gain weight. Seeing the extra flesh around her waist, Luo Yixia had resolutely decided to slim down, declaring it loudly and swearing Song Chengyi as witness.

"Xia Xia, you’re so slim. Why lose weight? Are you even ninety pounds?"

"She’s actually ninety-five," Song Chengyi chimed in before Luo Yixia could respond.

He was unusually talkative today, clearly vying for favor.

"Eat your food. I’m talking to Xia Xia, did I ask you? You never stop talking even at the table," the old lady scolded.

Song Chengyi was momentarily silenced but quietly kept eating.

Luo Yixia found him incredibly endearing today; seeing him so gently put in his place twice was rare. She decided to write about it in her diary that night.

"I know you girls love to look good. Grandma did too when she was young, always thinking about losing weight. But you’re not fat. After eating, just exercise more," the old lady advised.

"Yes, Grandma, I know."

In past years, they rarely brought gifts back home. There was no need, as the old lady already had everything at home.

But this year, Luo Yixia brought the homemade cookies.

After dinner, she took them to the old lady. The elegant packaging and dainty appearance of the cookies delighted her immensely.

Hearing that Luo Yixia had made them herself only made the old lady treasure them more, reluctant to eat.

"Grandma, I made a lot," Luo Yixia said, relieved to see her happy.

The old lady wanted to chat more but was reminded by the housekeeper that it was time to rest. Considering that her son and daughter-in-law had driven all morning, she didn’t want to tire out her granddaughter-in-law.

"I had your rooms cleaned a few days ago. Go rest now, and when you wake up, you can come keep me company," she said, patting Luo Yixia’s hand on her way out.

Luo Yixia followed Song Chengyi to his room. The courtyard had many rooms, all looking nearly identical, making it hard to distinguish directions. Luo Yixia, unversed in navigating, was already dizzy after a few turns.

Eventually, Song Chengyi guided her through numerous twists and turns to the room.

The bedroom maintained a classical, antique style. Luo Yixia gazed at the solid wood bed, something she’d only seen in TV dramas before, feeling a bit excited.

Other furniture was also made of redwood, and the wooden floor was spotless. A wooden window on the east side let in warm sunlight.

"Want to rest for a bit?" Song Chengyi asked, removing his coat.

"Yes, I do," Luo Yixia nodded eagerly. She had never slept on such a bed before and was curious to try.

The mattress wasn’t as soft as the memory foam at home, but it was comfortable enough. Mostly, it was just for the novelty.

"Did you live here when you were very young?" Luo Yixia asked, holding Song Chengyi’s hand and tracing it carefully.

His hands were slender with defined knuckles and long fingers—quite handsome. For Luo Yixia, who appreciated good looks, Song Chengyi’s face, figure, voice, and even hands were enough to captivate her.

"Yes, I lived here as a child. Then we moved to the city when I started elementary school," he replied.

Song Chengyi noticed her nails, neatly trimmed and decorated with cute fruit designs, a gift from Zhou Yun and Yu Wenjing a few days earlier.

He let her hold his hand without squeezing too hard.

"I remember you always came back during holidays and summer and winter breaks," Luo Yixia said, recalling how she never saw him during those times.

"Good memory."

"I thought your grandmother would be strict and stern, like you. But she’s so kind, just like my grandparents," Luo Yixia said, gently tracing his fingers, making Song Chengyi feel ticklish.

"Grandma is only like that with people she likes," Song Chengyi said honestly.

Their grandfather had passed away early, leaving their grandmother to raise two children alone and sustain the company and family.

The Song Group’s enduring success owed much to the strong foundation she had built.

"Song Chengyi, I still don’t know much about your grandfather. Your grandmother must have been lonely living alone all these years," Luo Yixia said, tilting her head to look at his profile—his high nose bridge, pressed lips, and distinct eyelashes.

"We’ll talk about that another time," Song Chengyi said, taking her small hand in his, bringing it to his lips, and kissing her fingers gently. "Now, rest."

Luo Yixia felt warmth where his lips touched, unsure if it was just her imagination or if his kiss was truly warm.

She obediently turned over, nestling into Song Chengyi’s embrace and closed her eyes.