Chapter 478: Taking the Initiative (Part 2)
If Shangguan Wenbin is really Jiang Xue’s cousin, then Grandma Shangguan is her grandmother. It’s Grandma’s first time visiting their home, so naturally, it has to be a bit grander.
The mother and daughter browsed through the entire market, buying so many things that both hands were full before they returned home. Once they got back, Jiang Xue and Mrs. Jiang started to help out.
Even though the family dinner would be in the evening, some preparations needed to be done in advance.
In the afternoon, Shangguan Wenbin arrived with Grandma Shangguan. When Jiang Xue welcomed them into the house and invited them to sit down, Grandma Shangguan didn’t sit but stood in front of Jiang Xue with her eyes fixed on her.
After a while, she opened her mouth and said, "You look alike, very much alike; you really are a child of the Shangguan Family."
After saying this and not waiting for Jiang Xue to react, Grandma Shangguan opened her arms and tightly embraced Jiang Xue, then said, "Child, I’m sorry. It’s only now that Grandma has found you. You’ve suffered all these years."
Suddenly being hugged, Jiang Xue’s body became a bit stiff until she felt Grandma Shangguan’s sincerity and heartache, and only then did she slowly relax and then gradually returned the hug.
Feeling Jiang Xue’s response, Grandma Shangguan slightly lifted the corners of her mouth, and the smile on her face grew.
After the two embraced for quite some time, Grandma Shangguan finally let go of Jiang Xue and then pulled her to sit down beside her.
"Child, take this. It’s a meeting gift from Grandma." As Jiang Xue sat down, Grandma Shangguan immediately took out a jade pendant of vibrant green, carved with a phoenix with wings spread, and handed it to her.
Seeing the jade pendant, Shangguan Wenbin’s eyes flickered, and he felt relieved. Grandma actually gave the Phoenix Pendant to Jiang Xue, which showed how much she liked her.
With this, he was reassured. Previously, he had been worried that Grandma might not like Jiang Xue. After all, in his impression, although Grandma was kind, she was also very strict and didn’t particularly favor girls.
Seeing her give such a precious item to Jiang Xue, he felt completely at ease.
"Madam, this item is too precious. I can’t accept it." At the sight of the jade pendant, Jiang Xue immediately waved her hands. The item was too valuable, and she couldn’t accept it.
"Xue’er, a gift from an elder cannot be declined!" Grandma Shangguan slightly lowered her face, saying sternly, "I am your grandmother, so you must not call me Madam anymore. Furthermore, it’s natural for a grandmother to give gifts to her granddaughter, even if they are a bit precious."
"Grandma, I appreciate your kindness, but I really can’t accept it." Jiang Xue waved her hand again, feeling that such a valuable item as the Phoenix Pendant, especially a jade one, was too much to accept.
Grandma Shangguan was displeased and directly placed the jade pendant into Jiang Xue’s hand, saying, "Xue’er, take it. Otherwise, Grandma will get angry."
As Grandma Shangguan spoke, she put on a stern face, becoming more authoritative. The elderly onlookers, worried she might indeed be upset, urged Jiang Xue, "Xue’er, accept it. Old Madam Shangguan is right; a gift from an elder cannot be refused."
Jiang Xue knew that continuing to decline would hurt the old lady’s feelings, so she accepted the gift and said, "Thank you, Grandma!"
"That’s the way!" Grandma Shangguan smiled as she saw Jiang Xue accept the gift. Then she held Jiang Xue’s hand and began talking to her.