Chronicle of the 70s

Li Jianqing saw that his sister had returned and, without any delay, he finished his noodles, wiped his mouth, and sat down in the living room. Iro, feeling somewhat embarrassed, lingered at the table, slowly eating.

Li Xianglu saw this but didn’t rush her, sighing and pointing to the items she had brought: "These are some gifts. Go with Iro later, and it’s better to go early and clear things up."

Hearing this, Iro put down her bowl and sat down in the living room with a worried expression: "Xiao Xiang, you’ve met my mom too. She’s a snob, calculating everything in terms of benefits. Could you and Qin Xi go with me later?"

Li Xianglu sighed. Actually, she was planning to go with them, considering it concerned her third brother, and their presence might help sway things, especially with Iro’s mother’s personality. Li Xianglu had offended her last time, but this time she was willing to humble herself if needed.

Mr. Li spoke up: "How about I go as well?"

But Li Jianqing shook his head: "Grandfather, you needn’t join. We’ll manage. If you go, even if they agree, they won’t be happy about it."

Mr. Li nodded. After all, he was also Jianqing’s granduncle and a senior figure, so there was no reason he couldn’t go. However, Mrs. Ai from the Ais was difficult to deal with, and his presence might even make things worse.

Li Jianqing didn’t change clothes but went in his school military uniform, and Qin Xi drove them all over.

Iro had called her family that morning to let them know, so almost the entire Ai family had gathered.

The eldest brother of the Ais, Mr. Ai, Mrs. Ai, and Iro’s younger brother were all at home. Iro’s mother was berating her youngest son in the living room: "Ai Xin, how could you not inform us about such a big matter, letting your sister go meet a stranger? Aren’t you afraid something might happen to her?"