Jiang Nuan looked at her daughter with a wry smile, gently stroking her face. "Nuan Nuan, your maternal grandmother wants me to take your second brother to a grand banquet.
But none of your three brothers enjoy such occasions. Every year on their birthdays, I personally cook their favorite dishes for them. I always boil them eggs, as the older generation says.
Eating an egg on your birthday helps you remember it.
But your three brothers have eaten eggs for twenty years, and not one of them remembers their birthday."
Jiang Nuan: "..." Is there such a saying?
Every year on her children's birthdays, she didn't really remember.
It was always Yuan Yuan who reminded her, and only then would she rush to buy cakes and delicious food for the children, celebrate, and it would pass.
Jiang Nuan didn't have any strong feelings about birthdays.
"Mom..."
Jin Yan interrupted her with a smile, "Nuan Nuan, I know this is unfilial, but I really don't like your maternal grandmother. She favors boys over girls. When I married your father, she was always against it.
She looked down on your father because he was a poor boy and never treated me well. It's been over twenty years, and this year she's paying special attention to my life. She recently heard you were back and has been inquiring about you, wanting to see you."
She had always refused, saying Nuan Nuan was busy.
She was afraid her grandmother would use the Jin family's rules to make things difficult for Nuan Nuan.
Her mother had also called her about Nuan Nuan hitting someone at the coffee shop a couple of days ago.
She said that wild children found from outside have no manners, and they don't consider the family's reputation in public.
She hit someone, causing a huge scene, embarrassing their Jin family.
She had retorted at the time, saying many people didn't know she was a daughter of the Jin family, so how was she embarrassing them?
Over the years, when people asked about her family background, she would just brush it off.
Jiang Nuan curved her lips slightly and said, "Mom, if Grandma wants to see me, agree to it next time."
She knew her mother's worries.
But they had to meet eventually. Her mother's concerns were not a big deal to her.
Jin Yan held her hand, her eyes full of worry. "Mom can't bear to see you wronged. Your maternal grandmother favors boys, so she'll naturally treat you well.
You grew up elsewhere, and she'll definitely use your background against you."
As she said this, Jin Yan lowered her eyes slightly, hiding the pain in her heart. They were her own children, yet she was treated like an outsider and insulted.
"Nuan Nuan, they only care about profit and have no real affection. She suddenly wants to see you, likely because she knows you married Xiao Jiu.
But her prejudice against you won't change just because you married Xiao Jiu. She'll just think you're not good enough, and that's why Mom doesn't want you to see her."
Jiang Nuan: "..."
"It's okay, Mom, what's coming cannot be avoided," Jiang Nuan said with a smile to comfort her.
"Mom, don't overthink it. If you really meet Grandma, we'll talk then."
Jin Yan smiled and nodded, looking at her with loving eyes. "Mom is most sorry to you, child. How can I bear to see you wronged? I'll go with you then."
Jiang Nuan's eyes rippled with a smile. "Okay! Mom, let's take the dishes out, we can eat now."
"Mm-hmm." Jin Yan's mood instantly improved at the thought of her son's happy smile.
Jin Yan called the men who were idly sitting outside to help.
A few minutes later, the multi-meter-long dining table was filled with delicious food.
As the birthday boy, Lu Jinyue looked at his family and smiled happily.
"My dear family, my dear Grandpa, my dear Mom and Dad, thank you. You've worked hard all these years."
Lu Jincheng stood up with a smile and bowed gratefully.
Jiang Beichen smiled kindly. "Jincheng, Grandpa has no other wishes now. I hope you find someone to accompany you in old age soon. Your eldest brother is very happy now, and it's your turn next."
Lu Jinyue, who was being pressured to marry: "..."
It was bad enough being pressured by his father every day, but now he was being pressured on his birthday.
Lu Jincheng looked nervously at his father, watching him pick up his wine glass. He knew he had escaped for now.
Lu Jincheng looked at his siblings. "Brother, Sister-in-law, Third Brother, Nuan Nuan, Brother-in-law, let's all love each other as a family from now on."
They all smiled and nodded.
Next was the gift-giving session.
Jiang Beichen gifted Lu Jincheng a villa.
Lu Jincheng's smile was so wide it reached his ears. The old man was still the most generous.
Lu Chengsi and his wife gave red envelopes.
Lu Jinyue and Yu Han gifted expensive clothes.
Lu Jinyan gifted a tie.
When it was Jiang Nuan's turn, she handed over a formula and essence.
"Happy birthday, second brother. This is the formula for the essence I'm giving you, the Queen's essence for women."
Lu Jincheng looked at his sister with surprise. He knew his sister would give him a surprise tonight.
"Little sister, the shampoo sales ranked first on the daily necessities list this month. Brother is so grateful."
He carefully took the formula. This was worth hundreds of millions.
A company could stand firm for many years with just one product.
This was a treasure!
Then, still not satisfied, he looked expectantly at Mu Jiuchen.
His eyes sparkling with stars, he asked, "Brother-in-law, what did you get me?"
Mu Jiuchen was the richest, so he expected an extraordinary birthday this year.
Mu Jiuchen raised his eyebrows and looked at him. "How can you be like this?"
Despite his words, he still handed over the gift.
It was the key to a limited edition sports car.
Lu Jincheng: "..."
Hengxing's limited edition sports car!
So rich!
Extravagantly rich!
He absolutely loved it!
Indeed, this year's birthday did not disappoint him.
Lu Jincheng took the key and expressed his sincere gratitude. He cherished all the gifts.
"I'm so happy on my birthday this year. I can't wait for my next birthday!"
Lu Jinyan looked at his second brother's gift and felt envious.
His birthday was in the eleventh lunar month, and he hoped for a surprise too.
Lu Jincheng put away the gifts, then looked at everyone and shouted excitedly, "The birthday boy declares, dinner begins!"
Lu Chengsi looked at his son, who was getting carried away, and couldn't help but remind him, "Kid, don't get too arrogant, you might pull a muscle."
Lu Jincheng smiled proudly. "Tonight, I'm the boss, I'm the most arrogant, Old Lu, I'll get you drunk later."
Lu Chengsi: "..."
Everyone smiled happily, their laughter and joy filling the air, a scene of happiness and contentment.
Lu Jincheng was so happy on his birthday that he was too excited to sleep all night.
The next morning, Jiang Nuan went with her third brother to Hua Ying's house to see Grandpa Hua.
Lu Jinyan drove her there.
"Brother, how are things going between you and Hua Ying?" Jiang Nuan asked meaningfully.
The three Lu brothers were all straightforward, honest, and kind.
Jiang Nuan knew that their future sisters-in-law would be very happy.
Because they were devoted!
Once they decided, it was for life!
Lu Jinyan smiled sheepishly. "Nuan Nuan, it's the same as always, but Yingying has been much nicer to me lately."
Jiang Nuan heard a different meaning in his words.
Just as she was about to ask, she saw a black car speeding towards them.
Jiang Nuan's eyes widened. "Third brother, watch out for the car in front!"