Yang Jingye and Chu Xiuying, his wife, had already read and thoroughly understood Qin Chuan's background information countless times.
After all, this matter concerned their precious daughter's lifelong happiness. As parents, who wouldn't be concerned?
Even in ordinary families, when a child gets married or starts dating, if the parents know about it, they will naturally try their best to obtain information about the other party.
Whether it's the groom's family or the bride's family, they will try to investigate the other party's character, family background, conduct, and other aspects.
Frankly speaking, Chu Xiuying was one hundred percent dissatisfied with this suddenly appearing daughter's boyfriend. Perhaps he did have some abilities, but he was far from the perfect son-in-law she had in mind.
So, after Qin Chuan politely greeted them, Chu Xiuying remained expressionless, her face cold.
On the other hand, Yang Jingye nodded slightly, his attitude relatively amiable.
"Oh, Boss Qin, you're here so early! Please, have a seat! Please, sit down!"
Yang Jingye greeted him warmly.
"Uncle, please don't call me Boss Qin. Just call me Xiao Qin, or Xiao Chuan," Qin Chuan said immediately, not daring to let him address him as Boss Qin.
"Then Xiao Qin, please take a seat!"
"There's no need to be too polite, and you don't need to be nervous. Tonight is just a casual dinner," Yang Jingye said.
"Thank you, Uncle!" Qin Chuan found a seat and sat down.
Yang Jingye gently tugged his wife's arm, and the couple found seats.
The seating arrangement was also quite deliberate: Qin Chuan was seated next to his elder brother-in-law on the left, and Yang Jingye on the right. Chu Xiuying and Yang Zimo sat together.
After everyone was seated, the atmosphere suddenly turned awkward, and everyone in the spacious private room didn't know what to say for a moment.
"Since everyone is here, let's have the waiter serve the dishes!" Yang Jingye finally spoke up.
"Yes, yes, serve the dishes! My stomach is so hungry it's almost flat!" Yang Conglong finally took on the role of livening up the atmosphere and quickly chimed in.
As for Teacher Yang, she hadn't spoken a word since she sat down. Her clear and beautiful face was lowered, and her fair, tender hands, like onions, were playing with the imitation blue and white porcelain teacup on the table, as if it were a genuine antique.
Qin Chuan could sense that Teacher Yang was still angry; otherwise, in such an occasion, she would never behave this way.
The dishes were served quickly. Each exquisite dish was a feast for the eyes, nose, and palate, making one's appetite surge at the mere sight.
With the addition of the food, the cold atmosphere gradually became lively.
"Xiao Qin, eat! Don't be too reserved. Just treat us as the partners you usually associate with. From what I know, you're quite influential in business," Yang Jingye said to Qin Chuan.
This statement revealed a lot of information, and Qin Chuan immediately realized that his situation was likely already known to them.
It was understandable, as his elder brother-in-law had mentioned before that his future father-in-law had ordered an investigation into his background.
Thinking this, Qin Chuan finally relaxed considerably.
"Uncle, I'm just messing around. I do whatever seems profitable!"
"Oh? Then tell me, what businesses have you been involved in?" Yang Jingye asked.
Just as Qin Chuan was about to answer, Yang Zimo, who had been silent, tapped the table. "Dad, didn't we agree to just enjoy the meal? If you keep asking questions like this, the food will get cold!"
Yang Jingye cast a doting look at his precious daughter and immediately said, "Yes, yes, you're right. Look at me, my professional habits are acting up again. Let's eat first! Eat!"
"Qin Chuan, do you drink?"
"A little."
"That's great. Tonight, we'll have a good drink. Come, open this wine I brought." Yang Jingye took a packaging bag from under the table and pulled out a wine jar, on which were printed three large characters—Hua Diao Wine!
Judging by the blurry calligraphy and the color of the paper, the wine was clearly old.
Hua Diao wine is produced in Shaoxing, Zhejiang, and is also known as "Zhuangyuan wine" and "Daughter Red." It has been recorded for thousands of years. Although it is still sold nowadays, it has long lost its original flavor.
For someone like Yang Jingye, to treasure and bring out such a wine for a dinner party, it was definitely of genuine quality and very rare.
Even more importantly, the significance of Yang Jingye specifically bringing out this type of wine for such an occasion was worth pondering.
"Come, come, I'll pour the wine."
"Tonight, I must have a good drink with someone to resolve the anger in my heart." The elder brother-in-law stood up and offered to pour the wine.
"Qin Chuan, I heard you know my son as well, and you get along well. Is that right?" Chu Xiuying suddenly asked while pouring wine, posing the first question of the evening.
"Yes, Auntie. Brother Long and I have known each other for a long time, and we've always been in contact. Our relationship is very good," Qin Chuan replied immediately.
"Hmph!!" A cold snort was heard, and the elder brother-in-law gritted his teeth. Qin Chuan smiled apologetically.
"Xiao Qin, I feel like you're somewhat familiar. Have we met before?" Yang Jingye said.
"Dad, Qin Chuan also attended when Xiao Mo had her birthday last year," Yang Conglong explained.
Yang Jingye and Chu Xiuying exchanged glances, and both of them showed a look of realization.
No wonder, ever since Qin Chuan's photo appeared on their desk, they had a sense of déjà vu, but they couldn't recall it.
"Uncle and Auntie also toasted each table back then!" Qin Chuan said with a smile.
With this explanation, the atmosphere between them eased slightly.
"Qin Chuan, when did you and my daughter start dating?" Yang Jingye gradually got to the point.
Qin Chuan subconsciously glanced at Teacher Yang, who was sitting opposite him, only to find that Teacher Yang's beautiful eyes were also looking at him. Their gazes met in mid-air, and both showed a deep complexity.
Qin Chuan's expression was one of apology and guilt, while Yang Zimo's held a hint of recollection.
"Well… the first time Xiao Mo and I interacted was when Xiao Mo was doing volunteer teaching in our village," Qin Chuan said slowly.
On the table, the Yang family members wore complicated expressions, looking as if they had expected this.
Given Yang Zimo's status and position, they could only have interacted during that period; otherwise, with such a vast difference in their statuses, it would have been impossible.
"Back then, Xiao Mo was like a celestial being, leaving an indelible mark deep in my heart. However, I was very insecure at the time. I believe Uncle and Auntie already know about my family background," Qin Chuan said, looking at Yang Jingye and Chu Xiuying.
The couple remained expressionless, their thoughts unknown.
On the contrary, Teacher Yang lightly bit her teeth, her eyes revealing a hint of ferocity, like a small wild cat about to get angry.
Insecure? Ridiculous! In all the time she had been interacting with Qin Chuan, she had never sensed any insecurity from him. The most direct impression was his thick skin, tougher than a city wall.
"My family is just from the most ordinary rural background. My parents are honest farmers. Besides farming, they also do some carpentry work part-time to supplement the family income." Qin Chuan noticed the ferocity and hidden mockery in Teacher Yang's eyes and dared not look at her anymore, continuing earnestly.
"Originally, I didn't have the courage to get involved with Xiao Mo. Until something big happened in my family. That incident completely changed me, and it also changed my attitude towards my own life…"