After receiving the call from Song Qiao, Xu Ran immediately arranged the best private room in his establishment for him. He also instructed the waiters to attend to this table with utmost care.
Song Qiao arrived at Spring Wind Restaurant ahead of time and spotted Xu Ran, who was in the lobby making arrangements.
"Brother Ran, busy?"
Song Qiao waved and greeted him.
"Ah, little brother Song, you're here. Who are you treating today that calls for such a grand affair?"
Upon seeing Song Qiao, Xu Ran immediately smiled and went to greet him.
"There are no special guests. Today, I'm gathering with my family. We haven't had a meal together in a long time," Song Qiao replied with a smile.
"Oh, I wouldn't dare neglect little brother Song's family. I'll personally toast your wife later."
"I've reserved a private room upstairs for you. Would you like to take a look, little brother Song?"
Xu Ran, indeed a seasoned businessman, was impeccable in his words and actions.
Song Qiao nodded and followed Xu Ran to the private room on the second floor.
He was quite satisfied with Xu Ran. Although a smooth-talking businessman, he was sincere towards his friends.
Most importantly, he conducted his business with principles, especially regarding the restaurant's food hygiene, which even Song Qiao found admirable.
Having collaborated for just a week, Song Qiao already genuinely wanted to befriend him.
...
By the time Xia Yuqing's family arrived at the restaurant, it was slightly past the usual mealtime, and the lobby was almost empty. Even Lin Jing had already returned to the shop to restock.
As the family entered, a waiter led them upstairs, where Song Qiao was waiting by the private room door.
"Song Qiao, what's going on? Why did you suddenly invite the family out to eat here?" Xia Yuqing asked, confused about what her husband was up to.
Song Qiao wasn't in a hurry. He playfully kept her in suspense and replied unhurriedly, "Of course, there's good news to celebrate with our family."
"Don't ask so many questions yet. Sit down quickly, and you'll know soon enough," he said, ushering the Xia family into the private room.
Her parents were naturally seated in the honored positions. They were also bewildered, not knowing what game Song Qiao was playing.
Their daughter, Xixi, insisted on sitting next to her father, so Xia Yuqing sat beside Song Qiao as well.
"Song Qiao, what exactly is happening? Why did you order so many dishes? I heard from colleagues that this restaurant isn't cheap."
Xia Yuqing, accustomed to frugality, felt a pang of concern as the waiters brought out dish after dish.
"Indeed. You haven't earned much yet, and you're already putting on airs. Don't forget, the house hasn't been redeemed yet," Xia Xueqing interjected with sarcasm.
Song Qiao's face immediately felt awkward. It seemed Xia Xueqing couldn't assert her presence without a jab at him.
"Yes, little Song, if you have something to say, you could have just said it at home. Why come to a place like this? Isn't this a waste of money?"
Her mother-in-law also gave Song Qiao a reproachful glance. She couldn't stand Song Qiao's seemingly impractical behavior, his inability to prioritize his spending, like a child.
"Just showing off his poverty. The poorer people are, the more they try to act fancy," Xia Xueqing scoffed, adding another blow.
"Alright, Xueqing, say a little less. Song Qiao is your brother-in-law, after all,"
Xia Yuqing frowned. She felt her sister's words today were a bit excessive and couldn't help but try to stop her.
Regardless, Song Qiao had gathered the family for a happy occasion. It wasn't easy to have a reunion meal, so there was no need for such tension.
It felt like a personal inquisition of her husband.
Xia Xueqing was already resentful of Song Qiao's actions today. Now that her sister wasn't supporting her, she reacted like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.
She immediately stood up and, pointing at Song Qiao, shouted:
"Sis, you tell me to say less? Are you starting to believe him again? Do you know what this bastard has been doing behind your back recently?"
Her voice was filled with disdain and arrogance, as if she had caught Song Qiao in a major transgression.
Song Qiao was taken aback. Xia Xueqing was being too unreasonable. He had been diligently managing the tofu shop for the past week; what could he have done behind Xia Xueqing's back?
Xia Xueqing's hysterical shouting also made her parents frown. They then looked at Song Qiao with a hint of suspicion in their eyes.
While their younger daughter was usually a bit spoiled and willful, she wouldn't fabricate such a lie without reason.
"Little Song, what have you done now?" her mother-in-law couldn't help but ask.
Seeing her mother-in-law's attitude, Song Qiao felt a surge of anger. He said coldly, "If your daughter saw what I did, she can tell you herself."
He then looked up and stared intently at the somewhat frenzied Xia Xueqing, his eyes flashing with suppressed rage.
"I'll tell you, you think I'm afraid of you?" Xia Xueqing raised her voice again, trying to bolster her confidence.
She angrily pointed her finger at Song Qiao and questioned:
"Tell me, this morning, right outside this restaurant, what did you do in full view of everyone, behind my sister's back?"
"How can she describe it so vividly? I didn't do anything this morning," Song Qiao muttered to himself, momentarily stunned.
"Say something, why are you speechless? Can't you speak?" Seeing Song Qiao unable to answer, Xia Xueqing became as triumphant as a rooster in a fight.
Song Qiao had no idea what he had supposedly done. He just looked at Xia Xueqing, completely bewildered, and wondered if his wife's sister had a history of mental illness.
She was acting as if she had caught him in the act, and her accusations were detailed.
"If you can't say it, I will."
"You were with that young female employee from your shop, behind our family's back."
"You were hugging her in public like that. I was embarrassed just watching. What do you take my sister for?"
Seeing Song Qiao's continued silence, Xia Xueqing assumed she had hit a nerve. She pressed her advantage, recounting everything she had witnessed at Spring Wind Restaurant.
After speaking, she glanced triumphantly at her sister, her meaning unmistakable.
"Look at you, you were defending Song Qiao earlier. Now you've been sold out and don't even know it, yet you're blaming your sister who treats you with genuine affection."
At this moment, Song Qiao finally understood and found the situation both frustrating and amusing.