Chapter 283 – The Family Heirloom Ring
At that moment, Xu Jinning was very glad that she had read all those novels back then.
Moreover, her memory had become exceptionally good after her transmigration, especially for the plot details of the novels. She could remember them very clearly, even down to the precise second.
So, when Xu Jinning wrote down these major events, her writing was very smooth.
However, with each major event she wrote, Xu Jinning repeatedly confirmed and reconfirmed, ensuring there were no errors or omissions.
She wrote late into the night before her pen finally slowed down, and she reached up to rub her slightly tired brow.
She hadn’t finished yet, but that was enough for today.
Xu Jinning put away her notebook and pen, tidied up a bit, and went to bed.
The next day was Sunday, and it was the day Xu Jinning had agreed to go with Xie Ting’an to visit his grandfather at the Xie family home.
Just after Xu Jinning finished her breakfast, Xie Ting’an walked in.
“Xiao Xie is here! Have you had breakfast? Would you like to join us?” Xu Fanghua greeted Xie Ting’an with a smile.
“Thank you, Sister Fanghua, I’ve already eaten.”
Xie Ting’an found a place to sit down.
Both Song Yi and Xu Fanghua had a good impression of Xie Ting’an.
Xu Jinning had told them yesterday that she was going to see Xie Ting’an’s grandfather today to meet his family.
They agreed to this.
When they learned that Xie Ting’an’s parents had passed away over a decade ago and that now only Xie Ting’an and his grandfather were left to depend on each other, they felt quite moved.
Xu Fanghua even prepared some fruit, tea leaves, and other items for Xu Jinning to take with her to the Xie family, as gifts for Xie Ting’an’s grandfather.
Actually, these items were supposed to be prepared by Xu Jinning’s biological mother, Zhang Ailian. However, since her mother was back in their hometown and she only had her big sister by her side, and as the saying goes, the big sister is like a mother, it was only natural for her to take on the responsibility of preparing these things for her younger sister.
After breakfast and tidying up, Xu Jinning got into the car that Xie Ting’an had driven over, and they headed to the Xie family home together.
Although Grandpa Xie had retired, he still lived in the compound.
Entering and exiting required registration and thorough checks.
In her previous life, the Xie family that Xie Ting’an belonged to was wealthy, but now, the Xie family was powerful.
As long as Grandpa Xie was around, the Xie family’s power remained.
If Xie Ting’an chose to pursue a career in the military or government, Grandpa Xie and the connections he currently had could be of great help.
However, Xie Ting’an’s aspirations did not lie in that direction.
Grandpa Xie did not have many demands for his only grandson.
He never forced anything.
Having experienced such turmoil and being on the brink of life and death, the old man had long since come to terms with things.
Nowadays, he didn’t want to worry too much. His only hope was to live long enough to see his grandson get married, have children, and lead a happy life.
Ideally, he wished to help take care of his great-grandchildren, which would make him content.
Knowing that his grandson was bringing home his future granddaughter-in-law today, the old man had gotten up early, changed into new clothes, and kept looking out the door every now and then.
So, when Xu Jinning walked in hand in hand with Xie Ting’an, she saw from a distance, an old man with a beard and a cane looking out from the doorway of a small Western-style house.
When he saw her and Xie Ting’an, a smile visibly appeared on his face.
This was the first time Xu Jinning met Xie Ting’an’s family.
In her previous life, although she and Xie Ting’an had grown up together, she had never met his family.
Now, meeting them for the first time as Xie Ting’an’s future wife, she felt a bit nervous.
“Ningning, don’t be nervous. Grandpa is a very kind old man. I believe he will like you, and you will like him too,” Xie Ting’an reassured her, seemingly sensing Xu Jinning’s unease.
Xu Jinning took a deep breath and then nodded, “Mm, I’m not nervous.”
As she met Grandpa Xie and talked to him, Xu Jinning indeed felt her nervousness fade away.
She found that Grandpa Xie was truly a kind and amiable old man, always cheerful and easy to approach.
Especially when he looked at Xu Jinning, his eyes were full of affection.
Xu Jinning could discern between good and bad intentions, and from Grandpa Xie, she felt a strong sense of goodwill.
When others treated her kindly, she naturally reciprocated with kindness.
Additionally, after her transmigration, being raised by the Xu family had made her much more lively.
So, the lively and cheerful Xu Jinning, who was also very attractive, naturally endeared herself to Grandpa Xie.
Grandpa Xie even took out something and placed it on Xu Jinning’s finger.
Xu Jinning looked closely and discovered that it was an emerald ring, large and dazzling.
It was clearly very valuable.
“Grandpa Xie, this is…”
“This ring has been passed down in the family, from Xiao An’s grandmother to his mother.”
“After his mother passed away, I kept this ring.”
“I intended to give it to Xiao An’s future wife.”
“Ningning, Grandpa really likes you. You and Xiao An are a great match. Take this ring; Grandpa hopes that you two will always be together, happy and fulfilled.”
If this were just an ordinary ring, no matter how valuable, Xu Jinning naturally wouldn’t have accepted it.
But this ring was different; it had such significant symbolic meaning.
Grandpa Xie giving it to her signified that both he and the Xie family recognized her as Xie Ting’an’s future wife.
So, she had to accept it.
Xu Jinning looked at Xie Ting’an.
Xie Ting’an nodded.
Finally, Xu Jinning put the ring on and said to Grandpa Xie, “Grandpa Xie, thank you for your blessing. Brother Ting’an and I will be happy.”
Grandpa Xie stroked his beard and laughed, “Good, good. That’s how it should be, just like that.”
Then, Xie Ting’an showed Xu Jinning around the small Western-style house, and at noon, Xu Jinning stayed at the Xie family home and had lunch with Xie Ting’an and Grandpa Xie.
When they were about to leave in the afternoon, Grandpa Xie prepared a lot of things for her to take back to her sister and brother-in-law.
Xu Jinning couldn’t refuse and accepted them.
“Ningning, come visit Grandpa with Xiao An whenever you have time.”
“Sure, Grandpa, I will.” By the end of their visit, Xu Jinning was already calling Grandpa Xie just “Grandpa.”
The two had grown much closer.
Watching Xie Ting’an and Xu Jinning leave hand in hand, Grandpa Xie stood at the door, his eyes full of emotion.
He stood there until they were out of sight, then slowly walked back into the small house, entered a room on the first floor, and took out a framed photograph.
The photograph showed a young man and woman.
“Ahao, Meiru, do you know? Our Xiao An just brought a girl home. She’s going to be your future daughter-in-law.”
“Her name is Ningning.”
“I’ve spent time with Ningning. She’s beautiful, a good match for Xiao An, and a kind and wonderful girl.”
“I can tell they really like each other, very much.”
“I have high hopes for them. You must bless them from the heavens, keep them well, and let them be happy always.”
