Shuai Chang inhaled sharply, finding it even harder to bear. He interrupted the conversation forcefully, “If I talk to you about nouns, don’t turn them into verbs. If I can’t get out of bed tomorrow, don’t blame me.”
The Yin family reunion dinner was held after the New Year. Shuai Chang informed them a day in advance that he would be bringing someone back. The Yin family was overjoyed, as they had tried to set him up with potential matches multiple times, but Yin Haidong had refused every single one. No amount of coercion or persuasion worked. This time, however, he seemed to have changed his mind. Yin father and mother thought that even if the girlfriend Yin Haidong found came from a less-than-ideal background, they could still accept her.
Little did they know that on the day of the family dinner, Yin Haidong dropped a bombshell.
“Mom, Dad, this is Fan Luo Jia, and we have already registered our marriage.”
Yin father threw a Ru porcelain teacup in disbelief, “Yin Haidong, are you trying to rebel?”
The younger relatives hurried to calm Yin father down.
“Brother Haidong, he looks so much like that famous actor! What’s his name again?” Yin Haidong’s cousin pointed at Fan Luo Jia.
His younger brother replied, “You mean Fan Luo Jia, the Academy Award-winning actor?”
The cousins exchanged glances, realizing they not only looked alike but had the same name…
“Fan Luo Jia, I really like you! Can I get your autograph, please?”
There were more than just two younger cousins; when Fan Luo Jia was surrounded by them, the elders noticed the commotion. A distant cousin approached to check on them.
“Haidong, is the little guy you brought okay being surrounded by them?” the distant uncle assumed they were arguing.
Yin Haidong smiled, “They are just too excited to see their idol; it’s fine.”
Older generations generally do not chase after celebrities, so when they heard the word “idol,” they immediately asked, “You married an actor?”
Shuai Chang corrected, “He’s an Oscar-winning actor, an international star.”
“Impressive!” The uncle was convinced by the title “international star” and joined the group asking for autographs. “Luo Jia, my son couldn’t come today, so I’ll get an autograph for him.”
“Homes, please don’t be angry; look how much the family likes Luo Jia. He’s truly wonderful. Plus, we have been married for two years, and I never introduced him to you. I owe him that.” Shuai Chang pleaded, finally persuading Yin father and mother to join them at the table for a nice reunion dinner.
During the annual family gathering, Yin father and mother didn’t want to remain upset. They chose to ignore Fan Luo Jia’s presence, but the others didn’t share the same sentiment. Perhaps aside from the two of them and a few uncles, no one disliked Fan Luo Jia.
“Dad, Luo Jia is really amazing! He signed my name and wrote me a message; this year, I will listen to Luo Jia and study hard!”
A certain father responded, “……” Am I your father, or is Luo Jia your father? You don’t listen to me, but if that guy signs your name, you’ll work hard? Yet, I feel inexplicably gratified.
Shuai Chang peeled a shrimp for Fan Luo Jia and placed it in his bowl. “What are you daydreaming about? Enjoy your meal instead of just smiling.”
“Nothing,” Fan Luo Jia’s smile just wouldn’t fade, “I just feel so happy to be here.” He hadn’t expected Yin Haidong’s family to like him so much; he had prepared himself for a cold reception…
“Hey, why are you silly smiling again?” Shuai Chang helplessly stuffed a shrimp into Fan Luo Jia’s mouth, knowing he would probably forget to eat while grinning.
After finishing the meal, Shuai Chang took out a movie disc, “Let’s watch a movie.”
The Yin family’s villa had a small cinema that could accommodate fifty people. He guided Yin father and mother to the middle seats while he and Fan Luo Jia tucked themselves in the back row.
Fan Luo Jia asked, “Haidong, what movie are we watching?”
“Of course, we’re watching Luo Jia’s main film. I want my parents to experience your charm.”
Fan Luo Jia shyly nestled against him.
As the movie began, Fan Luo Jia whispered, “Haidong, I thought you’d show the movie where I won an award.” Instead, it turned out to be “Swimming Competition Peak.”
“That award-winning movie is too heavy; this one is much more uplifting. My parents like children with this sort of positive energy.”
After the family finished watching the movie, Fan Luo Jia was once again surrounded by the younger ones, who chattered about the movie’s plot. Seeing Fan Luo Jia so happy, Shuai Chang went over to his parents, but Yin father and mother remained silent.
“Do you remember the scene in the movie where Fan Xi got injured saving someone?” Yin father suddenly asked.
“Of course,” Shuai Chang nodded; he was so absorbed in the movie the first time he watched it that he thought Fan Luo Jia’s leg was really hurt.
“He saved that person—your mother.”
“What?” What a coincidence!
“Twenty-five years ago, your mother was hit by a drunk driver. If Fan Xi hadn’t saved her, you wouldn’t even exist today. I have been searching for him, but I never expected it would be Fan Xi…” Yin mother had fallen into a coma from the accident and didn’t know what her savior looked like. Fan Xi had taken her to the hospital, covered her medical bills, and then left for an overseas competition. Only now, in seeing the movie, did they find out that the one who saved Yin mother was the world champion swimmer, Fan Xi.
“What’s the relationship between Fan Luo Jia and Fan Xi?”
“Luo Jia is Fan Xi’s only son,” Shuai Chang replied.
Yin father nodded, exchanged glances with Yin mother, and didn’t say anything further.
Shuai Chang broke through the crowd and pulled Fan Luo Jia aside, “Come with me; I’ll introduce you to my parents.”
Fan Luo Jia couldn’t believe it, “Haidong, did you manage it?”
Shuai Chang nodded and shook his head. He explained, “It wasn’t me who managed it; we should thank your father-in-law. Remember the plot where Fan Xi saved a woman? That incident really happened, and your father-in-law saved my mother.”
Fan Luo Jia: “…… That’s just too amazing!”
Because of this revelation, Fan Luo Jia successfully paid respects to the parents. Yin mother even suggested finding a time to meet Fan Xi to discuss the wedding date for Yin Haidong and Fan Luo Jia.
After returning from the Yin family, Fan Luo Jia felt as if he had just woken up from a dream. They hadn’t even gone to the Yin family; it was just his own beautiful fantasy.
But the reality was that in March, the two families met, Yin father and mother solemnly thanked Fan Xi, and then the two families chose an auspicious date to properly hold the wedding ceremony for Yin Haidong and Fan Luo Jia.