Chapter 679: Respect for Seniority....
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
In the subsequent period, everyone continued their lively conversations.
However, Ye Lengan didn’t pay much attention and refrained from intervening further. Her visit today was merely out of curiosity about Huangfu Ruixiang, the fiancée he suddenly brought back. There wasn’t much more to it.
The entire living room seemed divided into two separate worlds. One side engaged in animated discussions, wearing smiles on their faces, whether genuine or feigned. On the other side, Huangfu Ruiling and Ye Lengan seemed like outsiders, observing without expressing any opinions. It could even be said that they weren’t really listening.
Ye Leng’an approached Huangfu Ruiling and, with a soft chuckle, remarked, “l find the fiancée Huangfu Ruixiang brought back quite interesting. She seems to be very afraid of you! Haven’t done anything to her, have you?”
This wasn’t just her imagination. Zhong Yating was evidently fearful of Huangfu Ruiling. However, the reason behind it remained unknown.
Huangfu Ruiling glanced in Zhong Yatings direction. “l haven’t met her.”
Meanwhile, Zhong Yating, who had been chatting with Huangfu Ruixiangs parents, felt a sudden chill as Huangfu Ruilings gaze fell upon her. Even though she hadn’t done anything wrong, she dared not look in Huangfu Ruiling’s direction, fearing she might reveal some vulnerability.
Just as the conversation was winding down, Huangfu Ruiling unexpectedly spoke up.
“l plan to get engaged to An’an,” announced Huangfu Ruiling in a detached tone. “I’ll inform you when the date is set.”
Despite not harboring strong feelings for Huangfu Jingzhang and Zhongyu
Liuying, they were still his biological parents, so he felt obligated to inform them. However, this was more of an announcement than a request for their opinion, which held little weight for him.
Huangfu Ruilings statement landed like a bombshell, catching everyone off guard.
Especially Huangfu Jingzhang and Zhongyu Liuying, whose expressions turned even more sour. Huangfu Ruiling was their eldest son, and traditionally, they should be the ones orchestrating his engagement. However, Huangfu Ruiling had just informed them directly, showing no intention of involving them.
More significantly, they were dissatisfied with their future daughter-in-law, Ye Lengan. Not only due to her humble origins but, more importantly, her overly elevated status in Huangfu Ruilings heart.
In the past, when the two of them were in a relationship, Huangfu Jingzhang and Zhongyu Liuying were already quite dissatisfied. However, at that time, there was no official commitment. But now, with the prospect of engagement, the situation had completely changed.
Huangfu Ruixiang was the first to speak, his face beaming with smiles, sincere or otherwise. “That’s fantastic! I didn’t expect both of us brothers to be getting engaged. But Brother, I might have to get engaged before you. I need to rush back to the Hidden World; we can’t be away for too long.”
With that, he discreetly glanced in Zhongyu Liuyings direction.
“Do as you please,” responded Huangfu Ruiling nonchalantly. “I haven’t set a date yet.”
Noticing Huangfu Ruixiangs gaze, Zhongyu Liuying interjected with a thoughtful expression. “Remember to respect the seniority. I believe we should let Ruiling get engaged first. Ruixiang, why don’t you and Yating wait until after Ruilings engagement?”
She sensed that Huangfu Ruixiang wasn’t genuinely eager to get engaged to Zhong Yating. So, it made sense to ride the current and postpone Ruixiangs engagement. Perhaps, by the time Ruixiang achieved his desires, there would be no need for an engagement. It could be more convenient.
Huangfu Jingzhang nodded in agreement. “You make a valid point. In that case, Ruixiang, let’s delay your engagement with Yating!’
Zhong Yating grew anxious. She looked at Huangfu Ruixiang, and though she didn’t say anything, her unwillingness was apparent.
Her primary purpose for this visit was to establish her status with Huangfu Ruixiang. Now, it seemed that it was being postponed. Who knew what might happen in the future!
Huangfu Ruixiang also noticed Zhong Yatings gaze. With a troubled expression, he said, “Dad, Mom, we’ll be heading back to the Hidden World soon. We don’t know when we’ll return, so why not postpone our engagement for now?”
As he spoke, he signaled Zhongyu Liuying with his eyes.
Taking Zhong Yatings hand, Zhongyu Liuying said, “Yating, you’re aware that our Huangfu family is a prestigious one, and there are rules to be followed. There’s a principle of respecting seniority. If you truly wish to get engaged, it should be the elder brother’s turn first. Of course, we’re open-minded. If Ruiling doesn’t have a partner or if he and Miss Ye don’t plan to get engaged anytime soon, then there’s nothing wrong with having your engagement ceremony first. However, since Ruiling also plans to get engaged, being the elder brother, he should go first. So, your engagement ceremony should also be after theirs. Even if it’s a day later, it must be after them; otherwise, outsiders might find it amusing.”
In one sweep, Zhongyu Liuying shifted all the responsibility onto Huangfu Ruiling. It was as if Huangfu Ruilings abrupt decision had forced the delay of Huangfu Ruixiangs engagement.
Zhong Yating looked at Huangfu Ruixiang, signaling him to speak. Since the elders had already spoken, speaking up at this point would be deemed immature.
However, Huangfu Ruixiang was in a different position. As Zhongyu Liuyings biological son, speaking now wouldn’t offend anyone.
Facing Zhong Yatings gaze, Huangfu Ruixiang appeared troubled, seemingly unsure how to proceed. He looked at Zhong Yating, then at his parents, as if uncertain about how to broach the subject.
“Yating, are you in a rush to get engaged?” Huangfu Jingzhang spoke, his brow furrowed. “It’s not that we don’t want you to get engaged to Ruixiang now; we just want to postpone it for some time. Are you really in such a hurry?”
These words left Zhong Yating feeling somewhat lost. She knew that, no matter what she said now, it would likely be perceived as wrong. Moreover, her recent actions had clearly displeased Huangfu Ruixiangs parents.
For a moment, she genuinely didn’t know how to proceed..