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The sun shines warmly on the streets of the town, and a warm breeze blows across the faces of passers-by. It's a sunny weekend, and the town is full of joy. On this beautiful day, a pair of lovers are walking home arm in arm, talking and laughing.
Li Wen and Zhang Hao have been in love for two years, and their relationship is very sweet and happy. They plan to get married after graduation and start a new journey in life. According to tradition, Li Wen, as a fiancée, had to visit Zhang Hao's parents and formally introduce herself to them. Today is a big day to meet her parents, and Li Wen is both excited and nervous.
"Wenwen, the makeup is too thick, it should be lighter and more natural. Zhang Hao looked at Li Wen's delicate bun and said with a smile.
Li Wen looked at herself in the mirror and nodded: "It's a little too much, I'll modify it a little." She took a deep breath and tried to calm herself. Meeting her parents is a big deal for her, and of course she hopes to leave a good impression on Zhang Hao's parents.
Soon, the two came to the vicinity of Zhang Hao's house. A small two-storey building with a sturdy French plane tree planted in the yard shades lush green in the sun. Li Wen couldn't help but be attracted by this quiet and pleasant environment.
"Here we are, here it is. Zhang Hao pointed to Xiaolou and said. He took Li Wen's hand, and the two stepped on the neat bluestone path and walked into the courtyard.
An amiable middle-aged woman has been waiting at the door for a long time. I saw her wearing an elegant cheongsam, with a delicate hairband on her head, and her temperament was elegant and generous.
"Mother, this is the Wenwen I told you. Zhang Hao introduced with a smile.
"Hello, Auntie. Li Wen bowed slightly, with a gentle smile on her face.
"Come in, don't be inhibited. The middle-aged woman said kindly, her eyes scanning Li Wen's body for a week, and she seemed to like the daughter-in-law who was about to join the family.
As soon as I entered the house, the smell of incense came to my nose. The living room is filled with antique furniture, showing the owner's preference for traditional culture.
"You may be seated. The middle-aged woman pointed to a mahogany sofa and said, "This is my daughter, you will have to get along well in the future." "
Only then did Li Wen notice that there was a young woman in her early twenties sitting on the other side of the sofa. She has neat short hair, wears casual sportswear, and has a somewhat cold expression.
"Wenwen, this is my sister Xiaoyue, and I will be your sister-in-law in the future. Zhang Hao said with a grin.
"Brother, that's how you introduced me?" The young woman glanced at Zhang Hao, and then nodded to Li Wen: "Hello." "
Just then, a middle-aged man also walked in. He was not tall, but he had a straight body and a resolute look.
"Dad, you're here too. Zhang Hao hurriedly got up and said respectfully.
"Sit down, sit down, don't be so restrained. The middle-aged man waved his hand and motioned for everyone to sit down. He turned to Li Wen and said in an amiable tone: "Wenwen, welcome, welcome, we will be a family in the future." "
The middle-aged woman's name is Zhao Shuhua, although she is not young, her bright eyes still reveal vitality and spirit. She looked at Li Wen with a kind gaze from time to time, and seemed to have regarded her as her daughter-in-law.
Zhao Shuhua's gestures reveal an elegant and atmospheric temperament, and her words are also earnest, like a virtuous woman in the traditional sense. From time to time, she would tidy up her clothes, or pull her sideburns in a bun, and her movements were elegant and generous.
Li Wen noticed that Zhao Shuhua was wearing a high-quality jade bracelet on the ring finger of her left hand. The jade bracelet is finely carved, and the color is moist and smooth, as if it gives people a feeling of warmth and jade. It seems that this aunt's family background is not ordinary.
"Auntie, this jade bracelet is really beautiful. Li Wen praised sincerely. Her eyes scanned the jade bracelet intentionally or unintentionally, and some doubts couldn't help but appear in her heart.
Such a precious jade bracelet must be worth a lot of money. However, Zhang Hao's family background is only an ordinary family in a small town, how can they have such financial resources? What's more, Li Wen still has some understanding of jade, and the craftsmanship of this jade bracelet looks like an antique, and the value is probably even more expensive.
"Auntie, where did you buy this jade bracelet? Li Wen tried to hide the doubts in her heart and asked in a sincere tone.
Zhao Shuhua didn't seem to expect Li Wen to ask this, her expression was nervous for a moment, but she quickly covered it up and said gently: "This was bought from an old merchant a few years ago." At that time, I was attracted by its temperament and bought it at some cost. "
"Yes, that auntie is really discerning. Li Wen said with a smile, but she was full of doubts in her heart. How could an antique that looked so valuable be bought from an old merchant in a small town? Zhao Shuhua's explanation was really far-fetched.
The conversation ended without a hitch, but Li Wen's doubts intensified. From time to time, she would glance at the jade bracelet in Zhao Shuhua's hand, carefully examining its style and texture.
That's when a small episode happened. Zhao Shuhua came over with a plate of fruit, ready to entertain the guests. As soon as she got up, her arm shook, and the precious jade bracelet slipped down with a crisp sound.
"Ahh Zhao Shuhua exclaimed in surprise and hurriedly bent down to pick it up. Li Wen subconsciously also stood up, and her eyes fell on the jade bracelet.
Li Wen's heart sank so hard that she almost stopped breathing. This jade bracelet is clearly a treasure given by the emperor during the Qianlong period, how could it appear in an ordinary person's home? What's more, Zhao Shuhua clearly said that he bought it from an old merchant before!
"Auntie, did you say the opposite?" Li Wen frowned, and her tone became a little stern, "If it is a fake, how can there be such superb carving craftsmanship?" And the texture of this jade bracelet looks like the best material." "
"Coincidence?!" Li Wen finally couldn't hold it back, and her voice raised a few points, "Auntie, don't quibble! This is clearly a rare treasure given by the royal family, how can it appear in the hands of an ordinary person like you? Moreover, you lied before that you bought it from an old merchant, I think you are hiding some dirty secret!"
There was a dead silence in the room, and everyone was frightened by Li Wen's anger. Zhao Shuhua's face turned pale, and Zhang Hao's face was full of astonishment, obviously he didn't expect his mother to hide such a secret.
"Enough, I don't want to go any further!" Li Wen took a deep breath and looked at everyone present with a firm look, "Zhang Hao, let's break up." I thought you were an honest and kind person, but now it seems that there is something dirty hidden in your house. I don't want to get involved in these entanglements, and I don't want to marry into a family with secrets. "
As she spoke, she turned away without looking back. Zhang Hao hurriedly chased out, but Li Wen was already angry and walked away.
Li Wen had mixed feelings in her heart. She originally really liked Zhang Hao, and she also fantasized about forming a happy family with him. Unexpectedly, on the day she met her parents, she discovered such a terrifying secret of the Zhang family. A royal jade bracelet of unknown origin, as well as Zhao Shuhua's many lies, all made Li Wen completely lose trust in this family.
"Anyway, the fate between us is really over. Li Wen muttered to herself, quickened her pace, and decided to end the relationship.
"Wenwen, Wenwen! Zhang Hao chased after him and shouted Li Wen's name loudly.
Li Wen didn't look back, and her steps became faster and faster. Zhang Hao had to chase desperately, and finally stopped her at the mouth of an alley.
"Don't go, Wenwen, things are not what you imagined. Zhang Hao gasped, looking flustered and sincere.
Li Wen looked at him coldly, her eyes full of disappointment: "What else is there to explain? The jade bracelet in your mother's hand is obviously a royal gift, and she lied to me." There must be something unsavory hidden in your house!"
"No, it's not what you think!" Zhang Hao waved his hand again and again, "That jade bracelet was indeed given by the Qing Dynasty, but it was not stolen or illegally obtained by my mother. It is actually an ancestral heirloom of our family, which has been passed down from generation to generation for hundreds of years. "
Zhang Hao paused and explained seriously: "Although our family is just an ordinary family in a small town, there was indeed an ancestor who was a royal craftsman who made imperial jewelry. That ancestor won the emperor's appreciation, so he was given this jade bracelet as a reward. It's always been a family heirloom in our family, but it's always been low-key and never flaunted to outsiders. "
Li Wen obviously didn't expect such a reason, and her originally determined eyes began to waver.
Zhang Hao looked at Li Wen sincerely, and said in a sincere tone: "Wenwen, we have been in love so far, you know my personality." Although our family comes from an ordinary background, we have always been a hardworking and upright family. Do you believe we're not going to do anything unreasonable?"
Li Wen lowered her eyes and fell into deep thought. She does know that Zhang Hao's family are very kind and upright people, and they have been well-educated since they were young. If it is really like what Zhang Hao said, that jade bracelet is a family heirloom, it makes sense.
It's just that Zhao Shuhua's performance at that time was too abnormal, which will inevitably make people suspicious. Li Wen was puzzled, and her heart hovered between believing or not.