"Hey, big brother, I've got something to say. Xiaoxi's boyfriend came to our house for the first time and you didn't even tell us? What's that supposed to mean?"
As soon as they stepped inside, the woman leading the group said sarcastically, then plopped down on the living room sofa without hesitation. The three people behind her followed suit without much difference in attitude.
As soon as the two men entered, their eyes fell on the corner where wine and cigarettes were placed. Without a word, they helped themselves—ripping open a box, each taking a cigarette. Instead of putting it back, one of them tucked the box under his arm as if it were his own.
Meanwhile, the other woman walked straight to the dining table and gave it a mocking glance.
"What are you doing here?" Ai Xiaohui couldn't hold back. He was still young, and seeing their behavior, he stood up with a darkened expression.
Before he could finish, Ai Xiaoxi's father raised his hand, motioning him to be quiet.
"The third and fourth are here. Have you eaten?" Xiaoxi's father stood up slowly and gave a nod to the man with the cigarette and the woman who'd come over.
"We wouldn't have come if there wasn't a meal," the woman said with a thin smile. "You didn't invite us even though you had guests. If the neighbors hadn't mentioned it, we wouldn't have known. After all, Xiaoxi grew up under our watch—we can't let her suffer, can we?"
Her tone was casual, but Jiang Hai frowned. These people clearly didn't come with good intentions.
He glanced at Ai Xiaoxi beside him, only to find her face clouded with embarrassment and anger.
"The one holding the cigarettes is my dad's younger brother, my third uncle," she explained. "My dad had three brothers. The eldest passed away early—his wife and son have moved to the city. Only my dad and third uncle still live here. The woman on the sofa is my third aunt, the one talking is my aunt—my dad's sister—and the man standing over there is her husband, my uncle."
Jiang Hai nodded slightly but was confused—if they were family, why were they acting so hostile?
"If you want to eat, then eat. If not, then leave. Like you said, we didn't invite you," Ai Xiaoxi's mother said coldly, setting down her chopsticks and rising to her feet. Clearly, she'd had enough.
"Oh, come on, second sister-in-law. We're family—we see each other every day. Must you speak so harshly?" the woman on the sofa—Xiaoxi's third aunt—replied with mock offense.
"You still remember we're family? Then tell me, why are you here today of all days, when our future son-in-law is visiting?" Ai Xiaoxi's mother said with a frown, her patience clearly wearing thin. Xiaoxi's father remained silent—he knew there were some things he couldn't say, lest they label him henpecked. But if no one stood up for them, they'd be walked all over.
"Son-in-law?" The third aunt sneered as she stood up, her eyes sweeping toward Jiang Hai with disdain. "Where is he? I don't recognize that man sitting over there. The only one fit to be Xiaoxi's husband is Young Master Liu. Not just anyone can sit at this table."
Jiang Hai blinked, caught off guard. Why did this involve him now?
"This is our family's business. It has nothing to do with you," Ai Xiaoxi's mother snapped. "If you want to eat, eat. If not, leave."
Her husband slammed the table and stood up. "Enough. We didn't ask you to come."
"Brother, you're making a mistake. We're your siblings. We wouldn't lead Xiaoxi astray. Marrying into the Liu family is the best choice. They're local, we know them. Better than handing her off to some outsider. And look at what you brought out—Moutai and Zhonghua?" the woman scoffed, kicking the box with disdain. "Since when could you afford that? Trying to act rich, huh?"
Jiang Hai was stunned. Where did their confidence come from?
Sometimes, people's self-righteousness really does come out of nowhere.
"I know exactly what kind of person Liu Laosan is—and what a piece of work his son is," Ai Xiaoxi's father retorted, waving his hand dismissively. "This isn't your daughter we're talking about. Who Xiaoxi marries is her choice. None of your concern."
The room fell silent.
"Second brother," her uncle finally said after flicking his cigarette butt onto the ground—ignoring the ashtray nearby—"you should learn to listen to reason. Otherwise, you won't end well."
The blatant disrespect angered the entire family.
"I don't need your help, and I'm not hungry. Get out," Ai Xiaoxi's father said through clenched teeth.
"Fine, you're the second brother. If you want us gone, we'll go. But you—" her uncle said, turning to Jiang Hai, "—you'd better pack your things and leave while you can. Don't blame us if something happens."
Jiang Hai smiled coldly. He hadn't brought bodyguards this time, but it had been a while since anyone had dared threaten him.
"Let's go." The uncle grumbled and turned to leave with the others.
"Wait," Jiang Hai's voice rang out.
The four paused and turned as he stood up and walked toward them.
"What? Changed your mind?" they sneered, thinking he'd come to apologize.
Instead, Jiang Hai pulled the cigarette pack from under the man's arm. "That was for my uncle, not for you. Hand over the rest."
He tossed the cigarette onto the sofa and stared the man down.
"What if I don't?" the uncle snarled—but before he could finish, Jiang Hai moved.
With a swift motion, Jiang Hai lifted and slammed him onto the floor.
"What are you doing?"
"You dare lay hands on us?"
"Someone help—he's attacking us!"
The other three shouted in panic but made no move. Jiang Hai, towering at over 1.9 meters, was a wall of intimidation.
He held the man down and shook him until the stolen cigarette box fell to the floor.
"I should feed those two smokes to the dogs. Now get out!" he growled, tossing the man out into the yard like trash.
The others paled as Jiang Hai glared at them coldly.
"You think you're tough now? Just wait. You'll regret this!" the third uncle said, clutching his waist as he stood.
It was an empty threat. Jiang Hai took a step forward and all four flinched, quickly scurrying away in embarrassment.
Once they were gone, Jiang Hai tossed the reclaimed cigarettes onto the coffee table. But the once lively dinner table had fallen silent.
"I'm so sorry you had to see that," Ai Xiaoxi's mother said awkwardly, wiping her hands. "Family business shouldn't be aired like this…"
"It's alright, really," Jiang Hai replied, smiling. "Everyone has a few... challenging relatives."
Still, Ai Xiaoxi's parents and brother couldn't relax. Only Ai Xiaoxi remained unfazed—because her parents didn't know what Jiang Hai was truly capable of.
But she did. Whether officially or unofficially, she had nothing to worry about.
She continued eating quietly, though no one else had an appetite anymore.
Jiang Hai couldn't eat because it was too salty. Ai Xiaoxi's family couldn't eat because of the drama. Ai Xiaoxi tried, but she couldn't finish much either.
A lot of dishes were left untouched.
After dinner, Ai Xiaoxi's mother suggested Jiang Hai and Ai Xiaoxi go out for a walk and take in the scenery while the rest of the family cleaned up the table.