Chapter 71: Fiancé Fu Tonight

Separately, these two tweets seemed unrelated and harmless. But once combined, things got interesting!

Initially, fans were merely immersed in the joy of their idol posting. Some of Shen Xingsui's fans playfully commented:

"Aww, why no selfie?"

"Suisui, you only showed your back during the performance tonight. You're making us so curious!"

"We really want a selfie."

"The fireworks outside are beautiful. Happy New Year, Suisui."

The comments under Shen Xingsui's tweet were generally harmonious. Though there was some mild grumbling, the tone was friendly.

But under the famous Fu's tweet, things weren't so peaceful. While Shen Xingsui had posted beautiful fireworks, Fu had inexplicably posted a rather unattractive knot for good luck!

"Bro, what's this for?"

"I sense something ominous here."

"The last celebrity who randomly posted stuff like this is now married."

"No way, no way (frantically shaking head)."

Just as everyone thought they might be overthinking or misinterpreting, some keen observers started connecting the two tweets.

"Safe year for Suisui?"

"Unforgettable tonight?"

A sharp netizen raised the question: "Is this REALLY a coincidence?!"

Not to mention, due to some previous interactions between the two, they already had a dedicated fanbase rooting for their pairing. Today's tweets felt like an official endorsement, pushing fans towards romantic speculation!

"As everyone knows, there are no coincidences."

"I have reasons to suspect... is this an official announcement?"

"Stop speculating; they didn't even mention each other!"

Consequently, with the help of the enthusiastic netizens, even though midnight had passed and it was time to rest, many were too excited to sleep. The real-time trending topics on Weibo were constantly updating.

#OfficialAnnouncementOfFuJinxiaoAndShenXingsui#

This trending topic exploded on Weibo, with editors from major media outlets receiving calls to work overtime in the middle of the night, much to their dismay.

Many netizens, upon hearing the news, found the site crashing due to overwhelming traffic. One of them is a national A-list actor, and the other is a rising star with significant buzz. The combined attention they garnered was staggering.

Shen Xingsui was oblivious to the unexpected announcement about him.

He had gone to bed after dinner, and when he woke up, he found the internet in an uproar. Because his phone was on silent during sleep, his WeChat was bombarded with messages.

Wang Meican messaged: "Did you two make it official? Why didn't you consult me?"

Ning Ze: "Congratulations."

Wen Shengge: "Congratulations."

...

He received many more congratulatory messages.

Shen Xingsui felt like he had a huge question mark hovering above his head, one that wouldn't go away. He had apparently made some official announcement while he slept, but he had no idea about who the other party was!

After catching up on Weibo, Shen Xingsui was even more shocked. On one hand, he never expected Fu, the famed actor, to post such a thing; on the other hand, he felt a mix of shyness and happiness. Even though he knew it was a mere coincidence, seeing their names together evoked sweet emotions.

But when he looked at the comments, his smile froze.

"Shen Xingsui is not worthy of Brother Fu."

"He's so mediocre he couldn't even win a talent show."

"What notable work has he done?"

"Brother Fu posted first; Shen is just riding his coattails for attention."

It felt like a bucket of cold water had been poured over him. Any initial elation he felt evaporated instantly, leaving him speechless.

Deep down, he always knew there was a gap between him and Fu Jinxiao, so he never dared to be presumptuous. Being called out by netizens felt like a pin bursting his just-inflated balloon, snapping him back to reality.

Knock, knock, knock

Someone was at the door.

Shen Xingsui quickly sat up and asked, "Who is it?"

"Suisui?" came the voice of Xu Enzhen from outside. "Mom said the weather's good today. We're going to your grandparents' place. Are you up yet?"

Shen Xingsui, still reeling from the news, was caught off guard by this new surprise. He blurted out, "We're, we're going to my grandparents'?"

Xu Enzhen replied, "Yes, freshen up, and we'll head out."

Though nervous, Shen Xingsui responded, "Alright, I'll be right there."

He quickly got out of bed and washed up. Opening his wardrobe, he was stunned to find a new row of clothes. It seemed someone had placed them there discreetly, as each garment still had its tags with a note attached.

Among them was a yellow down jacket from Xu Enzhen, with a note reading, "Mother bought this to match your scarf and gloves."

Another gift was a bright blue suit from his father, Shen Yong.

The craftsmanship and fabric quality of the suit were unparalleled. Its sleek, pressed finish suggested it was quite expensive.

The attached note read, "Stay upright and may your journey be smooth."

Shen Xingsui could almost imagine his father's stern expression while penning the note. Although not a man of many words, the handwritten message conveyed his parents' deep affection.

The next set of clothes was from Shen Minglang.

It was an opulent-looking outfit for everyday wear, adorned with diamonds and expensive-looking gold threads – quite typical of his lavish elder brother.

Shen Xingsui chuckled, "Elder brother never ceases to amaze with his unique style."

The last outfit came from Shen Xingchen.

It was a jacket with an eccentric rural punk design, an unmistakable style signature of the gifter.

Looking at the gifts in his wardrobe, Shen Xingsui felt a warmth inside. He finally chose the yellow down jacket, given the heavy snow outside.

Downstairs, breakfast was ready.

Xu Enzhen announced, "Come eat. It will be a few hours' drive to your grandparents' place."

Everyone sat down for the meal.

Dressed in his new clothes, Shen Xingsui began, "Thank you, Mom and Dad, for the clothes. And to you too, brother."

The family, seeing the young man's immense gratitude for a few pieces of clothing, sighed internally. His sparkling eyes made it hard for them to resist his charm.

To everyone's surprise, Shen Xingsui added, "I have also prepared gifts for all of you!"

This revelation caught everyone off guard.

Shen Xingsui hurriedly retrieved the presents. He carefully unveiled a box for Xu Enzhen, revealing a pristine blue gemstone necklace. The sheer quality of the stone indicated its high value.

Whispering, he said, "I know you prefer understated jewelry. I saw this in a magazine and thought it would look beautiful on you."

Overwhelmed, Xu Enzhen managed to ask, "Did you buy this yourself, Xingsui?"

He nodded, then presented another box containing knitting tools. "I know you love handcrafts. During my visit to Taohua Town, I found these tools. They're meant to protect hands while knitting. I thought you might find them useful..."

Sincerity always touches the heart deeply.

Xu Enzhen, with a surge of emotion, replied, "Thank you, Xingsui. I will cherish them."

Shen Xingsui finally showed a shy smile.

Xu Enzhen held the necklace's box again, admiring it intently. "This is the best jewelry gift I've received this year. Can I wear it now?"

Shen Xingsui nodded with a joyful expression, "Of course, I'm glad you like it."

With a beaming smile, Xu Enzhen said, "Xingsui, will you help me put it on?"

Shen Xingsui replied, "Of course."

He picked up the necklace, feeling slightly nervous. This was his first time putting jewelry on a woman. His hands trembled slightly. The necklace was expensive, but upon seeing it, he felt it was perfect for his mother, making the expense worthwhile.

The aqua-blue necklace looked captivating against her fair skin, especially under the ambient lighting.

Xu Enzhen blinked, asking her husband and son, "Does it look good?"

Shen Yong nodded, "It looks beautiful."

Others absent-mindedly agreed.

Everyone felt a twinge of envy. They too wanted gifts!

Fortunately, Shen Xingsui was considerate. He quickly took out another box and said to Shen Yong, "Father, I have a gift for you too."

Shen Yong, pretending not to be eager, put down his chopsticks, "Really? Xingsui, you shouldn't have. I have everything I need, so you don't have to spend money on me."

Shen Xingchen, ever the joker, piped up, "If dad doesn't want it, give it to me!"

Shen Yong shot him a cool glance.

Shen Xingsui smiled wryly, presenting the gift box to his father, "This is a watch I got. It's not particularly high-end..."

Inside the box was a black gold watch encrusted with diamonds.

It was worth about one or two million, which seemed modest compared to the custom-made watch Shen Yong often wore, priced around ten million.

Still, Shen Yong graciously accepted it, whispering, "It's the thought that counts. I love it."

Shen Xingsui, seeing his father's approval, said joyfully, "I'm glad you like it."

Without hesitation, Shen Yong took off the luxury watch he'd worn for years, wanting to try on his son's gift. Noticing his father's difficulty, Shen Xingsui offered, "Let me help you."

Far from his stern public image, Shen Yong warmly replied, "Thank you."

Shen Xingsui assisted him with a smile.

After putting on the black watch, Shen Yong's face lit up with a smile. He even rolled up his sleeves slightly and whispered, "I really like it. Thank you, Sui Sui."

Shen Xingsui replied, "No need to thank me. I'm just happy you like it."

All the while, Shen Minglang observed the scene quietly.

Fortunately, it was also Shen Xing Sui's turn to present his gift. He approached with a small box that, despite its size, looked rather exquisite. Inside was a pair of glasses.

Shen Xing Sui softly said, "I specifically inquired about your prescription from mother some time ago. I know you probably don’t lack anything, and one tends to replace glasses periodically. So, I thought of customizing one for you. Mr. Fu from the eyewear shop recommended this pair, believing you'd find it comfortable."

Shen Ming Lang could tell at a glance that Fu Jin Xiao was pulling his leg.

He always had his glasses custom-made. How could there be a mere 'eyewear shop'?

Nonetheless, the gold-framed glasses in Shen Xing Sui’s hands were genuinely stunning, and the craftsmanship was evident. They clearly reflected a labor of love.

Shen Ming Lang, always particular about his belongings and always desiring the best, remarked, "I truly am accustomed to these. Thank you, Sui Sui. You've put a lot of thought into this."

Shen Xing Sui's lips curled into a smile.

The turn for gifts then came to Shen Xing Chen, who received a limited edition gaming console that matched his tastes as a young master.

During the meal, Xu En Zhen curiously asked, "Sui Sui, these gifts must've cost quite a bit. Do you have enough funds?"

"I do," Shen Xing Sui replied while holding his bowl. "I have my allowance. I budgeted it and saved up. Thankfully, I didn’t spend recklessly, so it all came in handy now."

Shen Xing Chen suddenly realized, "No wonder you’ve been so thrifty, hesitating to buy anything."

Shen Xing Sui chuckled, "I have everything I need in terms of food and clothing."

While he didn’t say it outright, everyone could guess that Shen Xing Sui likely spent all his savings on gifts. Who could be so selfless to spend all their savings like that?

Xu En Zhen, feeling for him, said, "Sui Sui, as long as it’s from you, your father and I will love it. Next time, don't be so frugal, okay?"

"I didn't…" Shen Xing Sui's voice softened, whispering, "I just wanted to give you all the best I could afford."

Perhaps, to the people of the Shen family, these items were merely passable. But to Shen Xing Sui, this was the very best he could offer.

Everyone exchanged glances, each understanding a silent sentiment shared among them.

They had all wondered if the child who had left and now returned could truly fit back into the family. At this moment, their hearts ached for him, wishing they could give him the world.

They each then shifted their gazes, getting lost in their own thoughts, ensuring their personal aspirations and plans remained hidden, especially from the older and wiser members of the family.

...

afternoon

Shen Xing Sui and his family arrived at Grandpa’s estate.

Upon seeing his grandfather, Shen Xing Sui was utterly stunned.

Shen Cong Sheng, filled with emotion, remarked, "Sui Sui, it's been so long."

"You... I think we’ve met somewhere before." Shen Xing Sui's voice stammered, "Was it... during that TV program recording?"

Dressed in a white robe, Shen Cong Sheng approached, taking a closer look at his grandson. The more he looked, the more he grew fond. "Yes, back then, both your grandmother and I wanted to see you. We didn't wish to interrupt your shooting, so we decided to come on our own. You don’t mind, do you?"

Shen Xing Sui hurriedly shook his head, "Not at all! I was just... surprised, and a bit nervous afterward. I’m relieved I didn't make any blunders that might've disappointed you."

Shen Congsheng led him into the estate, smiling warmly. "My dear, you've done well for yourself. It must have been tough for you all these years outside. Now that you're back, there's no need to worry. This is your home, and we are your family. Set your mind at ease."

Shen Xingsui was nervous before arriving, fearing any misstep might make him unlikable. But he never expected the elders to be so kind, which eased his anxiety considerably.

The benevolent old lady, with silver hair yet retaining a captivating beauty—hinting at a past youthful radiance—greeted, "Come in, Xingsui. I've prepared pastries and tea for you. Oh, and there's something your grandmother wishes to give you."

Shen Xingsui hesitated for a moment.

Xu Enzhen smiled, saying, "Go on."

Following the old lady upstairs, she engaged him in much conversation. Upon reaching the study, she fetched a jewelry box, musing, "When your mother was pregnant, I had these pair of matching bangles made for her, blessed by a renowned priest for protection. They were meant as a gift for the baby's birth, symbolizing good fortune. However, after the incident, they were left with me."

The old lady sighed, but her eyes twinkled with warmth as she looked at Shen Xingsui. "Now that you're back, it's only right to return these to their rightful owner."

Shen Xingsui accepted them gratefully, noticing the pair.

Curiously, he asked, "Grandmother, is each bangle meant for one hand?"

The golden-plated silver bangles shone resplendently, adorned with a symbol of intertwined hearts—truly magnificent.

The old lady replied, "No, one is for you. The other? Isn't it for your betrothed?"

Shen Xingsui was taken aback. "What betrothed? I'm not engaged."

"Oh, my dear!" she exclaimed with amusement, "I recall your mother mentioning an arranged marriage with the eldest son of the Fu family. Having agreed upon this union, it was only appropriate to gift the other bangle to him."

Shen Xingsui was stunned, as if hearing tales from a fantastical world.

"What are you talking about?" he stammered. "A betrothal with the Fu family? How come I never knew?"

The old lady appeared surprised, "It seems Enzhen, your mother, hasn't informed you. If memory serves, the elder son of the Fu family is quite commendable. You needn't worry."

Shen Xingsui murmured, "My concerns are not about that, grandmother..."

The person in question is indeed exceptional, but is grandmother certain?

Laughing, she said, "Ah yes, his name... Fu Jinxiao, I believe? Now that you're both grown, when will you introduce him to us?"