Chapter 78 - Family Reunion: Engagement Party

One Week Later 

When Long Xia and Yuan Bojing had fully recovered from their injuries, they invited two—nearly three—families and friends to their home for their engagement party, but none of the guests knew what the party was for. 

It was the first time they had a room filled with Long's, Shi's and Yuan's in the same place.

The Shi-Yuan's had always been private people compared to the Long family that were secretive but very public. 

Long Xia had met some of his family before, but they often came and went, never sticking around long enough.

She felt nervous, wondering what Yuan Bojing's extended family were like now. Were they as dark and stunning as Shi Yen? Were they as quiet and reserved as Yuan Shun? 

Long Xia had thought her family was intimidating, but it was not the same degree as Yuan Bojing's family side. She swallowed thickly. 

Her family was already seated, talking amongst each other.. Then finally, Yuan Bojing answered the door when more guests arrived. 

Entering first were Shi Yen and Yuan Shun with their daughter, who resembled so much like their mother—tall, dark, and regal. Long Xia had interacted with her plenty of times in the past like a little sister. But she had a ten-year difference from Yuan Bojing, and she had always been too young to be included in their circle. She handed them gifts. 

Yuan Bojing pulled Long Xia to his side when he introduced her to his aunt and uncle—Yuan Ning, and his wife, Wu Genji.

Yuan Ning looked like a more handsome, slightly rugged version of her future father-in-law. He wore a friendly smile and held a firm handshake.

His wife, Wu Genji, was a beautiful woman who reminded her of Shi Yen somehow. They brought their two children with them. 

Next had been Yuan Xinyi, his paternal aunt, and her husband, Fang Qi. Fang Qi gave his nephew a bear hug. 

Lastly, Yuan Bojing greeted Shi Ailin, his maternal aunt. Shi Ailin was a beautiful woman with wavy brown hair and soft brown eyes. Shi Ailin reminded her of Shao Lin. Very soft, gentle—maternal, but strong and unwavering like a Shi. She came with her husband Luo Wanting, a man she remembered to be so handsome it nearly knocked Long Xia's breath. 

Luo Wanting had silver hair and pale-green eyes, and there was something deep-set and protective about his exterior and the way he looked at his wife. He gave Long Xia a gentle smile and handshake. "It's nice to see you," he said to her. 

Long Xia returned the comment. "Likewise, Mr. Luo. Thank you for coming." 

Luo Wanting then wrapped an arm around Shi Ailin's waist. She flushed as she gazed at Long Xia up and down with a smile. "I figured you'd be with my nephew. You two may have always fought as children, but never did that stop him from chasing after you." 

"Wife—" Luo Wanting muttered softly, but Shi Ailin gave him a devious look. 

"My nephew did always prefer women that could beat him. It's something he and his father have in common." 

Long Xia chuckled as Yuan Bojing wrapped an arm around her. "It runs in the family," he said. 

"Well, you and your father always had good taste," Shi Ailin added. 

Long Xia stared at his aunt, and she swore she loved her already. 

A woman around their age then pushed past Shi Ailin and Luo Wanting. She chewed gum in her mouth as she smiled and said, "Remember me? It's been a long time." Luo Nuying said.

Luo Nuying was Yuan Bojing's cousin. She had silver hair and green eyes, and she looked so much like her father. 

"Nuying," Long Xia responded with an equally bright smile. "How could I forget you?"

Luo Nuying hugged her as she looked between Long Xia and her cousin. "Sorry, my brothers could not be here. One is held up at school, and the other is overseas for business with his wife."

Long Xia grinned. "Not to worry. I will catch them at the next family event." 

"Oh?" Luo Nuying questioned. "So you two are finally taking the next step—"

"Always perceptive, aren't you?" Yuan Bojing interrupted. 

Luo Nuying looked at him. "Well, I think it is obvious," she said. She knew they were engaged. 

Yuan Bojing let go of Long Xia to nudge at his cousin. "Well then. I guess it is nice to see you too, Ying." 

After everyone had entered the room and settled in, Long Xia slipped on her engagement ring and showed it to their families. 

Shao Lin and Long Mei were the first to scream with excitement. They ran up to her, squeezing her tight, congratulating her with words and shrieks.

The others wore approving smiles, knowing that this was coming, and they took turns to express their congratulations. 

Jin Qing was the last to approach them, waiting for his turn. He wore a friendly smile as he said, "I wish you two well on your marriage. You two deserve the happiness that is now and more to come." 

Long Xia was so moved she felt like crying. She hugged him instead. "Thank you for being my friend."

He embraced her back. "Always." 

Long Xia let go when her eyes fell to Long Mei. She was staring, but she looked away as soon as Long Xia's gaze collided with hers. "How is she adjusting to the new arrangement?" Long Xia asked, referring to her sister. 

Jin Qing glanced at Long Mei, a bit shyer than Long Xia ever imagined. "Well. Very well, actually" he said it almost with concern. 

Long Xia didn't take Jin Qing as someone who got shy or nervous. He was handsome and friendly, but there was something dark and secretive about him, a side she was not sure he'd ever share with someone. 

In all interactions Long Xia had with Jin Qing, she only saw half of him. 50%. It was not her place to ask about him, but she wondered if her sister would ever get to see it. 

Long Mei had a way with people Long Xia never did, but she hoped that their relationship, whether platonic—or something more—would work out. 

After he answered her question, Jin Qing returned to Long Mei's side. They kept a healthy distance between them—close but not quite touching.

Long Xia turned to face Yuan Bojing's side, frowning. "Do you think I made their lives miserable? They have to pretend to be together because of me." 

Her fiancé rubbed her shoulders. "Your sister would do anything for you, and she's very determined. Jin Qing also had a choice, but he agreed to the arrangement as well. Besides, there's something about those two they are not telling us. This might not entirely be a bad thing." 

Long Xia glanced at them once more. "I just hope they don't end up hating each other." 

He laughed. "I think it will be quite the opposite."

Long Xia looked at him with hopeful eyes. "You know how to make me feel better."

Yuan Bojing smiled. "And I will continue to do so." 

Indeed. Yuan Bojing and Long Xia will continue to be there for each other through the good and the bad, the happy and the devastating; they never got to do that before, but they can now. 

Long Xia then turned to face her family. "We will be getting married at our coronation!" She announced to their family.