Inside the Luo family villa, Lacey and Jax, who had just woken up, walked downstairs hand in hand, feeling a bit shy upon seeing Rick, along with Jax's parents, busy making dumplings.

"Uncle, Auntie, you're here," Lacey said, approaching them and nervously fiddling with her hands.

"Our girl is awake. Have some water and fruit; we'll be having dumplings soon," Jax's mother said warmly, treating Lacey like her daughter.

Obediently, Lacey went to the living room to pour a glass of water for Jax's mother, not for herself. She also ran one for Jax's father, then finally for Jax, who must be tired after over an hour of exercise. She tenderly handed him the water.

"Hmm, hmm," Rick watched their closeness and coughed to remind, "Lacey, aren't you pouring a glass for your brother? I haven't had a chance to drink water since I returned from the office."

"Big brother, I'll do it!" Jax quickly responded, pouring water for Rick before Lacey could.

"Thanks, brother-in-law!" Rick finally smiled genuinely.

"We're all family, no need for formalities!" Jax replied, scratching his head with a smile.

The dumplings were ready soon, and the family enjoyed the fresh and juicy delicacies of early winter in a warm and harmonious atmosphere.

Winter had arrived, a time of withering for many things, but it marked a beginning filled with vitality and happiness for the Luo family.

"Come, dumplings and wine; the more you drink, the better! Today marks the start of winter. We've all worked hard this year and reaped good rewards. Let's raise our glasses to celebrate and hope for a chubby grandson next year," Jax's father said passionately, making a toast to welcome winter.

Everyone raised their glasses, smiling happily.

After the toast, Jax's father asked Rick, "Rick, how do you plan to arrange Jax and Lacey's wedding?"

Rick momentarily thought, "I don't have relatives, but I still want a grand wedding. I plan to invite the middle management of my company to get acquainted with my sister. Around a hundred people and Lacey and Jax's classmates will be there. As for your side, invite all your relatives. I'll cover the expenses. You can rent a bus from your hometown. Will that be enough? I'll take care of the accommodation."

Rick's arrangements seemed thoughtful, but Jax's father frowned slightly, seemingly dissatisfied with part of it.

"Rick, your arrangements are good, but I don't want you to spend so much. I'd prefer not to have my relatives from the countryside come over. It's too much trouble, and staying in hotels is expensive. The gift money won't cover it," he said, concerned about the cost of accommodating everyone in a fine hotel, even though it wasn't his money. More importantly, he worried about losing face if everyone knew Jax was marrying into the Luo family, despite the family's appealing conditions.

"Rick, I think we should do this. After all, it's my Jax who's marrying. Let's have the wedding in our hometown first. You need to attend as the in-law. I don't have many friends and relatives; just a dozen tables will do, and it's cheaper to have it in the village," Jax's father suggested.

Knowing his in-laws cared about appearances, Rick didn't say much and agreed. Of course, Jax's father also expected Rick to pay for it, but he didn't mention it outright, leaving him a bit frustrated.

Do you want to save face without spending money? That's not how the world works.

With the wedding arrangements settled and nothing else to discuss, Rick asked Jax to accompany his parents to the hotel, leaving him and Lacey alone at home.

"Lacey, maybe my matchmaking was a mistake. I know you love Jax and wanted the two of you to be together soon, but I didn't consider his family background. I can always protect you, but..." Rick sighed, not finishing his thought.

"You've worried too much, brother. You did nothing wrong. I love Jax, and he loves me. His mom is also very kind, treating me like her own daughter. I'll get along well with my mother-in-law, don't worry!" Lacey expressed her optimistic expectations for her future life.

"As long as you're happy, I've fulfilled Mom's wishes. You two staying here to develop your lives is the only way I can be at ease," Rick said, reluctant to let go completely, feeling most secure with his sister under his watch.

"Yeah, I'll stay by your side, brother. Without you, I wouldn't have a home," Lacey's eyes welled up with tears.

Rick walked over and gently hugged her, stroking her hair tenderly, not letting go for a long time.

At the hotel, Jax's father was still pondering the conversation, lighting a cigarette in frustration. "Jax's mum, why didn't Rick say anything? It won't cost much to host in our hometown. He's so wealthy; such a small matter shouldn't bother him!"

"His dad, we're almost not investing anything; why are you so bothered? You're too stingy to spend that little money; it'll make us look bad in front of Rick. Stop being so calculative! Besides, didn't Jax give you a card with ten thousand? Just spend it," Jax's mother was more relaxed, eager for her son to get married soon.

"Yeah, you're right." Jax's father, usually focused on money, relaxed with his wife's reassurance. Compared to what Rick gave as a dowry, this was nothing, like a pie falling from the sky!

Elated, Jax's father grabbed his wife's hand and headed to the bathroom in their room.

"What are you doing?" she asked, following him blankly.

Hehehe! Jax's father's laugh was quite similar to Jax's. "Come on, my treasure, let's take a bath together."

"At our age, still so frivolous!" Jax's mother playfully swatted his hand away, her eyes radiating warmth, "Go out and undress first. If we get wet, we'll have nothing to wear tomorrow."

After dropping his parents at the hotel, Jax returned to his rental apartment with Xiao Zhong. Not streaming for two days, he had lost several thousand followers, which upset him greatly.

"Dear viewers, I'm sorry for the wait. There was a small matter at home, and I had to visit my hometown. I'll be back streaming with Lacey tomorrow; please wait a little longer," he apologized to his viewers, not mentioning the wedding.

Viewers' comments flooded in, expressing how much they missed him and asking about Lacey.

Grateful for their concern, Jax reassured them, "Thank you, everyone. There wasn't anything serious at home. I just went to see my parents, and they're fine. Lacey also went home briefly, but I'll be back tomorrow for our stream. Please be patient."

Then

, he began his comedy routine.

Lacey, who had also entered the livestream, heard Jax's words and felt uneasy. Why didn't he mention our upcoming wedding to the viewers? Does he have other thoughts?

The more she thought, the sadder she became. Seeing Jax say goodbye to the viewers, she quickly exited the platform and called him.

"Jax, why didn't you mention our wedding just now?" Lacey asked, sounding a bit angry.

"Jealous, babe?" Jax teased. "You don't know how it works here. Although we're just streamers, it's not much different from being celebrities. The viewers come for you, and if they know you're getting married, their fantasies will be shattered. They won't follow you anymore. If we lose half of my fans and some of yours, all our hard work will have been for nothing, right, babe?"

After hearing Jax's explanation, Lacey's anger subsided, but she still scolded him, "What you say makes sense, but we can't hide it forever! It upsets me, especially those female fans calling you 'husband'. You can only be mine."

"Alright, babe! Don't be angry. It's just for show online; it won't become reality. You're the only one in my heart; there's no room for another," Jax reassured her.

Lacey giggled, "Who's your wife? We haven't even registered our marriage yet!"

"Getting the certificate is easy. In reality, we're already a couple; it doesn't matter if we call it early or late!"

Lacey blushed, "I'm not talking to you anymore. I'm going to sleep; good night!"

"Let's chat a bit more! I haven't had enough," Jax said playfully.

"Go away, I'm going to sleep!" Lacey ended the call, thought for a moment, and sent him a little red heart emoji via WeChat.

Jax replied with a heart, too. The two hearts collided in the chat interface, bursting into brilliant pink petals, like the flower rain at a wedding ceremony.