Chapter 2879: Not Part of Our Family
"Mom—" Li Mingxi said helplessly, "You know I’m getting older, so don’t mention it. And today I’ve aged another year, so what’s the point in celebrating? Let’s just pretend I’m still 34."
"You might as well just always pretend you’re 18," Li Mingchen replied cheekily.
Li Mingxi threw a pillow at him.
"Alright, stop fooling around," Grandma Li stopped the two of them.
"Mingxi, when celebrating birthdays, others throw big parties, but we’re not going big for you, just a family gathering for a meal. Tianling’s family will come soon. How about inviting Xiao Lang too?"
Li Mingxi’s smile froze for a moment: "Why should I invite him?"
"You’re with him now, who else would you invite?" Grandma Li countered.
Li’s mother took out a magazine, pointing at a photo for her to see.
"This magazine came out today. We all know you went traveling with Xiao Lang. Look at how close you two are; how long will you hide this from the family? Li Qian’s mother also called me, saying there’s nothing between you and Li Qian. Since you’re not marrying Li Qian, you must be marrying Xiao Lang, right?"
Li’s mother said this happily, with no hint of displeasure.
They all liked Xiao Lang and hoped Li Mingxi would marry him.
Now that the marriage with Li Qian was off, being with Xiao Lang was best.
Li Mingxi didn’t want to disappoint everyone; she kept it cheerful.
She laughed: "Didn’t Grandma say it’s just a family meal? Xiao Lang isn’t part of our family, so no need to invite him."
Grandma Li glared at her: "He’ll be family soon, so we should invite him for dinner."
"He’s not family yet! Let’s wait until he is," Mingxi retorted.
"You child, I told you to invite him, so just do it... "
Li Mingxi laughed: "Grandma, it’s not about me not inviting him; Xiao Lang is busy today and can’t come, really. But he should be back tonight."
Li Mingxi deliberately misled her family into thinking Xiao Lang would spend the evening alone with her to celebrate her birthday.
Grandma felt slightly disappointed: "If he’s busy, then fine. But when will you register for the marriage?"
Li’s father nodded: "Did you forget my deadline for you? You must be married before your birthday."
Li Mingxi continued to evade.
"Dad, things are as they are, there’s no rush right now. If I hurry to get married, people might think I’m cheap."
Li Mingchen chimed in again: "Aren’t we afraid you’ll become even cheaper after turning 35?"
"Shut up!" said Li’s mother, glaring at her son. This time, enough was enough. "Do you talk about your sister like that?"
Li Mingchen laughed: "I’m just being honest, it’s for her own good. If she doesn’t hurry and get married, how long will she drag this out?"
Li’s mother turned to Li Mingxi: "Mingchen has a point, but you’re not wrong either. How about inviting Xiao Lang for dinner this weekend, and we’ll discuss the wedding with him personally."
Li Mingxi merely smiled, neither agreeing nor refusing.
No one knew what she was thinking; they all assumed she agreed.
After finishing discussions about Mingxi, Li’s mother stood up: "You all chat here, I’ll go check how the family lunch is coming along. And the birthday cake, I wonder if it’s ready yet..."