Chapter 27: Twenty-seven, besties Chapter 27: Twenty-seven, besties Song Yan Ning nodded her head, “Grandpa said he wanted to check the mountains to see if he could find some wild ginseng or Lingzhi, as he plans to take it to Beijing tomorrow.” She knew where on the mountain the wild ginseng and Lingzhi could be found, as her sense of smell was incredibly sensitive; she could distinguish medicinal herbs from a hundred miles away. The low-level spiritual grass in her room were all found by herself, and although her grandparents just thought she kept them for fun, they didn’t know about the effectiveness of those herbs.
“I’ll bring out breakfast for you then,” Li Meixiang said, picking up some eggs and heading to the kitchen.
“There’s no need for breakfast, just prepare us some dried food, it might rain this afternoon, so we need to leave early and return early,” Yang Lisheng said as he came out of the bathroom and spoke to Li Meixiang.
“Alright!” Li Meixiang nodded and went into the kitchen.
Yang Lisheng walked over to Song Yan Ning and touched her head, “Xiao Ning, maybe you shouldn’t go with Grandpa today. If you get caught in the rain, you might get sick.” If Xiao Ning got sick, she wouldn’t be able to go to Beijing. This was her first return to Beijing after so many years, her first time seeing her family.
“I want to go with Grandpa. My luck is much better than his. Maybe I can find a hundred-year-old wild ginseng,” Song Yan Ning said, pouting while pulling on Yang Lisheng’s sleeve.
Yang Lisheng shook his head and smiled, “Alright, then Grandpa will rely on you to help me find that hundred-year-old wild ginseng.” He’d take a look in the mountains, and if he found nothing, he’d just take Xiao Ning back home. As for the gift, they could still prepare it once they returned to Beijing.
“Grandpa is the best; Xiao Ning loves Grandpa the most,” Song Yan Ning said, happily swinging Yang Lisheng’s arm.
“You little flatterer!” Yang Lisheng laughed and lightly pinched Song Yan Ning’s nose, looking at her with eyes filled with affection. Such a good child, perhaps the Song Family would change their minds upon seeing her. He would definitely miss Xiao Ning if she left them, but he still hoped she could have the company of her parents, like other children.
The streets were busy with the coming and going of cars, and shops lined up side by side. Roads ran in every direction in a bustling and lively scene.
Liu Shanyue parked her car and walked towards a French restaurant on the opposite side of the street. Today, Xinxin had arranged to meet her there.
Entering the restaurant, she saw an elegant and romantic setting. At the central round stage in the restaurant, a young man in a white tuxedo and with a graceful air was playing the piano. The sound of the piano was gentle and melodious, pouring out like running water, causing one to relax and dream of ordering a glass of red wine to enjoy the lovely afternoon.
A waiter in a suit approached her with a warm smile, “Good day, madam! Do you have a reservation?”
“Table nine,” Liu Shanyue responded.
“Right this way, madam!” The waiter gestured for her to follow and led the way.
Yang Xin’er was sitting by a window, resting her cheek on one hand, with interest she watched a mother and daughter outside. The little girl was pulling on her mother’s hand and crying bitterly, seemingly wanting her mother to buy a toy for her.
But the mother’s face was angry as she scolded the child and dragged her forward.
Yang Xin’er looked disdainfully at the departing mother and daughter pair. If it were her, she wouldn’t hesitate to buy an entire toy store, not just one toy, if her daughter wanted it.
He picked up the red wine from the table, gave it a gentle swirl, and took a small sip, his lips curving into a faint smile.
“Xinxin,” Liu Shanyue sat down across from Yang Xin’er.
Yang Xin’er’s gaze returned as she smiled at Liu Shanyue, “You’re here.” Xiao Yue was her best friend; they had known each other since high school and had always had a close relationship, like sisters.
“Aren’t you busy these days? What made you think of meeting up with me?” Liu Shanyue ordered a coffee and looked at Yang Xin’er as she asked.
“Didn’t I get a custom gown made recently? I picked it up yesterday, but after trying it on, none of the jewelry at home seemed right. You have a good eye, so I wanted your help choosing something. Look, it’s this gown. I have no clue what jewelry would suit it. It’s seriously driving me insane.” Yang Xin’er handed her phone to Liu Shanyue to show her the style of the gown. Although it was just the old man’s birthday banquet, as the Song Family’s eldest daughter-in-law, she would definitely be the center of attention. She had to be perfect, to show the high society ladies the grace of Mrs. Song.
Liu Shanyue glanced at the photo on the phone and handed it back to Yang Xin’er, “I think this gown would go better with something like pearls.”
“Let’s go buy some right now.” Yang Xin’er put down her wine glass, took out several hundred-dollar bills from her bag, placed them on the table, and stood up to pull Liu Shanyue toward the door.
Liu Shanyue shook her head and chuckled, “When will you ever change your impatience?” She had always been hasty since the time they knew each other; once she decided on something, she would do it immediately.
Yang Xin’er turned back and smiled at Liu Shanyue, “I’ll never change in this lifetime. Let’s hurry.”
“Xinxin, when will your parents be back in Beijing?” Liu Shanyue remembered the task her family’s elder had entrusted her with on her way there.
Her mother-in-law hadn’t been feeling well lately, constantly complaining of chest discomfort, but hospital checks revealed nothing. Hearing that Xinxin’s parents were returning to Beijing, she was asked to inquire.
Xinxin’s father’s medical skill was renowned throughout Beijing. When he was still in Beijing, many prominent families and powers invited him for medical consultations. Otherwise, why would the Song Family have let Song Yufeng marry her?
“They leave tomorrow and should arrive the day after,” Yang Xin’er said. She hadn’t seen her parents for a long time and missed them.
It wasn’t that she didn’t want to visit them; every time she thought of the “monster,” she lost the desire to go. So she hadn’t been to Yang City for years.
Which of her children wasn’t beautiful? She wouldn’t let anyone know she had given birth to a “monster,” tarnishing her reputation.
The thought that the “monster” was also coming back this time made her feel suffocated. She had called her parents yesterday, asking them not to bring her, but not only did they disagree, they also scolded her. If she had known, she wouldn’t have sent her away to them in the first place, then she wouldn’t have to worry now.
Liu Shanyue nodded slightly, “My mother-in-law has been feeling quite unwell recently, always feeling chest pain. When your father returns, I would like to ask him to check on her.”
“Sure,” Yang Xin’er nodded. She needed to think carefully about how to keep others from finding out that the “monster” was her daughter.