“What things about me?”
“I’ve already told my parents about my brother’s situation and mentioned meeting you at the villa today.”
“Oh? Do they remember me?”
“They do.” She would rather things weren’t like this.
“So… about my plan to visit them—”
“I’ve told them.” Her voice sounded somewhat lazy.
“Are Uncle and Aunt not welcoming?”
“No, not at all.” Xiao Yao perked up, “My mom even said she hopes to see you, and the sooner, the better.”
“Oh? Then let’s make it tomorrow, since it’s Sunday.”
Oh no, Xiao Yao’s smile froze. Did “surrendering” really need to be this urgent?
Central China Standard Time, exactly twelve o’clock.
The doorbell rang suddenly – the situation had arrived!
Xiao Wenjun straightened his back, quickly grabbed a newspaper, and turned to signal his daughter to open the door, only to find the person sitting next to him had already rushed to the entrance.
“Stone, you’re here?” As soon as she opened the door and her eyes fell on his handsome, charming smile, Xiao Yao’s heart began to race again.
Today, he was wearing a light blue knitted short-sleeved shirt, topped with a dark blue hunting jacket and off-white linen pants. That naturally flowing elegant demeanor made her heart flutter.
“Yao, who is it?”
The voice from behind made Xiao Yao suddenly come to her senses. “Dad, it’s Stone. He’s here.”
Nonsense collection, father-daughter collaboration edition. Their tacit understanding was beyond words.
“Uncle, sorry to disturb you.” Lui Qing elegantly bowed slightly.
Hastily putting down the newspaper, Xiao’s father cleared his throat. “Not at all, don’t be too formal. We’ve always welcomed Yao’s friends.”
What followed were the inevitable formalities of greeting and small talk.
Watching her father welcome Stone, Xiao Yao turned her head and discovered another nerve-wracking scene.
Was the lady standing with a pot in one hand and a spatula in the other, frozen in place, really her own mother?
“Mom, mom… Mom!” Xiao Yao called out loudly to wake her mother.
“Uh… are you really that Stone from before?” Her mother just stared at the visitor, seemingly still suspicious.
Lui Qing stood up, smiling openly, “Hello, Aunt. I am indeed Stone.”
“But… if you hadn’t said anything, I really wouldn’t have recognized you!” Ji Juan was still muttering.
Lui Qing smiled, “After such a long time, it’s no wonder Aunt doesn’t recognize me. But Aunt seems unchanged, still as young and beautiful.”
“Really? Heh… that’s not true. I’m getting old. Sit down, I’ll go check on the soup in the kitchen. Dinner will be ready soon.
Hearing her mother’s giggles, Xiao Yao closed her eyes and sighed; the first thing she did when opening her eyes was to consider helping her overly intoxicated mother, at least reducing the risk of her bumpy journey.
”Yao, come help me in the kitchen,” her mother suddenly turned and said to her.
”Me?” Confirm? Could her mother have forgotten the last incident where she almost blew up the entire kitchen?
After Xiao Yao eagerly followed her into the kitchen, she realized this “royal summons” had an ulterior motive.
”You don’t need to do anything, just wait here,” her mother said.
”Wait for what?”
”Wait for your dad to chat with him first.”
Wow! Diverting the tiger away from the mountain? Xiao Yao stared at her mother, who was stir-frying and muttering.
”So he’s the guy from TV, no wonder I found him familiar. Why didn’t you tell me? What a changing world, a child who used to pick up scraps has become a young enterprise heir? Hmm, he’s handsome and rich, but that might not be a good thing…”
The dish in the wok was finally cooked, which was definitely good news for Xiao Yao!
”Mom, let me!” She rushed to help carry it out, ignoring her mother’s protests.
Just as she turned into the living room, she happened to hear her father’s words, almost making the dish she was holding pay homage to the earth god!
Xiao Wen Jun asked Ye Qing: “I heard you really like my books? Which one do you like the most?”
Heard? Heard from which bastard’s nonsense? Wasn’t this Zhima’s “painstaking” effort? Looking at Ye Qing’s surprised expression, Xiao dared not imagine the consequences of any answer…
”Which work does Uncle himself feel most satisfied with?”
Good job, Stone! Turning the tables, throwing the question back to her dad.
”How to say? Every book is my heart’s blood. If I’m not satisfied myself, how can I resonate with readers? Of course, I always hope to improve, so I won’t be eliminated. For me, that martial arts novel was the most difficult to write, often racking my brains over a weapon… Have you read it?”
Despite not getting a response, this proud author continued: “You must remember the weapon used by the big village chief, right?”
”Uh…” Ye Qing’s eyes shifted, then spotted her.
Xiao Yao could no longer quietly listen! With a sweep of her eyes, she moved her hand and grabbed the broom in the corner, waving it as a signal.
Ye Qing frowned: “…A broom?”
”Ah?”
Oh my! Before her dad could make an aerial jump, Xiao Yao stepped forward, forcing out two laughs, “Stone, don’t joke around. Calling someone’s spear a broom, our great author will get angry.”
”Just joking, no harm done.” After nearly collapsing, her father restored his elder’s demeanor.
It was harmless, but the dead cells in Xiao Yao’s heart were uncountable.
When they sat at the dinner table, she discovered the most pitiful person was Stone.
Was he here for dinner or to answer questions today?
Xiao Yao had never known her parents could be so in sync? Perhaps she should be glad that her love-struck brother was absent from this relay of questions.
”Mom and Dad, stop asking questions, how can Stone eat?” Xiao Yao couldn’t help but speak up.
”Yes, yes, stop talking. Stone, don’t be shy, eat more,” after hosting the guest, Ji Juan turned to her daughter, “You too, eat more.”
Words? Could you say less?
Xiao Yao had to open her eyes – it turned out the most skilled in hidden weapons was actually her mother? A smile on her lips, but eyes that could “transmit flying daggers”? The message: Damn girl!
The mysteriously charged meal finally ended. Just as Xiao Yao’s hanging heart was about to settle, another wave arose during the farewell.
She saw Ye Qing to the door, waiting to say goodbye…
He stood at the doorway, his gaze tightly covering her, softly saying: “Are you free tomorrow night?”
A date! He was asking her out now…
”Yes!” Xiao Yao nodded heavily, completely unaware of her overly high-pitched tone.
”Then I’ll pick you up at six tomorrow night.” His smile grew deeper.
”Okay.” As she nodded again, she covered her chest, as if afraid her heart might jump out.
After Ye Qing left, Xiao Yao turned back inside – when did her dad start helping to clear dishes? But his movements were exaggeratedly slow.
”He’s gone? What did he say?” Her dad’s ultimate goal in helping to clean was this.
”No, nothing. He just said… thanks for the hospitality, that dad was friendly, and mom’s cooking was great.” After speaking, Xiao Yao rushed to her room.
Dusk, on a street with light rain, a charming figure stood waiting, repeatedly looking towards the alley, until that car finally appeared—
”Stone! Stone!”
Inside the car, Gao Ye Qing’s hand on the steering wheel slightly tightened.
Her call was as passionate as in childhood, different only in that he was no longer on a tricycle, and she no longer swayed with a box in her arms.
Now, her hair, no longer in braids, was filled with raindrops.
Ye Qing opened the car door, urged her in, and hurriedly handed her a tissue, “Why didn’t you stand under the eaves to avoid the rain?”
”I was afraid you wouldn’t see me!”
