“Grandma, it’s been so long since I last saw you. I’ve missed you terribly.”
Zhao Yinian entered the Qin family’s living room carrying bags upon bags of expensive gifts.
Old Madam Qin rose from beside the dining table. “Nian-Nian, you’re here! Why didn’t you tell Grandma in advance?”
“I always remembered that you love Zhiweiguan’s Longjing tea pastries,” Zhao Yinian said. “I happened to pass by today, so I hurriedly bought some to bring over for you.”
Old Madam Qin accepted the gift box with a beaming smile. “Nian-Nian, you’re so thoughtful.”
Zhao Yinian looked toward the dining table, first at Qin Yuhe, then at Song Xinya. “I came so suddenly. I didn’t expect President Qin and Teacher Song to be here too. Am I interrupting your meal?”
Old Madam Qin patted her hand. “You saved Grandma’s life back then. I’ve long considered you family. What do you mean, interrupting? We’re family—there’s no need for such formalities.”
Old Madam Qin asked, “Have you had lunch, Nian-Nian?”
Zhao Yinian, who had just finished lunch, replied, “No.”
Old Madam Qin took her hand and led her toward the table. “Then have something with us.”
Song Xinya was seated beside Old Madam Qin, with Qin Yuhe on her other side.
Old Master Qin sat beside Old Madam Qin, on her other side.
There was an empty seat between Old Master Qin and Qin Yuhe.
Zhao Yinian looked at the seat next to Qin Yuhe. “I’ll sit there.”
Qin Yuhe cast a glance at Old Master Qin. “Grandpa, I miss you. Come sit beside me.”
Old Master Qin said, “You’ve been here all morning and didn’t miss this old man even once. Now, all of a sudden, you miss me?”
“Are you coming or not?” Qin Yuhe asked.
Old Master Qin shifted his seat over. “I’m coming.”
Zhao Yinian stood there, her expression awkward.
Old Madam Qin patted the chair beside her. “Nian-Nian, come sit next to Grandma.”
Zhao Yinian smoothed away the look on her face and walked over. “Thank you, Grandma.”
The Qin family’s chef had a signature dish: foie gras gourds.
The foie gras was intricately carved into tiny gourd shapes and brushed with a glossy sauce made from strawberry jam. The rich, creamy foie gras melted on the tongue like ice cream, filling the mouth with flavor. Paired with the sweet-and-tart outer coating, it was so delicious that one could eat several without getting tired of it.
Song Xinya loved the dish. Just as she reached for one of the foie gras gourds, Zhao Yinian reached for one too.
There was only one left on the plate.
Zhao Yinian turned to Old Madam Qin. “Grandma.”
Old Madam Qin smiled kindly. “It’s not as though we lack food at home. Since both you and Yaya like this dish, I’ll have the chef make another plate.”
She picked up the serving chopsticks, took the last foie gras gourd, and placed it in Song Xinya’s bowl. “This one is for Yaya.”
Then she picked up another slice of pan-seared foie gras and put it on Zhao Yinian’s plate. “You can have this. It’s all foie gras. It’s the same.”
If it was all the same, why couldn’t she have the foie gras gourd?
Zhao Yinian simmered with anger, and for the rest of the meal, she barely tasted a thing.
After lunch, Old Master Qin called Qin Yuhe into the study to discuss business matters.
In the living room, Song Xinya sat on the sofa with Old Madam Qin.
Zhao Yinian opened the box of pastries she had brought and took out an exquisitely made Longjing tea pastry, offering it to Old Madam Qin.
“Grandma, they were made not long ago. Have one while it’s fresh.”
Old Madam Qin took a bite, her eyes crinkling with delight. “Sweet without being cloying, fragrant and crisp. It’s delicious.”
Zhao Yinian looked around the living room. Apart from the box of pastries she had brought, she saw no other gifts.
So she smiled at Song Xinya and said, “Teacher Song, since you came to see Grandma, you must have specially bought her a gift too, right?”
Song Xinya fell silent.
How could she not know that Zhao Yinian was deliberately trying to embarrass her?
Qin Yuhe came out of the study, one hand tucked into his trouser pocket. He strode over on his long legs and sat down beside Song Xinya.
His cool, amused gaze fell on Zhao Yinian. “When we return to our own home, why would we need to bring gifts? Only outsiders need to bring gifts when they visit.”
Zhao Yinian’s face instantly turned pale.
Qin Yuhe asked again, “Do you bring gifts when you go back to your own home?”
Zhao Yinian pressed her lips together. “No.”
“Then what was the point of that question?” Qin Yuhe said. “Are you trying to play the clown, put on a comedy show, and become our after-dinner entertainment?”
Zhao Yinian’s face darkened further.
Qin Yuhe still did not let her off. “My wife also likes Zhiweiguan’s Longjing tea pastries. Since you love giving people gifts so much, remember to bring some every time you come from now on. I’ll give them to my wife.”
Zhao Yinian’s heart ached, and she nearly burst into tears on the spot.
Qin Yuhe picked up a Longjing tea pastry and handed it to Song Xinya. “Try it.”
Song Xinya looked at Zhao Yinian and smiled. “What if it’s poisoned?”
“That is a possibility,” Qin Yuhe said lazily.
He withdrew his hand, put the pastry into his own mouth, and said, “I’ll taste-test it for my wife.”
“No,” Song Xinya said. “You’re the eldest and only son of the Qin family, the man in charge of the Qin Group. You’re far too important.”
Qin Yuhe held her hand. “My wife is more important.”
Drip.
One of Zhao Yinian’s tears fell.
She turned her head and secretly wiped it away, afraid that anyone might see and humiliate her further.
“Since lunch is over, Yaya and I will be leaving now,” Qin Yuhe said.
Old Madam Qin was reluctant to let them go. “Why are you leaving in such a hurry? Grandma hasn’t even had a proper chat with you yet.”
“We’re in a hurry to go home and make you and Grandpa a great-grandchild,” Qin Yuhe said.
Old Madam Qin said, “Go, go! Leave at once!”
Old Master Qin was equally impatient. “Go, go! Leave at once!”
Qin Yuhe took Song Xinya’s hand and headed for the door. As they went down the steps, he gently reminded her, “Careful.”
Old Madam Qin watched their retreating figures. “Little He and Yaya are such a perfect match.”
Then she suddenly remembered something and called after them. “Little He, Yaya, wait!”
She grabbed a package from the table and hurried after them. “I bought folic acid for Yaya. I nearly forgot to give it to her.”
Young people were conservative; older people were the truly open-minded ones.
Old Madam Qin began sharing her advice on trying for a baby with Song Xinya. “When you’re making love, remember to put a pillow under your bottom. If you raise your hips, it’ll flow farther inside, and it’ll be easier to get pregnant.”
Song Xinya was so embarrassed that she nearly threw the folic acid in her hands.
Would someone please rein in the elderly? She was far too outspoken!
Clutching the folic acid, Song Xinya hurried outside. Her ankle twisted, and she nearly fell to the ground.
Qin Yuhe reached out to support her by the waist, then swept her into his arms in a princess carry and carried her out.
Old Madam Qin smiled at Zhao Yinian. “Little He and Yaya are trying for a baby. Little He just drank two bowls of bull penis soup. With his strong physique, once they get home, he should be able to get Yaya pregnant tonight.”
Lost in her happy anticipation, Old Madam Qin said, “Just thinking about it makes this old woman so happy.”
She turned to Zhao Yinian. “Nian-Nian, you must be especially happy too, aren’t you?”
