Chapter 81: Return Gift
They finished the meal harmoniously, then fulfilled the promise by playing with Xiao Qiu for a while. Su Ning bid farewell to the Zhang Family amid the two elders’ earnest instructions.
Zhang Qi, responsible for escorting her back to the hotel, turned the less-than-an-hour journey into over two hours.
As for what they chatted about or discussed on the way, Zhang Qi, upon returning home, said nothing in response to his parents’ questions.
……
Back in the hotel room, Su Ning thought of the message at the front desk and rubbed her forehead.
Good thing too—handling everything together would allow her to prepare for the return trip with peace of mind.
She took off her blouse and changed into comfortable pants, then replaced the large gauze on the back of her head with a fresh one before flashing into the space.
Arriving at the natural cave on the mountainside of Peach Blossom Spring, it was densely packed with rosewood boxes inside.
Fortunately, when she had transported them beforehand, she had sorted and stacked them by category; otherwise, finding anything would involve opening boxes and be quite troublesome.
She went straight to the area stacked with gold and silver jewelry and jade ware, casually opening the two outermost boxes.
She squatted down and began carefully selecting.
“The imperial green jade bracelet from Grandmother Yan… this warm jade should be quite suitable for the old man.”
Placing the warm jade aside, Su Ning began picking out a piece of jewelry suitable for Aunt Yan and Sister Yan Xi respectively.
As for the several male members of the Yan Family, after thinking it over, she decided to give them jade seals of different qualities.
To avoid favoritism, this gift naturally included shares for Yan Bei and Fu Jiaming.
Having successfully selected and packed the return gifts without disturbing Little Round Circle who was frolicking by the small stream, she timed it perfectly and quickly exited the space.
……
Courtyard in District J, Yan Family.
With the rare gathering of the whole family, Xiang Mingyu, who usually found the house too quiet, looked at the living room that was almost packed and was full of happiness in her eyes.
It’s just…
At a glance, including her own tomboy, it was like stepping into a temple full of monks; if there were more ‘beautiful women’ to balance it out, it would be perfect.
The two mothers, both anxious over their children’s lifelong matters, exchanged a glance and immediately understood each other’s thoughts, then put it into action right away!
“An An!”
Yan An, steadily the first to be targeted, seemed already accustomed to being called by name. Amid his younger siblings’ sympathetic looks, he replied helplessly, “Mom, Little Aunt, can we skip the criticism meeting today?”
“What criticism meeting? We just want to talk to you about something.”
“Yeah, no one’s criticizing you.”
“Then go ahead, what is it?”
“Your Aunt Hongcai’s daughter just graduated from university and came back, preparing to work in our Shanghai City. You…”
Pressing his throbbing forehead hard, he knew he couldn’t escape. Yan An turned to look at the courtyard gate: Wonder if leaving now would still be possible?
“Mom, I just remembered I…”
“Thud—”
Xiang Mingyu covered her mouth and chuckled softly after a light cough. “The gate today is acting strange—only in, no out.”
Well done!
This teamwork was quite tacit. Sun Yi gave an approving look to her sister-in-law who had closed the gate and issued a stern warning under her breath.
The other Yan Family brothers could no longer watch the fun: Oh no, is this a Hongmen Banquet today?
They said it was to watch Xiao Qi’s show, but he became the one in the show?
……
Comrade Yan Bei waiting outside the courtyard gate thought of the whole family swarming home like they smelled something, and the haze in his eyes deepened uncontrollably.
“Hey hey, don’t look at me with that expression!”
Fu Jiaming, scalp tingling, retreated a few steps with a scared face.
How was he to know that just two phone calls would trigger such a huge chain reaction.
That the Yan Family lunatics would come rushing home one after another?
“I really didn’t mean to spill it!”
Almost swearing to the heavens, Fu Jiaming backed up another big step. “Who knew Brother Yu would silently appear behind me out of nowhere.”
“Shut up.”
“Got it.”
With fingers together making a zip gesture, Fu Jiaming cautiously glanced at him a few times, secretly estimating in his mind: With his lame leg against Yan Bei’s broken ribs, if they really fought…
Subconsciously pressing his tongue against his cheek, he reached a conclusion—
Not sure who would come out on top!
Should he seize this opportunity for a fight? Maybe he could turn the tables and take control.
“What’s that look on your face?”
“Cough, I’ll watch the corner for you, watching the corner!”
Just meeting his gaze triggered an instant wimp-out. Fu Jiaming was speechless and choked.
Upon seeing that familiar figure, he almost couldn’t hold back tears of joy, hobbling quickly to greet her. “Savior…”
“Heh ptui~ Spit spit~”
“Su Ning, you’re finally here!”
“You… were you just spitting at me?”
“Spit, I’m spitting at myself!”
Lightly slapping his own mouth, Fu Jiaming looked at her tearfully. “Su Ning, you gotta save me later!”
“?”
What illness had this guy caught after just one day apart?
Su Ning, with eyes full of little round circles, glanced at Yan Bei who had arrived a step later: What’s his deal?
“Ignore him, he’s having an episode.”
“Cough~”
Yan Bei uncomfortably coughed once with his fist to his mouth. “Um, Su Ning…”
“?”
What’s going on today?
One after another having episodes? Or did the pastries and biscuits with spring water cause some issue for them?
“Wha… what?”
That shy demeanor on Fu Jiaming might make her cringe, but on Yan Bei, it actually seemed a bit… cute?
Eh~
Rubbing the goosebumps on her arm from that thought, Su Ning kept a stiff face. “So what exactly happened?”
……
Hearing the two explain the situation in bits and pieces, her originally clear mind began to feel foggy.
So because of Fu Jiaming’s two phone calls, not only the Yan Family members she met last time but even Uncle Yan’s whole family had come?
This was beyond flattered—it was terrifying!
The life-saving favor that had already been mentioned was escalating further, completely out of control?
“Sorry, Su Ning. If you feel uncomfortable, we can go somewhere else.”
Knowing full well the family’s ulterior motives, Yan Bei was indeed worried the big gathering would scare her, so his blurted-out proposal seemed good.
“The nearest Jingjiang Grand Hotel has a master chef who makes excellent Lu cuisine. How about…”
“No need to go to such trouble.”
“It’s no trouble.”
Seeing the seriousness in his eyes, Su Ning thought of the enthusiastic Yan Family members, plus one two three four five—hiss~
“Then, what about the people we previously arranged to meet?”
“Rest assured, Jiaming can handle it. Just changing the meeting place is no issue.”
Glancing at Fu Jiaming, who nodded vigorously without objection.
She secretly relaxed her grip on the hand-held bag, inexplicably feeling like she’d dodged a bullet, and said no more, agreeing to Yan Bei’s plan.
“Then, I’ll go make a phone call first?”
“Trouble for you, Jiaming.”
“Nah, it’s my mess anyway, what trouble? I’ll be right back, wait for me!”
“Wait, together…”
Already at the door, knowing the family and elders were waiting inside, it really lacked etiquette not to go in and say something.
Besides, she was holding return gifts, so she had to at least greet them before leaving.
“How can he run so fast with a broken leg?”
“Maybe the secret medicine from your family works too well, and the bones have healed and are itching badly.”
Silently meeting the eyes of the deadpan liar, Su Ning nodded. “Oh, that’s good then.”
……
As expected, upon entering the Yan Family courtyard gate, she was enthusiastically surrounded by several elders. Su Ning, smiling until her face stiffened, distributed the prepared gifts to everyone one by one.
Of course, she didn’t forget Uncle Yan’s family of five extras. Luckily, the canvas bag for the gifts was large enough, making it convenient for her discreet operations.
After receiving thanks and seizing the chance to explain the temporary change of location, she successfully escaped the encirclement and walked out of the Yan Family courtyard gate, letting out a heavy sigh of relief.
Yan Bei, keeping pace beside her, rubbed the callus on his hand and smiled. “That scary?”
“Not scary.”
It was just that she couldn’t withstand this kind of enthusiasm, especially the way the Yan Family elders looked at her like a big piece of meat they wanted to scoop into their own bowl…
Amused by her own odd metaphor, Su Ning smiled without further explanation and handed him the share prepared for him and Fu Jiaming.
“This is for you and Jiaming.”
“Us… two as well?”
“Of course, since you’re friends, naturally your shares are included with the gifts.”
“Then, thanks?”
They exchanged smiles. Yan Bei looked at the gift that differed from others only in color and quality, his thoughts turning: When could he become that unique one…
“Yan Qi, Su Ning’s settled—we can head out!”
