Chapter 124 - Could Anyone Give Him Some Dignity as an Elder!
Chapter 124: Could Anyone Give Him Some Dignity as an Elder!
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
If they continued kissing like this, could they still return to the Mansion?
“She wanted to leverage on Zhiqing’s visit to apologize to the two elders,” Yan Beicheng scoffed. “She might not feel sorry for my father, instead his death turned into her nightmare and the pestering knot in her heart had made her life miserable. When she brought Zhiqing home for the first time, she looked horrifyingly pale.”
“But who is she faking it for? She merely wants the forgiveness of the two elders to make herself feel better, rather than feeling contrite for my father. In short, all she did was for herself to eliminate the torment in her heart,” said Yan Beicheng coldly.
“She could tell that the two elders have no plans to meet her again, even if she uses her daughter. The daughter who’s involved, on the contrary, can’t be closer with the two elders and is not familiar with my family.” Yan Beicheng twisted Lin Chu’s long hair with his fingertips. He felt serene with her in his embrace.
“As such, she never returned to B City until Zhiqing grew older. She must have reckoned that the two elders wouldn’t detain her by force since Zhiqing is old enough to know better. Every time she sent Zhiqing to the Mansion, she would leave and come back to pick her up. Since then, they would only visit once a year,” Yan Beicheng said.
“Apart from her annual visit, I would talk to her over the phone occasionally. I can’t say that I know this sister very well as we don’t interact often but she’s rather thoughtful when we’re on the phone or hanging out. She would also appear clever in front of the two elders. It’s quite interesting.” Yan Beicheng frowned and continued, “Sometimes I can feel that she’s somewhat spoilt and headstrong.”
Lin Chu fairly understood. To outsiders, Yan Beicheng appeared upright and serious, seeming like he could not get along well with anyone. Even for somebody older like Lin Zhenghe would also interact with him in a cautious manner subconsciously, let alone Yan Zhiqing.
Although she was his sister, she essentially did not grow up together with him since young and thus would not understand him. Yan Beicheng has a great reputation and the Yan Family was renowned to be a top-notch family.
When Yan Zhiqing interacted with Yan Beicheng, she inevitably felt nervous and somewhat feared him. Hence, she was mindful with her behavior. Plus, she knew how to act smart which made people very fond of her.
She was still young as she was only 18 years old. She might be of adult age but in their eyes, she was no more than just a kid. Even if she masked her true characteristics, it would be exposed by accident.
Lin Chu also felt that it was not a big issue as kids would be more or less willful.
Yan Beicheng described more about Yan Zhiqing, including her personality. Nothing could escape from Yan Beicheng’s eyes no matter how well Zhiqing hid it or the fact that she never exposed herself.
Yan Beicheng was aware that he was a cold person. Because they were always living together, he naturally had a very close relationship with the two elders, Yan Huaian and Yan Ningbai. Yan Zhiqing was indeed his sister yet they did not spend time together. He did not know Yan Zhiqing well so he would not help and protect her blindly; he still cared about Lin Chu more.
As he was speaking and frowning, he wrapped Lin Chu’s hair around his finger. “She seems to be relatively closer to Lu Weining. It’s hard to say whether she’ll help Lu Weining willfully or be rude to you. She wouldn’t dare to do too much since I’m here. You should be aware of the situation.”
Lin Chu nodded and said, “I can believe that the lady is closer with the Lu Family in Ning City. If she wants to fawn over Lu Zhenting, she would definitely let your sister be playmates with Lu Weining.”
Yan Beicheng laughed after listening to the way she worded her description.
Looking at the docile young woman in his embrace, he wondered how could the way she talked sounded so cute.
Her forehead burned from his looking. She tried to push him but failed as the firm and sturdy car seat was behind him.
“Put me back to my seat quickly. Grandfather and grandmother are waiting for us at home.” Lin Chu said, “The traffic will be heavy on the roads around this time.”
Yan Beicheng was not satisfied so he hugged her tightly for a while more before releasing her to let her return to the front passenger seat.
They must have reckoned that there would be a terrible traffic jam in the evening, causing them to be delayed on the way. The Mansion did not make a call to urge them.
By the time they arrived at the Mansion, it was already 7 something.
Aunt Chen opened the door for them. Once they entered, they could feel how warm the Mansion was.
The lighting was of warm colors, looking especially gentle and cozy at night. Standing at the entrance, laughter and chatter could be heard coming from the living room.
“It was pleasant hearing what you said. If you do think about us, why didn’t you return during Chinese New Year?” Old Lady Yan sounded displeased, but the tone of her voice was happy.
A crisp and delicate female voice replied immediately. “Grandma, I wanted to come over during Chinese New Year but am I not about to go to university this year? I was thinking that since I’ll be having a holiday soon anyway, I can come over to stay longer. Isn’t it great that I can keep grandpa and grandma company? My family initially wanted me to study abroad but I didn’t agree with it. There’s nothing wrong with the universities in our home country. I’ll be far from home and family if I go abroad, and it’ll be inconvenient to come back and visit when I think about grandpa and grandma. So, I thought to study at B City. I’ve discussed with my family and they finally agreed with great difficulty.”
Lin Chu believed that the clear voice belonged to Yan Zhiqing. She merely did not know whether she knew about the matters between Jiang Changdai and the Yan Family or only knew that they did not have a good relationship with one another. She avoided mentioning Jiang Changdai and instead said ‘family’.
“It’ll be great to be at B City and be near to grandpa, grandma, and brother. Not only I can come back to visit you all anytime, but I can also settle down at B City. I’ve thought it through that I’ll stay at B City once I graduate and can always accompany grandpa and grandma. I want to study performing arts so I’ve applied for the Kyoto Film School. I’m here for its examination, and I’ll be staying until I start school.”
“You want to study performing arts? Do you want to be an actress and be in the entertainment industry?” Old Lady Yan said in surprise, not really in favor of this.
She usually chatted with Old Lady Han. The Han Family operated every type of entertainment business. Han Bang was the big boss in the country’s entertainment industry. Old Lady Han had a clear understanding of how the industry operated as she liked to ask Han Zhuoli about industry matters such as the unspoken rule and whatnot.
After asking around, she would tell Old Lady Yan. Old Lady Yan liked watching television dramas but she disliked those from the entertainment industry and minor actors. Although she did not care about the family background of the granddaughter-in-law, she would be the first one to break Yan Beicheng’s legs if he were to date a minor celebrity.
Those youngsters were different from Old Lady Qi. Old Lady Qi’s identity was loud and strong. After going through Han Zhuoli’s back door, she could act whatever her heart desired. Who would dare to set up Old Lady Qi?
Yan Zhiqing pouted her lips while shaking Old Lady Yan’s arm. “Grandma, I know what you’re thinking. Don’t you worry, I’m different than those minor celebrities. Don’t those who lack strong support have to think of every way to become famous? Don’t I have you here? I’m your granddaughter. Who would dare to put me at a disadvantage? Big Brother Han and brother have a good relationship. I can enter his company straight away after I graduate. No one would dare to impose the unspoken rule on me, don’t you think it’s true? Besides, it’s four years away to graduation and perhaps I’ll change my mind and decide to become a director at that time?”
“Plus, I have a lot of confidence for this exam,” Yan Zhiqing said. The family had also cleared the way for her with the means of bribing. Regardless of having an interview at the film school or returning to Ning city to sit for the college entrance exam, she was only going through a mere formality.
During the examination, she would write her name and answer the questions however she liked, as long as she did not submit a blank exam paper.
Old Lady Yan was not fond of this but she essentially was her granddaughter who was not by her side often. Not only she knew how to act cute, but she may also cease to be faithful. The bottom line was that she was afraid that hatred would be brewed and hence, decided to not discuss the matter further.
Since she was already here to sit for an exam, she would take action first then consider the consequences later. She did not give a damn about the opinion of both the old man and old lady. There was no need to be wordy.
That said, she was still the daughter of her deceased son. Old Lady Yan did not feel good in her heart but she merely sighed and no longer spoke much.
The female voice coming from the living room was tinged with a lovable and tinkling tone of a young girl. Hearing her voice would indeed evoke fondness from people; it was no wonder that Old Lady Yan was so happy just hearing her voice.
Even if they had not yet met, Lin Chu could already imagine how Yan Zhiqing looked like in her mind.
Yan Beicheng held Lin Chu’s hand while entering the living room. Lin Chu saw a young woman who had her back facing the doorway and was talking to Old Lady Yan.
The young woman had a slim physique. Her hair was long and permed wavy and dyed in a light brown color, hanging down like a waterfall almost reaching her waist. She was dressed in a young and lively outfit — loose white sweater paired with denim shorts and had on a pair of black silk cylindrical stockings that went past her knees.
Older people like Old Master Yan and Old Lady Yan, however, would not understand if her outfit was meant for the hot or cold weather.
Old Lady Yan no longer had the desire to continue the topic discussed just now. She saw Yan Beicheng and Lin Chu holding hands and coming in just in time. She immediately waved happily at them, “You guys have come! Come quick!”
Yan Zhiqing turned her head as soon as she heard what Old Lady Yan said. Lin Chu looked at her and thought that she was indeed a very pretty young woman, no wonder she had the confidence of wanting to become an actress.
Thinking about the genes of the Yan Family, it would be rather difficult if Yan Zhiqing wanted to be ugly.
Yan Zhiqing held her smile, looking innocent and unaffected. Although she was considered a small girl to Yan Beicheng and the two Yan family elders, Lin Chu deemed the age of 18 differently.
She had come through from the age of 18, and she was aware that young women at this age had regarded themselves as adults in their hearts. What they despised most was being regarded as small girls who were still naïve and it was highly unlikely that they would show such an innocent appearance.
Yan Zhiqing smiled while looking at her up and down. Her eyes had squinted so much that it became a curve, making it difficult for people to see what her eyes were expressing.
“Zhiqing, this is your sister-in-law.” Old Lady Yan smiled and continued, “Beicheng has mentioned to you about Zhiqing, yes?”
Lin Chu smiled and nodded, “Yes, Beicheng mentioned her.”
“Sister-in-law,” Yan Zhiqing greeted as she smiled. She was surprised as she did not expect Yan Beicheng to bring her up.
After all, talking about her would mean that he would also have to mention about the matters in the past. Otherwise, she would wonder why she and her mother stayed at Ning City whereas the Yan family stayed at B City.
Yan Zhiqing was unclear about the specific details as well. She only knew that her father had an early demise and her mother then brought her back to Ning City.
As to why was she separated from her brother, Jiang Changdai’s explanation to her was that both her mother and father were already preparing to have a divorce before her father passed away; even the divorce papers were already prepared. It was decided that Yan Beicheng would stay with the Yan Family and she would follow Jiang Changdai.
She could sense from her mother’s words that the relationship between her parents was not well, so much so that it could be described as having no feelings.
She also knew that Jiang Changdai was still hiding something from her and was unwilling to talk about it.
Lin Chu smiled and nodded as well, shamelessly calling her “Zhiqing”.
“Brother, you’re so bad. I didn’t even know that you have a girlfriend and you never told me,” Yan Zhiqing said while she pouted her lips.
Yan Beicheng’s expression did not soften much. He only nodded slightly and said, “I’m always so busy and I didn’t contact you so I’ve forgotten to let you know.”
“Seriously, how can you forget having a girlfriend which is such a major thing? Your words are unpleasant to be heard by sister-in-law.” Yan Zhiqing rolled her eyes at him but smiled when she looked at Lin Chu, “Sister-in-law, don’t get offended. My brother is as such. He didn’t mean what he said, you don’t have to take it to heart.”
Those who were present were all astute people. Even if Yan Zhiqing chuckled and looked friendly, something fishy could be heard from her words.
Old Master Yan furrowed his eyebrows in silence.
“Not at all.” If it was some other time, Lin Chu would add a sentence, “I also recently heard Beicheng mentioning that he has a sister.”
She dared to say such words even in front of Yan Beicheng but she restrained herself in the presence of the two elders.
“Oh yeah, Big Sister Lu has also come. Are you aware of that, brother?” Yan Zhiqing smiled and asked.
Yan Beicheng’s face became cold. His black eyes looked at her coldly, and raised one of his thick eyebrows with taunt, “You’re very close with her?”
“Yep, I hung out with Big Sister Lu since young, didn’t I? After she went to university, Big Sister Lu would always return to school to visit me,” Yan Zhiqing beamed. “I didn’t know that you already have a girlfriend. I frequently joke about wanting Big Sister Lu to be my sister-in-law. Though I couldn’t bear to be apart from her when Big Sister Lu came to B City to work, I was still very supportive…”
“Zhiqing!” Old Lady Yan called out with an irritated look hearing how Zhiqing was leading the conversation on. “As a child, you shouldn’t mingle with adults’ matters. That Big Sister Lu of yours is merely what you believe. You can joke about it in the past but you must not simply make such jokes that will cause people to misunderstand later on.”
Hearing the last name Lu, Old Lady Yan knew who Yan Zhiqing was referring to. Detestation welled up inside her.
The colors on her face became uglier when she thought about her son.
“The number of times that I have met Ms. Lu could be counted with just one hand, and in fact, all of them were on public occasions. I have no idea why do you guys have such ideas. Ms. Lu is too flippant, having such a rich imagination.” Yan Beicheng glanced at Yan Zhiqing, “And what’s more, she’s already so old.”
Yan Zhiqing, “…”
Lin Chu was thinking that it was lucky that Lu Weining was not here, otherwise, she would be so angry with Yan Beicheng’s words till she fell on her back.
Women hated the most when other people said they were old, especially coming from the deliberate and disgusting words uttered by Yan Beicheng whom she had a crush on. She would certainly go crazy and mad.
Yan Beicheng’s words were full of malice.
The corner of Yan Beicheng’s lips formed into a sneer. “Since you’re close with her and you meet her often at B City, you might as well tell her what I said today.”
Yan Zhiqing’s lips deflated pitifully. “Grandma, brother, I didn’t do it on purpose.”
Old Lady Yan was no longer high-spirited, always thinking that Yan Zhiqing was not brought up well by Jiang Changdai. She patted the back of her hand but she was not as happy as before.
“Oh yes, Aunt Chen, you can go prepare dinner. I think Huaian and the others are about to arrive soon,” said Old Lady Yan.
She turned to Yan Beicheng and Lin Chu and told them, “I’ve already called Huaian. He’s left the company to pick up Yu Zi and Ningbai before coming over, that’s why they’re slightly slower than you guys. They should be arriving here anytime soon.”
The doorbell rang the moment she finished her sentence.
Aunt Chen went and opened the door. A small chubby kid rushed in, shouting, “Eldest Uncle, Eldest Auntie!”
He wanted to throw himself into Old Lady Yan’s embrace but he saw there was an extra person in the living room, making him come to a halt. He stared blankly for a moment and stopped talking once he glanced at Yan Zhiqing.
Lin Chu noted that Yan Ningbai’s small, round and fair face was filled with estrangement towards Yan Zhiqing. H did not seem to like her.
“Hi, small uncle, we haven’t met for more than a year.” Yan Zhiqing greeted with a beam, her eyes arched charmingly.
Yan Ningbai glared at her with his big and shiny black eyes and did not utter a word.
Yan Zhiqing was perhaps the only person from the entire Yan family who took the initiative to call Yan Ningbai “uncle”.
Yan Ningbai, however, was not happy at all. Using Yan Huaian’s words, all men were undignified. They did not cherish the ones who took the initiative to approach them, yet they constantly thought about the ones who despised them.
Though his son was very young, he already had such a lousy temperament.
Glancing at Yan Zhiqing as if this person did not exist, he ignored her.
He turned around and rushed towards Lin Chu, “Big niece-in-law, come hug your uncle!”
Yan Zhiqing’s smile became stiff. Yu Zi smiled, attempting to help her out of embarrassment. “This child is shy of meeting strangers. Maybe he feels a bit estranged since you two haven’t met for more than a year.”
“Yes, my son is very bashful,” added Yan Huaian.
Yu Zi, “…”
It would be better if the statement was not made, as to whether anyone knew that a child from whichever family was brazen enough to call someone his nephew without giving a damn?
Yan Zhiqing’s expression became rigid and her smile vanished. She nodded, telling herself that she would not argue with this brat who has no proper manners.
It was unknown as to why Yan Ningbai never liked her.
When he was a newborn, he did not know anything. He, however, stopped paying attention to her ever since he began to understand words and knew how to call father and mother.
Whoever hugged him was fine except for her. He would cry the moment she hugged him.
As Yan Ningbai learned how to speak nimbly and understand more, he increasingly did not bother paying attention to her. He would not even speak to her when they met ignoring her completely with a cold look like how he behaved just now.
She was infuriated.
Lin Chu looked at Yan Ningbai’s extended chubby arms and had a strong desire to roll up his sleeves to see if his arms looked like lotus roots.
“Big niece-in-law, hug me!” Yan Ningbai urged while tiptoeing.
“You’ve already grown so big but you’re still acting cute like a spoiled child. Is there any uncle out there that will act cute toward their niece-in-law?” said Yan Beicheng in disdain.
How was it possible to carry such a heavy fatty? It would tire Lin Chu!
Yan Ningbai felt hurt. After shooting a glance at Yan Beicheng, he looked earnestly at Lin Chu.
Lin Chu melted at his adorable gaze, thinking how could Yan Beicheng be so mean to hurt the tiny soul of such a cute kid. She subsequently glared at him.
Yan Beicheng, “…”
What was with the cute acting? What happened to natural principles?
Lin Chu held Yan Ningbai’s by the armpits wanting to lift him. She raised him briefly and tried to carry him but failed.
Lin Chu, “…”
Yan Ningbai, “…”
He felt his heart receiving a huge blow.
Thus, he did not hope that Lin Chu would carry him anymore. As an agile fatty, he crawled onto the sofa by himself and plunged into Lin Chu’s embrace voluntarily.
Lin Chu, “…”
Hugging Yan Ningbai’s soft body, Lin Chu was reminded of her desire a moment ago. Her hands silently rolled up Yan Ningbai’s sleeves.
Staring at Yan Ningbai’s small, fair and chubby arm, she poked on the tender and bouncy flesh.
“It truly resembles a lotus root!” Lin Chu exclaimed in pleasant surprise. Pinching his elbow, even the chunk of the elbow was soft.
Yan Ningbai, “…”
He did not expect that big niece-in-law was also a seemingly genuine person who was devious!
The other adults could not help but laugh out loud. Yan Ningbai’s face blushed red as he felt indignant.
Could anyone give him some dignity as an elder!
Looking at how joyous and harmonious they were, and the close bond that Lin Chu and Yan Ningbai shared, Yan Zhiqing’s heart felt unhappier.