Pudding got up and followed her mother upstairs.
“Let’s change into our home clothes. Don’t dress so professionally. It’s too tiring.”
Huo Mian brought Pudding into her bedroom and found a set of cute green home clothes in her closet.
Pudding obediently changed out of her mermaid skirt and put on her home clothes.
Huo Mian carefully picked up the clothes Pudding had changed out of. “I’ll take them to the laundry room. I’ll put them in your closet after drying them tomorrow.”
“Thank you, Mom.”
“Why are you being so polite with me?”
After Huo Mian came back from the laundry room, Pudding was still in her bedroom, playing with her phone on a couch.
The two girls had been sleeping separately since they were six years old. It was also to train their independence.
Separate rooms were prepared for them at the South Hill Manor.
The room they were staying in previously had become Qin Guoguo’s room.
When Huo Mian returned, she sat down next to her daughter.
“Has your work been tiring lately?”
“It’s okay.” Pudding put away her phone and looked at her mother.
“If you’re stressed, tell your dad to assign some of your work to someone else. Your paternal and maternal aunt, uncle, and Uncle Yang can do it…” Huo Mian always knew that her eldest daughter was a workaholic, and she had a strong career ambition. She was afraid that she would overwork herself. After all, she was still young.
“It’s okay, Mom, I can handle it,” Pudding said nonchalantly.
There was no emotion on her face. She was a child very hard to read.
This was something about her that was even stronger than her parents.
Even though her heart was in turmoil, she would appear calm on the surface.
Sometimes, Huo Mian felt that Pudding resembled her younger self.
However, she didn’t want her to be too much like her. After all, her stubborn personality could be quite damaging to herself sometimes.
After a pause, Huo Mian lowered her head and stopped asking.
“Mom, just say what you want to say…”
Pudding could tell that her mother had something to say, even before she spoke.
“Your Auntie Xiaowei came today and talked to me alone. She said… she doesn’t know what happened between you and Yunchu, but he hasn’t been back for a few years. You know, during the Spring Festival, your Auntie Xiaowei and her family went to America to visit Yunchu and spend time with him… Actually, as elders, we shouldn’t ask about what happened between the two of you… But, Pudding, your Auntie Xiaowei and your Uncle Wei are my best friends. Even if you and Yunchu don’t like each other, you should be friends. Don’t make things too nasty. We don’t want to see that happen.”
As expected, Pudding knew that something that even her mother was reluctant to talk about wasn’t a good thing.
Very few people dared to mention Wei Yunchu in front of Pudding.
Back when Wei Yunchu left the country and Pudding had a fever, Qin Chu didn’t allow anyone to talk about it.
Now that a few years had passed, everything seemed so peaceful…
But Xiaowei came that day with teary eyes. She said she hoped that Pudding and Yunchu could resolve the misunderstanding.
Even if they didn’t like each other and couldn’t become lovers, they could still be friends.
Wei Yunchu definitely had formed a barrier in his heart. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have stayed away from home for so many years.
Occasionally, Boyuan would call Wei Yunchu.
Pudding heard from Boyuan that Wei Yunchu had changed a lot. He didn’t like to talk or express himself anymore.
Pudding didn’t know what to do even though she felt bad.
Now that her mother had brought up the past, she naturally felt complicated…
“Mom… between Wei Yunchu and me… it’s not what you think. We haven’t become enemies… Maybe we’re just not compatible… If he comes back to China now, I’ll treat him like a normal friend. Don’t worry, I won’t disregard Auntie Xiaowei’s face.”
“Did things between you and Yunchu become like this because of Tiantian?” Huo Mian couldn’t help but ask.
Huo Mian was wearing a white cotton nightdress and sat on Qin Chu’s lap with a facial mask.
Qin Chu sipped his tea as he watched the financial news.
Little Bean was playing a popular mobile game with Qin Chu.
Pudding knew that they were waiting for her.
“Hey, my sister is back.” Little Bean put down her phone.
Huo Mian also got up from Qin Chu’s lap. “You’re back so late, how’s work?”
“It’s settled,” Pudding said.
“Come, have a seat. It’s rare for our family to be together. There were so many people during the day, so I didn’t have time to chat with you guys,” Huo Mian smiled gently.
She waved at Pudding. Every time she saw her mother’s smile, Pudding couldn’t resist it.
She took off her high heels and grabbed her bag. She walked to the sofa and found an empty seat.
“Wow, our family of five is reunited. No, no, we must take a picture.”
Little Bean picked up her phone, turned on the camera, and looked at the lighting.
When she felt that it was alright, she used the tripod to find the best angle and took a series of shots.
This time, they did not come up with any poses. No one deliberately gathered together. They just took it casually.
However, the effect was surprisingly good. After all, they were a good-looking family.
Aside from Huo Mian, who wasn’t that stunning, the rest of them basically looked like celebrities.
After the shoot, Little Bean excitedly posted on her WeChat friend circle.
Pudding, on the other hand, was a little tired after a long day of travel. She leaned against the sofa, not wanting to talk or move.
“Sis, have some orange. It’s very sweet.” Qin Guoguo handed Pudding a peeled orange.
“You’ve become more sensible after two years abroad.” Pudding looked at her brother lovingly.
“Nonsense. I was already very sensible to begin with, alright?” Qin Guoguo was unconvinced.
“Honey… do you have anything you want to ask? We’re all here today, can you start?” Huo Mian turned around and acted cutely towards Qin Chu.
Qin Chu immediately asked Little Bean, “Can you lose some weight? Look at you and your sister, you don’t look like twins anymore. You should lose some weight and eat fewer snacks.”
“Dad, you think I’m fat?” Little Bean looked at him in disbelief.
Huo Mian laughed so hard that she fell onto Qin Chu’s shoulder.
“Hahaha… look at you… Even your father who speaks so little can’t stand you… When we nag at you, you don’t even listen…” Huo Mian laughed until she burst into tears.
“Mom, you should tell Dad about Little Bean’s diet at South Side,” Pudding added.
“Qin Zhaozhao, how dare you betray me! I will never forgive you!” Little Bean pointed at Pudding and scolded angrily.
“Every afternoon, at the hospital cafeteria, Little Bean…” Huo Mian didn’t even finish her sentence.
Little Bean ran over and covered her mother’s mouth.
“Director Huo, please don’t say anything, please let me off…”
“Second Sister, aren’t you afraid of being dumped by Brother Boyuan in the future?” Qin Chu added.
“Why are you guys attacking me? Shouldn’t you be saying that Pudding is busy all day and doesn’t spend much time with us? Or rather, Qin Chu is studying in Germany and his monthly allowance is 10,000 euros?”
Feeling wronged, Little Bean tried to direct the fire to her sister and brother.
However…
“I’m spending my New Year’s money… What can you do about it?” Qin Guoguo said confidently.
“I didn’t spend much time with you guys because I was helping Dad with his work and so that he has more time to spend with everyone. I sacrificed myself to help Dad,” Pudding explained.
“So you guys are all so noble and I’m the unlucky one?” Little Bean rolled her eyes in anger.
“Dad, it’s not fair for you to treat me like this… Do you understand?” In the end, Little Bean pointed at the first person who attacked her that night.
