“Why wouldn’t I go?”
Old Master Lu placed his hands on the wheelchair and continued, “I am an old and lonely man. Among the younger ones, Lu Yi was the only one who had the audacity to challenge me. But now that he is gone, he left behind a granddaughter-in-law whom I dislike the most, the lady he insisted to marry in spite of my disapproval.”
Perhaps he was unaware that he was addressing Yan Huan as his granddaughter-in-law, which meant that he was indirectly acknowledging Yan Huan’s status.
When Old Master Lu arrived at the Lu family’s residence, he was welcomed by a merry scene, where the family members were gathered around to eat dumplings.
“Hey, dad. Why are you here?” Ye Shuyun exclaimed when she noticed Old Master Lu’s arrival, as she brought the dumplings out from the kitchen. In the past, Old Master Lu would never step foot in here. However, he somehow visited the residence relatively often these days.
“Am I not allowed to be here?” Old Master Lu asked Ye Shuyun with a sour expression. Are you getting tired of me because of my old age?
“That’s certainly not what I meant.” Ye Shuyun would never dare to irk her father-in-law. She placed the bowl on the table and continued, “You’re here just in time. We made dumplings. Dad, come and join us.”
Old Master Lu was more than happy to join them. “Sure, since I haven’t had anything yet.”
“Neither have I,” the guard chimed in.
Old Master Lu glared at him. “Are you trying to leech off of us?”
The guard chuckled nervously as he scratched his head. But that’s what I always do.
“Dad, have a seat first. I will bring the food to you.” Ye Shuyun went into the kitchen hurriedly to bring out the dumplings prepared by the nanny. Fortunately, they had made extra dumplings. Otherwise, there would not be enough servings for two additional guests.
At this moment, Yan Huan came down the stairs. Old Master Lu loathed the sight of her, so he rolled his eyes at her.
“You are not crippled. Why must you move around in a wheelchair?”
“Because I like to!” Old Master Lu yelled at Yan Huan angrily.
Ye Shuyun, who was at the kitchen, jumped with fright and almost broke a plate.
Old Master Lu and Yan Huan would quarrel whenever they met. However, Lu Jin considered it as a good sign, because he had missed the chatty Old Master Lu for a very long time. Lu Jin reckoned that it would be better for the old man’s health to provide him with a channel to vent his emotions.
Yan Huan walked past Old Master Lu without batting an eye. She had spent two lifetimes with Old Master Lu. His attitude toward her had changed from completely ignoring her presence to reprimanding her every action. She had gotten used to Old Master Lu’s way of treating her. All in all, she had remained passive to the mistreatment because she wanted to avoid making things worse.
She entered the kitchen right when the soup was done.
“Miss Yan, the soup is ready,” the nanny said.
“Thanks, ma’am.” Yan Huan took the bowl of soup and left the kitchen. She always finished her soup despite the pungent taste. She was determined to keep the promises she made to Lu Yi.
She placed the bowl on the table, took a seat and drank the soup one spoonful after another.
She had to finish this bowl of soup before her meal. There was yet another bowl of soup waiting for her after her meal.
She had gotten accustomed to the soup’s flavor. Although it was not delicious, it did not taste too awful either.
“Has your mom never taught you to respect your elders?”
Noticing that Yan Huan was drinking the soup without paying any attention to him, Old Master Lu was displeased.
Yan Huan lifted her gaze to look at him as she replied, “I’m sorry. Indeed, my mom taught me to be respectful. But why should I respect the people who dislike me?”
She casually spooned the soup from the bowl as she spoke and continued to drink the soup, completely disregarding Old Master Lu who was glaring at her.
When Ye Shuyun arrived at the scene, she saw that Old Master Lu was fuming.
He stretched out his finger and pointed at the bowl of soup before Yan Huan. He demanded, “Serve me a bowl of that. No, I want two bowls.”
Ye Shuyun took a look at the soup that Yan Huan was drinking and replied in an awkward tone, “Dad, I don’t think you should drink that.”
“Why not? Is it poisonous?” Old Master Lu stood up abruptly and supported himself by pressing both his hands on the edge of the table. “I want to drink that soup. Bring it to me.”
Initially, Ye Shuyun intended to reason with him. But, she eventually gave up the thought. She shook her head before she went off to reheat the soup. She understood the old man’s temper. He was a wilful man who would not back down until he got everything he wanted, including the soup.
“Give me another bowl of soup,” Ye Shuyun told Yan Huan’s nanny.
“Madam, one bowl is more than enough. This soup carries similar effects as pure medicine. It’s not going to be more useful when you consume it excessively, as your body is not capable of absorbing it.”
“The old man of the family insisted on drinking it anyway,” Ye Shuyun felt embarrassed as she explained.
“Huh?” The nanny could not believe her ears. “This soup is meant for women. Why would a man drink this? He shouldn’t drink this. It’s going to ruin his health if he drinks this soup, which is supposed to be drunk only by women.”
“He’s going to drink this only once. I guess that should be fine?” Ye Shuyun felt even more ashamed as the conversation went on.
Flustered, the nanny was at a loss for words. Of course drinking the soup once will not kill him. He’ll also undoubtedly be fine. But, why is this old man trying to snatch a lady’s soup? Such callous actions will only mess himself up.
Outside the kitchen, Old Master Lu’s cheeks were flushed. Although their voices were considerably muffled, he overheard their conversation.
He felt as though his pride had been trampled on completely. He glared at Yan Huan. Is she trying to embarrass me in public?
Yan Huan continued to drink her soup. She could not be bothered when someone else wanted to try her soup. After all, she was never a meddlesome person who would poke her nose into matters that did not concern her.
Before long, Ye Shuyun brought Old Master Lu the soup. However, Old Master Lu had changed his mind and refused to drink it anymore. Instead, he ate plenty of dumplings. Similarly, the guard got to savor them and fill himself with the free food, owed to Old Master Lu.
“Push the wheelchair over.” Old Master Lu had had his fill, and was about to leave in his wheelchair.
Yan Huan lifted her eyes and cast a glance at the wheelchair indifferently. “You’re sitting down right after having a meal? Are you a pig?”
Old Master Lu stood up abruptly and hastened to the exit.
Still pushing the wheelchair, the guard quickly followed behind Old Master Lu. He wiped off the sweat on his forehead. Luckily, Boss isn’t sitting in the wheelchair anymore.
“This girl.” Ye Shuyun reached out to ruffle Yan Huan’s hair before she continued, “You’re the only person who can influence the old man’s decision. He is as stubborn as a mule and will never listen to others’ advice.”
Yan Huan lifted the bowl to gulp down the soup.
Her usually clear eyes were coated with a hint of distress. The worry that was buried deep inside her heart had never subsided.
“Mom, new year is just around the corner.”
“Yes.” Ye Shuyun calculated the days before she agreed, “Indeed, another new year is coming. We’ve almost forgotten about it. Sigh, we haven’t done our shopping yet. I’ll invite your aunt along to do some shopping later.”
