Chapter 300 - 298: Mrs. Ping

Chapter 300: Chapter 298: Mrs. Ping

"That’s true. When there’s a huge gap in how siblings are living, it really does affect the relationship. But how are you planning to arrange things for them?" After a moment of thought, Grandma Li asked softly.

Li Xiu thought for a moment and said, "We’ll see. I’ll find some time to talk with my younger sisters and their husbands and see what they want to do. After all, these are decisions that will affect their whole lives. It’s not my place to make choices for them."

"Alright then. As long as you have a plan, you can handle it as you see fit. But what about the old family home? Are you going or not?" Grandma Li asked, a little worried. ’He’s already made arrangements for the children of the eldest and third branches of the family, but what about the second? If he gets involved, I won’t be happy about it. If he doesn’t, what would people say? Ugh, what a dilemma!’

Glancing at his grandmother, Li Xiu knew she wasn’t worried about the people over there, but rather that he would be criticized by others. He smiled and said nonchalantly, "When my father passed away, I already made it clear. As long as my mother is in that old house, I won’t set foot in it. I’ve already cut ties with the rest of them. They can do whatever they want. I really have nothing to say to them. People have to pay the price for their actions, don’t they?"

"Grandma, every single one of them had a hand in driving my father to his death. As for my mother, there’s nothing I can do. After all, she gave birth to me. So I’ll wait until she passes away and fulfill my filial duty one last time. As for the others, they’re not even worth mentioning."

"Alright, we won’t talk about them. You said you could stay for a few more days this time. So, how long can you stay?" Grandma Li glanced at him, changing the subject.

After a moment’s thought, Li Xiu said gently, "About seven or eight days. I want to spend more time with you at home."

"Good, that’s wonderful. By the way, did your father-in-law and mother-in-law get back at the same time?"

"Yes. Grandma, you have no idea how much of a help it is that my father-in-law and mother-in-law are in the Capital City! They pick up Nuonuo and Yanyan from school. Otherwise, just getting the two kids to and from school would be a real hassle!" Li Xiu glanced at Grandma Li and said softly. ’When people get old, they really are like children. I ask Grandma to come to the Capital City, but she refuses. Yet she’s envious that my in-laws are there.’

"Really? That’s great! Our side of the family can’t help you much, so since your in-laws are helping you so much, you must be sure to be good and filial to them!" After hearing what Li Xiu said, Grandma Li didn’t care about anything else and said hurriedly. ’Nothing is more important than my two precious great-grandson and great-granddaughter!’

Li Xiu suppressed a laugh and agreed softly. He washed his hands and got up to make breakfast. Not to mention the two people who had come with him, his precious daughter and son also needed to eat. He couldn’t bear to let his grandmother cook for them all at her age.

Far away in the Capital City, Zhou Lian was also up. With things on her mind, she hadn’t slept very well. Besides, she was used to falling asleep in Li Xiu’s arms every night. With him gone, Zhou Lian really wasn’t used to it.

After a simple breakfast with Sister Fang, Zhou Lian said to her softly, "Sister Fang, while those two little rascals aren’t home, you should start preparing for the New Year. I have a lot on my plate, and with Jin Chen away, I can’t help you. You can start getting things ready at your own pace."

"Alright, I understand. Xiao Lian, you need to take care of yourself too. You look like you didn’t sleep well last night." Sister Fang said, her heart aching a little as she looked at the dark circles under Zhou Lian’s eyes.

Smiling at Sister Fang, Zhou Lian said gently, "Okay, Sister Fang, don’t worry about me. I just didn’t sleep well last night. I’m just a little unused to Jin Chen and the two kids being away."

Sister Fang glanced at Zhou Lian and nodded without saying anything. ’It makes sense,’ she thought. ’How could she be used to it? I’m not even used to it myself!’

Zhou Lian went into the study and sat on the sofa. She went over yesterday’s events in her mind one more time, ensuring there were no omissions, and only then did she feel at ease. Thinking about what was to come, Zhou Lian sighed softly. ’Fortunately, there’s nothing major left. I just need to make sure the Sun Family’s matter is handled properly so there are no lingering consequences. Then there’s the Ping Family. It won’t be long before Elder Ping and Mrs. Ping will want to see me. I need to think about what to say.’

A soft knock on the door pulled Zhou Lian from her thoughts. "Come in!"

"Madam, a message came from the garden. They said Mrs. Ping will be here shortly," the team leader said as he walked in.

Sighing, Zhou Lian stood up and said, "Let’s go take a look."

When she arrived at the garden, Mrs. Ping hadn’t arrived yet. Feeling a leisurely mood, Zhou Lian wandered over to the Plum Garden. Looking at the plum blossoms weighed down by heavy snow and smelling the plum fragrance in the air, she took a deep breath, and her mood brightened. This Plum Garden had been planted specially for her by Li Xiu.

She reached out, broke off a few branches of plum blossoms, and had the person behind her take them to the study. ’I might as well indulge in a bit of refined elegance,’ Zhou Lian thought to herself.

"Sister, you’re here! Why aren’t you going inside?" Supported by the Eldest Young Madam, Liu Shengnan was completely stunned as she looked at Zhou Lian under the plum blossom tree. It took her a long moment before she managed to call out.

Hearing this, Zhou Lian turned around just as a gust of wind blew past, causing plum blossoms to flutter down from the tree. Everyone stared, dumbfounded. They all knew Zhou Lian was beautiful, but at this moment, she looked just like a fairy from a book. Her hair was loosely tied up behind her head with a jade hairpin, and a bright red embroidered cloak made her lovely face look like a flower. The cool, ethereal aura about her was even more otherworldly than the fairies on television.

"What’s wrong with all of you?" Seeing everyone staring at her blankly, Zhou Lian walked a few steps forward, confused, and asked curiously.

"So beautiful..." Liu Shengnan murmured to herself.

Zhou Lian’s beauty was well-known, but she usually wore light-colored clothes that gave her a gentle and sophisticated air. In this bright red, however, she appeared cool and otherworldly. Bright red is a difficult color to wear; it either makes a person look darker-skinned or rustic. Yet Zhou Lian wore it with a unique, transcendent grace.

The Eldest Young Madam smiled a little sheepishly and said, "Sister-in-law, you’ve left us all stunned. I’ve grown up in the Capital City, and whether they’re noble ladies or girls from humble homes, I’ve truly never seen anyone who can wear bright red as beautifully and with such otherworldly elegance as you."

"Oh, Eldest Sister-in-law, you’re too much. Even if I am good-looking, it’s just in an ordinary way. The Capital City has three thousand beauties; any one of them is more beautiful than me!" Zhou Lian shook her head and said nonchalantly. There were plenty of beautiful people out there; she didn’t think her looks were the kind to stun a crowd.

Seeing the seriousness in Zhou Lian’s eyes, the Eldest Young Madam didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. ’She really believes that, doesn’t she? Putting aside everything else, her aura alone is something few in the Capital City can match. Does she have some kind of misunderstanding about her own looks?’

"Aunt Zhou, you’re here." Seeing Mrs. Ping standing by the ornamental gate, Zhou Lian hurriedly greeted her.

Hearing Zhou Lian, the Eldest Young Madam and Liu Shengnan also turned to greet the approaching Mrs. Ping.

"You silly girl, you’re beautiful but you’re afraid of being praised? Your eldest sister-in-law is right. There really are very few who can compare to your cool and transcendent aura!" said Mrs. Ping, who had been watching from the gateway for a while. She walked over slowly, looking at Zhou Lian with a teasing expression.