When Will My Childhood Sweetheart Marry Me?-Chapter 230: Uninvited Guest
"Why not go," Pei Yan said, pushing open the car door with the hand holding his cigarette, "Let her see our close bond and give up certain ideas sooner rather than later."
Jiang Shuyao followed him out of the car, "What ideas?"
As soon as she asked, she felt it was superfluous.
She might have guessed that the biggest reason her godmother was determined to return and settle in China was for Pei Yan.
"Let’s go straight to the airport after dinner," Pei Yan led her into the elevator, "If you don’t want to talk later, don’t force yourself."
He reminded her along the way, every sentence taking care of her mood.
Jiang Shuyao silently lowered her gaze, looking at the strong and firm grip of his hand holding hers, filled with a sense of security.
Hearing about her godmother’s return to China, she indeed felt a flash of sensitivity and fear.
After all, what happened last time had truly left a shadow on her.
She didn’t know how Pei Yan managed to persuade her godmother to return to Los Angeles alone at the airport, but one thing was certain, no matter what happened now or in the future, she would choose to trust him without reservation.
Jiang Shuyao unconsciously smiled and followed in his steps, her tense nerves gradually relaxing.
The private room on the second floor was decorated with a classic elegance, carrying a strong local flavor that made it uniquely distinctive in the entire restaurant.
When they entered, Lin Zhen was seated at the dining table drinking tea.
Having not seen her for a long time, she was still beautiful and elegant, but perhaps due to the surgery, her complexion appeared somewhat pale.
Seeing the two youngsters, Lin Zhen immediately showed a smile.
"Godmother," Jiang Shuyao stood beside Pei Yan, her gaze calm, addressing her proactively.
Lin Zhen was delighted and quickly asked her to come and sit down.
"Yaoyao, you’ve grown taller. Last time I saw you, you were only up to Yan’s chest, but now you’ve surpassed his shoulders," Lin Zhen stroked the girl’s hair, her fingertips through the skin, stirring a slight chill on Jiang Shuyao’s scalp.
The godmother seemed colder than before, still wearing a knitted shawl over her shoulders in such a hot season.
Jiang Shuyao didn’t dwell on it and distractedly turned to ask, "Godmother, how is your health now?"
"It’s much better. The surgery was very successful, and after returning to China, I’ve been persisting with medication and follow-up checks. The doctor said that with good recuperation, I should be able to recover in a few years."
Throughout, Pei Yan sat near the door without joining the conversation, and Lin Zhen seemed not to mind, continuing to talk with Jiang Shuyao.
It was clear to see that despite her poor health following surgery, Lin Zhen’s mood was much brighter than during her last return to Rong City.
This atmosphere continued until the waiter brought the dishes. Lin Zhen slowly shifted her gaze to Pei Yan, her voice warm, "Yan, I remember you loved scallops when you were little, so I ordered several dishes. Give them a try."
Over the past ten years, perhaps what remained in her memory was only her son’s love for scallops.
Pei Yan did not respond, but he picked up a spoon from the table and ladled a bowl of soup for Jiang Shuyao beside him.
"You haven’t eaten anything this morning, have some soup first," he said, his voice extremely natural, his tone light, but his eyes carried an unusual tenderness.
This rarity caught by Lin Zhen was like an ice needle turning to water, a mixture of pain and sweetness.
She had casually mentioned the two youngsters being together during a video call with Zhu Yun.
After the brief surprise, Lin Zhen was also happy.
After Yaoyao was born, she and Zhu Yun would occasionally joke that since their families each had a son and a daughter, they might as well become in-laws, to add ties on top of friendship.
Years later, the joke turned out to be true. If Yan and Yaoyao could build a family in the future, it would be a happy occurrence.
Rong City was her homeland; even if she left for a long time, and even though there were no relatives in her maternal home, because there was still a longing, she was always reluctant to sever ties with that place.
If the day came when her life faded away, she wished to die in Rong City.
The meal proceeded in exceptional harmony until, near the end, an unexpected visitor arrived.
Seeing the visitor, Jiang Shuyao was almost too shocked to speak.
The man was dressed in a western suit and holding a bouquet of flowers. Upon entering, he walked straight up to Lin Zhen and planted a western-style courtesy kiss on her cheek.
The scene was utterly bewildering.
Pei Yan observed everything with cold eyes, reclining lazily in his chair, his piercing gaze filled with mockery.
The moment the Eurasian man appeared, Lin Zhen’s face turned pale instantaneously. Even though she quickly regained her composure, she couldn’t escape Jiang Shuyao’s notice.
It seemed as though her godmother was somewhat afraid of this man; however, for some reason, she was forced to maintain a facade of composure.
"Ling, aren’t you going to introduce us?" The Eurasian man took a seat by the window, keeping a chair’s distance from Lin Zhen, both distant and gentlemanly.
Lin Zhen gathered herself, her hands trembling slightly on her knees. When she looked up again, she tried her best to keep her voice steady.
"This is my husband’s son, Yuan Chong."
?!
Jiang Shuyao’s eyes widened as she stammered, "Godmother, you’re saying he—"
"Beautiful girl, we meet again." Yuan Chong’s smile radiated a mysterious light under the illumination.
During their first two encounters, she hadn’t paid much attention to this man, but she always had an indescribable feeling—something seemed off.
Yet, she never would have guessed that on their third encounter, he would appear in such a role.
Word on the street was that Yuan Chong’s father was Master Zongnan’s closed-door disciple. In that case, who was her godmother’s partner in Los Angeles...?
The amount of information was overwhelming, and Jiang Shuyao needed time to digest it all.
What began as a normal dinner was interrupted by the sudden appearance of her godmother’s stepson, who she had met twice before. It was more absurd than it was surprising.
The private room was too quiet, so quiet that no one had the heart to continue eating.
After a little while, Lin Zhen turned to Pei Yan and said softly, "It’s getting late, and you need to go back to Rong City. You should head to the airport now."
Jiang Shuyao was slightly astonished.
The flight was at seven in the evening, with a full five hours to go. Was her godmother intentionally rushing them off?
Pei Yan sat in silence, not looking at Lin Zhen, but instead directing his indifferent gaze toward the Eurasian man.
The man, feeling the gaze on him, remained calm and collected, his face always adorned with a practiced easygoing smile, as if he always behaved with amiable elegance toward everyone.
"Yan," Lin Zhen couldn’t help but speak again.
Pei Yan slowly withdrew his gaze. It was the first time he looked directly at his mother. "Let Old Pei know in advance when you want to come back to Rong City."
Silence followed.
A hint of moisture gleamed in Lin Zhen’s eyes.
After a brief moment of joy, she returned to calmness. "There’s no need to trouble your father. I’ll have several checkups over the next few months. I’ll see how things go once my health improves some more."
"..." Jiang Shuyao furrowed her brow subtly.
It was rare for that guy to speak out this much, but her godmother’s response was somewhat unexpected.
"Suit yourself."
Leaving behind these indifferent words, Pei Yan didn’t say much more and took Jiang Shuyao’s hand as they left the private room.
Lin Zhen could never forget the moment Pei Yan turned around; the despair that sank to the depths of her heart.
She stared at the doorway, her blood nearly freezing in her veins.
It wasn’t until Yuan Chong used a handkerchief to wipe her face that Lin Zhen realized she had long been crying.
