Chapter 269: Yearning

Wen Qianyi and Hai Fu both work at Paradise Group. When Li Yan contacted them yesterday morning, they were not around, but they should be back today. Li Yan, however, first visited Sun Hui at the hospital and then went to Huang Ying’s house nearby.

The specialities prepared by his mom came in handy now. He would feel a bit embarrassed to take them to his colleagues, but gifting them to Huang Ying, given her personality, she would certainly appreciate them. She isn’t used to accepting expensive gifts; small tokens of thoughtfulness would satisfy her.

Li Yan had visited here many times, but to surprise Huang Ying, he didn’t call ahead and came directly to her doorstep. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

Hearing the knock, Huang Ying quickly came to open the door. Seeing Li Yan at the door, she was very surprised but seemed slightly awkward.

"You... you’re back?"

"Yeah, these are some specialties my mom prepared for you to try." What Li Yan said was the truth; his mom had meant them for his colleagues and friends. But in Huang Ying’s ears, it seemed to have a different implication.

Previously, Li Yan had truthfully told her that he was married, with a wife, and it was only natural for him to return home for the New Year with her. And yet, these things were brought for her by his mom, which made her wonder if he had told his parents about their situation.

She was feeling a bit awkward already, and now even more uneasy.

"Not letting me in?" Li Yan joked with a smile.

Huang Ying then realized she should help him with the things and let him in.

Being such a shy person, anything on her mind showed directly on her face. Her previous awkwardness and distraction were naturally noticed by Li Yan. He wondered if perhaps there was a male classmate or the like visiting, and she was worried he might misunderstand. But he wanted to go in not to confirm or catch anyone but to prove by action that he wouldn’t think such things.

However, what he didn’t expect was to see someone he hadn’t seen in a while once inside!

"Auntie, you’ve recovered and returned?" Looking at the person sitting on the sofa with a blanket, Li Yan was a bit surprised, not expecting Huang Ying’s mother to have returned so soon after surgery.

Huang Ying’s mother was still very weak, but compared to when he had seen her in the hospital, looking like she was on the brink, she appeared more lively now. She also recognized Li Yan and smiled gently: "Oh, it’s young Li. Thank you so much. Thanks for taking care of little Ying all these days..."

Li Yan sat down next to her, "You’re too kind. I didn’t really help. The surgery was very successful, wasn’t it? Had I known you’d return, I would have come earlier and brought more supplements."

Huang Ying, holding the things, then sat down on the other side of her mother, appearing shyer than usual. Her former awkwardness was clearly related to her mother’s presence!

Now she and Li Yan were like-minded and she was willing to stay with him even without a name. But initially, she wanted to marry someone just to share the burden, willing to be supported by Li Yan, which was a bit shameful and humiliating to talk about. If her mother found out, even if she favored Li Yan, she would turn against them.

"The surgery was successful, so this old body can endure for a few more years. But I try not to spend too much of others’ money while worrying about these siblings, which is why I applied to come back for the New Year. I’m very relieved and feel assured you can help take care of little Ying. No need for supplements; I can’t eat much anyway." Her mom had a great impression of Li Yan. Such rare guests at home made her more talkative.

When Li Yan visited Huang Ying’s mother in the hospital, it was just a favor. But now their relationship has changed; he regarded Huang Ying’s mother as his own. Meeting his own parents during his home visit also moved him deeply. He didn’t mind her chatter, patiently keeping her company watching TV and chatting.

Seeing her mother not asking much and Li Yan not bringing up their relationship, Huang Ying felt slightly relieved without having time to brief Li Yan on what to say.

The home’s furniture and appliances had changed; given her income and frugality, she was unwilling to change them, which her mom couldn’t miss. Combined with her brother’s accounts, she mostly understood their relationship. This gave her mom comfort, as she initially wanted to entrust her daughter to Li Yan. Now they were truly together, fulfilling her hopes.

Worried about her mother’s concerns, Huang Ying only dared to say she got a job at a smaller but more promising company through her efforts and Li Yan’s help. She couldn’t disclose Li Yan had given her money or his married status. Even the clothes over ten thousand yuan she admitted were bought by Li Yan, but said they were only a few hundred yuan.

Lately, she considered contacting Li Yan to warn him not to slip up, but caring for her mother left little private space. She figured Li Yan was surely home with his wife, so calling might trouble him if his wife answered. She didn’t inform him of her mother’s return; instead, she pretended to call him as her mother requested.

...

At noon, Huang Ying’s younger brother also returned, and Huang Ying prepared the meal, the four of them dining together at home for lunch.

Mostly vegetarian dishes, the meat included a bit of chicken and broth—nothing too lavish, with just enough portions. But under Huang Ying’s skillful hands, these home-cooked dishes were deliciously appetizing.