Like many old families, the Yu family also retained certain traditions such as family banquets every week.
On the way, Yu Jing frowned as she talked about her family's banquet.
"Other than being boring, it's still boring." Yu Jing leaned against Song Qingcheng with a pillow in her arms. She would not stop complaining. "A bunch of people sitting in the living room talking about current affairs and economics, and then a bunch of naughty brats running around. But my great-grandfather is old, and he likes to have everyone in the family gathered together."
The black Mercedes pulled to a stop outside the Yu family villa. There were already two cars parked nearby.
Yu Jing pouted. "My fourth aunt's family is here."
Song Qingcheng and Yu Jing entered the house. Sure enough, there was a rather young woman sitting in the living room. She was dressed fashionably and had her hair dyed the color of red wine. A little boy was sitting on the carpet with a car model in his hand, watching cartoons on the television. Yu Jing's attitude was rather cold. She greeted the other party briefly and pulled Song Qingcheng upstairs.
After shutting the bedroom door behind them, Yu Jing explained, "Fourth Aunt and my father don't share the same mother."
Song Qingcheng stood by the window and looked downstairs. Coincidentally, a sapphire blue sports car pulled up outside the Yu family's house.
"That's my third aunt." Yu Jing's voice sounded from the side.
Not long after, hearty laughter could be heard coming from downstairs.
Yu Jing pursed her lips. "My third aunt and my mother share the same biological mother, but she's just a little crazy. She's always wanted to be a celebrity. She's so old and yet acts like a young lass in soap operas."
Song Qingcheng didn't continue watching. She withdrew her fingers from the curtain and smiled. "You seem to have quite many aunts."
"Three in total, plus two uncles." Yu Jing didn't want to talk any further about the Yu family so she took Song Qingcheng's hand and said, "Come, let me take you to see my great-grandfather. He'll definitely be happy to know that I'm friends with you."
…
Elder Yu was an old man in his nineties. His hair was white, and he had the dignity of someone used to being in a high position. Perhaps because he was often in the rehabilitation center to take care of his body after retirement, he was in good physical and mental health. He did not show any signs of regression, just a little hard of hearing.
"Great Grandfather, this is Qingcheng, my classmate!" Yu Jing introduced her to the old man.
The entire bungalow had a central air conditioner.
Elder Yu was sitting in a wheelchair with a thin wool blanket covering his legs. Hearing his granddaughter's words, he turned to look at the girl standing quietly by the side. Song Qingcheng met the old man's gaze and smiled naturally. "How do you do, Great Grandfather."
Yu Jing added, "Qingcheng is amazing. Every time we have exams, she always gets into the top three!"
She spoke in such a cheerful tone as if she seemed to be referring to herself.
"Good, good!" The old man smiled and nodded repeatedly.
They walked out of Elder Yu's room and were about to head downstairs when Yu Jing rubbed her stomach and said, "I have to go to the washroom."
With that, she slipped away.
Song Qingcheng waited along the second-floor corridor. Just as she was feeling bored, she heard someone calling from downstairs, "Second Brother is here. Isn't this Jiazhi? When did you return?"
"Just yesterday." A gentle female voice sounded in reply.
Song Qingcheng looked down from the stairway.
Yu Tingchuan was wearing a suit shirt, not the polo shirt and casual pants she had seen him in earlier on. Beside him stood a beautiful lady in a sleeveless dress. She looked to be in her late twenties. Her long hair fell to her waist, and her slender pale hands were holding onto Yu Tingchuan's arm. The two of them stood side by side and looked surprisingly compatible.
The man standing at the entrance seemed to have sensed something and looked up.
Without waiting for their eyes to meet, Song Qingcheng quickly averted her gaze, making the act of watching him earlier on seem casual.
Coincidentally, Yu Jing came out of the washroom at this point. Her face looked pale as she told the girl, "I'm having a case of diarrhea."
Downstairs, the nanny had already ushered the people into the house.
"Grandpa is upstairs?" The gentle female voice spoke again.
Yu Jing's third aunt, Yu Minghui, replied, "He's in the room. Let Second Brother accompany you upstairs."
The elegant beauty smiled.
Yu Jing walked up next to Song Qingcheng. She followed Song Qingcheng's line of sight and saw a beautiful lady with a slight smile hanging on her lips. She covered her mouth with her hand and said in a low voice, "Gu Jiazhi, the third daughter of the Gu family and the younger sister of the entrepreneur, Gu Zhengshen. She may turn out to be a strong candidate for my second aunt."
Song Qingcheng couldn't help but recall the grand birthday banquet that night. She smiled faintly. "She's from a prestigious family and is very compatible with your uncle."
"That's all there is to her." Yu Jing pursed her lips disapprovingly. As she spoke, she looked at Song Qingcheng. "If she had your looks, perhaps I'd think it's a perfect match. A wealthy man and a beautiful woman is a match made in heaven."
"…" Song Qingcheng did not reply; however, her gaze wandered back to Yu Tingchuan.
On that end, Gu Jiazhi was whispering into Yu Tingchuan's ear. The man turned his head slightly to look at her. His features and profile were even more prominent under the soft amber light.
Song Qingcheng looked away from him and turned to ask Yu Jing, "Are we going back to your room?"
Yu Jing didn't feel like going downstairs to deal with all these elders either, but she was unwilling to coop herself up in the room. "Let's go to the garden from the back door. Dinner will not be ready till around 7 pm."
…
Yu Jing's grandmother loved gardening when she was alive. As time passed, the empty space behind the bungalow became a rose garden.
Just as she sat down on the garden bench, Yu Jing was called away to attend to something.
Song Qingcheng did not follow her. She sat there for a while before getting onto her feet and wandering aimlessly in the garden.
It was midsummer, and the entire garden was bright red against the strong colors of the sunset.
The wind blew her jet-black hair back…
She raised her hand to tuck the hair behind her ear, but from the corner of her eye, she sensed someone watching her.
She turned around instinctively and saw Yu Tingchuan.
On the terrace on the second floor of the bungalow stood the tall figure of the man, his hands on the railing and his shirt sleeves rolled up a few times as he looked down at her silently.
His gaze seemed unavoidable.
Song Qingcheng stood in the middle of the sea of full blooming roses, wisps of black hair brushing against her clear facial features. As the sun set in the west, the darkness of nightfall crept up slowly from the great infinity, forming the background for her slender figure, reflecting a sort of pure and distant beauty.
Yu Tingchuan stood at the front of the terrace. There was more to his expression, however, than simply admiring this beauty.
"What are you looking at?" Gu Jiazhi's voice came from behind.