"Shall we, father?" shifting her gaze from Li Rui, Who reached toward her to sit beside the chair next to her. Li Mengying gaze fell on her father, Wenhao.
She was asking permission from Li Wenhao, as like she was taunting him for her mother, Qian Chiao. Whom he had refused to let her eat and make her wait for Li Rui.
Although Li Mengying was playing with her phone, however, her ears were sharp like a witch listening to each word of her parents.
"Hmmm," both Li Rui and Li Wenhao said at the same time. Li Rui pulled a chair out and sat beside Li Mengying.
As Li Wenhao nodded his head, smiled back at Li Mengying, as he did not take her words to his heart.
How could he? When he was seeing her after many years. He thought Li Mengying was still a small child. who love to play around not even a terrible dream he had thought his daughter would turn out to be this.
"Yummy! It always looks delicious, like father's culinary skill," Li Rui said, going closer to the dish and she removed the plate from the pan. Lowering her head, she smells the aroma coming out of the dumpling prepared by Li Wenhao.
She laughed and praised Li Wenhao as she tried to reduce the tension and lighten up the environment.
Li Rui was always a sensible and loveable child who took care of everyone's needs in her family. But Qian Chiao had never appreciated her even a tiny bit of her efforts.
"Hmm, You said right, father's skill improved a lot from the past years," Li Mengying had taken a piece of dumpling, which she chewed as Li Rui had served her some.
"Li Rui is the only one enjoying the best taste alone here, now you have come, you would ask your father to make it. more often for you," Qian Chiao said with a smile, glancing back at Li Rui. who paused her hands, holding a spoon which she was about to take towards her mouth.
"Sure mother, I would ask for that to father," Li Mengying reassured her mother. not minding the words of her mother's Li Rui start to savour the best food of the day which can have the ability to flow away of all the thoughts.
"I would be happy to make dishes for my children," Li Wenhao announced with a broad smile before Li Mengying would make a request to him. He understands the underlying meaning behind Qian Chiao's words. not wanting them to affect Li Rui he said as his all children were the same for him.
For a while, the family of four ate lunch with no disturbance, but that didn't last long, as Qian Chiao had said something offending to Li Rui.
"Li Rui! haven't you taken half day today?" Qian Chiao questioned. Although she knew that Li Rui had taken half daybreak, she still brings out like a concerned mother. That was unexpected with her. As the corner of her brain had something devilish against Li Rui.
"Hmm, mother! Thank you for reminding me. I should take my leave then and get going now," Li Rui stood from the chair. She knew her mother well. It was what she wanted. She didn't like Li Rui's presence. So Qian Chiao indirectly let Li Rui know they did not need her and pointed out to her to go out from there.
Understanding the hidden meaning behind Qian Chiao words, Li Rui does what Qian Chiao wants or wishes from her.
Li Rui was just fulfilling Qian Chiao's wish.
"Li Rui! But your lunch," Li Wenhao exclaimed, seeing the half bowl that was still unfinished in Rui's. Which she was leaving and stood up from the chair.
"Father! I had already done," Li Rui informed her father with a smile and takes her steps away from the table. Was she really full or just what she was saying to her father? As not wanting her father to bother with anything.
"Are you leaving that early? Sister?" Li Mengying asked, but she was not in the mood to stop Li Rui from going. She knew why Qian Chiao had asked Li Rui about the office.
"I will come home soon," Li Rui replied to Li Mengying with a smile and left the dining table to go to her office, as she had taken the day off because she wanted to pick up Li Mengying and now she had to return to her work.
No one had stopped Li Rui, even Li Wenhao did not say anything to Li Rui to stop her. He knew his wife, but not doing anything to her was his bottom line. As he was taking back himself from the years.
....
In the Qin Mansion
Qin Shiyan steps downstairs after freshening up and changing his clothes in a new set different from before. His every step intimidating the aura of one of a successful businessman. who had reached the top.
once he was on the last stair. Old Master Qin, who was sitting with others, looked at the upcoming steps of Qin Shiyan from the stairs. "Where are you planning to go now?" question Old Master Qin to Qin Shiyan.
Qin Shiyan halted in his tracks and glanced towards the Old Master Qin as he came from upstairs to the last steps.
"Grandpa! I am going outside for some business matters." Qin Shiyan informed Old Master Qin, and he stood in his place waiting to hear out something from Old Master Qin as he knew he must have something to tell him when he questioned him.
"Shouldn't you rest at this time? When you come home from the trip now." Grandma said with concern for her grandson. Who was sitting beside Old Master Qin. As she knows, Qin Shiyan came today from a trip. She thought he must be tired after the long journey from New York.
In the living room, all the elders were there as they were discussing tomorrow's big event of Old Master Qin's birthday celebration.
"Yes! Qin Shiyan, you should rest. What Your grandmother said is right," Su Meilin tried to persuade her son to stop going outside when he had only returned.