As Xiulan reached the entryway, she encountered head-on the grandparents of the Tang family. Grandpa Tang insisted that she had breakfast before she left to which she politely declined.
Thus, Grandma Tang took action to satisfy her husband's wish. She softly rested one of her hands on Xiulan's shoulder and uttered in an elegant tone, "At least tag along with me. I have something to give you." Well, getting Xiulan in the house was a step closer to her having breakfast with them.
The youngster had no choice but to comply and pondered, 'I can take what she gives and rush out right away. There's no way he will finish showering in a short span of time.' Although she missed meeting him in person, she hesitated to face the reality.
Inside her room. Ma Pingan took out two flattened packages in fancy wrapping.
"My daughter-in-law sent me this. She said they were the latest collections in her company. But I am too old to wear them. They're only suitable for young and fresh girls like you." She said while handing out a white parcel with a blue ribbon on it.
Xiulan expressed her gratitude before taking it.
Afterward, Ma Pingan was holding a pink package with a red ribbon on it and continued, "And, this is for that girl."
Xiulan's big eyes glared at her for affirmation. Ma Pingan nodded softly, "Bai Hualing."
She paused for a second before she uttered, "Your Grandpa Tang might have been a bit harsh on her before. This is just a small gesture of amends. Hope she accepts it."
"Of course she would. Don't you worry Grandma. If she is reluctant to have it, then I will talk her out. Now, I really have to go. The office time will start soon. I don't want to be stuck in a traffic jam." To get out of here as soon as possible was the only thing she could possibly consider.
Xiulan took a large stride at a time to rush towards the entrance until her steps were halted by a voice, "Xiulan?" It was Tang Weimin.
Xiulan was taken aback at the impromptu meeting with the two men who were shooting the breeze fine and natural while coming down the stairs. She was petrified not because of Weimin, but because of the man beside Weimin.
She forgot to breathe while staring at that man she was so familiar with.
Weimin was confused at her puzzled expression and asked gently while casually taking his steps downstairs, "When did you arrive? What brought you here?"
She tried her best to pull herself together before she responded, "I'm here to deliver some nutritious food for Grandpa and Grandma."
"Ah, don't tell me the burnt food you did yesterday." Weimin joked, amused.
"How did you know?" Xiulan was baffled. She was pretty sure she didn't disclose it to him the other night. Jianyu didn't seem like a person who would bring her as a subject to break the ice. That left her with the only option which was Tang Quan.
She raged inwardly and gave Quan a heated glance while furrowing her brow a little. It wasn't an honorable achievement to brag about!
Out of the blue, Tang Yaoyao chortled noisily, "Haha, of course, he knew it. It's because…"
Before she could complete her sentence, Quan shut her mouth with his palm and whispered near her ear quietly so that only his niece could hear, "Be a good girl in front of your dad. Don't be such a busybody."
His warning immediately made her swallow her words which were supposed to be, 'My uncle spoke to you with the speaker on, in front of all family members.'
Quan faked the chuckles and carried out his duty given by his grandfather. He put his hands on both of her shoulders and directed her towards the dining room.
Xiulan who was in a daze thanks to Jianyu was drifted unknowingly by an evildoer. By the time she got her consciousness back, she had already been placed on a seat.
Quan proudly declared, "Not everyone has a chance to sit in the Third Young Master's chair. You should feel honored." He was standing behind her and patted softly on her shoulder at the end of his words.
Xiulan blurted out without thinking twice, "Actually I am not famished."
The butler who gave her a glass of milk earlier came in front and uttered, "You even asked for a cup of milk as you are hungry a while ago. Chairman Tang has already ordered us to prepare an extra set for you. Young girl, you don't need to be so modest. Just comply with it."
Xiulan couldn't deny the fact since it was the truth. She racked her brain to come up with another excuse to leave. Luck was on her side, her seat was next to Tang Weimin's place.
"Well, to be honest, I am not quite comfortable sitting side by side and having breakfast with my ex-husband-to-be."
Weimin laughed and cleared up, "Really? Didn't we plan to have lunch in the coming day last night?"
Xiulan gave a plastic smile at him and she felt her fingers craving to strangle him as if they were under a vicious spell. "Thank you for your remainder."
"If you're not comfortable, you can take this seat if you want." Quan attentively volunteered. Since she took his usual seat, he moved towards the other place which was directly opposite to her.
However she would get a knife and slice herself on her neck instead of taking the seat Tang Quan was currently sitting in.
Because it was next to Li Jianyu!
Xiulan couldn't get her head around the sitting pattern of the Tang family. According to age stratification and seniority, Jianyu should be at a spot closer to Grandpa Tang. But the place was occupied by Yaoyao now.
"It's alright. I will just be here and have breakfast." Finally, she was worn out and gave in.
"Dad, this is my friend I was talking about. Zhang Xiulan." Yaoyao was the only one who could introduce his father to anyone she wanted. So, she took the lead to break the ice.
Jianyu smiled, "Actually, she is my friend too. And your friend. That means you and I are also friends."
Yaoyao got a secondhand embarrassment on hearing her father's outdated dad joke. "Okay." Everyone took it as Jianyu playing a joke on his daughter. The chances were low for them to know each other because Jianyu rarely traveled to Jewel country where Xiulan was stuck in.
"Nice to meet you, Mr.Li." She went with the flow and pretended not to know him. Jianyu lifted an eyebrow.
"How did you know my father's surname is Li?"
"..." Xiulan was speechless. How dumb she could ever be! "I've heard his speech. I remember he introduced himself as Li Jianyu." Under pressure, the truth came out. That was how she first knew his name. She had no idea what she was afraid of and what she was hiding from. Her only intention, for now, was to play strangers with Jianyu.
"Oh, you did? Was it nice?" Jianyu played along, his expression and tone were neutral.
"Very educational and inspiring." Like this their conversation ended. The whole time, Xiulan didn't raise her head, not to mention joining in the chat.
Weimin harrumphed before he asked, "Jianyu Ge, the No.7 yard is still in your possession?"
"Not anymore. Someone bought it from me." He truthfully answered.
Jianyu then groped for a cardholder in his pocket. He took a simple beige card from it and handed it to Xiulan who was hanging her head low. "Tell your father that if he is interested in getting No.8 yard which is located opposite to No.7, he can contact this phone number."
Xiulan was startled at first but she maintained her composure quickly and took the name card politely while giving a tiny nod. "Thank you."
"If I remember correctly, No.8 was relatively larger. It's a good idea to consider it." Weimin stated his opinion.
Xiulan felt time flew ridiculously slow on this particular morning. She inwardly wished she could run away from reality and just sleep on her cozy bed!