“Our goal is to annoy them to death.”
Feng Wan was a bit tired when she came back, so she went upstairs to rest for a while.
Coming down the stairs, she happened to hear Ye Zhiqiu’s words and replied with a smile, “Zhiqiu, don’t worry. I’m not at the point where Lu Guangrong can actually get to me.”
“Auntie.”
“Auntie Feng.”
Lu Shuangshuang and Ye Zhiqiu both stood up at the same time and went over to support Feng Wan.
Feng Wan looked at Lu Shuangshuang, then turned her head to look at Ye Zhiqiu. Her gaze was full of kindness. She patted both their hands. “Good children, you are both such good children.”
“Zhiqiu, Shuangshuang has finally found the right friend this time.”
“With you by her side in the future, I won’t worry about her at all.”
Feng Wan turned her gaze back to Lu Shuangshuang. “Shuangshuang, now do you understand what true friends really are?”
“Those who instigate you to hurt others, or those who use you, can’t be true friends.”
“Those who only care about your status, position, and money can’t be true friends either.”
“Those who can forgive your mistakes, overlook past grievances, and still stay by your side when you’re down, trying to find ways to solve your problems – these are true friends.”
“When judging people, you have to look at their hearts, you have to see what they do for you, not just listen to what they say.”
“Having been through so much, you should have grown up a bit. From now on, don’t act willfully like you used to.”
Lu Shuangshuang glanced at Ye Zhiqiu and nodded obediently, “Auntie, I understand.”
Suddenly, the doorbell rang, and Lu Shuangshuang immediately became nervous.
Feng Wan comforted Lu Shuangshuang, “It’s not your dad. It should be Jiayin arriving.”
“Go on, open the door.”
Lu Shuangshuang opened the door, and sure enough, it was Wan Jiayin, with Huo Jiusi beside her, pushing a stroller with Yaya inside.
“Old sister, I’m just dropping by for a visit. Am I welcome?” Wan Jiayin smiled at Feng Wan.
Feng Wan stood up to greet her. “When have I ever not welcomed you to my home?”
“I guessed you would come. You’ve always been lucky. I just got some really good flower tea.”
“I knew you’d have something good here, that’s why I came.”
The two walked inside hand in hand. Ye Zhiqiu and Lu Shuangshuang watched them from their respective spots, both feeling very envious.
Who says only love that lasts a lifetime is rare? Friendship is just as precious.
To still have good friends by your side when you’re old – what incredible happiness that is.
“Shuangshuang, I made some osmanthus glutinous rice lotus root this morning. Get it out of the fridge for me.” Feng Wan instructed Lu Shuangshuang.
Lu Shuangshuang brought it over and placed it on the coffee table. Feng Wan had also finished brewing the tea by then.
Wan Jiayin tasted the osmanthus glutinous rice lotus root and then took a sip of tea. “This tea paired with the osmanthus glutinous rice lotus root has a uniquely wonderful flavor.”
Feng Wan said, “Oh, right, I also have a jar of osmanthus sauce here. You should take it back with you later.”
Wan Jiayin laughed. “Alright, perfect timing. I’ll use it to make osmanthus cakes. When they’re done, I’ll call you over, old sister.”
Feng Wan gently patted Wan Jiayin. “That’s exactly what I was thinking.”
Wan Jiayin looked at Ye Zhiqiu. “Your Auntie Feng, even though she’s from Jiangnan, she can’t make osmanthus cakes well. Instead, I, a northerner, make them quite well.”
“Ever since we were young, whenever she got osmanthus sauce, she’d give it to me to make her favorite osmanthus cakes.”
“Well, whenever you wanted to eat plain noodles, wasn’t I the one who made them for you?”
Feng Wan invited Wan Jiayin and Ye Zhiqiu, “Might as well stay for dinner. I’ll make plain noodles.”
“Old sister, how did you know this is exactly what I was craving?” Wan Jiayin smiled. “I was just thinking about how to bring it up to you.”
“If you want to eat them, just tell me directly. When have I ever not made them for you?”
Listening to Wan Jiayin and Feng Wan chat about everyday things, Lu Shuangshuang and Ye Zhiqiu unexpectedly both felt an extraordinary sense of peace.
Their eyes met, and they both couldn’t help but smile.
Maybe when they two got old, they would be like this too. But by then, there should be four of them, including Ye Jiawen and Dong Xiaomei.
Thump, thump, thump!
“Lu Shuangshuang, you wretched girl! Get out here right now!”
Yaya was just starting to doze off when the loud knocking startled her awake.
Huo Jiusi gently patted Yaya, then turned his head towards the door, his gaze extremely cold.
“Lu Guangrong, what are you yelling about at my door?”
Feng Wan went over and opened the door. Lu Guangrong swallowed back the angry words that were on the tip of his tongue, but his tone was still very harsh. “Big Sister, where is Shuangshuang?”
“She’s inside. If you have something to say, come in and talk.”
Lu Guangrong and Sun Lanzi followed her inside. Seeing Wan Jiayin there too, the anger on Lu Guangrong’s face subsided a little. He stepped forward to greet her. “Elder Sister Wan.”
“Xiao Lu, it’s rare to see you come by.”
Lu Guangrong immediately replied, “Work keeps me busy.”
“Not busy today?”
Lu Guangrong was choked up for a moment, not knowing how to respond.
“Wah——”
Yaya burst into loud cries.
Wan Jiayin immediately forgot about Lu Guangrong. She stepped forward and took Yaya from Huo Jiusi’s arms, holding her close, her heart aching terribly. “Oh my, precious baby, why are you crying?”
“Since she was born, Yaya hasn’t cried much. What’s wrong?”
“She got scared.”
Huo Jiusi glared at Lu Guangrong from the side. “Yaya was about to fall asleep. The knocking was too loud.”
“She’s having a fussy spell because she was woken up.”
Wan Jiayin gently rocked Yaya. “Yaya, be good, okay? Don’t be scared, don’t be scared. Grandma is here.”
Yaya sniffled, her little mouth pursed in a very aggrieved pout.
Wan Jiayin had originally intended to be a bit more polite to Lu Guangrong, but since he dared to disturb her granddaughter’s sleep, she shot a sharp glare his way. “Xiao Lu, it’s rare for you to come by, but when you do, why are you in such a foul mood? Anyone would think you came here to pick a fight and tear down your Big Sister’s door.”
“Elder Sister Wan, I didn’t mean to. I was just driven mad by this unfilial daughter.” Lu Guangrong pointed at Lu Shuangshuang.
“Shuangshuang has been here with me the whole time. How could she possibly have angered you?”
Feng Wan turned and asked Lu Shuangshuang, “Shuangshuang, when did your father see you?”
“He hasn’t.”
“Guangrong, I see now. You came here to pick a fight and demand an explanation.”
Feng Wan didn’t beat around the bush with Lu Guangrong. “Is this about Lu Xu?”
“Big Sister, Xiao Xu is still young. He did do wrong this time, but it’s not a big deal.”
“Not a big deal? He was about to commit murder!”
Feng Wan glanced at Sun Lanzi, who was beside Lu Guangrong. “I originally thought it was Xiao Sun being overly indulgent, ruining the child, and that you were just being dragged into it.”
“Now it seems you are the main problem.”
“Xiao Xu is sixteen this year, right? Back when we were sixteen, we were already on the battlefield.”
“You want him to join the military, yet you still call him a child. How can he possibly get in?”
“Especially with what he did today, hiring over a dozen thugs to beat Zhiqiu’s younger brother to death.”
“And he even dared to arrogantly say that since he’s from a military compound family, nothing would happen to him even if he killed someone.”
“Guangrong, is this how you usually teach your children?”
Lu Guangrong quickly waved his hands in denial. “Big Sister, I never said anything like that, and I never taught him that.”
