Chapter 54: Meeting Suyin, praising Nana

Late at night, Jinhai woke up to drink water. The jar was empty so he went into the kitchen.

While he was at it, he found the ramen he bought still half left in a bowl.

He furrowed his brows. What? Dad didn’t finish the whole ramen? He was whining like a child to get it for him and he didn’t even eat the whole thing. He likes Nana’s food so much, so how can he leave some ramen aside?

He drank water and was about to go but stopped. He stared at the ramen for God knows how long. Like he was trying to make a very important decision. It felt like his stares could bore holes in the ramen.

Finally coming to a decision, he got the chopsticks and took one bite. He slowly nodded. As expected, it’s really good.

In a matter of seconds, he finished the bowl. Jinhai stood rooted. He was supposed to only taste it. Then he shrugged. I will just cook up a story if Dad asked, he thought.

He left but didn’t notice Father Liu standing in a corner smiling mischievously at him.

—

Over the next few days, Suyin and Jianyu started meeting frequently. Since Suyin had also set up her own business, they would often talk about work and upcoming possible ventures.

“Jianyu. I’m thinking about joining you in the collaboration project which you and Liu Jinhai are into with the Fu Enterprises.”

Jianyu raised his eyebrows.

“Really?”

“Yes. There is no need to think right? I mean building child care centers for poor and underprivileged children is the noblest thing one can do. So I thought to contribute as well.”

The truth is she didn’t give a damn about the child care center. She found this as a chance to increase her interactions and meetings with Jianyu. If she can enter in this project too, then she will get more chances to be with him and seduce him to start their relationship again. Not only that it will be good for her company’s image as well knowing that she is working for the unfortunate children.

“I have already talked with the CEO of Fu Enterprises. He has no issues with it.”

“Okay. I see no problems with it.”

She smiled. “Thank you.”

A waiter came with their order. “Sir. Mam. Your dishes.”

He laid out all the dishes. Suyin frowned.

“How can the staff ignore your request? I will have to talk to the manager about this.”

“What’s wrong?”, he asked.

“You don’t like so many veggies right? I know you so well. You can’t even look at them. But they have still put it in your dish.”

“Ah no. That’s not it. I told them to put those veggies. There is nothing wrong.”

“Why?”, she asked in confusion.

He laughed. “You got to hear this. I hated veggies but since the time I ate Nana’s food I have started to love them. I don’t know what she does but man she can make those boring veggies into a delight! And anyways she has also ordered me not to skip them otherwise I’m not welcomed to Natsukashi anymore.”, he sulked saying the last line.

Suyin stiffened. Nana? Her again!

“And I cannot afford not to visit her place anymore. Nobody can leave that place once you have a taste of it. Of course, you will know. You also had it during bro’s anniversary right?”

“..Yes, I know.”, she gritted her teeth.

“See? You can understand me.”

He started babbling more about Nana which made Suyin very frustrated but had to hold her anger in.

He is with me right now but is talking about her! How dare she!?

—

Huian was at the Xiang’s house today. She came to meet her parents for a change and to unwind all the stress she had till now because of those letters.

“Dear, so tell me. How is everything between you and Jinhai?”, Mother Xiang asked while having tea.

“It’s all good mom. Jinhai is busy with work so we get less time to spend but other than that everything is fine.”

Father Xiang asked, “It’s for the collaboration project with the Fu’s right? For the child care centers?”

“Yes, Dad.”

“You both are so young. It’s hardly two years for your marriage. You should spend more time together. When will you give us the news of our grandchild?”, she pouted.

Huian stiffened.

“Mom. We are only 27. And like you said we are both so young. I don’t want a child’s responsibility now. I want to enjoy my time with Jinhai while we can. Once a child comes, everything changes a lot.”

“For the better.”, her mother corrected.

“Don’t worry mom. It’s not like I don’t want a child at all. Just not now.”

Father Xiang signaled his wife to drop the subject. Don’t pressurize her, his eyes said.

She sighed.

A maid knocked.

“Yes?”

The maid bowed and said, “Madam Xiang. A package has come for Young Mrs.”

“A package for Huian? But why send it here? It must be sent to your Liu’s Villa right?”

Huian trembled. She slowly raised her head to see the thing the maid was holding.

It was like the same package as the first letter.