Chapter 34 (End) (1/2)
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”Ying Mei!”
In the Ying Mansion, a loud shout shattered the peace in the afternoon. Even the birds on the trees were startled and flew away. A little child, with two little knotted buns on her head and a cute little jade white face, was running furiously along a cobblestone path that led through the center of the residence, ignoring the loud shout behind her.
”Ying Mei! Stand still!” Ying Xue Wen took a step forward.
”If I stand still, I won't be able to go and see Auntie!” Ying Mei's short legs continued to run through a crescent moon gate* as she panted breathlessly.
(Crescent moon gate is a circular opening in the wall that separates courtyards.)
”I am your Father! You did not even come to pay respects to me first when you return from your grandmother's summer resort!”
”Oh! Greetings to Father!” She said without even turning back her head. ”I am going to look for Auntie!”
”I will peel off your skin!......”
Before Ying Xue Wen could finish speaking, Ying Mei had vanished in a wisp of smoke.
Panting breathlessly, Ying Xue Wen stopped and sat down on the bench at the side.
Currently, he has two sons and a daughter and Ying Mei is the eldest. She has the temperament of a wild horse and once at the age of five, she caused a major upheaval when she disappeared. Later, this little thing was found in one of the Ying Medical Halls. She was carrying a cloth bag with her and said she was conducting checks on the medical halls.
In future, he does not know how much brainpower he has to invest in this mischievous daughter of his...........
”Father!”
”Father!”
Dong! Dong!
Before Ying Xue Wen had time to gather his thoughts, two small radish heads had already crashed into his arms knocking him back.
”Father, you promised to accompany me to go horse riding!........”
”Father, skim water........skim pebble on water!.........”
”Alright, alright! But Father has to see your Mother first........” He disentangled his two sons from his body and holding their hands, he led the children towards the main door.
”I've been away from home for so many days but you didn't come to receive me first. On the contrary, you are bothered that your daughter didn't look for you first?!” Qian Ying Ying pretended to be angry and folded her arms across her chest.
When Ying Xue Wen saw his wife, his eyes immediately lit up and he quickened his footsteps towards her.
”This is an injustice! I just wanted to teach her proper etiquette to save you from worrying about her in future!”
At this moment, Ying Mei who had pa.s.sed through the crescent moon gate into another courtyard was running furiously towards the section where Hua Ming Zi was residing. When Ying Mei could not find anyone around, immediately she knew that her Uncle and Auntie were alone in the study and did not want to be disturbed. So, she hurriedly turned around and ran towards the study.
Without knocking on the door, she burst into the study and dragged out her words in a sweet voice.
”Auntie, your favorite Xiao Mei* has returned..........”
(Ying Mei is the child's name and when she calls herself as 'Xiao Mei' the word 'Xiao' is an affectionate term for the person. The meaning of 'Xiao Mei' is 'Little Mei'.)
Ying Mei's words stopped abruptly when she saw her Uncle lying on her Auntie's lap while her Auntie was slowly waving a small fan over him to keep him cool.
Ying Yan Long wrinkled his eyebrows and then opened his eyes.
”How can Uncle take my spot?!” Ying Mei widened her eyes and flew over pouncing directly on the couch. Her pet.i.te body tried in vain to push Ying Yan Long away.
”Ying Mei!” Ying Yan Long gave a low shout and got up slowly.
Ying Mei looked intently at Hua Ming Zi and held up both her arms waiting for Hua Ming Zi to gather her into a hug.
”Your Uncle is talking to you.” Hua Ming Zi frowned.
”Oh, I heard him.” Ying Mei went up to Hua Ming Zi and squeezed herself between Ying Yan Long and Hua Ming Zi.
”Stand up!” Hua Ming Zi tightened her lips, pointed to the door and said sternly. ”Go back to the door and knock. Report the news of your return and wait for us to give you permission to enter before you can come in.”
”So troublesome.......” Ying Mei blinked and wrinkled her little nose. ”Can I skip that?”
”Then in future, you are not allowed to come in.” Hua Ming Zi said without any expression.
Instantly Ying Mei blinked and her tears as big as beans were swimming in her eyes. With a pout on her lips, the little child left the couch and dragged her feet to the door.
Letting out a sigh, Hua Ming Zi got up to adjust her clothes and then sat down again on the edge of the couch.
”Don't you think you are too strict with her?” Ying Yan Long moved to sit beside her and held her hand.
”She is smart but if she doesn't place importance on rules and etiquette, she will suffer and be at a disadvantage in future.”
Hua Ming Zi looked outside the door and frowned.
”You really have the att.i.tude of a mother.” Ying Yan Long said with a smile.
”Managing people is my specialty.........” Hua Ming Zi looked at the figure of the child and for a moment, she forgot what she was about to say.
Although Hua Ming Zi's body still looked thin all these years after consuming the 'Phoenix' Pill, at least her spirits is good. She could move and walk and could even help by contributing ideas for their businesses.
In the Hua and Ying Families, everyone knew that Hua Ming Zi's favorite child is Ying Mei. However, the deeper the love, the sharper the reprimand. The effort Hua Ming Zi invested in the child was more than anyone else. Several times when she tutored Ying Mei in learning to count, she forgot to take a rest and as a result, she was so tired that she turned pale. It frightened everyone, so they started to teach Ying Mei on how to take care of Hua Ming Zi.
(The deeper the love, the sharper the reprimand describes an elder or a parent's deep love for his children and the strict discipline he makes the children go through to bring them up properly.)
Knock! Knock!
Two knocks sounded on the door.
”Uncle...... Auntie.......I am Ying Mei. I have returned from grandmother's summer resort.” Ying Mei's voice choked as it drifted in from outside.
”Quick, come in.” Hua Ming Zi got up from the couch and walked towards the door.
The moment Ying Mei entered Ying Yan Long saw Hua Ming Zi gathered the child into her arms.
Ying Mei buried her face in Hua Ming Zi's arms and tears streamed down her little face soaking Hua Ming Zi's clothes. After the little girl had cried for a while, she raised her long eyelashes and looked at Hua Ming Zi.
”Is it because Xiao Mei has been away for too long, Auntie doesn't like me anymore?” Ying Mei's pair of big eyes were filled with tears giving her a pitiful look.
”It's because Auntie likes Ying Mei too much, so it is necessary to especially teach you all these manners.”
Hua Ming Zi held the little girl's hand and led her to the couch. While she helped the child to wipe her tears, she whispered softly to the child and taught her that she must remember to always knock before entering. She also reminded the child to follow rules and etiquette, and so on.
The little girl listened in a serious manner, nodding her head every now and then. However, she is just a little girl and after listening for a while, she could not help but ask.
”Auntie, have you finished?”
Hua Ming Zi smiled and said. ”I am done.”
”Then it's my turn to speak! Grandmother's place has a new lotus pond......a very, very big lotus pond. I sat in the boat while my little brothers picked lotus seeds from the lotus seed pod for me. The place was like a maze.........” Both of Ying Mei's hands were gesturing and flying in the air and her little face was s.h.i.+ning brightly.
Hua Ming Zi listened with a smile and unconsciously the two people leaned closer and closer. Finally, the little girl hugged her arm and looked as if she could not wait to nestle into her arms.
”I asked grandmother for a lot of seeds to bring back and also asked the cook there for the method to cook lotus seed soup. Later I will discuss with Uncle whether you can eat lotus seeds.” Ying Mei looked up at Hua Ming Zi.
Hua Ming Zi smiled and nodded as she stroked Ying Mei's hair.
Ying Yan Long looked at Ying Mei who is still a child, but sometimes when she talks, she is able to speak in a methodical manner and she also possesses a little momentum of a Dangjia. He could not help but feel proud of her.
”If Ying Mei likes to ride a boat so much, how about learning to row one............” Hua Ming Zi said.