Chapter 239 Miss, Would You Like Some Flowers? (1/2)

Song Chunli had reserved a table in a highly praised restaurant ran by a private chef. She and Jiang Qianren were already there when Xin Qing arrived.

”Sorry that I'm late,” Xin Qing said.

Jiang Qianren pulled out a chair for her. ”Not at all. We were early, that's all!”

Jiang Qianren was dressed in civvies today, which made him look handsome and buff like some kind of hotshot celebrity. Having noticed the way Xin Qing was staring at him, Jiang Qianren pursed his lips and kept a straight face. ”From now on, I'll be wearing civvies every time I come see you.”

Xin Qing gave him a strange look, though she made no comment.

Jiang Qianren felt that Xin Qing might not feel as overwhelmed by his presence if he avoided putting on his uniform. He knew how imposing his presence could be. Before he came here, the rookies in his unit had given him some special advice: women needed to be coaxed, not ordered around and treated like a soldier; in other words, he had to take things slow.

The most important thing was that he was aware that the man had returned. He had already seen Ying Qingcang's photo while running a background check on Xin Qing last time. At the time, he thought Ying Qingcang was just another man with good looks. He had entertained the notion that Ying Qingcang was not nearly as charismatic as he was. But when he accidentally saw Ying Qingcang on TV a few days ago, he realized that Ying Qingcang was no ordinary man at all. At least Jiang Qianren could now admit to himself that Ying Qingcang made him feel threatened, be it in terms of physical appearance or charisma.

If he were to really go toe to toe with Ying Qingcang, Jiang Qianren felt that he might not necessarily come out victorious. Then again, that man was no longer his opponent; Ying Qingcang himself had chosen to abandon Xin Qing. It was for this reason that Jiang Qianren had insisted on coming to S City. Nevertheless, he did find it rather strange that his mother would go behind the family's back by tagging along.

”President Xin, are there any foods that you avoid?” Song Chunli asked with the menu in hand.

Xin Qing took a sip of water. ”You can just use my name. And no, I can have pretty much anything,” Xin Qing answered cordially.

”She can't have anything too spicy,” Jiang Qianren remarked casually.

Song Chunli flicked him a glance and handed him the menu. ”Why don't you order for all of us, then!”

The restaurant's signature dishes were all part of the Huaiyang cuisine, which was renowned for its mild flavor. Xin Qing enjoyed it very much. Throughout the meal, Jiang Qianren never stopped placing food on Xin Qing's plate. Once in a while, he would do the same for Song Chunli, too. Near the end of the meal, they noticed something a bit off with Jiang Qianren's expression.

Song Chunli glared at her own son in annoyance. ”Oh, for God's sake, just go if you need the loo. What do you think I'll do, swallow the girl?” Jiang Qianren turned to Xin Qing and gave her a reassuring glance. Then, he quickly left their table.

”Well, it's about time you speak your mind,” Xin Qing mumbled inwardly as she stared at Song Chunli.

As expected, Song Chunli placed down her chopsticks. For a moment, Song Chunli seemed to be choosing her words carefully before she finally settled with, ”I heard you have three children, Miss Xin.”

It had never crossed Xin Qing's mind that Song Chunli would suddenly ask her about this, which was why Xin Qing was briefly taken aback. Then, she nodded. ”Mm. Two sons and a daughter.”

Song Chunli picked up her wine glass and brought it to her lips. ”But I heard that only your youngest son is related to you and your husband by blood...”

”Pardon me for not wanting to discuss my children,” Xin Qing said in a serious tone. ”I have no idea why you're suddenly taking an interest in my children. But I hope you're aware that nothing in this world could more important to me than their well-being. If anyone does them harm, rest assured that I'll return several times the favor.”

This time it was Song Chunli who appeared stunned. She had no idea that the usually calm and composed Xin Qing would become so aggressive when the subject of her children was broached. Song Chunli spent a brief moment in thought, and then she smiled. ”Please do not misunderstand my intentions. I'm curious, that's all. I'm a mother, too. So I understand your stance regarding such matters. Please believe me that the people from the Jiang family will never resort to any dishonorable acts. Of that you can be assured.”

”What do you do that Xin Qing needs reassurance from you?” Jiang Qianren, who had rushed back to their table, fixed his gaze on Xin Qing for a few seconds. When he did not detect anything out of the ordinary, only then did he sit down.

Xin Qing smiled. ”Oh, it's nothing. We were engaging in a little girl-talk, that's all.”

When Jiang Qianren walked Xin Qing back to her car after dinner, he whispered to her, ”I'll come see you tomorrow.”

Before Xin Qing could even voice out her protest, he had already turned around and begun walking away. Resigned, Xin Qing waved at Song Chunli who was still standing at the restaurant's entrance and cued Ah Che to start driving.

”Shall I send you back to your hotel?” Jiang Qianren asked his mother.

”Don't you own a house in the city? I'll just stay at your place, then.”

On the way to Jiang Qianren's place, Song Chunli asked, ”Do you know Xin Qing's children?”

”What's the matter?” Jiang Qianren watched his mother cautiously. Song Chunli frowned. ”Seriously? You really think I'll try to harm the children?” She said.

A quick laugh escaped Jiang Qianren's lips. ”Hah! This is my mother we're talking here! My righteous and virtuous mother with her impeccable moral standards! She'll never resort to any irrational means, am I right?!”

”Quit talking nonsense. I just heard that her children were adopted.”

”Mm. Her two oldest children were indeed adopted. One of them was her stepbrother's daughter. The other one... Well, I must say I have no clue about the other one.”

The expectant look on Song Chunli's face morphed into a look of mild disappointment. She stared at her son for a long while. ”Nobody could find out anything about the other one? Not even you?”

Jiang Qianren's face fell. ”Couldn't find anything,” Jiang Qianren said. ”All I know is that the kid suddenly appeared three years ago.” He paused, flicking a glance at Song Chunli. ”Mom, I realized that you're taking a special interest in Xin Qing's children. What is it that you're trying to find out?”

Something flickered in Song Chunli's eyes. ”I'm just curious,” she said. ”She's a woman who doesn't even have a husband. Why would she adopt so many children? I mean, it's not like she is infertile.”

”It goes to show just how kind-hearted she is!” Due to the dimness of the car's interior, Jiang Qianren had failed to notice the strange look on his mother's face. ”Now you know why I'm so crazy about her. A pure girl like her is hard to come by these days!”

Song Chunli laughed. ”Then I guess it's too bad that the woman doesn't have eyes for my son!”

”She will eventually...” Jiang Qianren's foot slammed down on the accelerator.

The following day, the first thing Song Chunli did when she got back to her home in the capital was to make a phone call.