Chapter 134 - Nowadays, You Don’t Even Give Me a Goodbye Kiss (1/2)

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation  Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

“Transfer to the branch in Paris and take on the responsibility of communicating with the architects. Qilin is planning to build a large-scale theme park in the country. The masquerade party is based on the design from France. I’m going to pay a visit myself to communicate the vision. Plus, there is a general manager position that needs filling. The general manager left, so I would like to take the opportunity to fully understand the schematics.

“If it sits well with him, I can transfer Jian Yi there. If Jian Yi was to get a raise, I suppose it would be beneficial for the both of you. Given that both of you will be overseas, Jian Yi’s mom can no longer bother you, and Jian Yi will no longer be able to see Song Yu. Your worries would be all out the window.”

Qi Chengyue’s eyes lit up in delight, but, at the same time, she was dubious. She could not believe that Qi Chengzhi would be so kind.

Before he started dating Song Yu, he was cold and distant toward his family. However, as the two of them had not argued much, Qi Chengyue did not hold a negative opinion of him.

Since Song Yu had come into the picture, though, he had been willing to do everything for her; including embarrassing her in front of everyone to protect her.

Resultantly, Qi Chengyue did not believe there was any kinship between them. She would never have thought Qi Chengzhi to be considerate of her situation.

“Are you really so kind?” Qi Chengyue almost scoffed aloud, but she managed to keep her silence.

“I’m going to France this Friday. I’ll let you know the answer by then,” said Qi Chengzhi.

…

…

Song Yu turned on her mobile data to look for anime for Qi Youxuan.

Qi Youxuan took out a pack of Ganyuan Sunflower Seeds and began chomping down on them.

A car approached her direction. The glaring headlights made Song Yu squint. She saw it stop right in front of the mansion, its bonnet facing the Range Rover.

After a moment, two people got out of the car.

They were Jian Yi and Zhou Mingyan.

Jian Yi narrowed his eyes as he peered at the Range Rover in front of him. The windows of the Ranger Rover were tinted, unhelpful in the darkness of the night. The street lights, too, did nothing for his vision. He could see that someone was in the car, but could not ascertain who it was.

Still, he knew it to be Song Yu.

He stared for a while, until Zhou Mingyan called for him multiple times. Reluctantly, Jian Yi looked away and walked with Zhou Mingyan to the entrance. He pressed on the doorbell.

“Sir, Madam. Mister Jian and the in-law are here.” Aunt Chen said.

Jian Yi and Zhou Mingyan entered.

Guan Liya did not even spare Zhou Mingyan a kind glance, ignoring her completely. She was still in the task of comforting Qi Chengyue.

“Father-in-law, mother-in-law.” Jian Yi greeted.

Guan Liya nodded coldly. “You must be rather capable, sending Chengyue home crying after just a few days of marriage.”

“This…” Zhou Mingyan gave a wry, apologetic smile. Seeing Qi Chengyue begin to cry again, she could only say, “Chengyue, I crossed the line earlier. I hope you feel better soon, and find it in you not to begrudge me for it.

“It’s my first time being an in-law, and my first time interacting with a daughter-in-law, too. It’s hard for me to establish boundaries because I’ve only experienced being someone else’s daughter-in-law. Back then, my mother-in-law was very strict with me. I didn’t know the right way to treat you. Jian Yi is my only son, an, sometimes, I care for him a little too much; so much so that I go overboard.

“Mistress Qi,” Zhou Mingyan looked apologetically at Guan Liya, “I understand how you must feel. If Jian Yi were to suffer any injustice here, I would be furious. I will try to consider Chengyue’s perspective more often in the future, and behave more thoughtfully. I’m sorry.”

Guan Liya had not been expecting Zhou Mingyan to come in person to apologize. Given she was already married, she did not want her daughter to be stuck in a poor relationship with her husband. If things progressed down that path, while it might not be a tragedy, as was in Qi Chengze’s case, her marriage could be ruined.

Jian Yi walked to Qi Chengyue and knelt down so he was at her eye level. He cupped her face in both his hands and wiped away her tears tenderly.

“Don’t be sad anymore. After you left, I didn’t follow right after because I had to talk things through with Mom. I made her realize her mistakes. Come home, okay?” Jian Yi beseeched softly.

Qi Chengyue whimpered. Blinking her wet, bloodshot eyes, she nodded.

…

…

Song Yu watched as the mansion door opened and Jian Yi walked out, his hand on Qi Chengyue’s waist. Zhou Mingyan followed behind them closely.

Soon after, Qi Chengzhi and Qi Chenglin walked out, too, followed, lastly, by Guan Liya and Qi Zhongxun.

When he saw his dad, Qi Youxuan immediately returned the phone to Song Yu. He opened the car door and rushed down, the packet of sunflower seeds still in his small, chubby hand.

Song Yu quickly followed behind. Jian Yi heard a crisp shout. “Daddy!”

Everyone turned to the source of the voice. They saw a round little boy, who grew rounder with each passing day, running toward Qi Chenglin.

Naturally, they also saw Song Yu trailing behind.

Jian Yi grew tense all of a sudden. Without thinking, he yanked his hand away from Qi Chengyue.

Qi Chengyue went pale. She narrowed her eyes at Jian Yi, who jerked his head to the side. Jian Yi wore a blank expression, but his telltale gaze was fixated on Song Yu.

Beneath the silvery-white moonlight, Song Yu was fairer than ever. Her delicate beauty was ephemeral, like a fairytale nymph who belonged to the night, and not on this undeserving Earth.

Qi Chengyue flushed in anger. She grabbed ahold of the hand that had rested on her waist and clutched it unrelentingly.

She could feel Jian Yi stiffen in place. He even tried to struggle his way out.

Qi Chengyue ground her teeth. She squeezed it even tighter. She was not going to let go.

On her part, Song Yu was oblivious of Jian Yi’s actions. She had not spared him much of her attention.

She had merely glanced at Jian Yi and Qi Chengyue for a second, purely out of shock, before focusing on Qi Chengzhi. She had eyes for him and only him.

Qi Chenglin lifted Qi Youxuan, who was still happily eating his sunflower seeds. Qi Chengzhi walked over to Song Yu and ran his fingers through her windblown hair. Pushing strands of it behind her ear, he asked, “Why aren’t you waiting in the car?”

“Youxuan got down from the car. I was following him.” Song Yu said.

Jian Yi saw the way they were talking — as if the world was made of only the two of them. Their intimacy made him tense up.

“Time to go,” Guan Liya said, “When you guys are home, take time to communicate. Try to understand each other’s perspective.”

She turned to look at Zhou Mingyan and continued, “In-law, Chengyue is still young. She just got married and is relatively inexperienced. You’ve lived through half a century. When your mother-in-law was strict with you, surely you were displeased? If you can understand that, be kinder to Chengyue. She still has her family. I understand that you care deeply for Jian Yi, your son, but Chengyue is our daughter; the only daughter of the Qi family. Not only Grandfather and Grandmother Qi, but we all also love her to pieces.

“She got married because she loves Jian Yi. We hope she can be happy, and we don’t want her to feel aggrieved. Furthermore, we elders shouldn’t interfere too much with the lives of these younger people. We’re all very fond of Chengyue, hence, by extension, we’re kind to Jian Yi. As long as he’s still the son-in-law of the Qi family, he has a great future.

“In other words, when the two eventually break it off, Chengyue can come home and still be the daughter of the Qi family, but Jian Yi…” Guan Liya sneered, “I’m afraid, by then, Qilin will no longer be a place for him.”

Zhou Mingyan trembled a little. Underneath the white moonlight and the yellow street lights, her face seemed paler than usual.

“The Qi family adheres to the principle of returning kindness by the tenfold. We respect that you’re Jian Yi’s mother and our in-law. We will include you in good times and bad, but this doesn’t mean you can take advantage of us. We won’t let anyone override our authority. While we still respect you, know your limits. We will receive equal respect from you, and we will not be exploited.