The Long Road Ahead: C27
Soup Talk
This novel was posted on cntranslations [dot] com, by anasiana. If you're not reading it there, you get what you get ￣へ￣)
When Xiao Ning made his way down the stairs he ran into Shan Haihong walking up them, the two unexpectedly meeting face to face. Shan Haihong was the first to speak, "Are you done chatting with Dad? Are you alright?"
"Um, nothing." Xiao Ning concealed his past embarrassment. "I was just wondering how your house didn't turn into a zoo with all the animals he picked up."
Why do I feel distressed? Xia Ning was stunned. "I..."
She then continued, "Despite what others think, I want nothing but for everyone in our family to happily live together. Yisong loves Haimng and he loves Haihong too, though he also feels a lot of guilt towards Haihong, but Haihong is just too suspicious."
Xiao Ning wore a smile as he replied, "I'm fine. It was just an interrogation to find out how deeply I loved Haiming."
His father was incredibly upset, and so was I." Wu Yi recollected as she spoke, "Maybe it's because Haiming and I have too much and aren't lacking that towards such a sensitive child I couldn't help but feel soft-hearted. Haiming was probably influenced by me in this."
Towards Shan Haihong, for a reason he couldn't understand or explain, Xiao Ning felt repulsed. When it came to the name he had mentioned, it took Xiao Ning a few seconds to remember who the guy was.
But upon seeing him, Shan Haiming waved and solved his issue first. "Go to the kitchen."
She then continued, "Despite what others think, I want nothing but for everyone in our family to happily live together. Yisong loves Haimng and he loves Haihong too, though he also feels a lot of guilt towards Haihong, but Haihong is just too suspicious."
"You don't need to be so nervous." Wu Yi tilted her head and swept her hair over her shoulder in a motion beaming with grace. "Haiming is a very determined child, and I could never bear intervening once he made up his mind."
"Oh, alright. Just be understanding of Dad for a while." Shan Haihong seemed to have wanted to continue their chat like that, standing on the stairs. "Haiming is very fond of you. He Shuzhou and his other friends have been crying about Haiming taking his love life more seriously than his friendship, you know."
Normally, he doesn't cook. He doesn't even remember how to use a pressure cooker. What's more, he never had the time to make soup, and it was even more unlikely Lu Yan would.
Towards Shan Haihong, for a reason he couldn't understand or explain, Xiao Ning felt repulsed. When it came to the name he had mentioned, it took Xiao Ning a few seconds to remember who the guy was.
Couldn't bear it?
"Haiming was great friends with those guys before, and they used to run around like crazy all over the place. But then all of a sudden he started ignoring them, and amongst them, his reputation must not be that good. Bai Li can still be counted on to lend Haiming a hand in that regard." Shan Haihong then joked, "If you're worried about them meeting up, you can just tag along with them each time, hm?"
Seeing Shan Haimng on the ground floor, Xiao Ning's mood brightened a bit. Sadly, Shan Haiming was not alone in the living room, there was also Ye Zixin.
"I rarely cook soup," Xiao Ning replied.
"Yes, I am." Xiao Ning stopped and looked upwards behind him. Shan Haihong stood above him. "I think such a position underutilises your abilities. I'll send word later for them to make an adjustment to your position."
"I think that soups are not the same as other dishes. They don't require any skill, just basic knowledge will do." Wu Yi leaned on the countertop. "But to be made properly, it does require attention and care."
Ye Zixin's forward-facing gaze shifted to Xiao Ning. He couldn't say what sort of expression was on her face, but he did not like it one bit. Once in the kitchen, he asked, "Aunty?"
Those aren't good friends.
"What?" Xiao Ning paused, then made his way to the kitchen with apprehension. "Why the kitchen?"
"You don't need to be so nervous." Wu Yi tilted her head and swept her hair over her shoulder in a motion beaming with grace. "Haiming is a very determined child, and I could never bear intervening once he made up his mind."
Even though these words of Wu Yi's made Xiao Ning develop a yearning, Shan Haiming was a person with such an outstanding and special background that he could never be reduced to being a real couple with someone like himself. So as long as Xiao Ning could help him by doing this favour, it was enough.
Couldn't bear it?
"You don't need to be so nervous." Wu Yi tilted her head and swept her hair over her shoulder in a motion beaming with grace. "Haiming is a very determined child, and I could never bear intervening once he made up his mind."
Politely, Xiao Ning replied, "I usually can't get a word in when it comes to Haiming's business."
Reaching out to gently pat Xiao Ning's hand, Wu Yi comforted, "Regardless of whether the person likes is a man or woman, as long as he likes them, I will support him. With both Haiming and I here, his father will also come to accept you in due time."
Doesn't it mean that for his sake Shan Haiming doesn't matter? Shan Haiming's actions having clearly maintained the peace within the family made Xiao Ning feel a little... uneasy, perhaps?
Xiao Ning again smiled as he replied, "Thank you, but that is unnecessary at the moment. Uncle Shan already has suspicions I might have approached Haiming for my own purposes."
Shan Haihong laughed. "He has always been like this, always doing things his own way regardless of what others say to the extreme. You have a good disposition, so please accommodate him a little, okay?"
Wu Yi turned to look at him, smiling. "Do you know how to make soup?"
Xiao Ning: "...you weren't angry?"
"What's there to be angry about? Haihong's little face when he lied was really amusing, it's a pity you couldn't see it." Wu Yi's laughter continued as she added, "But after Haiming found out, he pretended he didn't know to tease his brother. And, because of his teasing, Haihong was a ball of nerves."
Xiao Ning had no interest in the slightest of spending his time mixed up with him, so after giving a courteous smile in return he began to leave, however, he did not expect Shan Haihong to stop him. "Oh, I almost forgot to ask you. You're a team leader in the customer service department, right?"
"If you guys aren't interested in kids yet, you can always raise a pet." Wu Yi carefully observed how her soup was going for a while, then adjusted the flame. "Oh right, did Haiming ever tell you how much he loves cats and dogs?"
Doesn't it mean that for his sake Shan Haiming doesn't matter? Shan Haiming's actions having clearly maintained the peace within the family made Xiao Ning feel a little... uneasy, perhaps?
After she said this, Xiao Ning came to understand. Shan Yisong had finished chatting with him and now it was Wu Yi's turn.
"Yes, I am." Xiao Ning stopped and looked upwards behind him. Shan Haihong stood above him. "I think such a position underutilises your abilities. I'll send word later for them to make an adjustment to your position."
Set aside Xiao Ning's first impression and assumptions about her, because this statement of hers had now truly left Xiao Ning with a favourable opinion of her. So he complimented, "Your family are all blessed to enjoy delicious foods, then."
Wu Yi let out a chuckle. "I'm embarrassed to say this, but this is the only dish I can let people see. Everything else I make turns out deadly. Making soup costs time but it's very simple."
Why do I feel distressed? Xia Ning was stunned. "I..."
"Of course, I understand. So for the sake of allowing the elders of the family to rest at ease, it would be best for me to be honest, no?" Still sporting a smile, Xiao Ning shook his head. "I'll be on my way now."
Soup Talk
Xiao Ning again smiled as he replied, "Thank you, but that is unnecessary at the moment. Uncle Shan already has suspicions I might have approached Haiming for my own purposes."
Such phrasing can really make a person feel sentimental.
"Haihong should've been quite popular, too. But it was hard for me to help him organise his stuff as a kid." When Wu Yi said this, she didn't seem uncomfortable at all, she then continued. "I just never saw anything that suggested Haiming not liking girls from the start, you know. When did you realise you liked the same seⅹ?"
Suddenly, the night Shan Haiming had taken him back to his house appeared in Xiao Ning's mind, and his expression grew quite odd.
Wu Yi got up, pouring two cups of water for herself and Xiao Ning. "Haiming didn't come home much before, so I barely got many chances to make him a bowl of soup."
Seeing Shan Haimng on the ground floor, Xiao Ning's mood brightened a bit. Sadly, Shan Haiming was not alone in the living room, there was also Ye Zixin.
The two sat on opposite ends of the sofa without saying a word or looking at one another. But the imposing air around them suggested a stand-off. Xiao Ning had no idea what the reason for the tension in their atmosphere was, and he honestly did not want to go over.
Doesn't it mean that for his sake Shan Haiming doesn't matter? Shan Haiming's actions having clearly maintained the peace within the family made Xiao Ning feel a little... uneasy, perhaps?
"He treasures Haiming, so please don't take it to heart," Shan Haihong responded.
Politely, Xiao Ning replied, "I usually can't get a word in when it comes to Haiming's business."
Seeing Shan Haimng on the ground floor, Xiao Ning's mood brightened a bit. Sadly, Shan Haiming was not alone in the living room, there was also Ye Zixin.
N/A
Wu Yi let out a chuckle. "I'm embarrassed to say this, but this is the only dish I can let people see. Everything else I make turns out deadly. Making soup costs time but it's very simple."
"If you guys aren't interested in kids yet, you can always raise a pet." Wu Yi carefully observed how her soup was going for a while, then adjusted the flame. "Oh right, did Haiming ever tell you how much he loves cats and dogs?"
"Of course, I understand. So for the sake of allowing the elders of the family to rest at ease, it would be best for me to be honest, no?" Still sporting a smile, Xiao Ning shook his head. "I'll be on my way now."
Towards Shan Haihong, for a reason he couldn't understand or explain, Xiao Ning felt repulsed. When it came to the name he had mentioned, it took Xiao Ning a few seconds to remember who the guy was.
Politely, Xiao Ning replied, "I usually can't get a word in when it comes to Haiming's business."
Set aside Xiao Ning's first impression and assumptions about her, because this statement of hers had now truly left Xiao Ning with a favourable opinion of her. So he complimented, "Your family are all blessed to enjoy delicious foods, then."
Suddenly, the night Shan Haiming had taken him back to his house appeared in Xiao Ning's mind, and his expression grew quite odd.
"Then again, if Haiming really had feelings for Zixin, I would be troubled." Wu Yi stroked her cheek worriedly. "Haihong has liked Zixin ever since he was a child, but Zixin seemed to have had eyes for Haiming. Haihong should be able to put his mind at ease now, I suppose. Kids can really give a person a headache with their issues, huh?"
This time Shan Haihong had nothing to say.
"He treasures Haiming, so please don't take it to heart," Shan Haihong responded.
"Haihong should've been quite popular, too. But it was hard for me to help him organise his stuff as a kid." When Wu Yi said this, she didn't seem uncomfortable at all, she then continued. "I just never saw anything that suggested Haiming not liking girls from the start, you know. When did you realise you liked the same seⅹ?"
"Oh..." Wearing a triumphant look of satisfaction at her discovery, without any of the airs of an elder, Wu Yi further queried, "Did you find out? Was it with a little boy you liked first?"
Xiao Ning let out a sigh, he felt incredibly unnerved when facing that man. But Shan Haiming had to deal with him for so many years, so how troubled must he be?
Xiao Ning nodded to show her he understood.
Xiao Ning let out a sigh, he felt incredibly unnerved when facing that man. But Shan Haiming had to deal with him for so many years, so how troubled must he be?
Suddenly, the night Shan Haiming had taken him back to his house appeared in Xiao Ning's mind, and his expression grew quite odd.
"He treasures Haiming, so please don't take it to heart," Shan Haihong responded.
That was the second time he was asked such a thing for the day. Xiao Ning was a bit more relaxed, so he explained the situation with his parents to Wu Yi simply, which led the older woman to remain quiet for a moment after he was done speaking. "You're a good boy, and you will surely have a good life in the future with Haiming. If you guys want kids, we can adopt or even find a surrogate. Yisong and I will listen to what you and Haiming want, okay?"
Seeing Shan Haimng on the ground floor, Xiao Ning's mood brightened a bit. Sadly, Shan Haiming was not alone in the living room, there was also Ye Zixin.
Xiao Ning, with an immense degree of focus, held onto the cup in his hands.
After saying this, she let out another laugh. "Do you understand, now?"
Xiao Ning: "..."
The two sat on opposite ends of the sofa without saying a word or looking at one another. But the imposing air around them suggested a stand-off. Xiao Ning had no idea what the reason for the tension in their atmosphere was, and he honestly did not want to go over.
Ye Zixin's forward-facing gaze shifted to Xiao Ning. He couldn't say what sort of expression was on her face, but he did not like it one bit. Once in the kitchen, he asked, "Aunty?"
"Oh, alright. Just be understanding of Dad for a while." Shan Haihong seemed to have wanted to continue their chat like that, standing on the stairs. "Haiming is very fond of you. He Shuzhou and his other friends have been crying about Haiming taking his love life more seriously than his friendship, you know."
Even though these words of Wu Yi's made Xiao Ning develop a yearning, Shan Haiming was a person with such an outstanding and special background that he could never be reduced to being a real couple with someone like himself. So as long as Xiao Ning could help him by doing this favour, it was enough.
"Yes, I am." Xiao Ning stopped and looked upwards behind him. Shan Haihong stood above him. "I think such a position underutilises your abilities. I'll send word later for them to make an adjustment to your position."
Xiao Ning felt helpless when he heard those words. He and Shan Haimng weren't really together, and even if they put on a realistic show, they were still deceiving everyone and it was all not true.
"Of course, I understand. So for the sake of allowing the elders of the family to rest at ease, it would be best for me to be honest, no?" Still sporting a smile, Xiao Ning shook his head. "I'll be on my way now."
"I think that soups are not the same as other dishes. They don't require any skill, just basic knowledge will do." Wu Yi leaned on the countertop. "But to be made properly, it does require attention and care."
But upon seeing him, Shan Haiming waved and solved his issue first. "Go to the kitchen."
Xiao Ning let out a sigh, he felt incredibly unnerved when facing that man. But Shan Haiming had to deal with him for so many years, so how troubled must he be?
"What?" Xiao Ning paused, then made his way to the kitchen with apprehension. "Why the kitchen?"
When Xiao Ning made his way down the stairs he ran into Shan Haihong walking up them, the two unexpectedly meeting face to face. Shan Haihong was the first to speak, "Are you done chatting with Dad? Are you alright?"
Ye Zixin's forward-facing gaze shifted to Xiao Ning. He couldn't say what sort of expression was on her face, but he did not like it one bit. Once in the kitchen, he asked, "Aunty?"
After saying this, she sighed. "I think that spending a few hours to make someone a soup is one of the sweetest things someone can do. This is why all soups in this house are made by me at home."
"Is your conversation (with my husband) over?" Wu Yi placed a lid on a ceramic pot and lit the stove, then wiped her hands with a towel.
"Is your conversation (with my husband) over?" Wu Yi placed a lid on a ceramic pot and lit the stove, then wiped her hands with a towel.
Thinking about Shan Haiming, Xiao Ning, who never had anyone take interest in him as a child, blurted out with a chuckle, "I'm so jealous."
"Oh, alright. Just be understanding of Dad for a while." Shan Haihong seemed to have wanted to continue their chat like that, standing on the stairs. "Haiming is very fond of you. He Shuzhou and his other friends have been crying about Haiming taking his love life more seriously than his friendship, you know."
"Then again, if Haiming really had feelings for Zixin, I would be troubled." Wu Yi stroked her cheek worriedly. "Haihong has liked Zixin ever since he was a child, but Zixin seemed to have had eyes for Haiming. Haihong should be able to put his mind at ease now, I suppose. Kids can really give a person a headache with their issues, huh?"
With a light chuckle in response, Wu Yi then added, "When he was little, he would always pick up stay cats and dogs, then bring them home, but he had no idea how to take care of them. Miss Guo helped out in teaching him the basic procedure. First, bathe them to get them all clean; feed them some warm milk so they can fill their tummies; brush their fur to soothe them; and lastly, they must—without fail—be hugged as they slept in his bed at night."
"Yes." Xiao Ning walked over to her. "Do you need my help with something?"
Despite this bit of understanding he had towards the situation alleviating his doubts somewhat, he still felt glum. Do these parents need Shan Haiming to take this step for the sake of the family? Forget about him finding someone and coming out of the closet, what did he have to do before? Ever since he had gotten to know Shan Haiming, Xiao Ning could never believe him to have been the rich playboy type of person.
With a sigh, Xiao Ning replied, "I understand."
"He treasures Haiming, so please don't take it to heart," Shan Haihong responded.
Wu Yi turned to look at him, smiling. "Do you know how to make soup?"
Xiao Ning wore a smile as he replied, "I'm fine. It was just an interrogation to find out how deeply I loved Haiming."
Soup Talk
"Is your conversation (with my husband) over?" Wu Yi placed a lid on a ceramic pot and lit the stove, then wiped her hands with a towel.
"You don't need to be so nervous." Wu Yi tilted her head and swept her hair over her shoulder in a motion beaming with grace. "Haiming is a very determined child, and I could never bear intervening once he made up his mind."
His father was incredibly upset, and so was I." Wu Yi recollected as she spoke, "Maybe it's because Haiming and I have too much and aren't lacking that towards such a sensitive child I couldn't help but feel soft-hearted. Haiming was probably influenced by me in this."
"I rarely cook soup," Xiao Ning replied.
Xiao Ning: "...you weren't angry?"
Xiao Ning had no interest in the slightest of spending his time mixed up with him, so after giving a courteous smile in return he began to leave, however, he did not expect Shan Haihong to stop him. "Oh, I almost forgot to ask you. You're a team leader in the customer service department, right?"
After saying this, she let out another laugh. "Do you understand, now?"
Folding her arms around her chest, she then looked at Xiao Ning. "Looking back on it now, it was pretty normal for a five-year-old kid to think like that, and even a really precocious kid like Haihong would be no different. Yisong and his ex-wife were never on good terms, and Haihong was very much aware of it. Then when his mother passed away, Yisong had just gotten married to me so he felt like..."
Ye Zixin's forward-facing gaze shifted to Xiao Ning. He couldn't say what sort of expression was on her face, but he did not like it one bit. Once in the kitchen, he asked, "Aunty?"
Normally, he doesn't cook. He doesn't even remember how to use a pressure cooker. What's more, he never had the time to make soup, and it was even more unlikely Lu Yan would.
Why do I feel distressed? Xia Ning was stunned. "I..."
Soup Talk
His father was incredibly upset, and so was I." Wu Yi recollected as she spoke, "Maybe it's because Haiming and I have too much and aren't lacking that towards such a sensitive child I couldn't help but feel soft-hearted. Haiming was probably influenced by me in this."
"I think that soups are not the same as other dishes. They don't require any skill, just basic knowledge will do." Wu Yi leaned on the countertop. "But to be made properly, it does require attention and care."
Folding her arms around her chest, she then looked at Xiao Ning. "Looking back on it now, it was pretty normal for a five-year-old kid to think like that, and even a really precocious kid like Haihong would be no different. Yisong and his ex-wife were never on good terms, and Haihong was very much aware of it. Then when his mother passed away, Yisong had just gotten married to me so he felt like..."
"Oh, alright. Just be understanding of Dad for a while." Shan Haihong seemed to have wanted to continue their chat like that, standing on the stairs. "Haiming is very fond of you. He Shuzhou and his other friends have been crying about Haiming taking his love life more seriously than his friendship, you know."
Towards Shan Haihong, for a reason he couldn't understand or explain, Xiao Ning felt repulsed. When it came to the name he had mentioned, it took Xiao Ning a few seconds to remember who the guy was.
Towards Shan Haihong, for a reason he couldn't understand or explain, Xiao Ning felt repulsed. When it came to the name he had mentioned, it took Xiao Ning a few seconds to remember who the guy was.
Such phrasing can really make a person feel sentimental.
After saying this, she sighed. "I think that spending a few hours to make someone a soup is one of the sweetest things someone can do. This is why all soups in this house are made by me at home."
Wu Yi got up, pouring two cups of water for herself and Xiao Ning. "Haiming didn't come home much before, so I barely got many chances to make him a bowl of soup."
Those aren't good friends.
"He treasures Haiming, so please don't take it to heart," Shan Haihong responded.
N/A
Wu Yi let out a chuckle. "I'm embarrassed to say this, but this is the only dish I can let people see. Everything else I make turns out deadly. Making soup costs time but it's very simple."
Set aside Xiao Ning's first impression and assumptions about her, because this statement of hers had now truly left Xiao Ning with a favourable opinion of her. So he complimented, "Your family are all blessed to enjoy delicious foods, then."
But upon seeing him, Shan Haiming waved and solved his issue first. "Go to the kitchen."
Xiao Ning let out a sigh, he felt incredibly unnerved when facing that man. But Shan Haiming had to deal with him for so many years, so how troubled must he be?
After saying this, she sighed. "I think that spending a few hours to make someone a soup is one of the sweetest things someone can do. This is why all soups in this house are made by me at home."
Wu Yi let out a chuckle. "I'm embarrassed to say this, but this is the only dish I can let people see. Everything else I make turns out deadly. Making soup costs time but it's very simple."
After she said this, Xiao Ning came to understand. Shan Yisong had finished chatting with him and now it was Wu Yi's turn.
It may be simplistic and requires care, but things like those are the rarest in this world.
"Yisong may have his doubts about you, but I believe in Haiming. He knows what he wants, and always has." Wu Yi then lowered her gaze, resting down her cup. "You probably noticed our family's situation, yes? It's a bit... complicated. But there's nothing about it to hide actually; Haihong is the child of Yisong and his previous wife, and he was only five years old when I entered this family, and not too long after I had Haiming."
"Yes." Xiao Ning walked over to her. "Do you need my help with something?"
After she said this, Xiao Ning came to understand. Shan Yisong had finished chatting with him and now it was Wu Yi's turn.
Wu Yi got up, pouring two cups of water for herself and Xiao Ning. "Haiming didn't come home much before, so I barely got many chances to make him a bowl of soup."
After saying this, she smiled as if she was genuinely amused.
Xiao Ning nodded to show her he understood.
"If you guys aren't interested in kids yet, you can always raise a pet." Wu Yi carefully observed how her soup was going for a while, then adjusted the flame. "Oh right, did Haiming ever tell you how much he loves cats and dogs?"
Wu Yi let out a chuckle. "I'm embarrassed to say this, but this is the only dish I can let people see. Everything else I make turns out deadly. Making soup costs time but it's very simple."
After saying this, she smiled as if she was genuinely amused.
After she said this, Xiao Ning came to understand. Shan Yisong had finished chatting with him and now it was Wu Yi's turn.
"What's wrong?" Noticing his strange mood, Wu Yi asked.
"Haihong should've been quite popular, too. But it was hard for me to help him organise his stuff as a kid." When Wu Yi said this, she didn't seem uncomfortable at all, she then continued. "I just never saw anything that suggested Haiming not liking girls from the start, you know. When did you realise you liked the same seⅹ?"
"What?" Xiao Ning paused, then made his way to the kitchen with apprehension. "Why the kitchen?"
Xiao Ning, with an immense degree of focus, held onto the cup in his hands.
With a light chuckle in response, Wu Yi then added, "When he was little, he would always pick up stay cats and dogs, then bring them home, but he had no idea how to take care of them. Miss Guo helped out in teaching him the basic procedure. First, bathe them to get them all clean; feed them some warm milk so they can fill their tummies; brush their fur to soothe them; and lastly, they must—without fail—be hugged as they slept in his bed at night."
Why do I feel distressed? Xia Ning was stunned. "I..."
That was the second time he was asked such a thing for the day. Xiao Ning was a bit more relaxed, so he explained the situation with his parents to Wu Yi simply, which led the older woman to remain quiet for a moment after he was done speaking. "You're a good boy, and you will surely have a good life in the future with Haiming. If you guys want kids, we can adopt or even find a surrogate. Yisong and I will listen to what you and Haiming want, okay?"
"Oh... well, that's..." Wu Yi shrugged. "Because Haihong didn't like it, he would secretly throw away the pets sometimes, thinking none of us would notice."
"I think that soups are not the same as other dishes. They don't require any skill, just basic knowledge will do." Wu Yi leaned on the countertop. "But to be made properly, it does require attention and care."
"You don't need to be so nervous." Wu Yi tilted her head and swept her hair over her shoulder in a motion beaming with grace. "Haiming is a very determined child, and I could never bear intervening once he made up his mind."
"Oh... well, that's..." Wu Yi shrugged. "Because Haihong didn't like it, he would secretly throw away the pets sometimes, thinking none of us would notice."
It may be simplistic and requires care, but things like those are the rarest in this world.
But upon seeing him, Shan Haiming waved and solved his issue first. "Go to the kitchen."
Normally, he doesn't cook. He doesn't even remember how to use a pressure cooker. What's more, he never had the time to make soup, and it was even more unlikely Lu Yan would.
Soup Talk
Wu Yi let out a laugh. "I must admit, that I was pretty young at that time myself, and I had no idea how to get along with a child filled with suspicion and doubt towards me, so some unpleasant situations had occurred. Until the night I gave birth, that kid ran off and almost got himself lost, he even went missing for two days straight."
Xiao Ning felt helpless when he heard those words. He and Shan Haimng weren't really together, and even if they put on a realistic show, they were still deceiving everyone and it was all not true.
Couldn't bear it?
Wu Yi now chuckled. "Oh, don't worry, dear. I won't breathe a word of this to Haiming. Anyhow, do your parents know about you?"
She then continued, "Despite what others think, I want nothing but for everyone in our family to happily live together. Yisong loves Haimng and he loves Haihong too, though he also feels a lot of guilt towards Haihong, but Haihong is just too suspicious."
His father was incredibly upset, and so was I." Wu Yi recollected as she spoke, "Maybe it's because Haiming and I have too much and aren't lacking that towards such a sensitive child I couldn't help but feel soft-hearted. Haiming was probably influenced by me in this."
To this cheer-filled and enthusiastic intention of hers, Xiao Ning could only accept it in silence.
Ye Zixin's forward-facing gaze shifted to Xiao Ning. He couldn't say what sort of expression was on her face, but he did not like it one bit. Once in the kitchen, he asked, "Aunty?"
Wu Yi turned to look at him, smiling. "Do you know how to make soup?"
"Oh, alright. Just be understanding of Dad for a while." Shan Haihong seemed to have wanted to continue their chat like that, standing on the stairs. "Haiming is very fond of you. He Shuzhou and his other friends have been crying about Haiming taking his love life more seriously than his friendship, you know."
Such phrasing can really make a person feel sentimental.
There's no way to be sure whether this was a child's scheming or not, it had happened such a long time ago. Plus, there was no point in chasing after a child.
"Um, nothing." Xiao Ning concealed his past embarrassment. "I was just wondering how your house didn't turn into a zoo with all the animals he picked up."
Wu Yi let out a laugh. "I must admit, that I was pretty young at that time myself, and I had no idea how to get along with a child filled with suspicion and doubt towards me, so some unpleasant situations had occurred. Until the night I gave birth, that kid ran off and almost got himself lost, he even went missing for two days straight."
"Yisong may have his doubts about you, but I believe in Haiming. He knows what he wants, and always has." Wu Yi then lowered her gaze, resting down her cup. "You probably noticed our family's situation, yes? It's a bit... complicated. But there's nothing about it to hide actually; Haihong is the child of Yisong and his previous wife, and he was only five years old when I entered this family, and not too long after I had Haiming."
"Of course, I understand. So for the sake of allowing the elders of the family to rest at ease, it would be best for me to be honest, no?" Still sporting a smile, Xiao Ning shook his head. "I'll be on my way now."
It may be simplistic and requires care, but things like those are the rarest in this world.
"Yisong may have his doubts about you, but I believe in Haiming. He knows what he wants, and always has." Wu Yi then lowered her gaze, resting down her cup. "You probably noticed our family's situation, yes? It's a bit... complicated. But there's nothing about it to hide actually; Haihong is the child of Yisong and his previous wife, and he was only five years old when I entered this family, and not too long after I had Haiming."
Doesn't it mean that for his sake Shan Haiming doesn't matter? Shan Haiming's actions having clearly maintained the peace within the family made Xiao Ning feel a little... uneasy, perhaps?
"What's wrong?" Noticing his strange mood, Wu Yi asked.
Folding her arms around her chest, she then looked at Xiao Ning. "Looking back on it now, it was pretty normal for a five-year-old kid to think like that, and even a really precocious kid like Haihong would be no different. Yisong and his ex-wife were never on good terms, and Haihong was very much aware of it. Then when his mother passed away, Yisong had just gotten married to me so he felt like..."
Despite calling it a headache, Wu Yi's expression, to the contrary, was hinted with a bit of glee. "You don't need to be jealous about it, though. Let me let you in on a little something, Haiming was a popular kid. Back in his school days, he used to have his backpack stuffed full with love letters."
"Oh..." Wearing a triumphant look of satisfaction at her discovery, without any of the airs of an elder, Wu Yi further queried, "Did you find out? Was it with a little boy you liked first?"
N/A
Reaching out to gently pat Xiao Ning's hand, Wu Yi comforted, "Regardless of whether the person likes is a man or woman, as long as he likes them, I will support him. With both Haiming and I here, his father will also come to accept you in due time."
Normally, he doesn't cook. He doesn't even remember how to use a pressure cooker. What's more, he never had the time to make soup, and it was even more unlikely Lu Yan would.
"Then again, if Haiming really had feelings for Zixin, I would be troubled." Wu Yi stroked her cheek worriedly. "Haihong has liked Zixin ever since he was a child, but Zixin seemed to have had eyes for Haiming. Haihong should be able to put his mind at ease now, I suppose. Kids can really give a person a headache with their issues, huh?"
The two sat on opposite ends of the sofa without saying a word or looking at one another. But the imposing air around them suggested a stand-off. Xiao Ning had no idea what the reason for the tension in their atmosphere was, and he honestly did not want to go over.
Xiao Ning nodded to show her he understood.
"Huh?" This was the first time anyone had discussed his seⅹuality with him this directly, so for a moment, Xiao Ning choked up. "I... I don't know..."
With a light chuckle in response, Wu Yi then added, "When he was little, he would always pick up stay cats and dogs, then bring them home, but he had no idea how to take care of them. Miss Guo helped out in teaching him the basic procedure. First, bathe them to get them all clean; feed them some warm milk so they can fill their tummies; brush their fur to soothe them; and lastly, they must—without fail—be hugged as they slept in his bed at night."
"What's wrong?" Noticing his strange mood, Wu Yi asked.
"Oh, alright. Just be understanding of Dad for a while." Shan Haihong seemed to have wanted to continue their chat like that, standing on the stairs. "Haiming is very fond of you. He Shuzhou and his other friends have been crying about Haiming taking his love life more seriously than his friendship, you know."
After saying this, she let out another laugh. "Do you understand, now?"
"Yisong may have his doubts about you, but I believe in Haiming. He knows what he wants, and always has." Wu Yi then lowered her gaze, resting down her cup. "You probably noticed our family's situation, yes? It's a bit... complicated. But there's nothing about it to hide actually; Haihong is the child of Yisong and his previous wife, and he was only five years old when I entered this family, and not too long after I had Haiming."
After saying this, she let out another laugh. "Do you understand, now?"
Wu Yi let out a laugh. "I must admit, that I was pretty young at that time myself, and I had no idea how to get along with a child filled with suspicion and doubt towards me, so some unpleasant situations had occurred. Until the night I gave birth, that kid ran off and almost got himself lost, he even went missing for two days straight."
After saying this, she let out another laugh. "Do you understand, now?"
But upon seeing him, Shan Haiming waved and solved his issue first. "Go to the kitchen."
Wu Yi now chuckled. "Oh, don't worry, dear. I won't breathe a word of this to Haiming. Anyhow, do your parents know about you?"
Such phrasing can really make a person feel sentimental.
That was the second time he was asked such a thing for the day. Xiao Ning was a bit more relaxed, so he explained the situation with his parents to Wu Yi simply, which led the older woman to remain quiet for a moment after he was done speaking. "You're a good boy, and you will surely have a good life in the future with Haiming. If you guys want kids, we can adopt or even find a surrogate. Yisong and I will listen to what you and Haiming want, okay?"
Seeing Shan Haimng on the ground floor, Xiao Ning's mood brightened a bit. Sadly, Shan Haiming was not alone in the living room, there was also Ye Zixin.
"Oh... well, that's..." Wu Yi shrugged. "Because Haihong didn't like it, he would secretly throw away the pets sometimes, thinking none of us would notice."
There's no way to be sure whether this was a child's scheming or not, it had happened such a long time ago. Plus, there was no point in chasing after a child.
This time Shan Haihong had nothing to say.
There's no way to be sure whether this was a child's scheming or not, it had happened such a long time ago. Plus, there was no point in chasing after a child.
Despite this bit of understanding he had towards the situation alleviating his doubts somewhat, he still felt glum. Do these parents need Shan Haiming to take this step for the sake of the family? Forget about him finding someone and coming out of the closet, what did he have to do before? Ever since he had gotten to know Shan Haiming, Xiao Ning could never believe him to have been the rich playboy type of person.
"Oh, alright. Just be understanding of Dad for a while." Shan Haihong seemed to have wanted to continue their chat like that, standing on the stairs. "Haiming is very fond of you. He Shuzhou and his other friends have been crying about Haiming taking his love life more seriously than his friendship, you know."
"Yes." Xiao Ning walked over to her. "Do you need my help with something?"
His father was incredibly upset, and so was I." Wu Yi recollected as she spoke, "Maybe it's because Haiming and I have too much and aren't lacking that towards such a sensitive child I couldn't help but feel soft-hearted. Haiming was probably influenced by me in this."
Xiao Ning had no interest in the slightest of spending his time mixed up with him, so after giving a courteous smile in return he began to leave, however, he did not expect Shan Haihong to stop him. "Oh, I almost forgot to ask you. You're a team leader in the customer service department, right?"
Couldn't bear it?
Wu Yi got up, pouring two cups of water for herself and Xiao Ning. "Haiming didn't come home much before, so I barely got many chances to make him a bowl of soup."
Such phrasing can really make a person feel sentimental.
To this cheer-filled and enthusiastic intention of hers, Xiao Ning could only accept it in silence.
Xiao Ning felt helpless when he heard those words. He and Shan Haimng weren't really together, and even if they put on a realistic show, they were still deceiving everyone and it was all not true.
Set aside Xiao Ning's first impression and assumptions about her, because this statement of hers had now truly left Xiao Ning with a favourable opinion of her. So he complimented, "Your family are all blessed to enjoy delicious foods, then."
She then continued, "Despite what others think, I want nothing but for everyone in our family to happily live together. Yisong loves Haimng and he loves Haihong too, though he also feels a lot of guilt towards Haihong, but Haihong is just too suspicious."
Xiao Ning nodded to show her he understood.
Soup Talk
Xiao Ning wore a smile as he replied, "I'm fine. It was just an interrogation to find out how deeply I loved Haiming."
After saying this, she smiled as if she was genuinely amused.
Why do I feel distressed? Xia Ning was stunned. "I..."
Suddenly, the night Shan Haiming had taken him back to his house appeared in Xiao Ning's mind, and his expression grew quite odd.
Xiao Ning wore a smile as he replied, "I'm fine. It was just an interrogation to find out how deeply I loved Haiming."
After saying this, she let out another laugh. "Do you understand, now?"
"Yes." Xiao Ning walked over to her. "Do you need my help with something?"
With a sigh, Xiao Ning replied, "I understand."
N/A
Thinking about Shan Haiming, Xiao Ning, who never had anyone take interest in him as a child, blurted out with a chuckle, "I'm so jealous."
N/A
Despite this bit of understanding he had towards the situation alleviating his doubts somewhat, he still felt glum. Do these parents need Shan Haiming to take this step for the sake of the family? Forget about him finding someone and coming out of the closet, what did he have to do before? Ever since he had gotten to know Shan Haiming, Xiao Ning could never believe him to have been the rich playboy type of person.
With a sigh, Xiao Ning replied, "I understand."
Doesn't it mean that for his sake Shan Haiming doesn't matter? Shan Haiming's actions having clearly maintained the peace within the family made Xiao Ning feel a little... uneasy, perhaps?
As Xiao Ning listened to her, he got a strange feeling. Why does this procedure sound so familiar?
Even though these words of Wu Yi's made Xiao Ning develop a yearning, Shan Haiming was a person with such an outstanding and special background that he could never be reduced to being a real couple with someone like himself. So as long as Xiao Ning could help him by doing this favour, it was enough.
Bullseye.
Wu Yi let out a laugh. "I must admit, that I was pretty young at that time myself, and I had no idea how to get along with a child filled with suspicion and doubt towards me, so some unpleasant situations had occurred. Until the night I gave birth, that kid ran off and almost got himself lost, he even went missing for two days straight."
"Haiming was great friends with those guys before, and they used to run around like crazy all over the place. But then all of a sudden he started ignoring them, and amongst them, his reputation must not be that good. Bai Li can still be counted on to lend Haiming a hand in that regard." Shan Haihong then joked, "If you're worried about them meeting up, you can just tag along with them each time, hm?"
She then continued, "Despite what others think, I want nothing but for everyone in our family to happily live together. Yisong loves Haimng and he loves Haihong too, though he also feels a lot of guilt towards Haihong, but Haihong is just too suspicious."
"Haiming was great friends with those guys before, and they used to run around like crazy all over the place. But then all of a sudden he started ignoring them, and amongst them, his reputation must not be that good. Bai Li can still be counted on to lend Haiming a hand in that regard." Shan Haihong then joked, "If you're worried about them meeting up, you can just tag along with them each time, hm?"
Wu Yi, who had been carefully observing the frowning Xiao Ning in deep thought, smiled the spoke, "You don't need to worry about Haiming too much. He's smart, and he would never allow himself to suffer any losses. He really would never do anything to hurt himself, and he can live a more fulfilling life than others."
Those aren't good friends.
Why do I feel distressed? Xia Ning was stunned. "I..."
It may be simplistic and requires care, but things like those are the rarest in this world.
"I rarely cook soup," Xiao Ning replied.
Such phrasing can really make a person feel sentimental.
Reaching out to gently pat Xiao Ning's hand, Wu Yi comforted, "Regardless of whether the person likes is a man or woman, as long as he likes them, I will support him. With both Haiming and I here, his father will also come to accept you in due time."
"Oh..." Wearing a triumphant look of satisfaction at her discovery, without any of the airs of an elder, Wu Yi further queried, "Did you find out? Was it with a little boy you liked first?"
"He treasures Haiming, so please don't take it to heart," Shan Haihong responded.
Those aren't good friends.
To this cheer-filled and enthusiastic intention of hers, Xiao Ning could only accept it in silence.
"What's there to be angry about? Haihong's little face when he lied was really amusing, it's a pity you couldn't see it." Wu Yi's laughter continued as she added, "But after Haiming found out, he pretended he didn't know to tease his brother. And, because of his teasing, Haihong was a ball of nerves."
This time Shan Haihong had nothing to say.
"Is your conversation (with my husband) over?" Wu Yi placed a lid on a ceramic pot and lit the stove, then wiped her hands with a towel.
"Then again, if Haiming really had feelings for Zixin, I would be troubled." Wu Yi stroked her cheek worriedly. "Haihong has liked Zixin ever since he was a child, but Zixin seemed to have had eyes for Haiming. Haihong should be able to put his mind at ease now, I suppose. Kids can really give a person a headache with their issues, huh?"
"Haihong should've been quite popular, too. But it was hard for me to help him organise his stuff as a kid." When Wu Yi said this, she didn't seem uncomfortable at all, she then continued. "I just never saw anything that suggested Haiming not liking girls from the start, you know. When did you realise you liked the same seⅹ?"
Despite calling it a headache, Wu Yi's expression, to the contrary, was hinted with a bit of glee. "You don't need to be jealous about it, though. Let me let you in on a little something, Haiming was a popular kid. Back in his school days, he used to have his backpack stuffed full with love letters."
To this cheer-filled and enthusiastic intention of hers, Xiao Ning could only accept it in silence.
His father was incredibly upset, and so was I." Wu Yi recollected as she spoke, "Maybe it's because Haiming and I have too much and aren't lacking that towards such a sensitive child I couldn't help but feel soft-hearted. Haiming was probably influenced by me in this."
It may be simplistic and requires care, but things like those are the rarest in this world.
Thinking about Shan Haiming, Xiao Ning, who never had anyone take interest in him as a child, blurted out with a chuckle, "I'm so jealous."
"Then again, if Haiming really had feelings for Zixin, I would be troubled." Wu Yi stroked her cheek worriedly. "Haihong has liked Zixin ever since he was a child, but Zixin seemed to have had eyes for Haiming. Haihong should be able to put his mind at ease now, I suppose. Kids can really give a person a headache with their issues, huh?"
Set aside Xiao Ning's first impression and assumptions about her, because this statement of hers had now truly left Xiao Ning with a favourable opinion of her. So he complimented, "Your family are all blessed to enjoy delicious foods, then."
Wu Yi got up, pouring two cups of water for herself and Xiao Ning. "Haiming didn't come home much before, so I barely got many chances to make him a bowl of soup."
Politely, Xiao Ning replied, "I usually can't get a word in when it comes to Haiming's business."
Set aside Xiao Ning's first impression and assumptions about her, because this statement of hers had now truly left Xiao Ning with a favourable opinion of her. So he complimented, "Your family are all blessed to enjoy delicious foods, then."
"Haihong should've been quite popular, too. But it was hard for me to help him organise his stuff as a kid." When Wu Yi said this, she didn't seem uncomfortable at all, she then continued. "I just never saw anything that suggested Haiming not liking girls from the start, you know. When did you realise you liked the same seⅹ?"
The two sat on opposite ends of the sofa without saying a word or looking at one another. But the imposing air around them suggested a stand-off. Xiao Ning had no idea what the reason for the tension in their atmosphere was, and he honestly did not want to go over.
Xiao Ning felt helpless when he heard those words. He and Shan Haimng weren't really together, and even if they put on a realistic show, they were still deceiving everyone and it was all not true.
To this cheer-filled and enthusiastic intention of hers, Xiao Ning could only accept it in silence.
When Xiao Ning made his way down the stairs he ran into Shan Haihong walking up them, the two unexpectedly meeting face to face. Shan Haihong was the first to speak, "Are you done chatting with Dad? Are you alright?"
Couldn't bear it?
"Huh?" This was the first time anyone had discussed his seⅹuality with him this directly, so for a moment, Xiao Ning choked up. "I... I don't know..."
"I think that soups are not the same as other dishes. They don't require any skill, just basic knowledge will do." Wu Yi leaned on the countertop. "But to be made properly, it does require attention and care."
"Yes, I am." Xiao Ning stopped and looked upwards behind him. Shan Haihong stood above him. "I think such a position underutilises your abilities. I'll send word later for them to make an adjustment to your position."
Wu Yi let out a laugh. "I must admit, that I was pretty young at that time myself, and I had no idea how to get along with a child filled with suspicion and doubt towards me, so some unpleasant situations had occurred. Until the night I gave birth, that kid ran off and almost got himself lost, he even went missing for two days straight."
After saying this, she smiled as if she was genuinely amused.
Wu Yi let out a chuckle. "I'm embarrassed to say this, but this is the only dish I can let people see. Everything else I make turns out deadly. Making soup costs time but it's very simple."
"Oh..." Wearing a triumphant look of satisfaction at her discovery, without any of the airs of an elder, Wu Yi further queried, "Did you find out? Was it with a little boy you liked first?"
"Oh, alright. Just be understanding of Dad for a while." Shan Haihong seemed to have wanted to continue their chat like that, standing on the stairs. "Haiming is very fond of you. He Shuzhou and his other friends have been crying about Haiming taking his love life more seriously than his friendship, you know."
Xiao Ning: "..."
That was the second time he was asked such a thing for the day. Xiao Ning was a bit more relaxed, so he explained the situation with his parents to Wu Yi simply, which led the older woman to remain quiet for a moment after he was done speaking. "You're a good boy, and you will surely have a good life in the future with Haiming. If you guys want kids, we can adopt or even find a surrogate. Yisong and I will listen to what you and Haiming want, okay?"
Bullseye.
Shan Haiming never mentioned it, but Xiao Ning seemed to have noticed. "I actually have a cat."
Soup Talk
"What's wrong?" Noticing his strange mood, Wu Yi asked.
Wu Yi now chuckled. "Oh, don't worry, dear. I won't breathe a word of this to Haiming. Anyhow, do your parents know about you?"
Xiao Ning again smiled as he replied, "Thank you, but that is unnecessary at the moment. Uncle Shan already has suspicions I might have approached Haiming for my own purposes."
That was the second time he was asked such a thing for the day. Xiao Ning was a bit more relaxed, so he explained the situation with his parents to Wu Yi simply, which led the older woman to remain quiet for a moment after he was done speaking. "You're a good boy, and you will surely have a good life in the future with Haiming. If you guys want kids, we can adopt or even find a surrogate. Yisong and I will listen to what you and Haiming want, okay?"
"Haiming was great friends with those guys before, and they used to run around like crazy all over the place. But then all of a sudden he started ignoring them, and amongst them, his reputation must not be that good. Bai Li can still be counted on to lend Haiming a hand in that regard." Shan Haihong then joked, "If you're worried about them meeting up, you can just tag along with them each time, hm?"
His father was incredibly upset, and so was I." Wu Yi recollected as she spoke, "Maybe it's because Haiming and I have too much and aren't lacking that towards such a sensitive child I couldn't help but feel soft-hearted. Haiming was probably influenced by me in this."
Couldn't bear it?
Wu Yi turned to look at him, smiling. "Do you know how to make soup?"
With a light chuckle in response, Wu Yi then added, "When he was little, he would always pick up stay cats and dogs, then bring them home, but he had no idea how to take care of them. Miss Guo helped out in teaching him the basic procedure. First, bathe them to get them all clean; feed them some warm milk so they can fill their tummies; brush their fur to soothe them; and lastly, they must—without fail—be hugged as they slept in his bed at night."
"What?" Xiao Ning paused, then made his way to the kitchen with apprehension. "Why the kitchen?"
Set aside Xiao Ning's first impression and assumptions about her, because this statement of hers had now truly left Xiao Ning with a favourable opinion of her. So he complimented, "Your family are all blessed to enjoy delicious foods, then."
Xiao Ning felt helpless when he heard those words. He and Shan Haimng weren't really together, and even if they put on a realistic show, they were still deceiving everyone and it was all not true.
She then continued, "Despite what others think, I want nothing but for everyone in our family to happily live together. Yisong loves Haimng and he loves Haihong too, though he also feels a lot of guilt towards Haihong, but Haihong is just too suspicious."
"Yes, I am." Xiao Ning stopped and looked upwards behind him. Shan Haihong stood above him. "I think such a position underutilises your abilities. I'll send word later for them to make an adjustment to your position."
Wu Yi let out a chuckle. "I'm embarrassed to say this, but this is the only dish I can let people see. Everything else I make turns out deadly. Making soup costs time but it's very simple."
Even though these words of Wu Yi's made Xiao Ning develop a yearning, Shan Haiming was a person with such an outstanding and special background that he could never be reduced to being a real couple with someone like himself. So as long as Xiao Ning could help him by doing this favour, it was enough.
Soup Talk
Wu Yi let out a laugh. "I must admit, that I was pretty young at that time myself, and I had no idea how to get along with a child filled with suspicion and doubt towards me, so some unpleasant situations had occurred. Until the night I gave birth, that kid ran off and almost got himself lost, he even went missing for two days straight."
Despite this bit of understanding he had towards the situation alleviating his doubts somewhat, he still felt glum. Do these parents need Shan Haiming to take this step for the sake of the family? Forget about him finding someone and coming out of the closet, what did he have to do before? Ever since he had gotten to know Shan Haiming, Xiao Ning could never believe him to have been the rich playboy type of person.
"If you guys aren't interested in kids yet, you can always raise a pet." Wu Yi carefully observed how her soup was going for a while, then adjusted the flame. "Oh right, did Haiming ever tell you how much he loves cats and dogs?"
"I rarely cook soup," Xiao Ning replied.
"Huh?" This was the first time anyone had discussed his seⅹuality with him this directly, so for a moment, Xiao Ning choked up. "I... I don't know..."
"You don't need to be so nervous." Wu Yi tilted her head and swept her hair over her shoulder in a motion beaming with grace. "Haiming is a very determined child, and I could never bear intervening once he made up his mind."
Why do I feel distressed? Xia Ning was stunned. "I..."
Despite calling it a headache, Wu Yi's expression, to the contrary, was hinted with a bit of glee. "You don't need to be jealous about it, though. Let me let you in on a little something, Haiming was a popular kid. Back in his school days, he used to have his backpack stuffed full with love letters."
Shan Haiming never mentioned it, but Xiao Ning seemed to have noticed. "I actually have a cat."
Shan Haihong laughed. "He has always been like this, always doing things his own way regardless of what others say to the extreme. You have a good disposition, so please accommodate him a little, okay?"
Wu Yi let out a laugh. "I must admit, that I was pretty young at that time myself, and I had no idea how to get along with a child filled with suspicion and doubt towards me, so some unpleasant situations had occurred. Until the night I gave birth, that kid ran off and almost got himself lost, he even went missing for two days straight."
After saying this, she smiled as if she was genuinely amused.
Wu Yi got up, pouring two cups of water for herself and Xiao Ning. "Haiming didn't come home much before, so I barely got many chances to make him a bowl of soup."
"Haiming was great friends with those guys before, and they used to run around like crazy all over the place. But then all of a sudden he started ignoring them, and amongst them, his reputation must not be that good. Bai Li can still be counted on to lend Haiming a hand in that regard." Shan Haihong then joked, "If you're worried about them meeting up, you can just tag along with them each time, hm?"
With a light chuckle in response, Wu Yi then added, "When he was little, he would always pick up stay cats and dogs, then bring them home, but he had no idea how to take care of them. Miss Guo helped out in teaching him the basic procedure. First, bathe them to get them all clean; feed them some warm milk so they can fill their tummies; brush their fur to soothe them; and lastly, they must—without fail—be hugged as they slept in his bed at night."
Doesn't it mean that for his sake Shan Haiming doesn't matter? Shan Haiming's actions having clearly maintained the peace within the family made Xiao Ning feel a little... uneasy, perhaps?
N/A
"Haihong should've been quite popular, too. But it was hard for me to help him organise his stuff as a kid." When Wu Yi said this, she didn't seem uncomfortable at all, she then continued. "I just never saw anything that suggested Haiming not liking girls from the start, you know. When did you realise you liked the same seⅹ?"
Folding her arms around her chest, she then looked at Xiao Ning. "Looking back on it now, it was pretty normal for a five-year-old kid to think like that, and even a really precocious kid like Haihong would be no different. Yisong and his ex-wife were never on good terms, and Haihong was very much aware of it. Then when his mother passed away, Yisong had just gotten married to me so he felt like..."
Xiao Ning: "..."
"Oh..." Wearing a triumphant look of satisfaction at her discovery, without any of the airs of an elder, Wu Yi further queried, "Did you find out? Was it with a little boy you liked first?"
Xiao Ning again smiled as he replied, "Thank you, but that is unnecessary at the moment. Uncle Shan already has suspicions I might have approached Haiming for my own purposes."
As Xiao Ning listened to her, he got a strange feeling. Why does this procedure sound so familiar?
N/A
But her laughter gradually came to a stop, while nostalgia and sadness then filled her tone. "But after that, Shan Haiming never brought home another cat or dog again."
N/A
Suddenly, the night Shan Haiming had taken him back to his house appeared in Xiao Ning's mind, and his expression grew quite odd.
"You don't need to be so nervous." Wu Yi tilted her head and swept her hair over her shoulder in a motion beaming with grace. "Haiming is a very determined child, and I could never bear intervening once he made up his mind."
Wu Yi let out a laugh. "I must admit, that I was pretty young at that time myself, and I had no idea how to get along with a child filled with suspicion and doubt towards me, so some unpleasant situations had occurred. Until the night I gave birth, that kid ran off and almost got himself lost, he even went missing for two days straight."
"Um, nothing." Xiao Ning concealed his past embarrassment. "I was just wondering how your house didn't turn into a zoo with all the animals he picked up."
Wu Yi turned to look at him, smiling. "Do you know how to make soup?"
Xiao Ning nodded to show her he understood.
With a sigh, Xiao Ning replied, "I understand."
Why do I feel distressed? Xia Ning was stunned. "I..."
"What's wrong?" Noticing his strange mood, Wu Yi asked.
Thinking about Shan Haiming, Xiao Ning, who never had anyone take interest in him as a child, blurted out with a chuckle, "I'm so jealous."
"Is your conversation (with my husband) over?" Wu Yi placed a lid on a ceramic pot and lit the stove, then wiped her hands with a towel.
Wu Yi now chuckled. "Oh, don't worry, dear. I won't breathe a word of this to Haiming. Anyhow, do your parents know about you?"
"Um, nothing." Xiao Ning concealed his past embarrassment. "I was just wondering how your house didn't turn into a zoo with all the animals he picked up."
Wu Yi, who had been carefully observing the frowning Xiao Ning in deep thought, smiled the spoke, "You don't need to worry about Haiming too much. He's smart, and he would never allow himself to suffer any losses. He really would never do anything to hurt himself, and he can live a more fulfilling life than others."
"Oh... well, that's..." Wu Yi shrugged. "Because Haihong didn't like it, he would secretly throw away the pets sometimes, thinking none of us would notice."
Xiao Ning felt helpless when he heard those words. He and Shan Haimng weren't really together, and even if they put on a realistic show, they were still deceiving everyone and it was all not true.
Xiao Ning wore a smile as he replied, "I'm fine. It was just an interrogation to find out how deeply I loved Haiming."
It may be simplistic and requires care, but things like those are the rarest in this world.
Couldn't bear it?
"I think that soups are not the same as other dishes. They don't require any skill, just basic knowledge will do." Wu Yi leaned on the countertop. "But to be made properly, it does require attention and care."
After saying this, she smiled as if she was genuinely amused.
"Yes, I am." Xiao Ning stopped and looked upwards behind him. Shan Haihong stood above him. "I think such a position underutilises your abilities. I'll send word later for them to make an adjustment to your position."
Shan Haiming never mentioned it, but Xiao Ning seemed to have noticed. "I actually have a cat."
As Xiao Ning listened to her, he got a strange feeling. Why does this procedure sound so familiar?
Xiao Ning: "...you weren't angry?"
But her laughter gradually came to a stop, while nostalgia and sadness then filled her tone. "But after that, Shan Haiming never brought home another cat or dog again."
"What's there to be angry about? Haihong's little face when he lied was really amusing, it's a pity you couldn't see it." Wu Yi's laughter continued as she added, "But after Haiming found out, he pretended he didn't know to tease his brother. And, because of his teasing, Haihong was a ball of nerves."
Bullseye.
N/A
Despite calling it a headache, Wu Yi's expression, to the contrary, was hinted with a bit of glee. "You don't need to be jealous about it, though. Let me let you in on a little something, Haiming was a popular kid. Back in his school days, he used to have his backpack stuffed full with love letters."
But her laughter gradually came to a stop, while nostalgia and sadness then filled her tone. "But after that, Shan Haiming never brought home another cat or dog again."
Wu Yi let out a chuckle. "I'm embarrassed to say this, but this is the only dish I can let people see. Everything else I make turns out deadly. Making soup costs time but it's very simple."
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