The servants hadn't even walked over yet from some twenty meters away when Qin's Mother, who had sent people to receive the guests, came running to report.
Qin's Mother quickly went to the door to welcome them, seeing the two walking over. Hearing movement behind her, Qin's Mother looked back to see her husband, who had been sitting in the chair the whole time, was now standing behind her.
Qin's Mother said, "That's more like it."
As the people drew near, Qin's Mother smiled and went to welcome them, "You've arrived."
Qiao Ying was worst at interacting with kind elders. Especially proper, traditional elders.
She liked dealing with unkind old folks because then she didn't have to respect them. If she got annoyed, she could curse them out directly.
In response to Qin's Mother's greeting, she reflexively nodded. After thinking for a bit, she took her hands out of her pockets, her tone flat, "Hello."
She then nodded towards Old Master Qin behind.
Seeing her manner of greeting toward his own father, Qin Hanyue couldn't help smiling secretly.
Qin's Mother took one of Qiao Ying's hands and patted it lightly, her eyes full of affection, "You must be freezing after the trip here."
Qiao Ying: "It's fine."
Qin Hanyue: "Let's go inside to talk."
Once inside the villa, Qin Hanyue introduced his parents to Qiao Ying. Thoughtfully, he told her, "Just calling them Elder Sir and Madam is good." He knew Qiao Ying disliked social conventions. Having her call them uncle and aunt would probably make her uncomfortable.
Qin's Mother smiled and said, "Anything is fine."
Qin's Mother cared about Qiao Ying's health. When Qin Hanyue had carried injured, unconscious Qiao Ying off the helicopter, he had scared Qin's whole family.
Qin Hanyue had simply blamed a car accident to his family. Now that Qiao Ying had woken up and confirmed she had no discomfort, Qin's Mother was relieved.
She then signaled with her eyes at her silent husband, "Say something. Little Sister Qiao saved your life after all. A simple 'thank you' is the minimum."
Qin's Mother felt some headache over her husband's personality.
She muttered, "Hanyue is already thirty-two. If he doesn't marry Little Sister Qiao, I'd like to see where you can find another girl he likes."
Qin Hanyue had always been cold and lonely since childhood. He didn't even have friends, let alone female friends. Qin's Mother had worried over his marriage since he was small. It was hard enough to finally find a girl he liked who was so outstanding.
Yet Qiao Ying said, "We've spoken already."
Qin's Mother: "You've spoken already?"
Old Master Qin looked at Qiao Ying, "I saw her this morning."
Qin Hanyue: "You saw her already?"
Qiao Ying: "Mm-hmm."
That morning—
Upon waking up, Qiao Ying came out of her room. Her legs still stiff, she exercised inside the villa. Just after coming down the stairs, she ran into the Old Master walking in against the cold wind.
Elder and junior gazed at each other for a while.
After thinking for a bit, Old Master Qin greeted, "You're awake."
Qiao Ying: "Mm."
The atmosphere froze.
Old Master Qin then broke the ice, "When did you wake up?"
Qiao Ying: "Just now."
Old Master Qin: "..."
"As long as you're awake, that's good."
Qiao Ying took the initiative to ask, "Looking for Qin Hanyue?"
Old Master Qin didn't say yes or no.
Qiao Ying: "He's not up yet. Come by later if you're not in a hurry."
Old Master Qin: "..."
"I came to ask him about your condition."
Qiao Ying: "I'm fine."
Even terser than him. Old Master Qin nodded. "Rest well." He paused then said again, "It's cold outside. Wear more if going out—" Should he call a doctor for her?
Qiao Ying declined. Just as Old Master Qin was leaving, he remembered something. He stopped and solemnly thanked her, "Thank you for saving this old man's life."
Qiao Ying returned, "You're too kind."
From the simple conversation, Old Master Qin understood Qiao Ying's personality somewhat. Though he didn't say it aloud, he quite admired her in his heart.
Calm and composed, not arrogant or impulsive, she had the bearing of an elder. She must be not only a genius doctor, but have many other superior qualities. No wonder his usually aloof son was so obsessed with her, neglecting his company and nearly having a mental breakdown this past year for her sake.
Qin Hanyue looked at Qiao Ying, thinking: He wasn't the first person she met. He couldn't help feeling somewhat regretful. But it was his own father, not some other man.
Old Master Qin stood up, "Let's eat first."
Qin Hanyue accompanied Qiao Ying behind his elderly parents towards the dining room.
"You said you wanted fish but I didn't know what kind you liked. So I made all kinds of fish dishes from freshwater, seabass, wild riverfish..." Qin's Mother warmly beckoned Qiao Ying, personally helping her pick dishes.
"Try them all and see which you like. Next time I'll make more of what you prefer."
She had only said she wanted fish. A third of the table was fish dishes of various preparations, Western and Chinese style. Not only that, Qin's Mother specially wore the earrings Qiao Ying had gifted her and dressed up nicely to show her high regard for her.
With distress, Qin's Mother helped pick dishes for Qiao Ying, "Eat more. You've lost so much weight. You need good nourishment."
Qin Hanyue said to his mother, "You eat. I'll pick for her—" Then asked Qiao Ying, "I prepared some wine for you. Can you drink?" She had just woken up. He didn't know if alcohol would hurt her recovery.
Qiao Ying asked discreetly in return, "With your parents?"
Qin Hanyue said, "Don't mind them. Drink if you want."
Qiao Ying: "I can."
Hearing the doctor herself say she could drink alcohol, Old Master Qin told the servants to bring wine before Qin Hanyue could even speak.
The Qin family rules were strict with many etiquettes. Usually no matter how many people sat at the table, meals were quiet with no speaking or sounds. Today Old Master Qin took the initiative to break protocol.
Seeing Qin Hanyue's mouth hadn't stopped as he deboned fish and picked dishes for Qiao Ying, Old Master Qin knew his customarily exemplary son had thrown propriety out long ago before Qiao Ying.
Old Master Qin was laconic and seldom laughed. Any random person would feel uncomfortable. But Qiao Ying clearly didn't mind as she ate and drank at ease, even taking the initiative to converse with him. Old Master Qin responded to her in turn and even drank a toast with her.
The atmosphere was harmonious and warm. Qin Hanyue ate the best meal he had in nearly a year.
Old Master Qin said, "When you're available, I'll visit your parents with Hanyue's mother."
Qiao Ying asked bluntly, "To sweep their graves?"
Surely he didn't mean paying respects to Li Lilian?
Qin's Mother dropped her soup spoon into her bowl. This girl's words were so ominous! Her gaze followed her husband's to look at Qin Hanyue. She thought to herself, didn't he have parents and siblings?
Qin Hanyue said, "It's complicated to explain."
Qin Hanyue gave his elderly parents the abbreviated version of Qiao Ying's identity as the eldest Su child.
Learning of Qiao Ying's adversity, Qin's Mother felt another wave of distress for her.
Hearing it out, Old Master Qin's anger burned, "What is this Su family doing..."
After the meal, Old Master Qin called Qin Hanyue upstairs to the study to ask about Qiao Ying's injuries and coma.
A car accident? Even a blind man could tell those weren't normal wounds.
The family didn't question more at the time considering the circumstances then.
Now that Qiao Ying had woken up, they had to ask. After all, Qin Hanyue had disappeared without contact since the end of last year, even missing New Year's. After being missing for months, he finally returned with an unconscious Qiao Ying and arranged heavy security for the villa.
Old Master Qin asked, "If you can't say, don't say. I just want to know, has everything been resolved?"
Qin Hanyue answered, "It should be. She killed An Ying's leader."
Old Master Qin: "???"
Downstairs, Qiao Ying stayed with Qin's Mother. She didn't know how much Qin Hanyue told his father but noticed Old Master Qin's gaze at her had changed. Originally an elder looking at a junior. Now...more like looking at a peer.
