This was clearly the first time she had met the two elders of the Yan family, and even with Young Master Yan, it was only the third time they had met.
But Zhu Qianying enjoyed her meal very much and felt very warm and happy.
Yanbo and his wife were very warm towards her, but their warmth wasn't the kind that made her feel restricted; rather, it was just the right amount that made her feel comfortable and at ease.
Perhaps it was because she was in a good mood, or perhaps it was because the Yan family chef was very skilled, but Zhu Qianying had a big appetite and ate half a bowl more rice than usual.
This wasn't the first time Yan Shao had seen her looking at things, so he wasn't surprised by her appetite.
Madam Yan was very pleased to see her eating so happily, and couldn't help but glance at her every now and then while she ate.
After seeing it so many times, I started to think that the way she held her bowl, pouted, and ate her rice was just like a rabbit happily munching on a carrot—it was quite adorable. If I wasn't worried about embarrassing her, the old lady would probably have taken a few pictures to remember the moment.
Looking at her now, it really seems like she's only twenty years old.
The meal was a great success, with both hosts and guests thoroughly enjoying themselves.
After the meal, Old Man Yan suggested taking a walk in the garden to help digest the food.
Zhu Qianying had no objections. She was an active and lively person, and had always been full of curiosity about the outside world. As for the Yan family's large courtyard, she was deeply attracted to it the moment she stepped through the gate today.
This time, it was Old Madam Yan and Zhu Qianying who walked in front, with the Yan father and son following behind. Zhu Qianying occasionally overheard their conversation, which seemed to be about the Yan family's business.
Unlike the Zhu family, which focuses on the hotel industry, the Yanhuang Group has a wide range of businesses, with real estate and infrastructure accounting for the largest proportion, and countless other industries.
"I heard you studied hotel management in college. Are you working at your family's hotel now?" Old Madam Yan's question drew Zhu Qianying's attention back.
When Madam Yan asked these questions, it wasn't out of gossip, but because she genuinely cared about Zhu Qianying.
She still remembers her son saying that Zhu Qianying was unemployed.
Could it be that the concubines of the Zhu family ostracized her, making it impossible for her to gain a foothold in the Zhu family's business?
If that's true, then I really need to do something to help her get justice.
“No, I have no interest in hotel management,” Zhu Qianying replied without hesitation.
"Are you really not interested?" Old Madam Yan looked her over by the lamplight.
"Yeah! I was forced to study this major by my dad. After graduation, since he didn't insist that I work at Mingxuan, I was happy to be free."
In fact, Zhu Qianying still doesn't understand why her father insisted on forcing her and Xiaoyu to study hotel management, and threatened them that he would not support their university education if they didn't study it.
At first, she still held a glimmer of hope, thinking that her father had finally started to care about them. But later, she realized that she had been thinking too much. He had never intended for her and her sister to participate in the core management of Mingxuan.
Fortunately, she woke up in time during her sophomore year. While outwardly appeasing her father, she secretly began to pursue her own hobbies. And it's thanks to this that she is now able to support Xiaoyu and occasionally help her powerless mother.
"Yes, that's good. It's nice to do things you like while you're young."
Before the age of ten, Madam Yan had a very happy life. Everyone in the Tong family pampered her like a little princess. But after she turned ten, her father suddenly became strict with her. Every day, in addition to requiring her to complete various physical and martial arts training that was even more demanding than that of boys, he also began to take her to various trading and even bloody places.
At that time, she didn't understand that her father was grooming the next head of the family.
When she was ten years old, her mother had her uterus removed due to illness, which meant that she would be the only child in the Tong family from then on.
So, from that moment on, her princess life was completely over, and what remained was the heavy burden of being the future head of the Tong family on her shoulders at the tender age of ten.
Therefore, no one could understand better than her the pain and helplessness of being bound by one's parents' family business.
In a sense, Zhu Qianying's situation might not be a bad thing.
At least, she could stay away from the vortex of the Zhu family's power struggles and live the life she wanted freely.
Zhu Qianying and Yan Shao, the two young people, accompanied the two elders for a walk in the courtyard for more than an hour. During this time, Madam Yan talked on and on, while Zhu Qianying listened more and spoke less.
Basically, she only spoke a few words when Madam Yan asked her something; most of the time, she was a good listener.
After returning from her walk, it was nearly nine o'clock. Feeling bad for disturbing the elderly couple so late, Zhu Qianying escorted them back to their main house before taking her leave.
Madam Yan did not insist on keeping her. After nodding in agreement, she took her hand and gave her instructions.
“Your uncle and I will stay until after the Mid-Autumn Festival. Xiao Han is busy with work and doesn’t have much time to spend with us. If you have time, come and keep us company more often. It’s rare for us old bones to spend time with young people, and it makes us feel younger.”
Zhu Qianying nodded in agreement, took the bag from Uncle Hai and put it on her back. Uncle Hai then handed her a large bag of things.
"Uncle Hai, what is this?"
Uncle Hai looked at Madam Yan and said, "These are local specialties that Madam and her family brought back from their trip. Take some back with you."
Zhu Qianying gladly accepted it, "Thank you, Uncle and Aunt!"
Madam Yan patted her shoulder, then turned to her son, who was now sitting comfortably on the sofa, and said, "Son, take Ying'er back."
Zhu Qianying felt she didn't have the nerve to say that, "Auntie, just have the driver take me home." She wouldn't dare trouble Young Master Yan.
Yan Shao nodded in agreement, remaining motionless as if his butt was glued to the sofa.
"Yes, just have the driver take her home."
Zhu Qianying was already used to Yan Shao's attitude. She said goodbye to the two elders and Uncle Hai, and left with the large bag of things Uncle Hai had given her.
Madam Yan's face turned pale. She slipped into the living room as if she had greased her feet, ran up to Young Master Yan, and kicked him in the shin.
"Go, take Ying'er home!"
Yan Shao rubbed his calf, which had been kicked so hard by his mother, and glared at her with resentment. "Tong Xiaohuai, I'm really not your biological son, am I?"
Old Madam Yan glared at him, "Are you going or not?"
In the end, Yan Shao couldn't resist his mother's insistence, and stood up sullenly, muttering, "Fine, I'll go then. You're really fierce!"
Madam Yan didn't say anything, but glared at him again before he reluctantly followed her out.
As Zhu Qianying followed the driver into the underground parking garage, she heard footsteps behind her. Thinking that the old lady had come to give her some instructions again, she stopped and turned around to look behind her.
When she saw the tall man following her, she couldn't help but show a look of surprise.
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