Chapter 55 Playing 2
The day's itinerary was tight and fulfilling. Yunqi Lake Park truly lived up to its reputation, with its rippling blue waters, fluttering waterbirds, and boardwalks winding through lush wetland vegetation. A gentle breeze caressed our faces, carrying the fresh scent of grass and trees.
The elders were in high spirits, stopping frequently to take photos. Jiang Yining transformed into a professional photographer and tour guide, running around helping them find angles, carrying their things, buying water, and telling them interesting stories she had seen online, making everyone laugh continuously.
Lunch featured rich, dark Shanghainese cuisine, including dishes like squirrel-shaped mandarin fish, stir-fried shrimp, and braised pork with bamboo shoots… which everyone raved about. In the afternoon, they moved to the bustling "Tianjie" shopping district and entered "shopping spree" mode.
Although the elders were very enthusiastic, they were all very tactful. They readily paid for whatever they liked, and only exchanged small gifts when they found something particularly suitable for each other, such as an elegant silk scarf or a beautiful hat. The atmosphere was harmonious and dignified.
Jiang Yining accompanied them as they shuttled between various boutiques, occasionally receiving a pretty dress or small piece of jewelry "suitable for young people," making quite a haul.
She took out her phone and captured the elegant moment of her aunt trying on a silk scarf, the smug smile of her aunt after successfully bargaining, the envious look in her aunt's eyes as she looked at the beautiful dresses in the shop window, and also took many beautiful and funny selfies.
He picked out a few of the most vivid and interesting ones and sent them all to Xie Shiyan. At this moment, the atmosphere in the president's conference room on the top floor of the Xie Group was serious.
On the huge projection screen was a complex quarterly financial report analysis, with several executives taking turns to present. Xie Shiyan, sitting at the head of the table, had a stern expression, his fingertips unconsciously tapping lightly on the gleaming conference table.
"Buzz..." My personal cell phone vibrated slightly on the table, and the screen lit up.
Xie Shiyan's gaze swept across the screen; it was Jiang Yining's WeChat message. He casually tapped to open it.
The first picture that catches the eye is of her making exaggerated faces at the camera, deliberately making herself look ugly, with two fingers making a "V" sign on her dimples.
The second picture shows her leaning against her aunt, wearing a new bright red and green silk scarf, smiling broadly at herself in the mirror.
The third picture is of Jiang Yining imitating her aunt behind her back. Her aunt is standing with her hands on her hips, "intensely" haggling with the shop owner in front of a small shop. Her expression is extremely vivid...
A soft chuckle escaped Xie Shiyan's throat without warning. He quickly pursed his lips, but the smile that bloomed in his eyes, as gentle as melting snow, was clearly seen by all the executives present.
The conference room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. The senior executive's voice abruptly stopped, and everyone looked at their CEO with astonishment—this boss, known for his cold demeanor and whose every breath carried an air of pressure during meetings, was actually…smiling? And smiling so…gently?
Xie Shiyan seemed oblivious to the momentary freeze in the air. He quickly tapped the screen with his fingertips, replying with a "cute" emoji. Then, he casually put down his phone, looked up, and his gaze returned to its usual calm: "Continue."
The executives exchanged glances, all thinking of the beautiful boss lady who had been the subject of much discussion in the company recently.
After accompanying her energetic elders on a seven-day tour of the local area and surrounding region, Jiang Yining felt like her legs weren't even her own anymore.
Every night, Xie Shiyan would pick her up from the hotel right on time and then "deliver" her back in the morning. Even so, once she returned to Xie Shiyan's warm, pale yellow bed, she would always fall asleep the moment her head hit the pillow. Every night, President Xie would look at the sleeping Jiang Yining with a wronged expression.
On the seventh day, the trip came to an end. Jiang's mother packed her luggage in the hotel room while watching Jiang Yining sprawled on the sofa rubbing her legs, her eyes filled with concern and calculation.
"Ningning, we're going back tomorrow. Are you coming back to Z City with us?" Jiang's mother asked as she folded a piece of clothing.
"Are you still planning to stay in S City? If you ask me, now that you're back, you can't give up your studies halfway. Why don't you apply to repeat a year and finish university? Get all the foreign language certificates you need; that's the important thing." This was Jiang's mother's advice after careful consideration.
Jiang Yining sat up straight and nodded seriously: "Mom, that's what I think too. I was about to graduate before the accident. A few days ago, Ayan helped me contact the School of Foreign Languages at S University and found out the process for resuming my studies."
I plan to retake the college entrance exam, get my degree, and pass all the required certifications. After that,” she smiled, her eyes bright, “I’ll find a job related to my major. I can’t just stay at home like a couch potato and let Mr. Xie support me for the rest of my life, can I?”
"That's right." Jiang's mother smiled with satisfaction, walked over and sat down next to her daughter, lowered her voice, and gave her a knowing look with a hint of teasing and advice.
"You need to finish your studies, but now that you two are living together, you must take proper safety precautions. Don't let someone get pregnant before you finish your studies. Although you're not young anymore, and Xiao Xiao's child is almost in kindergarten, you still need to proceed step by step and plan ahead, understand?"
She gently patted her daughter's hand. "Ayan, you should find out how you've been doing all these years by asking Xiao Xiao and the others. I don't object to you two being together; on the contrary, I'm happy for you. Just make sure everything is arranged properly."
I originally wanted to visit your Aunt Li and Uncle Xie this time, but they went to do volunteer work and I couldn't get through to them on their phones, so I'll have to go another time.
Jiang Yining's face instantly turned as red as a ripe tomato, and she playfully shook her mother's arm, saying, "Mom, what are you saying? We know."
She and Xie Shiyan had naturally considered this point and were well-prepared. But her mother's straightforward yet caring advice still made her feel both shy and warm. Even if something unexpected really happened... she touched her lower abdomen, and strangely, she felt no panic, only a sense of natural peace.
Yes, she is no longer a naive student, but a woman who has truly experienced life and death and knows how to cherish the present.
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