His lips grazed her earlobes and moved slowly to her soft lips. “You fit all three of them. I’m very lucky.”
Song Yu blushed in embarrassment while she said softly, “I didn’t do it on purpose.”
Her words triggered his throaty laughter. “That’s why I’m even luckier.”
Song Yu was so embarrassed that she could not speak. Qi Chengzhi gave a gentle squeeze on her waist and said, “Let’s go.”
“Where are we going today?” Song Yu asked as Qi Chengzhi brought her to eat breakfast.
“We’re going to look at wedding gowns. Since we’re already in France, let’s just find a designer here to tailor one for you,” he said.
He had actually ordered someone to contact the designer when they were still in their country.
The workplace of the designer was nothing like what Song Yu had expected. She imagined such a renowned designer to have a luxurious workplace. On the contrary, it was very messy despite the spacious interior. It was packed with stuff, with many workers and assistants buzzing around as if they were having a fight.
After a brisk exchange of greetings with the designer, a tailor approached them to measure Song Yu’s size.
The designer showed them a few trending styles of the year and came up with some ideas according to Song Yu’s qualities.
“I don’t want to have any jewel embroidery. It feels too luxurious. I just want to keep it simple,” Song Yu said.
The designer nodded his head. “You have a natural aura of elegance. If the wedding dress is embroidered with jewels, it’ll be over the top. However, I suggest that we should design something more resplendent for the evening dress. If both are too simple, it may seem a little dull.”
Song Yu nodded and agreed with the designer.
“What do you think about having an entire wedding gown in lace? Except for the chest area, there’ll be no lining added on the other parts of the dress. This includes the whole back and sleeves. Your skin would be faintly discernible through the translucent fabric. Regarding the use of a high neck or an off-shoulder design, I’ll need to draw them out to judge them. There’ll definitely be lining on your lower body, but I’ll be choosing a thin fabric to give it a draping feel. I’ll try a few styles on the waist part. What do you think, Miss Song?”
“What about the back? Can you design something to make it sexier? Of course, not too revealing as to expose the whole back, but have a slit down the middle or something like that,” Song Yu said while she gestured with her hands.
Qi Chengzhi glanced at her and said calmly, “If you’re so talented, why don’t you design some sexy nightgowns as well?”
Song Yu knew that this was his way of telling her that he disliked the idea of her being too revealing.
Before this, when the designer suggested using lace without linings on the wedding gown to have her body faintly discernible, Qi Chengzhi’s expression was already not too pleasant.
“Narrow-minded,” said Song Yu before telling the designer, “You don’t have to bother about him.”
The designer laughed and said, “I also think that it’ll give a better visual on the dress.”
Then, he continued to discuss with Song Yu about what they should do with the back.
Qi Chengzhi looked at them from a side in silence. He was totally ignored by Song Yu.
He thought to himself, ‘Is my status slowly deteriorating in Song Yu’s heart?’
…
…
Grandmother Qi was holding a complete set of script in the living room. It was sent by Han Zhuoli a few days ago.
In fact, she only had a few lines in it, but she really wanted to know what this drama was about. That was the reason she requested the entire script from Han Zhuoli.
At this moment, she was reading the script and studying her character. She was going to act as the female lead’s neighbor. Even though the character was elderly, she was an energetic, kind-hearted and bubbly old lady who lived together with a few old neighbors in Siheyuan, a place she inherited from her family.
Even though the value of Siheyuan was priceless, the few of them were just normal citizens without much earnings.
The television drama would revolve around the female lead’s siblings. The storyline was about a family drama that centered on them deciding whether to sell off the Siheyuan.
Grandmother Qi even asked Aunt Liu to lend her clothes specifically for this. Unfortunately, Aunt Liu also owned very fine clothes since she was getting a hefty pay working in the Qi family. That was why her outfits were all very decent.
Left with no choice, Grandmother Qi called the driver to fetch her to the mall and bought a few discounted pieces of clothing that normal people would wear.
She was very happy. In order to get into her character sooner, she kept wearing them these past two days.
When she was studying her lines, she heard the doorbell rang. Aunt Liu went to the entrance to activate the intercom, but she saw Liang Lihua standing outside.
Aunt Liu opened the door immediately. The previous meeting with Liang Lihua was in the Song family’s residence. At first, Liang Lihua was not aware of Grandmother Qi’s status, that was why her attitude towards her was very unpleasant. Aunt Liu came over to ask for Grandmother Qi’s opinion.
“Madam Qi, Liang Lihua is here,” Aunt Liu said.
“Who?” Grandmother Qi did not have much of an impression after hearing the name.
She was not a bad-tempered person, but she was quite forgetful. She would forget about things after she got angry and could not recall it afterward.
In her eyes, Liang Lihua was a nobody. That was also why she did not have any recollection after hearing the name.
“She is Yu Keyao’s mother, the one we met at the staircase of Song family’s house,” Aunt Liu reminded her.
In that instant, she could remember her at once.
“What is she doing here?” Grandmother Qi threw the script aside and said unhappily, “She has never visited us before. Now, she appears out of nowhere without prior notice. Does she not have any manners?”
She did not have a good impression of Liang Lihua.
“Do you want me to say that you’re not in?” Aunt Liu asked.
“Uhm, just say that I’m not here,” Grandmother Qi answered as she waved her hand in dismissal. When Aunt Liu was on her way out, she heard Grandmother Qi calling again, “Hold on!”
Grandmother Qi was a curious lady. Even though she disliked Liang Lihua, her sudden visit had successfully raised her interest and she wanted to know what she was planning to do.
She did not want to meet her, but her heart was eager to know.
Aunt Liu stopped walking since Grandmother Qi took quite a while to make her decision. She then said, “Let her in.”
When Liang Lihua entered and saw Aunt Liu, she was quite puzzled and felt as if she had met her before.
Aunt Liu said distantly, “Follow me.”
While following Aunt Liu into the living room, she suddenly remembered where she had met her previously.
Liang Lihua was astonished and became anxious. She recalled that there was another lady who was slightly older than Aunt Liu.
If Aunt Liu was there in the Song family’s house, it meant that the old lady would be…
Liang Lihua was shaking internally. That old lady would most probably be Grandmother Qi. She was still in denial and could only pray in her heart that the old lady’s identity was not Grandmother Qi.
She regretted deeply when Aunt Liu brought her to Grandmother Qi and saw the old lady with her very own eyes.
Grandmother Qi did not put on any makeup and dressed down at home, but Liang Lihua could still recognize she was the old lady at the stairs from the other day.
Liang Lihua gasped with a trembling mouth, where she drowned in embarrassment and regret. At this moment, she had no courage to speak anymore.
“You are…” Grandmother Qi asked Liang Lihua as if she was meeting her for the first time.
Liang Lihua did not expect her to forget about her so soon.
Nevertheless, she was already in her later years and her memory might have deteriorated. It would be normal for Grandmother Qi if she could not recognize her after such a brief meeting that day.
Instead, she was worried that Aunt Liu might recognize her and inform Grandmother Qi behind her back. She even glanced at Aunt Liu when she thought of this.
Aunt Liu had served Grandmother Qi for a very long period of time. She immediately understood when Grandmother Qi gave her a small hint and she also acted as if she did not recognize Liang Lihua.
Liang Lihua felt so relieved. She placed the presents on the table and said, “Madam Qi, I’m Yu Keyao’s mother. This Changbai Mountain Wild Ginseng was a gift from a customer of Yu Keyao’s father. I didn’t know what to bring for my first visit, hopefully, you will like this meager gift.”
Grandmother Qi glanced for a second and did not seem very pleased. She said distantly, “Have a seat.”
After Liang Lihua sat down, Grandmother Qi asked, “How should I address you?”
“I’m Liang Lihua,” Liang Lihua answered politely. “You can call me Xiao Liang.”
“Oh, can I help you with anything? Why didn’t you call and make an appointment before coming? If there was no one at home, won’t you waste your trip here? Don’t think that I’m already old, I’m still very active and go out quite often,” Grandmother Qi said indifferently.
“I’m… It’s because…” Liang Lihua’s eyes turned red as she spoke, “I’m worried for my daughter and I didn’t want her to be hurt, that’s why I came in a hurry. I apologize for being so rude.”
Liang Lihua took out a tissue hastily and wiped away the tears that were hanging on her lashes.
“Why are you here looking for me if you’re worried about your daughter?” Grandmother Qi asked. She was also not a fan of her daughter, Yu Keyao.
“Madam Qi, I’ll not beat around the bush. As you know, Mistress Qi had arranged a blind date for Keyao and Chengzhi. Keyao fell head over heels for Chengzhi after that meeting. I don’t really understand the love-at-first-sight thing that youngsters do, but Keyao is a very stubborn kid. Her entire heart is on him and she’s willing to do anything for him.
“Chengzhi went abroad lately. Keyao knew that it coincided with his birthday and didn’t want him to spend his birthday all alone in France. That’s why she went ahead and bought a flight ticket to look for Chengzhi, to celebrate his birthday together.
“She didn’t even have the chance to book a room at a hotel since she had left in a hurry. She waited for him at his hotel. There were actually three vacant rooms in the hotel, but Chengzhi booked them all and refused to let Keyao stay there. He even threw her out of the hotel with her luggage.” Liang Lihua’s anger was slowly rising as she spoke, her expression was no longer as polite as before.
In reality, Grandmother Qi was cheering for Qi Chengzhi inside her heart. There was no need to treat an intruder like her with manners!
“You probably know that public safety in Paris is very poor, Keyao’s luggage was stolen on the spot. She even sprained her leg while she was chasing down the thief. Even so, Qi Chengzhi didn’t even care for her. He just left a single lady like her in a strange and dangerous city. I’m Keyao’s mother, what should I do if something had happened to Keyao?
“Our Keyao has been so well-behaved since she was young. She has never had a boyfriend before. Being alone as a single lady outside, if she had gotten humiliated… wouldn’t she be destroyed? The only thing she did was fall for Qi Chengzhi and wanting to treat him well. However, not only did he not appreciate it, he had also mistreated Keyao like that.”
“What are you trying to say by coming here today?” Grandmother Qi asked coldly.
“I came here to ask you to give a justification for our Keyao! She can’t be bullied like that!” Liang Lihua sobbed as she said, “How can he be so cruel to a woman who likes him so much and wants nothing but good things for him! Does he even have a conscience?”
“In my opinion, he acted like that because he has a conscience. If he didn’t have feelings for Keyao, he would rather clear things up so that she won’t waste her time on him. I think Chengzhi has made his stand very clear, but Keyao has yet to accept it. She kept bothering Chengzhi on so many occasions, it’s not fair to Song Yu and Chengzhi both. Keyao shouldn’t place others in a difficult position just to satisfy her own needs and cause them pain, am I right? If she still doesn’t accept it, I doubt that she is as sensible as you described,” Grandmother Qi said nonchalantly.
“Also…”
Before Grandmother Qi could finish, she was interrupted by a furious Liang Lihua. “Madam Qi, you can’t say that. Even if he doesn’t like Keyao, he shouldn’t throw her under the bus like that! He…”
“Aiyo! Aiyo! I’m having a headache. It’s an old people problem, I can’t take the pressure. Once I’m pressured, I get bad headaches. Your interruption and shouting made me feel sick. Aiyo! Aiyo!” Grandmother Qi kept whining, “Why did you interrupt an old lady like me? I’m already so old, my mind doesn’t work as fast as yours, I can’t speak as fast and my voice is not as loud as yours. You just interjected without listening and waiting for me to finish, you’re stressing me out! Aiyo! It hurts so badly, aiyo!”
Liang Lihua was unsure if Grandmother Qi had acted it out. How could this headache occur at such right timing?
If she was putting on an act, she might be too good at it as her face was already turning pale.
Liang Lihua stopped speaking. Then, Grandmother Qi said weakly, “Xiao Liang, no matter what, Chengzhi had met Song Yu before Keyao did. How can you let Keyao be the intruder of their relationship? It’s understandable for a young girl like her to do such silly things since she was attracted to Chengzhi. However, how can you, as a mother, not stop her from doing so? If this spreads out and others know that your daughter insisted on coming in between their relationship and got rejected, it’ll be so embarrassing for her. How would Keyao face the public in the future? She would be the laughing stock of others!
“I think that, instead of coming here to look for me, why don’t you go home and advice Keyao to let Chengzhi go and stop harassing him? Chengzhi and Song Yu’s relationship is going strong. I’m still waiting for Song Yu to give birth to a great-grandchild for me to play with. Our Chengzhi is also very loyal to Song Yu. If Keyao persists her charade and causes Song Yu to leave out of anger, what should I do? I’ll be heartbroken!
“Furthermore, there’s no point for you to come see me. I have no say on Chengzhi’s matters!” Grandmother Qi seemed to regain her energy. She stopped massaging her temples and said, “Also, Keyao and Chengzhi are not related to each other in any way. Chengzhi has no obligation to be responsible for Keyao, right? It’s not like Chengzhi requested for her to go to France and visit him.
“In addition, my eldest grandson went there together with my eldest granddaughter-in-law. It turned out that there’s another woman who went searching for him, what if my eldest granddaughter-in-law had misunderstood? Men should be like my eldest grandson, no face given to the woman he doesn’t like but keeps bothering him. He made a decision to stay away and was determined not to let other women hurt his own woman! I feel that my grandson did the right thing, there’s nothing wrong about that.
“Regarding the lost luggage, that is on Keyao’s carelessness,” said Grandmother Qi. “Xiao Liang, you should put yourself in his shoes. If there’s a young woman in her early twenties who came and seduce your husband, what would you do? I think that you’ll rip the young seductress’ face apart without any hesitation.”
Liang Lihua was fuming when Grandmother Qi sided Qi Chengzhi on every point. Her last remark sounded as if she was derogating Yu Keyao as a seductress!
“Madam Qi, this is not the case in point. How can it be the same? Chengzhi is still single and unmarried. Since both of them are still available, there’s still a chance. How can you say that Keyao is the third party? Furthermore, if Qi Chengzhi was already dating Song Yu, why did he attend the blind date arranged by their parents? In my opinion, Keyao had met Chengzhi first and Song Yu’s the intruder!”
“Aiyo! Aiyo! My head… my head hurts! Aiyo, you’re useless when you get old. Xiao Liang, can you lower your voice, my old and frail body can’t take your berating.” Grandmother Qi was sitting upright and speaking energetically just moments ago, but now she was laying on the sofa with her hands on her temples again.
Liang Lihua was speechless. If she was not very sure before this that Grandmother Qi was just pretending, she was definitely certain now.
Grandmother Qi just slouched there, her hands kept massaging her temples while she said weakly, “Xiao Liang, I’m trying to reason with you but you refuse to listen. From now onwards, I don’t need to be reasonable with you anymore.
“I’ll be frank then! It doesn’t matter if Chengzhi is single or he’s not with Song Yu. I wouldn’t agree to your daughter being with him. If he dares to bring Yu Keyao back home, I’ll break both of his legs!
“Heh heh heh! Your daughter insisted on being the third wheel but failed to seduce the man. How could you still defend her with such fallacious arguments, blaming it all on others? I would never let her step into the Qi family, especially not someone with her character. Not only your daughter, I won’t be able to stand you as my in-law. I won’t dig my own grave like this!”
“Madam Qi!” Liang Lihua was so furious that she did not bother to care about her mannerism in front of Grandmother Qi. She sprung up and said, “I did not come here to be humiliated!”
Grandmother Qi waved her hand unapologetically as if she was shooing a fly. “I know, you came here to make a complaint! Xiao Liang, let me teach you something. We shouldn’t be too proud. We’ve met at the staircase of Song Yu’s parents’ house last time. Did you think that I’ve forgotten about that? At that time, you thought that I was just an ordinary old lady, that’s why you looked down on us and treated us so rudely. However, you treated me with so much respect after knowing my identity. Don’t you think the difference in your attitude is a little too much?
“Even though I’m old, don’t assume that I’ll have a poor memory. I can’t really judge a person if they act so well-mannered in front of me, but I’ll have the perfect chance to study one’s character by looking at how they behave behind my back.”
Grandmother Qi put on her reading glasses again and took out the script that she was sitting on while she told Aunt Liu, “Xiao Liu, show Mrs. Yu the way out. Oh, ask her to bring back the gift she brought as well.”
Liang Lihua’s face flurried between green and white with a distorted expression after hearing what Grandmother Qi said.
Liang Lihua felt insulted by Grandmother Qi’s harsh words. She thought angrily, ‘This old lady is such a bully.’
She clenched her jaw and said with a stiff expression before Aunt Liu could pick the gift box from the table, “Madam Qi, there’s no reason for me to bring back the gift that I brought. Please take it.”
“No one in our house eats this anyway,” Grandmother Qi said casually while Aunt Liu lifted the gift box from the table.
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