The Tycoon's Mysterious Darling Wife
Chapter 99. Visiting (Part 2)

Chapter 99: 99. Visiting (Part 2)

"Where are Xiao Tong and Xiao Xuan from?" Chu Yunrong asked with a kindly smile and a gentle tone.

"We’re both from Beijing," Yu Xiaoxuan said. "Auntie, you’re even more beautiful in person than on TV. You don’t know how much my mom admires you. She’d definitely be envious if she knew I met you today."

Chu Yunrong chuckled. "Next month, I happen to be holding a concert in Beijing. I’ll reserve a few tickets for you then, and you can bring your family along."

Yu Xiaoxuan’s eyes lit up. "Really?"

Chu Yunrong nodded with a smile. "Of course."

Old Sir Shen chimed in, "Do come over to our place more often if you have time. Lanlan doesn’t have many friends. It’s the first time in years that I’ve seen her bring friends home."

"Mmm-hmm, Grandpa Shen, we’ll come often, as long as you don’t find us annoying," Yu Xiaoxuan said, her smile revealing two little canine teeth.

She was naturally outgoing and had shaken off her initial nerves. Seeing how cordial Old Sir Shen and Chu Yunrong were, it didn’t take long for her to become lively.

Fang Tong wasn’t as casual as Yu Xiaoxuan. Given her family’s political background and having been exposed to more since she was young, she was a bit more thoughtful than Yu Xiaoxuan. A family like the Shen family would definitely have no shortage of people trying to connect with them. She didn’t want the elders of the Shen family to think they were approaching Shen Qinglan because of her family’s status.

"Grandpa, I’ll take them to my room first," Shen Qinglan said, noticing that Fang Tong wasn’t talking much.

Old Sir Shen nodded with a smile, understanding that young people were modest in the presence of their elders. He spoke gently, "Go ahead, later your brother will call you for dinner."

Shen Qinglan led them to her room. As soon as they entered, Fang Tong and Yu Xiaoxuan flopped down on Shen Qinglan’s big bed. "Whew, that was so nerve-wracking. I hardly dared to speak in case I said something wrong."

Yu Xiaoxuan grimaced.

"You call that not speaking? You practically turned into a chatterbox," Fang Tong retorted.

"Qinglan, your mom is really youthful. Standing next to you, anyone would believe she’s your sister," Yu Xiaoxuan smacked her lips; she had just had a piece of cake downstairs that tasted very good.

Fang Tong nodded emphatically. "And she’s so approachable. I thought a great artist like your mom would definitely be aloof."

"And your grandpa, he’s a hero! I can’t believe I’ve actually seen a living hero." Yu Xiaoxuan’s face flushed red with excitement.

The two of them chattered away happily; Shen Qinglan listened with a hint of exasperation.

"If you like, you can come over more often."

Both shook their heads in unison. "We’d rather not." One visit was frightening enough.

"To be honest, Qinglan, your family is really good to you." Yu Xiaoxuan spoke earnestly. "We can tell, your grandpa and your mom are so kind to me and Fang Tong all because of you. They must value you a lot to value your friends this much."

Fang Tong nodded on the side, agreeing wholeheartedly with Yu Xiaoxuan’s statement, thinking it was the most insightful thing Yu Xiaoxuan had said in a long time.

Shen Qinglan was taken aback, as if realizing this for the first time.

Her grandpa was indeed a loving person, but he was never this approachable. Thinking of Yu Xiaoxuan’s words, she felt a warmth in her heart.

"Knock, knock." Someone was at the door.

Shen Qinglan rose to open the door, and it was Shen Junyu, with a tray in his hand, which contained the pastries that Sister-in-law Song had brought up earlier, "Just now, mom noticed that your friend likes these, so she asked me to bring some up for you."

Shen Qinglan took them and uttered a word of thanks.

Shen Junyu, watching the door close once again, touched his nose and went downstairs.

"Wow, mung bean cake." Yu Xiaoxuan’s eyes lit up at the sight of the pastries Shen Qinglan had brought in.

Shen Qinglan handed them to her, "Eat less, we’re having dinner soon."

Yu Xiaoxuan had already picked up a piece and stuffed it into her mouth, nodding carelessly, "Mhm, after I finish this piece, I’ll eat two more and then stop."

"The meals Sister-in-law Song makes taste very good. Are you sure you’ll still have room for dinner after eating pastries?" Shen Qinglan said calmly.

Yu Xiaoxuan paused, looked at Shen Qinglan, and confirmed, "Really tasty? Even better than these pastries?"

Shen Qinglan nodded.

Yu Xiaoxuan decisively withdrew her hand, "Actually, you shouldn’t have snacks before a meal, huh."

Fang Tong silently gave her a glance but did not speak; her attention had already shifted to Shen Qinglan’s room.

Shen Qinglan’s room was very spacious. Fang Tong had always thought her own room was large, but Shen Qinglan’s was at least twice the size. The décor was minimalist, with beige tones and large floor-to-ceiling windows. Outside the room, there was a balcony with a chaise longue and a small round table, on which a set of tea ware was arranged.

Fang Tong walked over, picked up a cup, and admired it for a while. Although she didn’t understand tea ware, she could tell that this set was of high quality, even surpassing the one her grandfather kept in his study, indicating its worth. Yet, this tea set was casually placed on Shen Qinglan’s balcony.

There were many small decorations in Shen Qinglan’s room, all neatly arranged without creating a messy feeling, but each one was pricey. Her room perfectly exemplified understated luxury.

"Qinglan, your family is really good to you." Fang Tong sighed softly.

A glint flickered across Shen Qinglan’s beautiful eyes, but she said nothing. In fact, many of the trinkets in her room were gifts that Shen Junyu had brought back from his business trips over the years. Bit by bit, they had accumulated to no small number. There were also birthday presents, like that tea set, which was a gift from Old Sir Shen on her twentieth birthday.

Fang Tong and Yu Xiaoxuan were very interested in the small, internationally styled decorative items in Shen Qinglan’s room, examining each one and occasionally discussing in soft voices.

Shen Qinglan sat to one side, letting them look around.

Before long, there came another knock on the room door, and Shen Junyu’s voice made its way inside, "Lanlan, it’s time to eat."

"Got it," replied Shen Qinglan.

Fang Tong and Yu Xiaoxuan also heard, and they followed Shen Qinglan downstairs.

In the dining room, Old Sir Shen and Chu Yunrong were already seated. He pointed to the spot on his left, "Sit here."

Fang Tong and Yu Xiaoxuan hesitated and exchanged a glance with Shen Qinglan. After Shen Qinglan moved to sit down, they followed and took their places beside her.

"Why hasn’t Xitong returned by now?" Old Sir Shen began, "Doesn’t she know we have guests today and made the whole family wait for her alone? What kind of behavior is that?" Though Old Sir Shen’s tone was calm, there was a discernible note of dissatisfaction in his words.

There was a momentary stiffness in the air, and Chu Yunrong paused before smiling and saying, "I’ve already called her, and she said there’s a bit of a traffic jam, but she should be arriving soon."