Chapter 56: Thanksgiving (3)
When Xu Pingfei heard this, she became even more satisfied with Fang Mu’s wife.
A girl who did not like baking and cooking had been willing to learn for Fang Mu and his family. She was really considerate.
Putting down the pastries, Xu Pingfei happily said to Qiao Yunfan, “I heard that Xiao Sheng just learned it a few days ago. This child is really considerate. It’s Fang Mu’s blessing to have married her.”
Qiao Yunfan frowned and remained silent.
Seeing that Qiao Yunfan was about to finish his tea, Qiao Jiuyin got up and poured him another cup. She handed the tea to Qiao Yunfan and said to him with a mischievous smile, “Grandpa, your tea is cold. Change to a cup of hot tea.”
Qiao Yunfan stared at the smile on Qiao Jiuyin’s lips, and his eyes revealed deeper confusion.
“Grandpa, have some tea,” Qiao Jiuyin reminded him.
“Okay.” Qiao Yunfan grabbed the hot tea cup with trembling hands and took a sip. He smacked his lips and finally smiled with narrowed eyes. Putting down the teacup, he said, “Ah Yin, your tea brewing skills are getting better and better. You’re just better than your sister.”
Qiao Jiuyin’s smile dimmed, and she revealed a sad expression. She replied, “Grandpa, you’re mistaken again. I’m Xiao Sheng. Sister is no longer around.”
“Yeah?”
Qiao Yunfan looked even more confused.
He did not understand why Ah Yin would say that she was Xiao Sheng when she was standing right in front of him.
Also, what did it mean when she was no longer around?
When Qiao Sen saw that Qiao Yunfan was about to make a mistake again, he apologized to Fang Mu and walked over. Then, he patted Qiao Yunfan’s shoulder and gently said, “Grandpa, it’s almost time for dinner. There’s the fish that you like tonight. Let’s go wash our hands and eat, okay?”
The news that Chinese perch were available for eating made Qiao Yunfan smile.
“O-Okay!”
After watching Qiao Sen help Old Master Qiao wash his hands, Xu Pingfei turned around and saw Qiao Jiuyin’s sorrow. A sense of pity arose in her heart. She held Qiao Jiuyin’s hand and tightly shook it. She tried to console her daughter-in-law. “Xiao Sheng, don’t be sad.”
Qiao Jiuyin wiped her eyes and softly said, “Grandpa has been ill ever since my parents passed away. His condition has been getting worse over the years, and he can’t recognize anyone and can’t remember anything. Sister… He still doesn’t know about Sister’s death.”
“Sigh!”
Xu Pingfei handed her a piece of paper. “Wipe your tears. Many people are watching you.”
“Yeah.”
When Butler Wan Lang saw Fang Yusheng and Qiao Jiusheng, he heaved a sigh of relief.
“Sir, Madam, Young Master and Eldest Young Madam are here,” Wan Lang lowered his head and said into Fang Pingjue’s ear.
Fang Pingjue and Xu Pingfei subconsciously looked outside the house.
Hugging Qiao Jiusheng, Fang Yusheng walked over from afar.
The tall woman was wearing a black, slender, and high-end gown. Her long hair was tied up, and her smooth skin looked more snowy under the contrast of the black dress. As for the tall man, he was dressed in a grayish pink suit. This feminine color looked unbelievably good on him. He did not have any feminine charm, yet he was too handsome.
With a black walking stick and a top hat, Fang Yusheng walked into the main hall with Qiao Jiusheng.
Binjiang City in the tail of November was very cold. The heater in the house was turned on, and when the two of them entered the house, they brought along a chill.
“Dad, Aunt Xu.” The two of them greeted Xu Pingfei and Fang Pingjue. After greeting them, Fang Yusheng said, “Sorry for being late.” He then took off his hat and revealed his energetic buzz cut.
Qiao Jiusheng also took off her jacket.
Wan Lang immediately took their coats and hats.
“So even you know that you’re late.” Fang Pingjue no longer had a smile on his face.
Fang Yusheng casually replied, “I felt some discomfort in my stomach this afternoon, and that delayed me.”
Fang Pingjue’s anger subsided. “Sit.”
Qiao Jiusheng brought Fang Yusheng to find a seat.
In the crowd, a few gazes stopped on Qiao Jiusheng and Fang Yusheng.
Qiao Jiuyin stared at Qiao Jiusheng, who was weaving through the crowd. As she looked at Qiao Jiusheng’s gown, her gaze became a little complicated. Fang Mu had initially been looking at Fang Yusheng, but when he unintentionally saw Qiao Jiusheng’s gown, he was stunned.
His gaze followed Qiao Jiusheng’s footsteps, and the complicated emotions in his eyes transformed into longing and confusion.
Even Qiao Sen’s wife, Ji Qing, looked at Qiao Jiusheng in surprise.
Qiao Jiusheng brought Fang Yusheng to find a seat, seemingly unaware of what was happening.
After Qiao Sen and Qiao Yunfan washed their hands, they returned to the main hall and realized that two more people had appeared in the hall. Qiao Sen glanced at Fang Yusheng, who was wearing a pair of sunglasses, and naturally recognized him. He had already seen Fang Yusheng at the wedding. His gaze then landed on the woman beside Fang Yusheng.
Qiao Jiusheng and Fang Yusheng had their backs facing him. The two of them were chatting with Fang Yuqing while standing.
Qiao Sen stared at the back of the woman standing beside Fang Yusheng. When he saw the dress she was wearing, surprise flashed across his eyes.
If he remembered correctly, on the day of his sisters’ graduation ceremony, Xiao Sheng had worn a gown similar to the one worn by this woman. The same long black backless gown and the same tied-up long hair! The more surprising thing was that this woman’s back looked very similar to his sister’s.
The old man beside Qiao Sen suddenly smiled and shouted at the woman beside Fang Yusheng, “Xiao Sheng!”
Everyone fell silent.
Qiao Jiuyin’s pupils shrank, and Qiao Jiusheng’s eyes turned misty.teacupsnowier