novelraw Chapter 1333 - 258: The Hidden Kingdom’s Sole Faith (Part 1)
Chapter 1333 - 258: The Hidden Kingdom’s Sole Faith (Part 1)
On New Year’s Eve, the entire Yan Family gathered, men and women sitting separately. Ji Yunya sat beside Zhuang Xiyue, listening to her chatting with her sisters-in-law, quietly lowering her head to eat.
"Yueyue, your skin is really getting better and better, you don’t look like you’re in your forties at all. How do you maintain it?" Meng Shujing admired Zhuang Xiyue. Zhuang Xiyue naturally had a good temperament and looked young. The key was she had no wrinkles, and she exuded more of a mature woman’s charm. Even sitting beside a young girl like Yun Ya, she wasn’t overshadowed at all.
Among the women present, there were both heavily and lightly made-up faces, yet none could compare to Zhuang Xiyue and Ji Yunya. People secretly sighed that this mother-in-law and daughter-in-law duo were simply enchanting. As soon as they sat there, everyone else seemed like a backdrop.
Meng Shujing subconsciously touched her own face. She was not yet fifty, but crow’s feet sprouted like bamboo shoots after the rain. This morning when combing her hair, she even found some gray hairs, making her feel much older compared to Zhuang Xiyue.
Zhuang Xiyue smiled and said, "Elder sister-in-law, how could I know any beauty tips? You already know that I don’t even like using cosmetics."
Indeed, Zhuang Xiyue usually didn’t like using cosmetics. Except for formal occasions where makeup was necessary, she always went au naturel, which made people marvel at her naturally good skin.
"Our third sister-in-law is naturally beautiful, something we can only envy." Su Yu said with a smile. Su Yu’s cheeks had grown fuller, and she appeared quite plump.
Zhuang Xiyue glanced at Su Yu and smiled, "Congratulations, Yuyu, you’re about to become a mother."
Su Yu lowered her head bashfully, gently placing a hand on her belly, her eyes showing the kindness of a soon-to-be mother.
"Yes, the family has had a series of bad luck this year; at last, there’s something joyful. Yuyu, this is your first child; you must take extra care." Meng Shujing advised.
"Mom takes care of everything for me, and all I do every day is eat and wait to die...."
"Spit, spit, what are you talking about, life and death, at the New Year? All the Heavenly Gods and Buddhas above, forgive the silly words of the child and please don’t take it to heart...." Yin Suhua scolded gently, then clasped her hands in prayer.
Su Yu, knowing she misspoke, pursed her lips and lowered her head.
Yi Suchen curved her lips, a hint of mockery flashed in her eyes.
Yin Suhua was somewhat superstitious, sometimes nervously so. Everyone was used to it and just smiled, changing the topic. But the conversation always steered back to husbands, children, and the juicy gossip of wealthy families, making the atmosphere at the table lively.
Yun Ya felt someone tug at the corner of her skirt, turning her head to see Yan Si nestled at the table’s foot, whispering to her, "Sister Yun Ya, does it still hurt?"
Yun Ya choked on her water, as the question brought some R-rated images to her mind. She instinctively glanced towards the main banquet hall, where that person stood out among the men, his back always the straightest and his face as handsome and cold as ever. The warm family feast did nothing to melt the coldness between his brows.
Yan Song seemed to sense her gaze, raised an eyebrow and looked over. The moment he saw Yun Ya, the coldness in his eyes seemed to be melted by the sunlight, thawing bit by bit, filling with the warmth of spring water.
The hustle and bustle around seemed to gradually recede, and her world contained only that person, those eyes...
"Sister Yun Ya... are you having a silent flirtation with my big brother?" The little girl covered her mouth and laughed, her eyes sparkling with gossip.
Yun Ya shook her head with an amused smile, raising her hand to ruffle her head: "You little girl, how do you know so much?"
Yan Si blinked her big, innocent eyes, "Because I’m the smartest, Sister Yun Ya, quickly tell me, does it still hurt? I stole my dad’s healing ointment, it’s the best. Apply it and it won’t hurt anymore." She said, slipping a small bottle into Yun Ya’s hand.
Yun Ya laughed and said: "No need, it’s already healed, but I appreciate your kindness."
"That’s good, you don’t know how close I’ve been to being scolded to death by my mom these days, ah, such a sorrowful life...." She said, resting her head in her hands with a face full of sorrow.
Yun Ya was amused by how mature this little girl acted, finding her truly adorable.
"Sister Yun Ya, your smile is so pretty. Do you think I can grow up to be as beautiful as you?"
Yun Ya laughed, pinching her cheek: "You definitely will." Yan Si resembled Pei Xinyi, with a touch of classical beauty in her traits. She would surely grow up to be a great beauty.
Yan Si hopped merrily over to another table to look for Yan Nanrong, then nestled beside the old man, acting coquettishly. She was the youngest child in the Yan Family, pampered as expected, and no one said anything about it. On the contrary, she livened up the atmosphere, earning so much praise from the old man that he couldn’t stop smiling, laughter never ceasing.