novelraw Chapter 4: 04
Chapter 4: 04
Chapter 4
Jinlan Cheng wasn’t the one who was angry, she was delighted, which made Jinchuan Cheng turn to look at her several times, and finally couldn’t help asking, “Why are you so happy?”
Jinlan Cheng was scrolling her phone, didn’t even lift her head to reply to him, “Why can’t I be happy?”
Someone was injured internally and needed to call 120 to get to the emergency room, how could she not be happy.
Jinchuan Cheng pinched the frowned eyebrows into the shape of the Chinese character “chuan”, wanted to say something, but eventually didn’t say anything, just made up his mind to block that guy in a small alley and give him a good beating.
When Jinlan Cheng got home, Liqi Cheng had already taken a bath and was video calling with Ran Shi. Ran Shi was in the deep mountains and old forests, with poor signal. Saturday night was the fixed time for the weekly video call between the elder and the youngster.
Liqi Cheng called Ran Shi "Shi Dad", not "Dad". There was an extra surname to distinguish it. Jinlan Cheng didn't specifically explain to Liqi Cheng, but Liqi Cheng already understood the difference. She knew Ran Shi wasn't her dad. It wasn't because she didn't have the Shi surname. It was because every time Shi Dad came back, he never stayed overnight at home. Parents were supposed to sleep together, just like little uncle and little auntie.
Liqi Cheng was sharing her little secret with Shi Dad. Seeing her mom come in, she first shushed Shi Dad quietly and asked him to keep it secret for her. Then she turned her head and called out in her crisp voice, "Mom!"
Jinlan Cheng ruffled her hair and greeted the person on the screen. She told them to keep talking while she went to remove her make-up, so as not to disturb their secret sharing time.
Liqi Cheng and Ran Shi had already talked about most of it. They just did a hook-and-loop gesture one more time to reconfirm that Shi Dad wouldn't tell anyone else about her and Chuqi Shen's secret plan. Ran Shi promised to keep it in confidence. Liqi Cheng blew him a big flying kiss, then ran off with her phone to find her mom.
Jinlan Cheng leaned her phone against the jars of creams. She chatted casually with Ran Shi about recent developments.
"ChengZe Shao came back?" Ran Shi asked.
Jinlan Cheng's hand removing makeup paused. "Your news is quite well-informed."
Just as Ran Shi was about to say something, Jinlan Cheng met his eyes. "Are you planning to stay holed up in that godforsaken place forever without coming back?"
Ran Shi knew she was in a bad mood, but didn't point it out. He just asked, "Do you need me to come back? If you do, I'll book tickets right now."
He asked earnestly, from his eyes to his tone. At this moment, Jinlan Cheng's churning irritation that had been pent up since yesterday reached its peak. She covered her stinging eyes with a cotton pad, also concealing her loss of composure. She said to Ran Shi, "No need. Just focus on your research."
Things between them didn't need a third party to intervene, besides, there would be no more things happening between them.
That night, Jinlan went to sleep in Liqi Cheng's bed. Liqi Cheng hadn't slept with her mom for a long time and was very excited. She held her mom's fingers and chatted away, jumping from one topic to another. Jinlan Cheng smelled the sweet fruity scent from her daughter's hair. The ups and downs in her heart gradually settled down. Mother and daughter both had a good sleep. The next morning when Jinlan Cheng woke up, she felt her skin was a few degrees more moisturized than usual.
However, her good complexion dissipated entirely when she heard the report from Yicheng Tang.
Yisheng Auction House held auctions once per season. It had been held in Lanzhou for five years. This spring it was scheduled for early May, less than two weeks from now. Today morning, there was news from Yisheng side that they wanted to cancel the booked venue, not just for this season, but all future ones. The penalty for contract breach would be as much as they demanded, not a cent less. The person in charge spoke very politely, also euphemistically. The collaboration with Lanzhou had always been very pleasant. Changing venues last minute was the top boss's decision. As a small fry, he could only obey orders.
As for the reason, Yicheng Tang didn't listen to those mealy-mouthed excuses. He only asked his subordinates to check where the venue had been switched to. As expected, it was a club under Shao's company. This was already the second client in this month that had shifted to Shao's side.
Liqi Cheng took out the hair clip and ran to Jinlan Cheng. "Mom, this is so pretty! Quick, put it on!"
Jinlan Cheng looked at the hair clip in Liqi Cheng's hand, somewhat stunned. She clearly remembered throwing it away.
Seeing her mom silent, Liqi Cheng simply climbed onto her lap and pinned the hair clip into her mom's hair. She looked at her mom, then herself. Her mom's clothes were the same as hers, their hairstyles were the same, and the hair clips were equally pretty. Anyone could tell with one look that she was her mom's daughter.
Her eyes curved into crescents. "Mom, you're so beautiful."
Jinlan Cheng stroked the corners of her eyes. Her smile was somewhat unreal. "Our little Liqi is more beautiful."
Hearing what she wanted to hear, Liqi Cheng raised her little chin haughtily. "Of course I'm pretty. Because I'm Mom's daughter."
The corners of Jinlan Cheng's lips quirked up as she finally smiled fully, kissing her chin. "Let's go. Your Shi Dad is almost here."
She wanted to take off the hair clip while Liqi Cheng wasn't looking, but Liqi Cheng's eyes were too sharp. Seeing her mom's movement, she didn't say anything else, just shook her mom's arm coquettishly. "Mom, I really like you wearing this hair clip."
In the end, Jinlan Cheng was unable to remove the hair clip. Liqi Cheng had gotten what she wanted. Her little calves swung back and forth on the seat. She wanted Shi Dad to see how pretty Mom looked with the hair clip on. Shi Dad would definitely find Mom especially beautiful too.
Ran Shi was arriving at the regular exit. His flight was delayed, so more and more people gathered at the arrival gate. Afraid that her mom would get tired holding her, Liqi Cheng climbed down from her mom's arms and landed on the floor. She held one of her mom's hands, and held up high the handmade "Welcome" sign she had made with the other, waiting for Shi Dad to emerge.
Seeing such a cute, beautiful little girl, everyone automatically made way for the mother and daughter. Jinlan Cheng declined politely, bowing slightly to thank them. Behind her mom, Liqi Cheng also thanked each person who gave way to her, plus a sweet smile. Everyone's anxious waiting for loved ones and friends was soothed by such a sweet smile.
"Little Liqi!"
A person emerged from the exit, carrying a huge hiking backpack. His hair was almost to his shoulders, and the beard obscured half his face. If they didn't know better, they'd think he was some wild man who had run out from somewhere. Only his deep-set eyes were bright and vivid, shining like stars that had been quenched in light.
Liqi Cheng let go of her mom's hand and ran over, calling "Shi Dad!"
Jinlan Cheng hurriedly followed behind her, afraid she might fall.
Ran Shi first picked up Liqi Cheng, then reached to pull Jinlan Cheng into an embrace too.
Jinlan Cheng didn't resist his hug, but also didn't struggle free. She tugged his grass-like hair. "Did you go do research or wilderness survival?"
To onlookers, this scene looked like a wife and daughter coming to welcome the husband returning home from a long trip - a heartwarming picture of familial intimacy.
ChengZe Shao walked over, surrounded by people. Seeing the three hugging not far away, he halted his steps. His eyes narrowed.
His gaze was gloomy, just like the ancient green turtle king emerging from an abyssal millennium-old pond, as YuanZhong Zhou would say.