Chapter 120: Haystack and Fireworks
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
The birthday feast was prepared promptly, and tens of well-prepared dishes were laid out on the table in no time.
Xia Ling was Grandma Ye’s favorite and was dragged along to sit beside her. Grandma Ye kept getting her to eat more, while Big Aunt nearby continually scooped food onto her plate. Xia Ling was slightly shocked by all the pampering — though Pei Ziheng used to take care of her, she had never felt such care from elders. The elders in the Pei family were colder and more distant in nature and were not very accepting of an orphan like her. Though they did not express their disapproval explicitly on account of Pei Ziheng, the way they acted around her spoke volumes.
She used to think that all the disapproval and grievances did not bother her at all, that it was all worth it as long as Pei Ziheng continued to love her. However, now that she was being cared for by two of her elders, she realized that she could not have been more wrong.
This was what it meant to be a real family. It was a completely new feeling to her.
There were so many emotions inside her as she ate her meal.
After the feast, they went out of the house for some fireworks.
The splendid sparks flew to the sky, illuminating the night as children cheered and adults admired the scene. Xia Ling sat on the haystack with her arms around her knees, quietly looking up at the night sky. She had a quiet but sweet demeanor and a kind of happiness in her serenity, and the way the lights illuminated her fair, delicate face made her even more attractive.
More attractive than even the fireworks.
This line appeared in Nan Sheng’s head without him realizing.
He was almost obsessed with looking at her, and he found this strange. This girl was not some incredible beauty, but her air of mysteriousness was indeed appealing.
Fourth Uncle caught on his expression quickly.
“Master Nan?” he asked with a laugh. “What are you looking at?”
Nan Sheng turned around. Seeing that it was Fourth Uncle, he made no attempt to hide anything. “Does this girl have a boyfriend?”
He was so direct it threw Fourth Uncle off a little. Realizing what Nan Sheng was implying excited him. Did Master Nan ask this because he was interested in her? This Master Nan was a good catch, if he could bring the two of them together, both families would be even closer than before, and that would greatly benefit his business.
Fourth Uncle smiled. “Boyfriend? Never heard of it. Master Nan, you’ve been divorced for a good half year already, yes? It’s not easy to raise a son alone, it’s time you found a partner. Our Xiao Ling is good with kids, as you have seen — Ying Ying and the other kids are rather close to her. And she’s a celebrity, her status and yours are well-suited for each other.”
His words were exactly what Nan Sheng needed to hear.
Remarry? Yes, he was intending to marry her indeed, and for a good reason. Only by marrying her, or convincing her to enter his family would she help him wholeheartedly. He had always viewed marriage as a means to an end, nothing more than an a.s.set. Despite only being in his twenties, he had had two divorces, and both times he had married only because of the benefits involved. After he had used the other party and gained what he wanted, he kicked them aside with no remorse nor shame.
Master Nan watched the girl on the haystack as she enjoyed the fireworks, her pet.i.te stature making her appear all too lonely. How could she not be? He knew very well that minor celebrities like her were only playthings to the wealthy men in the industry and that they would never be given status or have a chance to enter the wedding hall as a lawful wife.
But, which woman wouldn’t want a home?
For someone like Master Nan to be willing to marry her, it definitely would make her grateful.
Master Nan smiled in satisfaction, thanked Fourth Uncle, and made his way to the haystack.
Xia Ling was engrossed in watching the fireworks when somebody appeared beside her, giving her a fright. She widened her eyes at this prim and proper man sitting a little too close to her. Uncomfortable with the lack of personal s.p.a.ce, she s.h.i.+fted aside slightly.
“Xiao Ling’s watching the fireworks too?” Master Nan struck his most attractive pose as he hit on her.
Objectively speaking, this Master Nan was pleasant looking and looked rather gentlemanly given the way he dressed and carried himself. He was definitely the type who stood out in the crowd and appealed to most women. But, was Xia Ling just another woman? She was with Pei Ziheng in her previous life, and in this life, she was in contact with Li Lei all the time. Were any of these two men any bit inferior to him? Be it their appearance, capability, family background, or even the way they sweet-talked the ladies, in which way was Master Nan even comparable?
Master Nan trying to present himself as attractive was simply a tragedy.
Xia Ling found this man a little strange. They barely knew each other and the haystack was so small, why did he think it was a good idea to hit on her this way? And why was he calling her “Xiao Ling” like they were close? Where did he think this was, a random social bar in City S?
She politely answered him. “Yes.” And with that, she turned her head back and ignored him.
Master Nan felt awkward, silently cursing at her lack of response, and decided to lean a little closer. “These fireworks were picked out and bought by your Fourth Uncle and me. We got it from the best factory in the vicinity, and the boss gave us a huge discount on my account. This is definitely a cheap but high quality good.” He flaunted his capability at her.
Xia Ling simply nodded again, and said, “Thank you for buying the fireworks, Master Nan. It’s getting late and I’m pretty exhausted, I’ll head to my room first. You may make yourself comfortable here.” With that, she lightly jumped off the haystack and left.
What a joke, she just did not want to continue hearing him drone on. And the way he was leaning way too close to her, it took her much effort to not give him a slap on the face. He also smelled bad; she wondered what cologne he used. In any case, it was definitely not her standard.
Xia Ling escaped to her room before sighing in relief.
She left Master Nan in shock as he sat on the haystack alone.
What… how could that woman not be the least bit interested at all! Master Nan could not understand what he had done wrong… She had no taste, that must be it! Did she even know what it meant for the Nan family heir to humbly pursue her? It was a chance for her to rise to success instantly and she actually rejected it, no wonder she remained a minor celebrity after so long. She was really dense.
Master Nan scolded Xia Ling in his head for a while before getting off the haystack.
Fourth Uncle came up to him with a smile. “Master Nan, please don’t mind her, Xiao Ling’s temper has always been like this. She’s an ignorant child, and also a little shy, I bet she must think she can’t match up to you and hence doesn’t know how to react.” Fourth Uncle saw how the situation unfolded, including how Nan Sheng was ignored and left alone. He was afraid Nan Sheng would give up on being with Xia Ling just like that and had no choice but to provide him some consolation.
In his heart, he was cursing. Ye Xingling, you wretched little one, if not for the benefit you can bring me, I would teach you a lesson for offending my business partner!