Chapter 425: Made Up Her Mind (1)
On the other hand, An Yue was stuck with Duan Yarong, and she patiently talked with her about various topics. The more she chatted with Duan Yarong, the more she realized that Duan Yarong was completely different from the arrogant and cold n.o.blewoman she originally had thought about in her heart.
She did not feel a sense of distance from her, much less a sense of alienation as if she had been rejected by her. In fact, she inevitably wanted to get closer to her.
An Yue no longer grew so worked up and panicked like she had been in the beginning. She chatted more naturally with Duan Yarong. However…
“Yue Yue, Yue Yue…”
“Huh? What is it?” An Yue was snapped out of her daze. A trace of nervousness appeared in her eyes.
Duan Yarong cast a glance at An Yue and looked in the direction where she was looking. When she was greeted by the sight of a certain man’s cold expression, she instantly understood what was going on.
Before this, Duan Yarong had already noticed that when An Yue was talking to her, she had occasionally stolen a few glances at Zhao Shunrong.
However, instead of the look of admiration toward an elder appearing on her face, An Yue obviously looked like she had been intimidated. Apparently, she had been cowed by Zhao Shunrong’s cold look.
Duan Yarong was upset when she noticed this. Her daughter-in-law did not seem to despise her son’s stoic face, why would she instead be intimidated by Zhao Shunrong’s appearance?
“Nothing. I was saying that I heard from my father-in-law that Yue Yue is quite skillful at baking. I wonder if someday you could prepare some desserts for us and my father-in-law to taste.”
An Yue smiled as she said, “Sure. I’m working as a pastry chef in Youlin’s outlet now. But, I’m not as skillful yet. In fact, my older sister can bake far better than me. I’ll ask her to bake some tasty desserts for you all next time.”
“Since your older sister is skillful, we believe that so are you. I heard Youlin mention that even though you and your older sister specialize in western desserts, you could bake a variety of pastries. How about this? You can bring your older sister with you here someday, and you guys bake for us. Is that okay?”
Upon hearing Duan Yarong taking the initiative to invite her older sister to join them, the smile that had bloomed on An Yue’s lips became more prominent. She nodded as she replied, “Okay. I will.”
While the two were chatting, An Yue could not help but turn her head around and look at Zhao Shunrong again. Duan Yarong had been watching her, and she naturally realized this as well.
“Yue Yue, are you afraid of Chen’s father?”
An Yue’s face turned ghastly pale when she heard Duan Yarong’s question. She looked at Han Yichen, who had turned his head around and looked at them after he heard Duan Yarong’s words. She said in a fl.u.s.tered manner, “No… I didn’t… I’m not…”
“It’s alright, calm down. Don’t be nervous. Don’t get worked up. I don’t mean to blame you.” Seeing that An Yue was scared, Duan Yarong quickly stretched out her hand and held An Yue’s. She pulled An Yue to her side, who was about to stand up and retreat. She said, “Could you tell me why you are so scared of Chen’s father?”
Right after Duan Yarong spoke, Han Yichen and the rest of his group looked at them curiously and waited for An Yue’s answer.
An Yue felt gooseb.u.mps over her entire body under the crowd’s gaze. After some time, she spoke falteringly, “Father… looks a bit… fierce. He doesn’t like me, does he?”
Duan Yarong was stunned. She turned her head around and looked at Zhao Shunrong’s face. As she watched his face carefully, she found that Zhao Shunrong’s expressionless look was indeed a bit fierce to behold.
“Yue Yue, do you mean that you think the reason Chen’s father looks so fierce is because he doesn’t like you as his daughter-in-law?”
An Yue cast a glance at Zhao Shunrong warily before she nodded her head hesitantly.
Duan Yarong smiled faintly. She looked at Zhao Shunrong profoundly, who was sitting next to Han Yichen, before she turned around and said, “Chen looks like his father and is a bit fierce-looking. Yue Yue, why are you not afraid of Chen, then?”
An Yue froze. She snapped out of her daze after some time. Her face reddened. She lowered her head and replied to her, “Chen… is not fierce. He treats me very well. He is very… gentle to me.”
“Gentle? How is he gentle to you?” Duan Yarong turned her head around and cast a teasing glance at Han Yichen, who was opposite her, as she asked the question softly.
An Yue subconsciously looked up at Han Yichen before she faltered, “His eyes…”
“His eyes?” Duan Yarong was startled. A hint of shock appeared in her eyes.
An Yue nodded with a red face. Duan Yarong instinctively turned her head around and looked in her direction, only to be greeted by Han Yichen’s soft gaze as he stared at An Yue, who had quickly cast her eyes down. His eyes were filled with resignation, adoration and indulgence.
Duan Yarong was stunned. She suddenly seemed to realize something. She smiled gently as she said, “Chen not only looks like his father, but his character is also similar to his father’s too. Since Chen is gentle to you, then his father is just about the same as him, he is not really that fierce.”
This time, An Yue was the one who got startled instead. She pursed her lips, turned her head around, and looked warily at Zhao Shunrong. As expected, the way he looked at Duan Yarong was as gentle as the way Han Yichen looked at her. She gradually relaxed her restless heart.
Seeing this, Duan Yarong could not help but smile. She stretched out her hand and stroked An Yue’s soft hair. An Yue turned her head around and nodded at her shyly. An unprecedented sense of satisfaction unwittingly sprouted in her heart.
Duan Yarong had once wished to give birth to two children, a son and a daughter, with Zhao Shunrong. Having a son and a daughter was a perfect combination. Her wish had unexpectedly come true now that she had a very well-behaved daughter-in-law.
In fact, Duan Yarong had imagined that her daughter would be as meek and obedient as An Yue, and could occasionally act cute too.
Zhao Youlin was obedient as well, but she did not have a soft side. Out of desperation, Duan Yarong could only use her young grandson as a subst.i.tute for her daughter so that she could fulfill her hidden desires.
Now, her future daughter-in-law had inadvertently fulfilled all the weak spots for Duan Yarong, making her maternal love for her grow. As such, she grew increasingly fond of her daughter-in-law, who was as meek as a sheep.
The corners of the former master’s lips curled upward upon seeing them chat incessantly. However, soon, he faked a cough and said solemnly, “Alright. You guys have had enough of talking. Let me say a few words.”
Zhao Youlin and Mu Tingfeng regained their composure. By the time they returned to the living hall, they were greeted by the sight of five people gathering around for a discussion.
When the five people saw them coming back, they stopped talking to each other.
“You guys are back. Well, we’re discussing your mother’s birthday, which is in a few days’ time. We wish to use this opportunity to reveal your older brother and sister-in-law’s ident.i.ties to the public.” The former master smiled faintly when he saw Zhao Youlin walking toward them, and he brought her up to speed with the content of their discussions.
The former master was an intelligent man. Mu Tingfeng had never uttered a single word when he saw An Yue interacting with Duan Yarong. Apparently, Mu Tingfeng had already learned about Han Yichen’s ident.i.ty. Therefore, it actually made no difference even if the former master said it in front of him.
Upon hearing the former master’s words, Zhao Youlin was stunned. “Making a public announcement about my older brother’s ident.i.ty on Mother’s birthday?”