Chapter 371: Making Room for Yao Tang
As Old Madam Yao spoke to Yang Nian, Yao Ran would interject from time to time.
By all appearances, the atmosphere inside the minivan was quite harmonious.
Something was bothering Yao Ran, however—why hadn’t they left for home yet? They had been sitting there for a while, yet the car never budged, nor had the chauffeur started the engine.Aunt w.a.n.gstayed outside, too.
Why was that?
Yao Ran was puzzled at first, but she soon became worried as a thought slowly took shape in her mind.
!!
Taking a deep breath, she asked, “Are you waiting for someone else, Grandma? Why aren’t we driving off?”
Old Madam Yao brightened. “I’m waiting for myTangtang, of course!”
Yao Ran’s hands instantly balled into fists, her nails digging into her palms. Hatred surfaced from the depths of her eyes, though she was quick to hide it.
Old Madam Yao was smiling so much that the wrinkles on her face were showing. “Tangtangmay have been held up by something. Getting me to wait is one thing, but to inconvenience the two of you as well… That naughty child is really something!”
Contrary to her words, the old lady’s tone was affectionate and indulgent.
It was clear that she doted on Yao Tang.
“It’s all right,” Yang Niansaid casually. “I don’t mind waiting.”
Yao Ran, on the other hand, was deflated. She hesitated for a moment before asking another question. “Grandma, will Sister be joining us for dinner later?”
No sooner had she spoken than Old Madam Yao’s expression turned cold.
“And what if she is? Is there anything wrong with that? I’m bringing her with me to keep me company. Why, do you have a problem with Yao Tangcoming to dinner?”
“No, no, of course not,” Yao Ransaid in a rush. She forced a tight smile. “IfSister wants to come, then she is free to do so.”
Old Madam Yao sniffed at the girl before turning toYang Nian. “You haven’t met myTangtangyet, have you? Have you seen her, at least?”
“As a matter of fact, I have,” the boy replied with the same bland face. “We are in the same cla.s.s.”
“Oh?” the old lady grinned. “So you’re cla.s.smates, huh? Imagine that. What a delightful coincidence!”
Yang Nian smiled politely and said nothing more.
Yao Ran breathed a sigh of relief at that. It seemed like he was no longer interested inYao Tangas he had been before.
Just then, the car door opened again.
Yao Tang was standing out on the pavement.
She looked up to greet Old Madam Yao, only to pause and stiffen when she saw the other pa.s.sengers in the minivan.
Thankfully, she was quick to compose herself. Yao Tangshifted her gaze to the old lady, who was beaming at her.
“Tangtang, you’re finally here! Come, come, sit over there!”
Old Madam Yao pointed at the seat next toYang Nian.
Yao Ran’s eyes flashed wildly.
The seats of the minivan were customized so that there were two rows facing each other, with each row accommodating three pa.s.sengers.
Old Madam Yao andYao Ranwere seated in one row, whileYang Niansat opposite them.
The old lady wasn’t even bothering to hide her intentions when she ordered Yao Tangto sit next toYang Nian.
Yao Ran struggled to keep her face from twisting into a sneer. She had foolishly thought thatOld Madam Yaowas finally looking at her favorably by asking her to sit with her.
It turned out that the old hag was making room for Yao Tang!
Yao Ran wanted to scream and punch someone, but she settled on clutching the cushion at the back of her seat to vent her anger.
As hard as it was, she kept the smile on her face.
Yao Tang stepped into the vehicle.
Yang Nian was keenly aware of her, and he almost held his breath as she drew closer.
But he said nothing to acknowledge her presence. If anything, his expression turned even more distant.
To everyone’s surprise, Yao Tangshuffled past him and plopped down on the other side ofOld Madam Yao. Not once did she even look at him.
Her unique scent wafted over to Yang Nianas she brushed past him.
It was a faint and subtle fragrance, but it left a lasting impression on people.
Yang Nian found himself taking another whiff before the scent completely dissipated. It was unlike anything he had encountered before.
For a brief moment, he was lost and confused, stunned at himself.
By the time he returned to his senses, Yao Tangwas already seated and looking out the window. She ignored him, just as he had ignored her a few seconds ago.
Old Madam Yao pressed her lips together and helplessly shook her head, but she didn’t insist on her special seating arrangement.
“How have you been, Tangtang? Are you doing well in school? You’re not skipping any meals, are you? How are the dorms? Do you have a lot of friends in cla.s.s?”
The old lady asked in rapid-fire succession, eager to learn more about her granddaughter’s daily life.