The Shang family visited Da Qing Feng’s home to wish him a happy birthday, and to see Da Tian Ting too.
Da Ming Sheng was on her best behavior to make everyone put their guards down against her.
‘Dad, Duan Hua bought this for you,’ Da Ming Sheng said sweetly. ‘I hope you’ll like it.’
Da Qing Feng accepted the gift, and smiled politely. He didn’t believe Da Ming Sheng actually changed after marrying Shang Duan Hua. He didn’t believe Shang Duan Hua and his parents came just to wish him a happy birthday either.
‘Dad, open it and see if you like it,’ Da Ming Sheng said.
‘Qing Feng, now do you see how much Ming Sheng cares about you?’ Ning Kan asked. ‘In the future, you can’t say Ming Sheng doesn’t care about you.’
‘Ning Kan, it’s my birthday,’ Da Qing Feng said. ‘Don’t dampen my mood.’
Da Qing Feng unwrapped the box. It was laughable he received a birthday gift from his son-in-law whereas his daughter had never bought him a birthday gift.
Da Qing Feng opened the box. It was a teapot. He hated drinking tea, but his son-in-law bought him a teapot. It showed the Shang family didn’t come to just to wish him a happy birthday.
‘Wow,’ Ning Kan said. ‘What a beautiful teapot.’
Da Qing Feng would rather the Shang family didn’t come to his home on his birthday. The Shang family kept looking at the front door like they wanted to leave or they were waiting for someone to appear so they could leave.
‘Dad, I’ll go put your teapot in a safe place,’ Da Ming Sheng said.
No one cared what Da Ming Sheng wanted to do with the teapot.
‘Big brother, big sister, it’s kind of you come here and wish Qing Feng a happy birthday,’ Ning Kan said. ‘Stay for dinner. I can cook dinner for everyone.’
‘We bought ingredients to cook a birthday dinner for Qing Feng,’ Lam Shu Pan said. ‘Ming Sheng, go cook dinner.’
‘Yes mum,’ Da Ming Sheng said.
Da Ming Sheng helped out in the kitchen less than ten times since she was born. She didn’t know how to cook, but to get into Duan Hua’s family’s good books, she had to appear obedient. It was a tiring life to be a people pleaser.
Ning Kan knew the Shang family were making life hard on Da Ming Sheng, because Da Ming Sheng couldn’t cook.
‘Ming Sheng doesn’t need to help me cook,’ Ning Kan said. ‘I like having the kitchen to myself when I cook.’
‘Thank you mum,’ Da Ming Sheng said.
Ning Kan gave Da Qing Feng a dagger, and walked into the kitchen. She was frustrated Da Qing Feng didn’t smile sincerely and he didn’t praise the teapot even though he hated drinking tea.
Da Qing Feng forced himself to be a good host by making small talk.
‘Big brother, excuse my humble abode,’ Da Qing Feng said.
‘Qing Feng, you have a good home,’ Shang Ming said. ‘In the past I’ve lived in a home smaller than your home.’
If Shang Ming didn’t want to see Da Tian Ting then he wouldn’t have visited Da Qing Feng’s small home.
‘Qing Feng, lately has Tian Ting come here to visit you?’ Lam Shu Pan asked.
‘Tian Ting…’ Da Qing Feng said.
Shang Duan Hua and Da Ming Sheng were the reason why Da Tian Ting left Da Qing Feng’s home. Da Qing Feng was sad he couldn’t see the person he wanted to see, but the people he didn’t want to see visited his home.
‘Dad, my parents and I are worried about Tian Ting,’ Shang Duan Hua said. ‘We don’t know where Tian Ting is. Dad, you’re Tian Ting’s uncle, has she contacted you?’
Da Ming Sheng gritted her teeth. She hated Da Tian Ting. Da Tian Ting was gone, but she couldn’t wipe Da Tian Ting out of everyone’s minds.
Da Qing Feng considered Da Ming Sheng’s feelings, and decided to change the topic of conversation.
‘Perhaps Tian Ting is living her own happy life right now,’ Da Qing Feng said. ‘Duan Hua, when are you and Ming Sheng going to give me a grandchild to hold?’
‘Dad…’ Da Ming Sheng said.
Da Ming Sheng gaged Shang Duan Hua’s reaction. If he actually wanted a baby then she needed to turn her fake pregnancy into a real pregnancy.
‘Dad, today is your birthday,’ Shang Duan Hua said. ‘Do you think Tian Ting will visit you to wish you a happy birthday?’
‘Tian Ting…’ Da Qing Feng said.
Da Qing Feng wanted to see Da Tian Ting, but he didn’t want to see Da Ming Sheng sad either. Why couldn’t the Shang family let Da Tian Ting live a happy life, and consider Da Ming Sheng’s feelings?
Shang Ming noticed Da Ming Sheng looked uncomfortable because everyone were worried about Da Tian Ting. He didn’t care about Da Ming Sheng, but he respected Da Qing Feng. Since it was Da Qing Feng’s birthday, he didn’t want to upset Da Qing Feng by mentioning Da Tian Ting’s absence again.
‘It’s Qing Feng’s birthday,’ Shang Ming said. ‘We should be making a toast to Qing Feng instead of talking about matters that can wait.’
‘Shang Ming, didn’t we come here today to see Tian Ting?’ Lam Shu Pan asked carelessly.
‘Shu Pan, if you can’t understand it’s Qing Feng’s birthday then you don’t need to contribute to the conversation,’ Shang Ming said.
‘I… I’ll keep quiet,’ Lam Shu Pan said.
‘If everyone came here today to see Tian Ting then everyone can leave,’ Da Qing Feng said. ‘The last time I saw Tian Ting was at the wedding where everyone here hurt Tian Ting deeply.’
‘Dad!’ Da Ming Sheng said.
‘I’ve only said the truth,’ Da Qing Feng said. ‘If I remembered correctly, at the wedding everyone were in a rush to get rid of Tian Ting. Now that Tian Ting is gone, everyone has the nerve to ask about Tian Ting’s whereabouts.’
‘Dad, stop talking,’ Da Ming Sheng said.
‘Everyone can heartlessly hurt Tian Ting but can’t handle the truth,’ Da Qing Feng said.
Da Ming Sheng would have cursed Da Qing Feng if Shang Duan Hua’s parents weren’t in the same room.
‘Mum!’ Da Ming Sheng called.
Ning Kan ran back to the living room.
‘What is it?’ Ning Kan asked.
‘Mum, ask dad to be civil,’ Da Ming Sheng said.
‘Qing Feng, we have guests here,’ Ning Kan said.
‘What guests?’ Da Qing Feng asked. ‘I only see unwanted guests.’
Da Qing Feng stood to walk to his bedroom, but the doorbell rang.
The living room turned silent. Apart from Da Ming Sheng and Ning Kan, everyone else hoped it was Da Tian Ting who rang the doorbell.
‘Don’t get your hopes up,’ Da Qing Feng said. ‘It’s my workmates coming here to wish me a happy birthday.’
Da Qing Feng walked to the front door, and opened it.
‘Happy birthday uncle!’ Da Tian Ting said. She gave Da Qing Feng a big birthday box. ‘I hope uncle will always be healthy, and live past one hundred years. I guarantee this winter uncle will stay warm.’
Da Qing Feng accepted the big box. He felt seeing Da Tian Ting again was the best birthday gift.
‘Happy birthday uncle!’ Feng Kai Ze said. ‘I hope uncle will always be happy. I’ll help uncle carry Tian Ting’s birthday gift inside.’
‘Thank you,’ Da Qing Feng said. ‘Tian Ting, you and your boyfriend should come inside.’
Da Qing Feng knew only Da Tian Ting and Feng Kai Ze came to see him to sincerely wish him a happy birthday.
Everyone in the living room heard Da Tian Ting’s voice, and they stood up from the sofa. They looked in Da Tian Ting’s direction. Da Tian Ting wore a red designer dress, her hair was straightened and she wore light makeup. What made Da Tian Ting look more beautiful was the happy glow on her face.