Chapter 126 - 126 Recognize Each Other, Are You Angry With Me?
126 Recognize Each Other, Are You Angry With Me?
Ai Zhaojiang only wanted to have a simple dinner with his granddaughter. He did not want anyone else to get involved, especially Luo Feng! This bad person who had wrapped his little sweetheart around him!
What made Ai Zhaojiang even angrier was that when he asked Ai Tingya if they could eat together, she said, “If Luo Feng is free, we’ll come over together.”
He had no choice in this matter!
Therefore, the more he looked at Luo Feng, the more unhappy he became!
Luo Feng could clearly feel that Ai Zhaojiang’s disdainful gaze was about to materialize. Didn’t you call us here to eat?
“Professor Ai, this is for you.” Ai Tingya obediently handed over the tea leaves. “I don’t know if you will like it.”
“I like it! I like it!” Ai Zhaojiang smiled so widely that his eyes could not be seen. His withered hand stroked the golden words on the package.
This was the first gift Ai Tingya had given him, making Ai Zhaojiang’s eyes turn red.
Ai Tingya’s attention was all on the osmanthus tree in the courtyard and she did not notice the change in Ai Zhaojiang’s emotions. Ai Tingya praised, “Professor Ai, the osmanthus tree in your courtyard is so beautiful. This is the best-looking osmanthus trees I’ve ever seen!”
This tree was planted by Ai Zhaojiang when Ai Tingya’s father left home. It had grown alone in the courtyard for 18 years.
Now that Ai Tingya was standing under the tree, it was as if a lifetime had pa.s.sed. Ai Zhaojiang could not hold back his tears.
He turned around and covered his face. “Come in quickly. We can eat soon.”
Ai Tingya rolled up her sleeves and followed him into the kitchen. “Let me help you.”
Only then did Luo Feng move from the door to the kitchen. He looked at the busy backs of the two of them and thought of something. However, thinking alone was not enough. He still needed some evidence.
Soon, the food was on the table.
Ai Zhaojiang had the aura of a cultured person. He had his calligraphy hung in the dining room and had done nothing much but intellectual work, yet he was a good cook. Crown City was in the south and ate light food. The dishes on the table were similar to Hokkien cuisine and emphasized on the original taste of food.
“These prawns were just sent over this afternoon. They’re fresh!” Ai Zhaojiang first picked up some food for Ai Tingya with his chopstick.
This was a scene he had imagined for a long time after all.
Luo Feng raised his eyebrows and suddenly had a good idea.
He also picked up some food for Ai Tingya and said, “Tingya, eat more. I feel that you’ve lost weight recently.”
Ai Tingya touched her face and said, “Really?”
“Yes, yes, yes. There must be too much work in the shop. You’re too tired.” After Luo Feng finished speaking, he glanced at Ai Zhaojiang.
The heartache in the old man’s eyes was about to overflow.
Luo Feng looked at the calligraphy painting hanging on the wall again and lowered his head without saying anything.
Ai Zhaojiang couldn’t be bothered to eat. He kept piling food into Ai Tingya’s bowl. “This is my specialty! Eat some more of this! Won’t the taste be a little faint?”
Being too enthusiastic made Ai Tingya feel uncomfortable.
“Please eat… I’ll take the food myself.” Ai Tingya was clear about who was close to her and stopped his good intentions.
Ai Zhaojiang smiled and put a piece of vegetable in his mouth. It was tasteless to chew.
Luo Feng felt anxious and had to help him.
He also picked up a piece of meat and placed it in Ai Tingya’s bowl. He smiled and said, “This has a special fragrance. You can’t eat it elsewhere. Tingya, try it.”
“Thank you, Luo Feng.” Ai Tingya held the bowl and smiled very sweetly.
Just now, Ai Zhaojiang seemed to have been possessed by Mother Luo and picked up a bowl full of dishes for Ai Tingya. However, Ai Tingya’s attention was completely attracted by Luo Feng’s piece of meat.
Luo Feng looked at Ai Zhaojiang provocatively, as if saying, “Fighting with me for favor? You’re still too young.”
Ai Zhaojiang pinched his chopsticks. The more he looked at this kid, the more unhappy he became. He glared back. “What do you mean?”
Luo Feng’s gaze drifted to Ai Tingya, who was eating seriously.
He mouthed, “I’m her boyfriend. It’s only right for me to pick up food. You are?”
Ai Zhaojiang was about to die of anger. His eyes widened. “I’m her…”
Thinking of this, he lost his confidence.
How could he not want to acknowledge Ai Tingya? However, he was afraid that Ai Tingya would not be able to accept it immediately or be angry with him. Ai Zhaojiang felt tormented but suppressed it.
Ai Zhaojiang almost couldn’t help but be provoked by Luo Feng.
“Why aren’t the two of you eating?” Ai Tingya accidentally interrupted their confrontation seeing that she was the only one eating.
“Ahahaha, eat. Eat quickly.” Ai Zhaojiang laughed awkwardly. Before eating, he did not forget to glare at Luo Feng again.
At this moment, Ai Tingya noticed the calligraphy on the wall and was stunned for a moment. She took a deep breath and turned to look at Ai Zhaojiang.
A moment later, Ai Tingya said, “Eat more.”
Ai Zhaojiang smiled like a sunflower under the sun when his granddaughter took the initiative to show concern.
Luo Feng nodded as well, thinking to himself, “You must eat more. Otherwise, you might not feel like eating later.”
Throughout the meal, it was always Luo Feng and Ai Zhaojiang who spoke. Ai Tingya would occasionally answer before lowering her head to eat seriously, her face filled with worries.
It was rare for Luo Feng to not ask further.
Ai Zhaojiang thought that he had said something wrong or that the food he made was not delicious.
He asked carefully, “Tingya, what’s wrong? Why are you unhappy?”
Ai Tingya put down her chopsticks and shook her head vigorously. “No, I just have a question for you, Professor Ai.”
“Ask away.”
“Do you know my ident.i.ty?” Ai Tingya pursed her lips and looked at Ai Zhaojiang’s face with antic.i.p.ation.
Ai Zhaojiang was stunned for a moment. He suddenly wanted to avoid Ai Tingya’s question.
Ai Tingya didn’t give him a chance. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I…” Ai Zhaojiang did not know if it was because he was too enthusiastic that Ai Tingya realized something. He paused and said, “I was just… I was just worried that you wouldn’t be able to accept it. I wanted to find a chance to tell you after we get to know each other.”
He felt a little guilty.
If he had not been too strict back then and forced his son to leave home, Ai Tingya would not have been wandering outside and had no family.
“Tingya, listen to me…”
“Sorry, I want to be alone.”
Ai Tingya did not look at Ai Zhaojiang or Luo Feng. She pushed open the door and walked out.
Ai Zhaojiang, who was at a loss, was left behind. She looked at Luo Feng and asked, “When… when did she know?”
“It should be just now.” Luo Feng pointed at the calligraphy on the wall and said, “That ‘Happiness and Safety’ was written by you, right? I saw your signature.”
Ai Zhaojiang nodded. He would occasionally practice calligraphy and was also the vice president of the local Calligraphy a.s.sociation.
Luo Feng explained, “Tingya’s parents left her a golden lock with the words ‘Safety’ on it. It’s exactly the same as the ‘Safety’ you wrote.”
When a master of calligraphy practiced to a certain extent, they would have their own style. Ai Zhaojiang’s handwriting was strong and had the aura of an ancient person. Ordinary people could not imitate it.
The moment Luo Feng and Ai Tingya saw the golden lock, they could tell that these two words were extraordinary. They had also searched the market, but the word on Ai Tingya’s golden lock was unique.
Seeing Ai Zhaojiang’s actions today, the two of them immediately understood.
“She still has that golden lock on her?” Ai Zhaojiang’s voice trembled. “So she has it with her.”