I Deserve A Second Chance - Chapter 282

“In laws! Come in, come in! I hope you don’t mind my humble abode”

Grandmother Wu welcomed Father Li and Mother Li with vigor into her house.

Shao Yan was surprised at how her Grandmother greeted the Li’s; she could not help but blush.

“Why so formal, we are all one family now,” Mother Li quickly added. She walked inside the foyer and quickly clasped Grandmother’s hands.

“How are you? I hope your health is doing great, the weather changed so fast these days!”

“I’m fine, Yan Yan and Shaoying nagged me all the time, how can I not be fine?” Grandmother Wu feigned an annoyance and pretended to whine over her granddaughters’ care for her. The two women now walked into the living room, their hands were still holding onto each other like a long lost best friend.

“Having a daughter in a family is good. They are more filial,” Father Li added while walking behind them.

Mother Li also glanced back at Shao Yan with a huge grin on her face, “Yes, Yan Yan, having a daughter is good. We already have too many sons in the world. We need more pretty girls.”

Shao Yan looked at them speechless.

She knew what they meant with those words!

And her face turned another shade redder.

And everyone conveniently changed the topics to the autumn scenery in Australia.

———-

When they were done with dinner, everyone was served a pot of fragrant flower tea.

“Please try these walnut cookies, I baked them myself,” Risa walked into the living room carrying a plate of fresh baked cookies. The smell of vanilla and walnut quickly spread around the room; teasing the appetite of the people who were sitting on the couch comfortably.

Mother Li was sitting next to Shao Yan. When Risa had seated down, she counted that everyone should be gathered here now.

Mother Li gently took Shao Yan’s hand and clasped it in between her hands.

“Yan Yan, I have heard the good news. I want to welcome you to our family,” Mother Li said while also gently patted the back of her hand.

Shao Yan was surprised at her words, she was flustered for a good comeback to reply, but she could not find any.

Finally, she tried to squeeze out, “Thank you,” with her small voice.

Her timid reply caused everyone to burst in laughs.

“In law, I am thinking May 18 will be a good date to do our betrothal ceremony, what do you think?” said Father Li, who was looking at Mother Li and Shao Yan and their warm interaction.

After hearing his words, Mother Li was worried that Grandmother Wu would be against it because of the rush. She quickly added, “I have to apologize in advance to you, in law, we came here in a rush, we may not bring enough Bride Price for betrothal, so for now, we can do the ceremony symbolically. And followed by the actual gift delivery next time.”

Mandy knew that her mother was lying to save Grandmother Wu some face.

Her parents’ trip to Shanghai was especially to meet Yan Yan. From how Daniel had behaved; from his stories and from his attitude around Shao Yan, Father Li and Mother Li had long suspected that their son would be marrying this woman. So of course, they had come prepared with gifts.

However, they knew that Grandmother Wu might not be prepared because originally, her trip to Shanghai was only about reuniting with her long lost granddaughter that she had just found. A wedding was only a beautiful surprise that came after.

———-

Grandmother Wu laughed out loud upon hearing what the Li’s had said.

She waved her hand joyfully, “May 18 is a good date, let’s do that then. And don’t worry about the formalities with all the gifts and such. I know Xiqing will be able to take good care of my granddaughter. And I also have prepared some dowry on behalf of her parents.”

Sitting by her side, Risa quietly nodded her head.

She might be the only one in the room who knew what Grandmother had prepared to give to Shao Yan.

Grandmother only had two sons, and now, two granddaughters. Of course she had come prepared.

Grandmother Wu quietly looked at Shao Yan who was sitting stiffly next to Mother Li.

“Yan Yan, do you have any concern with this arrangement?” Grandmother Wu inquired with her soft voice; as if she was only asking Shao Yan if she had eaten anything for the day.

She stared at her blankly before shaking her head slowly, “Grandma, you can do as you wish. To be honest, I am clueless about this thing, I will leave this in your hand.”

Mother Li patted the back of her hand again, “Silly child, of course we will take care of everything for you. That’s what your father and I are here for.”

Upon hearing her words, Shao Yan could not help but feel that her heart was tugged.

The warmth enveloping her hands was that like of a mother.

The care that the Li’s had shown her all this time was a new sensation to her, but it was like the morning sun after the storm.

It was warm and invigorating.

She felt that her stormy days were closing to the end, and soon, she could see the beautiful rainbow in front of her.

———-

“How was the dinner today?”

“Grandmother cooked a lot of Shanghainese food as well as Taiwanese food. I think she actually can feed a village,” Shao Yan snuggled deeper into her pillows, causing her replies to sound mumbled.

“En, that’s good then. I have to thank her properly when I’m back. I know Mother and Father must be missing good Chinese food after spending a few weeks with foreign meals.”

“Mandy jie already did. She brought a lot of healthy tonics for Grandma. She bought a lot of fruits too!”

Shao Yan heard some rustling noises in the background, “You are still in the office?” She glanced at the automatic clock that was sitting on top of her bedside table, and started to nag him, “It’s already eleven o’clock, Xiqing. Are you still working? Have you eaten?”

“En,” He mumbled a response, “Just a few more paperwork, and then I’ll go back to the hotel soon.”

Shao Yan paused, while thinking of her next words.

“So uh…,” She was still debating on choosing the right words, “The elders were talking about our betrothal date and they decided on May 18.”

“En, Father already texted me about that.”

“Oh.”

When he heard no other words from her, Li Xiqing could not help to chuckle.

“Don’t worry, I’ll be back home before that. I will not miss my own betrothal ceremony. I don’t want my bride to run away because she was upset at me.”

“En,” Shao Yan gently bit her lower lip while listening to his words. She pulled the blanket up to her chin. With a small voice, she started to complain, “I won’t run away.”

A smile appeared in his lips. He could see her pouting face right now as if he was also laying there on the bed next to her.

“I miss you, wifey. I will be home soon before you know it.”

“En.”

“…..”

“I miss you, too.”