"Lian'er, didn't you say that Zhi Jia and An Lan were coming back tonight?" the old man said with a helpless sigh. "Do you want to go to the kitchen and order the dinner, and see if An Lan's favorite ingredients have arrived."
Ran Lian paused her finger-stroking of Wen Yan'an's hand. "Yes, I remember. Then you talk. An'an, do you want to go to the kitchen with Grandma? Grandma will make you something delicious."
Wen Yan'an glanced at Fang Miaomiao, then at her grandfather, before nodding and following behind Ran Lian.
As the two walked away, the pavilion fell into silence, and the croaking of frogs under the lotus flowers could still be heard from time to time.
The old man smiled and fiddled with the teacups on the coffee table.
His movements were so fluid that one couldn't bear to look away.
"Miaomiao has become much calmer compared to before."
"People grow up as they get older," Fang Miaomiao replied politely.
She quite liked and respected Wen Zhiyan's father.
The old man was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter. "Well said, 'People grow up as they get older.' It seems you've gotten smarter now."
"Then do you know why I wanted to keep you here alone?"
"Old man has his own reasons for doing things. We juniors sometimes just need to listen," Fang Miaomiao said, flattering him.
The old man poured Fang Miaomiao another cup of tea. "Have a taste?"
Fang Miaomiao took a big sip and closed her eyes, puckering her lips.
It was so bitter, comparable to coffee.
She felt like her teeth were about to fall out from the bitterness.
Could tea really be this bitter? Forgive her, she couldn't appreciate it.
"Your brain has grown, but your temper is back to its original form in such a short time," the old man sighed helplessly. "Tea needs to be savored slowly."
"Old man, people have all sorts of ways, and like all sorts of things. Some like beverages, some are fond of spring water, and of course, some cannot appreciate tea."
The old man snorted. "You child, you're even lecturing me now. Is there something unsatisfactory ahead that you're going to reprimand me for?"
Fang Miaomiao was startled but quickly said, "Why would the old man say that? You are an elder, and we juniors naturally must respect you."
"What if you were lectured?"
Fang Miaomiao frowned, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Words from elders to juniors are mostly guidance. We must listen. But in this new era, there are always clashes between the two. All juniors can do is listen."
As for whether to do it, and how to do it, that was up to the juniors.
The old man was silent for a moment, then finally said with a smile, "Flatterer, you've got a smooth tongue. I'm just afraid you'll talk the talk but not walk the walk."
Fang Miaomiao cried out in protest.
"Then tell me, why didn't you come back to Yu Yuan last week?"
She then recalled from memory that the old man had asked the original owner to come to Yu Yuan last week. However, the original owner had agreed but had not shown up on time, nor had she even offered an explanation.
Fortunately, it was the old man. If it had been that old lady, she would have been scolded beyond measure.
"I was wrong. I was busy with variety show contracts during that time and forgot about it later," Fang Miaomiao explained, her mind racing.
The old man then glared at her. "I thought I had offended you, and that's why you refused to return to Yu Yuan."
Fang Miaomiao immediately put on a smiling face, got up, poured tea, and offered it to the old man as an apology. "Old man, please don't hold grudges against your forgetful junior."
The old man looked at her for a while, then took the tea and took a sip. "Lian'er's temper is like that. A sharp tongue but a soft heart. You, don't be angry with her."
"You misunderstand, old man," Fang Miaomiao's smile faded a little.
The old man knew that his wife's inability to yield when she was in the right and her condescending attitude were very unpleasant, but what could he do? He changed the subject. "What are you going to do about that Wang Qing incident?"
Although the production team hadn't released the video, they wouldn't be unable to find out what they wanted to know.
Thinking of this, the old man was annoyed again. His Wen family's daughter-in-law was actually bullied by a nobody in public. If this got out, how could the Wen family maintain their reputation in high society?
"Find evidence and post it online, and make Wang Qing apologize publicly," Fang Miaomiao stated her thoughts.
The old man waited for a while. "That's it?"
That's it.
But seeing the old man's expression, she didn't dare to say it.
She then thought from the perspective of a wealthy person and tentatively asked, "Compensation for medical expenses, mental damages?"
"Fang Miaomiao." The old man hit the stone table in frustration, "Is your brain meant to hold water?"
He had just been gratified that she was starting to use her brain, but now it seemed her brain was still just for decoration. No wonder she was bullied so much before. She deserved it.
"Huh?" Fang Miaomiao was confused. Besides an apology and compensation, gaining reputation and money, was there anything else?
"You, you, how did you become so stupid?" the old man glared at her, then waved his hand. "Alright, I won't count on you for this matter."
"Are you still going to participate in that variety show?"
Fang Miaomiao nodded. "Of course. I signed a contract."
Moreover, Wen Yan'an had things to say to Cui Yongsi, and perhaps they could develop into a friendship for Wen Yan'an.
As for Shen Jiani and Wang Qing, she would be wary and wouldn't be so careless again.
After that, the old man asked a few more questions, even about her and Wen Zhiyan, but she managed to brush them all off with a laugh.
After chatting for a while, the old man's spirit was noticeably more tired than before.
"Alright, your illness has just recovered, and you need to rest well. A servant will escort you to Zhiyan's room later. Rest well and take care of yourself."
"Thank you for your concern, old man."
"Don't be so disrespectful, what are you calling me?"
Fang Miaomiao, feeling wronged, opened her mouth and called out, "Dad."
Led by a servant, Fang Miaomiao arrived at Wen Zhiyan's room.
"Madam, when dinner is ready, we will come up to call you. You can go in and rest now."
Fang Miaomiao opened her mouth, but before she could utter her refusal, the maids had already left.
She sighed softly, then pushed open the room door. A faint, pleasant fragrance emanated from within.
The room was very large, more like a small suite than a bedroom. It had a bathroom, a walk-in closet, and even a small study. The floor was covered with a thick carpet, and the overall style was simple, which was her preferred decor style.
Fang Miaomiao glanced at the meticulously cleaned large bed. After a moment's thought, she decided to sleep on the sofa by the balcony.
A gentle breeze wafted through the balcony into the bedroom.
Fang Miaomiao drifted into a deep sleep, half-conscious.