Being scolded by Cheng Yingchun in front of Jiang Li, Sheng Shuocheng's face darkened. He felt a bit embarrassed and said, "How could I not care about you? It's always rainy in Huacheng during autumn and winter. You're just being stubborn and refusing to listen to advice. You insist on living in this out - of - the - way place."
Not only was the place remote, but the whole house would get damp when it rained. How could an old person's body withstand such conditions?
To put it bluntly, Cheng Yingchun was old and had a solitary personality. She didn't like interacting with outsiders. If something unexpected happened to her while she lived here alone, it would be difficult to send her to the hospital in time.
No matter how nostalgic she was, this place was not suitable for long - term residence.
"Me, being stubborn? Then leave." Cheng Yingchun sneered. "You say you care about this old woman, but you can clearly see the water all over the house. You haven't even come to help for ages. You've become a wealthy man now, and I can't order you around anymore."
"Alright, alright. Don't be angry." Sheng Shuocheng resigned himself and walked over to get some tools.
He had a noble status and didn't need to do housework throughout the year. Only when he came to visit this old woman did he have to be more diligent, or he'd surely get a lecture.
He was in his fifties and a respected elder.
But even when he came back here, if he did something improper, he'd still be scolded by his mother - in - law.
Jiang Li held back her laughter.
"If you want to laugh, just laugh. Don't hold it in and hurt yourself," Sheng Shuocheng glanced at her and said calmly.
Jiang Li coughed twice and said seriously, "I wouldn't dare."
"What do you mean you wouldn't dare?" Cheng Yingchun walked over while massaging her waist. Her hair was almost completely white, but she was in high spirits. "Are you bullying this little girl again?"
Sheng Shuocheng felt helpless and amused. "It's her who wants to laugh at you for not giving me any face. You don't have to protect her like this."
Cheng Yingchun still looked displeased. "It's rare to have a little girl come to accompany me at home. If you scare her away and she never dares to come and see me again, who should be blamed?"
"Okay, okay. It's my fault."
Jiang Li watched the old woman and the man bickering non - stop. Finally, she couldn't control her expression. The corners of her lips involuntarily lifted, revealing a bright smile.
She had never experienced the love from the older generation, but at this moment, she could truly feel Cheng Yingchun's favoritism and protection towards her.
After finally cleaning up the accumulated water in the yard, they set up a table outdoors. Cheng Yingchun brought out the pre - cooked meals, which had been kept warm on the stove.
They were all home - cooked dishes. The three of them sat directly in the yard for lunch.
Just as Sheng Shuocheng had said, the old woman didn't like extravagance. She didn't even order a cake for her birthday, but she still seemed very happy.
"What did you do with the rose embroidery cloth I gave you before?"
Being asked by the old woman, Jiang Li immediately put down her chopsticks, sat up a bit straighter, and answered the elder seriously, "I sent it to be made into a cheongsam."
"Yes, that material is indeed suitable for a cheongsam," Cheng Yingchun's eyes immediately squinted with a smile when she heard this. "You have good taste, girl. Why didn't you wear it for me to see?"
Jiang Li replied obediently, "I had it custom - made. It hasn't been finished yet."
"Great, great. You must show it to me when it's done," Cheng Yingchun nodded in satisfaction, with a smile on her wrinkled face. "You're such a beautiful girl. You must come and play more often."
Just as Jiang Li was about to agree with a smile, out of the corner of her eye, she saw Sheng Shuocheng's face. Suddenly, an idea popped into her mind, and she changed her mind on the spot.
"I'm afraid that won't be possible."
"If it were closer, I could come and see you often," Jiang Li blinked her eyes, then said helplessly, "But you live so far away. It takes several hours to get here. It's too much trouble."
Cheng Yingchun was stunned. She heard the refusal in Jiang Li's words, and a look of disappointment flashed across her face.
Sheng Shuocheng also frowned. He seemed surprised that Jiang Li would say such a thing. His tone turned a bit cold. "If you really want to come, I can assign a driver to you. You can call him anytime."
"This isn't about the driver."
Jiang Li shook her head at Sheng Shuocheng. Then she took Cheng Yingchun's hand and stroked the wrinkles on the back of it. She said naively, "Grandma, I want to see you every now and then. I want to come and eat your cooking after work in the afternoon. I even dream of learning embroidery from you."
"Y - you really want to learn?" Cheng Yingchun's somewhat cloudy eyes suddenly brightened when she heard the last sentence. She held Jiang Li's hand tightly. "You really want to learn embroidery?"
"Really," Jiang Li looked at her with bright eyes and smiled shyly. "As long as you don't mind and are willing to pass on this skill to me."
Sheng Shuocheng gradually realized what Jiang Li was up to. His expression relaxed a bit, and he just watched her with a smile.
This girl always managed to surprise him. Now it was up to her to see if she could pull it off.
Jiang Li continued her act. Her tone was filled with sadness and regret. "But so much time is wasted on the way. What should I do?"
"Even if I wanted to stay here on weekends, there aren't any extra rooms," she looked around and said regretfully, "Even if I come once a week, the time is too short."
Hearing this, Cheng Yingchun immediately became nervous. She turned to Sheng Shuocheng for help. "What should we do?"
"What can we do? You're not willing to move," Sheng Shuocheng pursed his lips, cooperating with Jiang Li. He said calmly, looking like it had nothing to do with him. "I can't just buy a private helicopter, and it's not convenient to build a helipad here."
Hearing this, Jiang Li was frightened.
Fortunately, Sheng Shuocheng had blocked this possibility in advance. Otherwise, suddenly having a private helicopter would be too showy. What would people think?
"Well..." Cheng Yingchun seemed a bit hesitant. She glanced at Jiang Li and then looked around her yard. After weighing the situation in her mind for a few seconds, she finally made up her mind. "Well... then let's move."
As soon as she said this, Jiang Li was overjoyed. She hugged Cheng Yingchun. "Grandma, you're so good."
Cheng Yingchun was extremely reluctant to leave this yard. So she confirmed again, "Lili, will you really come and see me often?"
"If you don't believe me, let's make a pinky promise," Jiang Li smiled and held out her little finger. Her eyes were crescent - shaped. "A pinky promise. We won't go back on our word for a hundred years. Whoever breaks the promise will be a little turtle."
Cheng Yingchun was stunned for a moment. She stared at Jiang Li quietly and then slowly smiled.
But in her vicissitudinous eyes, tears began to well up. She tremblingly raised her hand and hooked Jiang Li's little finger.
She missed her daughter.
After lunch, Jiang Li accompanied the old woman for an entire afternoon, listening to many of her past stories.
Cheng Yingchun's daughter was named Li Muzi.
She was a beauty from a young age. Wherever she went, people would praise her. When she grew up, she was one of the most elegant beauties in the crowd.
Fate also favored her. She was admitted to the drama academy she had always dreamed of. After graduation, she engaged in the drama work she loved. Finally, she married the man she loved for her whole life, Sheng Shuocheng.
But all the troubles also started from here.