Lu Yan didn't know the usual way Ning Anmiao got along with her parents, so he chose the most compromising way of speaking.
Such words would never go wrong, Lu Yan thought.
After "Ning Anmiao" said this, the atmosphere in the room became a bit strange.
Bai Jiaying paused for a moment, still a bit stunned. She never expected that the always stubborn "Miaomiao" would take the initiative to please Ning Zhijing. Her heart was immediately filled with joy.
It seemed that her daughter was planning to make up with her father!
"Okay, okay, okay. I'll go wash the fruits now. You peel an orange for your dad."
Bai Jiaying smiled kindly. The nervousness from before was much relieved. She took the fruits and left the ward, leaving some private space for the father and daughter.
As she left, she couldn't help sighing in her heart.
Miaomiao had really grown up.
In the ward, Ning Zhijing was just about to call Bai Jiaying back, but his wife walked so fast that she didn't leave him any chance.
"Jiaying... Oh, forget it." Ning Zhijing stopped halfway through his call and finally gave up. He continued to turn his back to Ning Anmiao uncomfortably.
As a man himself, how could Lu Yan not see Ning Zhijing's stubbornness?
When a man was stubborn, even at an old age, he was just like a child and needed to be coaxed.
The corners of his thin lips curled up. He took out a bright - yellow orange from the bag and pressed his fingers slightly. The orange peel was scratched open by his fingernail, leaving a small opening.
He was very careful, peeling the orange bit by bit to reveal the segments inside. The fresh scent of the orange gradually spread in the ward, making the air fresh and clean.
"Dad, it's peeled."
"Ning Anmiao" held the broken orange segments in his hand and offered them in front of Ning Zhijing. "It shouldn't be sour. Try it."
His voice was gentle, which surprised Ning Zhijing with its obedience.
Ning Zhijing knew his daughter's temper and personality very well.
Moreover, the relationship between father and daughter had been getting worse and worse in the past two years. When had he ever received such good treatment?
Ning Zhijing lifted his eyelids and looked at the palm in front of him and the orange segments in it. He took them uncomfortably and stuffed one into his mouth.
"Is it delicious?"
"... It's okay."
For the first time, this old father felt nervous and at a loss.
When had his daughter become so considerate?
Suddenly, he remembered that Ning Anmiao had secretly married Lu Yan. The good mood from before faded away, and he immediately put on a straight face.
"How's the matter between you and that stinky boy going?"
Stinky boy?
Lu Yan was stunned for a moment and then realized that Ning's father was referring to "Lu Yan".
He smiled bitterly. "You mean me and Lu Yan?"
"I don't care what his name is!"
Ning Zhijing obviously had a big opinion on Lu Yan. "Ning Anmiao, if you still want to return to the Ning family, don't mention that man in front of me!"
Lu Yan's heart sank.
"Also, divorce him as soon as possible. He's not suitable for you."
Perhaps realizing that his tone was a bit harsh, Ning Zhijing slightly softened his attitude and finally started to look at his daughter directly.
Hearing his father - in - law also persuading Miaomiao to divorce him, Lu Yan's expression tightened, and a fleeting gloom flashed in his eyes.
As the saying goes, no one knows a daughter better than her father. Although his daughter's micro - expressions were quickly concealed, Ning Zhijing still caught them all.
"What, reluctant?"
Ning Zhijing rarely got angry. He just looked up at "Ning Anmiao" and said in a deep voice, "Do you really want to give birth to a child for their family? Is the child of the Ning family so humble?"
Lu Yan's eyes narrowed.
It seemed that Ning Zhijing knew everything.
Even though his little daughter had been so determined not to come back for so many years, he had been trying every means to find out news about her.
"You grew up in a scholarly family like the Ning family. I hope you can inherit the mantle of the Ning family, carry forward traditional Chinese culture, and be respected and loved by others."
This was the first time Ning Zhijing had said these words to his daughter calmly.
"The Ning family can give you the capital to be proud. Why do you have to compromise and bear others' anger? It must not have been easy for you without your natal family in the past two years, right?"
Ning Zhijing's voice was vicissitudinous. Every word carried a heavy weight and a sense of expected sigh.
Lu Yan suddenly looked up.
Ning Zhijing really knew his daughter too well. He knew that since his daughter was driven out of the Ning family, she would be so stubborn that she wouldn't mention her superior family background at all.
She would rather be called a "country girl" by others than bow her head to her father once.
No wonder she was carved from the same mold as Ning Zhijing. They were both a bit stubborn.
Lu Yan opened his mouth, wanting to say something else, but at this time, Bai Jiaying came back with the washed fruits.
"What are you two talking about? You won't even let me listen."
Bai Jiaying entered the ward and saw the father and daughter talking calmly. She felt indescribable relief in her heart.
As long as their family could make up, that would be enough.
——
He didn't plan to stay here for long. Seeing that the time was about right, Lu Yan got up and was going to drive back to Shanghai.
Before leaving, Bai Jiaying was reluctant to part and said she wanted to see her out of the hospital.
Before leaving the ward, Ning Zhijing, who had been quiet for a long time, suddenly said sternly, "Ning Anmiao, think carefully about what I said to you."
"Divorce that boy as soon as possible and come back to the Ning family quickly. I can reluctantly agree to let you do design."
This was Ning Zhijing's greatest compromise.
"Ning Anmiao" paused for a moment, didn't answer him, and just pushed the door and walked out.
Bai Jiaying turned her head and gave Ning Zhijing a reproachful look. "Miaomiao came back with difficulty. You always say such discouraging words. No wonder you two have been at odds."
After saying that, she quickly left the ward too.
"I'm doing this for her own good!"
Ning Zhijing was not convinced and shouted at the door, "Is she so worthless that she has to suffer grievances in someone else's family?"
After shouting, his throat felt a bit uncomfortable, and he coughed desperately several times. The room was quiet, with only his coughing sound.
Then, after a few seconds of silence, there was a long sigh.
Full of helplessness.
...
At the hospital entrance.
"Mom, go back and take care of Dad. The car is parked outside." Lu Yan said to Bai Jiaying gently, "You should also take care of your own body these days."
Bai Jiaying nodded. Looking at her daughter, she hesitated for a moment.
"Miaomiao, don't blame your dad." She finally spoke, her voice kind. "He has a sharp tongue but a soft heart. He just doesn't want you to be wronged."
"We've heard about what happened to you in Shanghai. That Lu's mother forced you to give birth to a child for the Lu family, right?"
Lu Yan was silent.
"Miaomiao, your father has been teaching you since childhood that people are born free and should not be bound by any shackles."
Bai Jiaying exhorted earnestly, "Your father just hopes that you can be happy. He doesn't want your life after marriage to be less comfortable than when you were in the Ning family."
"From childhood to adulthood, you've always been the apple of your parents' eyes. How can we bear to let you suffer in someone else's family?"