After they got back, Lu Yan cooked two bowls of warm glutinous rice balls. After they finished eating at the dining table, Ning Anmiao wiped her mouth contentedly. Just as she was about to take the bowls to the kitchen, she received a call from Ning Zhijing.
Seeing this, Lu Yan nodded tactfully and took the bowls from her hands. "You answer the call. I'll wash the dishes," he said.
Then he walked towards the kitchen, leaving Ning Anmiao some space to talk to her father.
After all that had happened today, there was not much time at the restaurant entrance, so Ning Zhijing didn't have the chance to say much. Now that a few hours had passed and he had calmed down, he probably had more to say to Ning Anmiao.
Watching Lu Yan's back disappear behind the kitchen door, Ning Anmiao answered the phone. Her voice was gentle. "Dad, did you and Mom get home safely?"
There was a pause on the other end of the phone, and then a kind and peaceful voice said, "Yes... Your mom and I just got home."
It seemed that he hadn't felt his daughter's concern for a long time, and he was a bit unaccustomed to it for a moment.
Ning Anmiao didn't notice her father's change. Her voice became even softer. "There was an accident today, and I didn't entertain you and Mom well. When I get the chance, I'll invite you two over by myself. Then our whole family can have a nice meal together."
There was nothing wrong with what she said, but Ning Zhijing always felt there was a bit of distance in it.
It was like talking to a stranger.
"Miaomiao, when did you start talking to Dad so politely?" Ning Zhijing said somewhat resentfully, and his voice sounded a bit unhappy. "Are these the kind of formalities you should use when talking to your family?"
Only then did Ning Anmiao realize her mistake. She stuck out her tongue, looking a bit embarrassed. "It's just that there was a mess today and I made you unhappy. I was afraid you were still angry."
There was a hint of coquetry in her voice, which made Ning Zhijing feel a bit better. He coughed lightly. "Well, let's just let today's incident go."
Ning Anmiao was stunned. She opened her mouth in surprise.
Let it go?
Her father had always been upright and noble. Any one of the things that happened at Shuyuan today would have made him fly into a rage. But unexpectedly, he just said it so casually with a simple "let it go"?
A sense of doubt welled up in her heart. After hesitating for a moment, she asked carefully, "You're... not angry today?"
"Of course I'm angry. It's so unlucky to meet someone so uneducated."
Ning Zhijing sighed, and then his voice became gentle again. There was love in his tone. "But it's not a big deal."
Ning Anmiao was even more shocked.
If this wasn't a big deal, did it mean that her upright and principled father had changed his nature?
Ning Anmiao felt very complicated. She guessed that Ning Zhijing was just being stubborn and sarcastic on purpose, so she quickly said, "Dad, don't take what Lu Yan's mother said today to heart. And that calligraphy..."
"I thought about it on the way back. It's just a piece of calligraphy. I'll give it to her."
When Ning Zhijing said this, his voice was steady and full of vigor. "Anyway, we'll be in - law families in the future. It's not good to have a strained relationship."
After saying that, he coughed awkwardly again. "When you and Xiaolu get along in the future, at least she won't make things difficult for you, and you'll live more happily."
Ning Anmiao was silent for a while.
She wasn't stupid. She could tell what her father meant.
In the final analysis, her father didn't want his calligraphy to become a thing for these businessmen to show off; but for the happiness of his daughter after marriage, he made a concession on his principles.
Ning Anmiao suddenly felt her eyes get sour.
She always thought that although her father loved her very much, he was unyielding on matters of principle. No one could change him, and no one should even think about persuading him.
Moreover, the significance of his calligraphy was something he had always adhered to.
But now, for her future happiness, he chose to take a step back.
Her eyes welled up with tears.
When Lu Yan finished washing the dishes and came out of the kitchen, Ning Anmiao had already finished talking to her father. She was sitting on the living - room sofa, secretly wiping away her tears.
Seeing this scene, Lu Yan's heart sank. He quickly walked over and sat down beside her.
"What's wrong? Did you quarrel with Uncle?" His voice was gentle and soothing. "Is it because of what happened today?"
Ning Anmiao shook her head, sniffed, and said in a muffled voice, "No, my dad isn't angry."
Lu Yan glanced at Ning Anmiao and thought she was lying.
Noticing Lu Yan's meaningful look, Ning Anmiao said seriously, "My dad really isn't angry. Moreover, he said he would give your mom a piece of calligraphy."
This also surprised Lu Yan.
He raised his eyebrows slightly and said calmly, "Are you sure?"
Ning Anmiao nodded. There was warmth in her eyes, and her voice was soft. "He hopes that I can be with you well."
Hearing this, Lu Yan immediately understood what Ning Zhijing meant.
Old Ning wasn't compromising to his mother. He was just choosing to make a concession for his daughter's happiness.
Although he was stubborn, his daughter was always his top priority.
Lu Yan reached out and held her hand, gently rubbing her palm. The frown on his face gradually relaxed.
Just now, seeing her frowning face, he thought she was wronged.
It turned out that she was touched.
"Uncle loves you, his daughter. There's no doubt about that," Lu Yan said after a moment of silence. "But the calligraphy can wait for now."
He didn't want to indulge his mother.
After today's incident, his mother's little schemes were as obvious as the sun in the sky.
This was just the first meeting, and Ning Zhijing had already given in. In the future, his mother would be even more insatiable.
Although Ning Zhijing could endure it this time, it didn't mean he could endure it a second time.
"Marriage is a matter between you and me, Miaomiao," Lu Yan said calmly. "Even if my mother has complaints, it won't affect our original plan."
"Moreover, neither the Ning family nor you need to please anyone."
"The purpose of marriage is for two people to walk out of their original families and form a new one; not for one family to act submissively for a brief period of harmony."
Lu Yan had thought everything through clearly and even had a counter - measure ready. "Don't pamper my mom. In the future, I'll also try to keep you away from her as much as possible."
"Please tell Uncle that as long as I'm here, I won't let you be wronged."
Ning Anmiao felt a warm current in her heart. The warmth in her chest was now filled with another wave of tenderness.
She was loved by her parents and even more so by Lu Yan.
She was happy.
Ning Anmiao nodded seriously. She was extremely happy.
"Lu Yan," she suddenly called his name.
"Hmm?" The man responded immediately. He looked up at her, his voice deep and gentle.
Ning Anmiao blinked her eyes, moved closer to his face, and said with a smile, "You're really a good and responsible husband."