Chapter 594 - 384: Tokyo Trip (13)
But this cherry blossom scent was a different feeling entirely.
It was like having a sweet, gentle girlfriend who’d just walked out of an anime.
Chen Yuan tugged on Jiangg Yao’s sleeve, sniffing it as he spoke, "I just asked Inoue. He said he knows a few famous local restaurants. I haven’t decided where to go yet, so what do you feel like eating? I have a few options."
Jiangg Yao hadn’t expected him to grab her sleeve and not let go. Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she used a bit of force to pull it back.
"Let’s go for some local specialties, then."
"Okay, let’s go now. Give me your bag."
"Mhm!"
Jiangg Yao smiled at Chen Yuan. She was very pleased with his doting tone and actions; he was getting better and better at making her happy.
In truth, Jiangg Yao wouldn’t have objected no matter what he decided to eat.
’It’s just that now, Chen Yuan asks for my opinion on everything. Compared to before, he must be paying more attention to my feelings,’ Jiangg Yao thought.
RING RING RING—
Just as her mind was wandering, her phone suddenly rang.
Jiangg Yao snapped back to reality and took out her phone. After seeing the caller ID, she looked up to meet Chen Yuan’s somewhat puzzled gaze.
"It’s my sister."
"Then answer it."
Chen Yuan felt a little guilty as he said this. He figured that after processing things overnight, Ningning was still worried about her little sister who had traveled so far to Tokyo. It was only natural that she would call.
Of course, no one could blame her if she didn’t call, either.
With him in the picture, even if Jiangg Ning were to ignore them out of anger, Chen Yuan could only quietly accept it. He feared that scenario, but now that Jiangg Ning had called, he felt an indescribable unease.
"Hello, sis? Yeah, I arrived around ten last night. We just finished walking around Asakusa Temple and the Charming Street Market... Mhm, he’s right next to me. Is there anything you want to say to your ’Young Master’?"
On the other end, Jiangg Yao had answered the phone.
However, there was no sign of an argument in the two sisters’ conversation.
On the contrary, they were as close as ever.
’Their bond is truly unbreakable,’ Chen Yuan thought. ’Jiangg Ning knows I flew all the way to Tokyo for her sister, but she isn’t mad at Yaoyao... And Yaoyao, who knows her sister argued with me, isn’t letting it show at all.’
Seeing Jiangg Yao look at him, Chen Yuan quickly waved his hands dismissively.
"Okay, I got it. I’ll call her before noon, right after this. Sis, don’t you forget to eat well, too. Bye-bye."
The call ended.
Jiangg Yao got into the car with Chen Yuan.
"Awesome!"
"What’s got you so happy from just one phone call? What on earth did your sister say?" Chen Yuan couldn’t contain his curiosity the moment he got in the car. "Did she curse me out? You two didn’t share some secrets, did you?"
"My sister just transferred money to my account and told me to have fun here. My sister is so rich..." Jiangg Yao said gleefully, fiddling with her phone. "She was so generous this time."
"Wait, I figured you wouldn’t need to spend any money. I’m here, right? What’s she trying to say?"
"She just doesn’t want me to spend your money. Isn’t that easy to understand? She’s doing it on purpose. Well, actually, that’s not quite right. A girl shouldn’t spend all her boyfriend’s money when dating anyway. And she knew I didn’t bring much cash on this trip."
"What’s wrong with spending my money?" Chen Yuan felt that Jiangg Ning was distancing herself from him more and more. He said indignantly, "She won’t spend it herself, and now she’s even telling you not to? And you actually took it?"
"Why wouldn’t I take it? Relax, Young Master. Isn’t it a good thing that I can use her money to have fun with you? Oh, right. Let’s talk after I make a call."
"Alright. Who are you calling this time?"
"My sister just reminded me that it’s Mommy’s birthday. I just remembered today’s the day. I need to call and wish her a happy birthday before noon since we can’t go back. Shh—"
Jiangg Yao motioned for him to be quiet and took out her phone to dial.
...
"Yes, I know. I have another meeting this afternoon. Tell Li Xiaxia to go back for now. I will give her an answer about the product development department’s matter. Tell her to hold on for a few more days. The company is in a difficult position. I know the full story behind this sum of money, so tell her not to ask about it anymore. Yes, say it came from me."
「Mingzhu City.」
Inside a small villa on the outskirts of the city.
Sunlight poured into the small garden in the courtyard. All sorts of lush, vibrant plants were blossoming beautifully under the nanny’s meticulous care. Butterflies and bees flitted about, creating a thriving scene.
In the side hall, Jiangg Ruxue sat on the sofa, buttoning her blouse. Her hair was still damp; she must have just gotten out of the shower.
Jiangg Ruxue combed her hair, her expression lost in thought. After a moment, her mind began to wander.
"Madam Jiangg, will you be having lunch at home? I’ve had a cake ordered for delivery, and the meal is ready. Why don’t you eat before you leave?"
Just as her mind drifted, the housekeeper came out from the kitchen, still wearing her apron.
"I won’t be eating. I have an appointment with Manager Zhang from the bank, and I have to go now. Did you put the box I had you pack in the trunk of my car?"
"It’s already there, Madam."
"You may go."
After the housekeeper left, Jiangg Ruxue waited a moment before getting up to go upstairs and put on some makeup. Her body was wrapped in a loose bathrobe, her long hair tied up in a bun with a hairpin.
Just then, her phone rang abruptly again.
Jiangg Ruxue thought it was another call from the office. She pressed her lips together, a hint of annoyance in her eyes. But then she glanced at the caller ID.
She froze for a second, then hurriedly picked up her phone.
The caller ID read: Darling Daughter.
In the past year, this number had only called her a handful of times. Jiangg Ruxue was pleasantly surprised. She knew exactly who it was, of course. After picking up the phone, she composed herself, realizing she had been a bit flustered.
"Hello? Yaoyao?"
Jiangg Ruxue sat back down on the sofa.
"It’s alright. If you’re busy, you don’t have to come back. Your call is thought enough," she said, fiddling with the handle of her teacup. "It really has been a while since the New Year... I’m doing fine."
"You be happy, too..." A rare smile touched the corners of Jiangg Ruxue’s lips. "I told you to stay in Mingzhu City, but you wouldn’t listen. You insisted on going to Lanjing. The only reason I’m at ease is because your sister is there. You’ve never been able to take care of yourself."
"I know. Try not to argue with your sister so much, and ask for her opinion when things come up. She’s the one who told you to call, isn’t she? Aren’t you with her?"
"Why did you go to Tokyo? Why didn’t you tell me? Your sister is so busy, she didn’t go with you, did she? It’s not safe to go with just a friend... Just the two of you girls? In a foreign country like that, your safety can’t be guaranteed. You’d better come back as soon as possible..."
"I’m not trying to control you... Yaoyao, you’re becoming more and more disrespectful when you speak to your mother."
After just a few sentences.
Jiangg Ruxue’s face hardened again, an expression that had become habitual.
Unfortunately, she didn’t get the upper hand in this scolding. Before she could say much, Jiangg Yao hung up on her.
"Sigh—"
Listening to the BEEP BEEP BEEP of the dial tone, Jiangg Ruxue’s brow furrowed. After a long moment, she put down her phone and sighed.
For a variety of reasons she couldn’t quite articulate.
She treated Jiangg Yao differently than she treated Jiangg Ning. She had always worried most about Yaoyao. If she could, she would have actually loved Jiangg Yao more. This wasn’t just because Yaoyao’s personality was more similar to her own, but because Yaoyao wasn’t as steady and mature as Ningning. To put it bluntly, she was more like a child who had never grown up.
She had urged Jiangg Ning to get married several times before, but she had never used any real pressure to force her.
The main reason was that if Jiangg Ning started her own family, she would no longer be able to meticulously care for Yaoyao in every little detail.
And Yaoyao had always relied on her sister.
Jiangg Ruxue couldn’t help but sigh again.
Her two daughters were growing more and more distant from her, but she couldn’t figure out the real reason why. Often, she couldn’t control herself, though she simply chalked it up to being too strict with them since they were young.
Right now, her company was facing a crisis and was at a critical juncture.
She didn’t have the time to deal with the two sisters.
Jiangg Ruxue closed her eyes, deciding to just let the two of them do as they pleased. ’I’ll deal with everything else after I get through this,’ she thought.