Chapter 84: What a Beautiful Jewelry Box
“That’s ok, just live here. I’m gonna visit my mom.”
“…”
You Ze kneaded his forehead with resignation, ‘Is she angry?’
Shiyao decided to ask Lao Zhang to drive her and Duoduo to her mother’s new home. After graduation, her first wish was to work hard and save enough money to buy a big house for her mother, so that they didn’t have to live in that small place to be looked down upon.
“Where are you going?”
Sharp-eyed, Xiao Qing followed Shiyao and reached out her strong hand to grasp Shiyao’s arm.
“Go back to my mother’s!”
Unable to bear the pain, Shiyao yanked her arm out of Xiao Qing’s hand.
“I’ll go with you.”
She hurried to follow Shiyao into the car, having no time to unpack her suitcase that had just been brought to the room downstairs by the servant.
“What? That’s my mom’s!”
Shiyao shouted at Xiao Qing crossly. ‘How annoying she is! My attitude can’t be clearer. Doesn’t she see it?’
“I must follow you wherever you go when he is away. That is what A’ze said. Obeying orders is my bottom line.”
Xiao Qing said without expression, like a robot.
“Alright, alright! You Ze again…”
It finally dawned on Shiyao why she didn’t like Xiao Qing. The woman looked cold, but kept talking about You Ze. If she didn’t have a thing for You Ze, pigs might fly!
Shiyao was right. Xiao Qing did have loved You Ze, but she wouldn’t cross the line like Tang Ting. You Ze used to have a girlfriend in the army, so she just played a role as his sister, and even blocked bullets for him. That was why You Ze fully trusted her and arranged for her to protect Shiyao.
Although it was cruel that her beloved man asked her to protect another woman, Xiao Qing had no complaints. She believed giving was love.
Xiao Qing fell silent, so Shiyao no longer said anything. The car slowly approached Lingyun Road.
“Right here, Lao Zhang, please stop!”
Shiyao carefully stepped out of the car, and Xiao Qing immediately came to help her. You Ze had told Xiao Qing to be careful about Shiyao’s injured leg.
Hearing someone parking outside, Shi Nian rushed out to meet Shiyao.
“Dear, why don’t you tell me you are coming?”
Shi Nian complained.
“I suddenly miss you,” Shiyao laughed like a spoiled child, holding up the furry ball in her hand.
“This is…?”
“Hello, Auntie, my name is Xiao Qing, Mrs. You’s bodyguard.” Xiao Qing replied briefly, though she was reluctant to call the little girl Mrs. You.
“Oh, come in please.”
Shiyao’s mother warmly welcomed them into the house.
The house, Shiyao’s selection, was really good, with a busy street downstairs and a garden behind it. Because the house had two floors, there were many rooms available even after her mother and uncle moved in.
Shiyao viewed the whole house and nodded with satisfaction.
“My dear, you should have told me about the house in advance. It cost a lot.”
“That’s all right, mom. I’ll come back often.”
Shiyao put down Duoduo and sat on the sofa, intimately holding her mother’s arm.
“Qing, please take a seat.”
Shiyao’s mom was warm and gracious, which made Xiao Qing a little embarrassed.
“I’ll get you some fruits.”
“Your mother is much gentler than you.” Xiao Qing rolled her eyes with disdain.
Shiyao snorted nonchalantly. Whether she was gentle depended on whom she faced.
“Eh? Whose box is it, mom?”
Because her mother hadn’t finished putting away the luggage, Shiyao accidentally spotted a jewelry box in a wooden case on the ground.
Although covered with dust, the box looked delicate after being wiped clean. A bright Rhododendron painted on the top was somewhat exquisite, even in this era.
“What a beautiful jewelry box…” Shiyao kept looking at the box.
“Oh, this is your grandmother’s.”
Shi Nian lovingly patted her head. “Take it if you like.”
“May I?”
“Of course, my silly girl,” Her mother smiled, “Your grandmother gave it to me before she died. Unfortunately, I lost the key by accident and never opened it. I don’t have any valuable jewelry, so take it if you like.”
Shiyao gently wiped the box, which was hasped with a small rusty padlock. Shiyao slightly shook it, only to hear nothing. It might be empty.
Shiyao chatted casually with her mother, and Xiao Qing cut in sometimes. It was soon getting dark.
“Yaoyao,”
A familiar voice came from the door.
“A’ze?” All three women shouted at the same time.
“I’m home. Are you staying for supper?” Shi Xiang then appeared.
Having moved here in a hurry, they lacked a lot of necessities. On his way back from purchasing, Shi Xiang met You Ze, so they returned together.
“Honey,” Shiyao sweetly called, smiling at You Ze.
Not having seen You Ze for nearly two years since she left the army, Xiao Qing had been in a state of agitation before coming to City A, but when You Ze stood before her, she was strangely calm.
“Good girl.” You Ze sat next to Shiyao and stroked her hair gently.
“What are you doing here?” Shiyao said with a coquettish pout.
“Come to see you,” said You Ze frankly.
“Come on!” Shiyao smiled bashfully.
Xiao Qing clenched her fists. There was no expected greeting. His eyes were only on his wife.
“Will you stay for dinner?”
Shiyao’s mother asked again. It was not convenient to cook in a house that hadn’t been completely arranged.
“No, maybe next time. We live nearby anyway.”
You Ze quickly refused.
“All right…” Shi Xiang said.
“Let me walk you out.” Shi Nian walked in front with Shiyao arm in arm.
Xiao Qing hurriedly got up to follow them, but was stopped by You Ze.
“Thanks.”
You Ze was grateful to Xiao Qing, who had saved his life on the battlefield when enemy took advantage of his mistake, and now she gave up her own work to protect Shiyao.
He owed Xiao Qing too much.Exclusive © content by N(ô)ve/l/Drama.Org.
“We haven’t seen each other for so long, you just want to say thank you to me?” Xiao Qing asked back.
“I…” You Ze was tongue-tied.
“It’s a joke!” Xiao Qing laughed cheerfully, patted You Ze on the shoulder, and quickly caught up with Shiyao.
No sooner had a strange feeling stirred her heart than Xiao Qing quickly suppressed it.
“Honey, hurry up!” Shiyao shouted at the door.
You Ze tapped Shiyao’s forehead, a faint smile creeping up his mouth.
After saying good-bye to her mother and uncle, Shiyao sat quietly in the car lowering her head to tease Duoduo, completely different from the lively and enthusiastic look she had just shown.
“What’s for dinner tonight?” Shiyao asked all of a sudden.
“I’ve ordered the kitchen to prepare the usual set to your taste,” You Ze simply said.
“Oh…”
Both were silent on the way.