Zhou Yanyu picked up on something when she heard from the other ladies that Yu Cheng had been taking Jiang Mianmian and other children out to play these past few days. An idea emerged in her mind.
Early that day, Zhou Yanyu, leading Yu Ruixuan and carrying several bags of imported snacks and high-end nutritional products, arrived at Elder Yu’s place.
It just happened that the old man was at home: "What are you here for?"
Since Yu Cheng usually stayed with Zhou Yanyu, she seldom visited on her own. Every time, she would come with Yu Huaxun, and they would call ahead.
"Dad, you’re home? I brought Ruixuan over to see Mianmian. The child was inconsiderate last time and hit her sister. I bought some things to make amends," Zhou Yanyu said with a smile on her face.
Elder Yu nodded faintly, "Hmm, an apology is indeed in order."
Looking at Yu Ruixuan, who pursed his lips with a humiliated expression, Yu Cheng narrowed his eyes and sneered coldly, "Is this the attitude for an apology?"
At those words, Yu Ruixuan’s eyes widened with anger and humiliation, and he felt an urge to turn around and leave right there and then.
But Zhou Yanyu gently pushed him and said, "Ruixuan, what did you say at home? Didn’t you say you wanted to apologize to your sister? She’s here now, so apologize quickly."
Yu Ruixuan, remembering what his mother had told him at home, reluctantly walked over and said to Jiang Mianmian, "Mianmian, I was wrong about what happened last time. Don’t be mad at me, okay? Let’s play together in the future, okay?"
"Mianmian, brother knows he was wrong. Will you forgive your brother? Tomorrow, let your brother take you out to play." Zhou Yanyu finally revealed her true purpose for coming here.
She had come to get her son into Yu Cheng’s circle of friends.
Her son was young and somewhat spoiled; the children that liked to play with him either came from families less distinguished than her own, certainly no match for the likes of Cheng An and his peers.
Or they were the younger sons or the least sons in their families, even illegitimate ones, with capable and eligible older brothers to inherit the family business.
With such backgrounds and circumstances, it meant that the resources and connections of their families would never fall upon them in the future.
Forming friendships with such companions was fine for dining and entertainment, but when it came to matters where help was needed, they were essentially useless.
The difference between them and Yu Cheng’s friends was like heaven and earth.
With such a circle of friends, what could her son use to compete with Yu Cheng for the Yu Family inheritance?!
It was for this reason that she had persuaded her unwilling son to apologize to Jiang Mianmian, a country bumpkin.
And it would also let Elder Yu know that Ruixuan was a good child who knew how to admit his wrongs and was kind-hearted and loving.
She thought Jiang Mianmian was nothing but an unsophisticated country girl; surely with some snacks and gifts and a few nice words, she would be easily bamboozled, right?
But she had miscalculated this time because no matter what she said, Jiang Mianmian didn’t respond and only looked at Yu Ruixuan with a scared expression on her face.
Thinking that Yu Ruixuan had frightened Jiang Mianmian before, she stepped forward, bent down slightly, and said warmly to Jiang Mianmian, "Mianmian, what’s wrong? Don’t like these? Tell Auntie what you like, I’ll buy it for you."
Jiang Mianmian glanced at Yu Ruixuan, shook her head timidly, and said nothing about what she liked to eat, nor did she take anything from Zhou Yanyu’s hands.
Seeing her reaction, Zhou Yanyu cursed inwardly, truly a clueless bumpkin, indeed not fit for public appearance!