After visiting Chunhua at the hospital and seeing her tired appearance, Cheng Su didn’t stay long. She also asked about when Liang Shurong’s parents were coming. Learning that they probably wouldn’t arrive until tomorrow, she took the initiative to say she would bring soup over in the evening.
Leaving the hospital, Cheng Su went to the city to buy gifts and headed to the Ying family’s home.
She had already planned to visit the Ying family today to celebrate the New Year. The timing was just right; she could make the visit and then go home to cook soup for Chunhua.
When she arrived at the Ying family’s home, Ying Jian wasn’t there, but Director Ying and Xiao Ya both were. Seeing Cheng Su, they jumped up happily.
"Perfect timing, it’s cold today. I was thinking of going out to buy some ingredients so we ladies can enjoy a hotpot together," Director Ying said with a smile.
"Auntie, just frying a couple of small dishes is fine, don’t go to all that trouble. I still need to rush back after lunch," Cheng Su said with a laugh, stopping her.
"Your restaurant isn’t open yet, and neither is the company. Why the rush to get back?" Director Ying asked, puzzled.
"My neighbor next door gave birth last night. Her mother-in-law hasn’t managed to come over yet, and her husband can’t cook, so I was thinking of helping out, neighbors and all. That’s why I have to go back and cook something for her," Cheng Su explained with a smile.
"She had the baby, huh? Did you go see? Is the baby cute? How does it look?" Xiao Ya asked curiously, leaning in.
Cheng Su thought for a moment and said, "Like a little monkey, face all wrinkled up."
Xiao Ya let out a "Yi" and made a disgusted face.
"Why ’Yi’? Weren’t you just like a little monkey when you were born? With your forehead all wrinkled like a bitter melon. That’s how babies look when they’re born. They’re lovely once they fill out and grow a bit, so precious," Director Ying chided.
"I thought the same thing," Cheng Su said with a light laugh.
Xiao Ya then said, "I don’t think so. When Susu has kids, they will definitely be beautiful."
"Look at you, sweet-talker. Are you angling for a red envelope?" Cheng Su teased as she pulled a red envelope from her bag and handed it over: "Here, happy New Year."
"Thank you," Xiao Ya said, all smiles as she thanked her.
"Not at all embarrassed, such a grown woman still taking red envelopes. And Susu is even younger than you," Director Ying scolded her again.
"I’m still not married, still young," Xiao Ya said unabashedly.
Director Ying couldn’t stay mad, and after looking at the time, she told Cheng Su to sit tight and went out with her basket to shop for groceries.
As soon as she left, Xiao Ya began asking Cheng Su how her trip home for the New Year was and why she returned so soon.
Cheng Su didn’t have many close friends in the city; Xiao Ya was like a best friend to her, and naturally, one shares troubling matters with close friends.
So, Cheng Su spilled the beans about the bizarre and outrageous incidents she encountered during her New Year’s visit back home to Xiao Ya.
Xiao Ya listened, wide-eyed, and said, "That sounds like someone hiding behind a mask of morality to criticize others, even using ’female virtue.’ Are you sure she’s just a woman in her fifties or sixties, and not some two-hundred-year-old witch? What era is this?"
Cheng Su laughed, "That’s exactly what I thought, probably her true form is an old-fashioned witch."
Xiao Ya giggled: "You’re bad too."
The two burst out laughing together.
"Forget it, just this one encounter, right? If you can’t face her, can’t you just avoid her? You live here, and she has nothing to do with you, no need to keep it in your heart and upset yourself," Xiao Ya advised after a while, still smiling.
Cheng Su felt much better after speaking her heart out and nodded, "You’re absolutely right."