"Just pretend that I am coaxing you, doesn’t that also mean I value Mom a lot?" The mother and son joked their way downstairs, but on the way, they bumped into Song Xiaoyang, who hurriedly came over. Yang Xing looked surprised: "Xiao Yang, how come you’re here?"
"I’m your best friend, how could I not come when you’re getting engaged?" The sadness in Song Xiaoyang’s eyes was evident, yet her face still had a sweet smile. Wang Liqing felt a bit sad for a moment and hugged her: "You dear child, if I had known this would happen, I wouldn’t have told you."
Song Xiaoyang warmly huged Wang Liqing: "Auntie, you told me about this because you don’t see me as an outsider. I’m really happy. After hanging up the phone, I hesitated for a long time before deciding to come. Ye’er is my sworn sister, and Yang Xing is my best friend. How could I miss such an important day?"
"Maybe Auntie misspoke. Today is just both families having a meal together to discuss this matter, it’s not an engagement ceremony, not that significant." Wang Liqing tenderly stroked Song Xiaoyang’s slightly disheveled hair: "You must be tired from the journey. Right, did your family know you’re here?"
"They don’t know, I didn’t tell them." Song Xiaoyang smiled and looked at Yang Xing: "Why aren’t you saying anything? I’ve come all this way, and you’re not the slightest bit touched?"
"Touched, ha... very touched, it’s just I feel kind of sorry for you. Xiao Yang, thank you, really, thank you!" Yang Xing was genuinely earnest, just before when he saw Song Xiaoyang, he thought she had come to make trouble, but to his surprise, she came with such generosity, which made him feel a bit guilty.
"I’ve pursued you for so many years and still haven’t made you fall for me, it shows that I’m not good enough. However, knowing that you’ve found someone you truly like, I’m happy for you, and I hope you can be happy." Song Xiaoyang smiled shyly: "Auntie, don’t laugh at how cheesy my words are, I really feel this way."
"Xiao Yang, you really make one feel heartbroken." Wang Liqing didn’t know what to say for a moment, she understood that this child was also fighting for her last shred of hope, but no matter what, she was moved by her genuine feelings for her son.
Yang Xing looked slightly uneasy at Song Xiaoyang: "Xiao Yang, Mom and I are going to pick up Luo Ye and Aunt Wen and the others, do you want to come along, or..."
Song Xiaoyang struggled with her emotions: "I haven’t seen Luo Ye for a long time, and I really miss her. I just don’t know if she’ll be upset to see me, especially since some things have changed."
Wang Liqing sighed: "Xiao Yang, come with us. Luo Ye is a sensible girl. You’ve come all this way, she will understand."
"Thank you, Auntie!" Song Xiaoyang beamed with gratitude, silently sighing in relief.
"Ye’er, are you happy to see me?" Knocking on the Luo Family’s door, Song Xiaoyang was the first to bounce in.
"Sister Xiaoyang, I’m so delighted to see you, I’ve missed you to death!" Luo Ye enthusiastically hugged Song Xiaoyang, feeling like long-lost sisters reuniting, which somewhat stunned Song Xiaoyang.
"Sister-in-law, sorry to trouble you to come here, we really appreciate it." Wen Xin quickly greeted them.
Wang Liqing smiled and linked arms with Wen Xin: "Yang Xing couldn’t wait any longer, wanted to come get you all, ha ha, we are going to be relatives soon, why so formal?"
Wen Xin’s face turned unnaturally and she laughed awkwardly: "Then let’s go now." She covered her discomfit by turning her head and calling out: "Dad, Feng’er, time to go."
"Sister Xiaoyang, when did you arrive?" Luo Ye affectionately hooked her arm around Song Xiaoyang all the way, which only made Song Xiaoyang more unsure, was she truly oblivious, or did she not care, or was she pretending, or...
"I just arrived not long ago, how could I not come when I heard of my sworn sister’s big day, wouldn’t that be rude?" Song Xiaoyang laughed and pulled out a gift box: "Here’s an early present for you."
Luo Ye quickly pushed it back: "Sister Xiaoyang, hold off on that, it would be better to give the gift at the right time."
"What’s the difference between sooner or later?" Song Xiaoyang asked, puzzled but smiling.
"It’s different." Luo Ye coyly smiled: "You’ll find out when the time comes."
As they arrived at the courtyard entrance, a taxi drove by. Yang Xing quickly hailed it: "Aunt Wen, you, Grandpa, and Mom go first, we’ll wait for the next one."
When the next car arrived, Yang Xing’s chivalrous decision to take the passenger seat caused Luo Feng, who had been extremely irritated by his persistent courting, to sweep him an accidental glance, and his impression improved just a touch.
Song Xiaoyang didn’t mention the gift again after getting in the car, instead, she started chatting with Luo Ye about this and that. Mou Ye’s lips curled with a barely-there smile, feeling happy — today is indeed a good day!