"Go ahead!" Mr. Hai nodded in satisfaction, "It’s cold outside, let the driver take you."
"Grandpa, I love you the most." Hai Lan sneered inwardly, look at that! Previously, she had asked for a ride but was refused. Now that she didn’t mention it, they offered voluntarily.
Thus, achieving one’s goals didn’t always require bulldozing through; that would just make one seem mindless.
Hai Lan, playing coy, took Elder Hai’s arm, "Grandpa, you see I’ve recognized my mistakes and have deeply reflected. When can I rejoin the troupe?" She couldn’t wait to face those folks with her new persona.
"Hmm," the elder pondered for a moment, "End of the month then! There’s an event at the Research Institute."
"Great! Thank you, grandpa..."
After cajoling her grandfather, Hai Lan took his private car to the Qianjin Dance Troupe’s main office.
In the office, Su Yun looked somewhat haggard with pale lips, dabbing on a bit of lipstick to brighten her complexion.
She had petulantly stayed nearly a month in the hospital. Except for Xingzhi, who visited her regularly, no one in her family came to see her.
Her waiting turned into gradual disappointment, and then slowly to despair. Previously, even a slight headache or fever would have the entire family fussing over her relentlessly. Her older brother, far in the south, would often call telling her to rest more.
But... that was no more! Ever since they learned she had a daughter in the countryside, the treatment she used to receive had ceased.
They only cared about Sheng Ning, treating her like she was invisible.
She had been in the hospital for so long, yet not a single person visited, nor did they call. Eventually, her father called her, only to scold her, saying she was occupying a senior leader’s hospital room, and that it was a waste of national resources.
Su Yun felt heartache as if being cut by knives.
Her feelings towards this daughter were already complicated and after this incident, she was even more unsure how to face her.
Just thinking about it made her scalp tingle and her temples throb with pain.
"Main office, Miss Hai Lan is here."
"Come in!" Su Yun saw Hai Lan walk around from behind the desk and warmly embraced her.
"My dear, you’ve worked hard! I know about your situation, but I’m sorry I couldn’t help you," Su Yun comforted her.
"Auntie, don’t feel bad, it was my own fault. I came today to see you."
"That’s so sweet of you! I wish I had a daughter like you."
Hai Lan’s expression turned bitter, "Auntie, don’t you already have a daughter? I’m really worried that you won’t like me anymore because of her."
Su Yun’s expression froze, taking a while to recover, "How could that be? You are my daughter-in-law!"
"Thank you, Auntie. I’d rather be your daughter-in-law so I can be by your side forever."
"Great! Come to our house for dinner tonight; I’ll cook, and I’ll also call Meng Ping to come back."
"Thank you, Auntie! I’ve been looking for him for a long time but couldn’t find him. If it wasn’t for your call, I don’t know when I would have seen him." Achieving both her aims for the day, Hai Lan smiled smugly to herself.
Seems like Auntie Su Yun doesn’t like Sheng Ning much, that’s good!
"Why so formal with me? If you have time, come and visit me more often. Meng Ping, that kid, always busy with who knows what outside!"
"Auntie, Meng Ping is busy making money to take care of you!"
"You’re just sweet-talking, knowing Auntie was feeling down and came specially to cheer me up!" Su Yun’s mood significantly brightened because of Hai Lan.
A daughter like Hai Lan is really a treasure, so considerate!