Feng Yuzhi saw the braised beef An Hao had made and instantly beamed: "I was just saying that I wanted to make braised beef after looking through some recipes, and here you are delivering it to me. You’re so thoughtful, thank you, Auntie!"
"You don’t need to thank me! I should be the one thanking Yan Huan. I owe her a lot today..."
"That’s as it should be. We all live in the same courtyard, after all. I had some dissatisfaction with you before, and neither I nor Yan Huan gave you a warm welcome at that time. Don’t take it to heart," said Feng Yuzhi.
"It’s all water under the bridge, Auntie. I don’t take it to heart," replied An Hao with a smile. "I can actually understand your feelings because, after all... "
An Hao did not finish her sentence, but her meaning was quite clear.
After all, who doesn’t wish for their daughter to find a good match?
"Indeed." An Hao’s words struck a chord with Feng Yuzhi. "You see how young you were when you got married. Then there are Yan Huan and Yan Ye, each of them giving me cause for concern. Today, I heard that you ran into some trouble and she went to help out a little; fortunately, you all came out alright, but she ended up being targeted. Thankfully, a boy rescued her. Auntie wants to ask if you know who that boy is?"
"Ah? Yan Huan ran into danger?" This was something An Hao had not been aware of at all.
"That’s not important." Since her daughter was out of danger, what mattered was who helped her. "She’s fine. Someone rescued her. Do you know who the other party might be?"
"Auntie, I really don’t know," said An Hao, understanding Feng Yuzhi’s feelings but feeling somewhat powerless. "It happened after we parted ways..."
"Indeed, I’m getting ahead of myself," said Feng Yuzhi, patting her own forehead. "Here’s the thing. Could you do me a favor? If you happen to find out later, could you tell me, please? And about Yan Ye, since you’re in the same school, if you see anything going on with him, could you also let me know?"
An Hao laughed: "Sure, Auntie. I understand. It’s getting late; I should be heading back."
"Alright. Let me walk you out," Feng Yuzhi stood up to accompany her.
"No need, I’ll go send her off," Yan Huan said, munching on an apple as she came down from upstairs and directly escorted An Hao to the door.
"If you have something to say to me, just speak your mind," An Hao paused.
"How did you know I have something to say to you?" Yan Huan asked.
"Isn’t it obvious? When have you ever taken the initiative to see me off? Each time you see me, the look in your eyes is either one of disgust or hatred. It’s the first time you’ve been ," An Hao replied.
Yan Huan tugged at the corner of her mouth: "You guessed right. Hey, I heard everything you said to my mom. Don’t meddle in our sibling affairs! And don’t you dare tell my mom! If I end up having a miserable life because of Old Feng, I won’t let you live a good life either."
An Hao, seeing Yan Huan acting tough, curved her lips in a smile: "Is this a threat or a plea?"
"I suppose it’s both," Yan Huan said, having finished her apple and tossing the core neatly into the trash bin, "Just because I helped you doesn’t mean our relationship has improved."
"So what you mean is we continue to harbour mutual animosity?" An Hao countered.
"What do you think?" Yan Huan rolled her eyes.
"Fine then. If that’s the case, why should I agree to your request?" An Hao laughed. "I should, before you have a chance to make my life difficult, plunge you into the dire straits Auntie has created for you!"
"An Hao!!!" Yan Huan burst out in anger.
An Hao lifted her chin, looking at her.
"Fine! Consider it a plea," Yan Huan decided to set aside her prejudices against An Hao. With no more designs on Qin Jian, An Hao was no longer her enemy.