Even if he refused to say so, Wang Xiangyun knew her guess could not possibly be wrong!
She said to no one in particular, “Get her to come tomorrow. I want her to draw me a picture! I want to see what kind of person she is too, for someone who could draw something like that.”
Dongfang Ming stored the painting nicely before he barked at her, “Out!”
Wang Xiangyun pretended she did not hear him and changed the topic. “Brother Ming, before I came here your mother said you’d be going back with me. She said it’s time to discuss our marriage. And, she wants a grandchild.”
Her dainty cheeks were flushed by the time she finished talking.
Dongfang Ming did not show any emotion.
He’d gotten wind of the news when he received the letter by carrier pigeon earlier. So, he was not surprised when she came.
Wang Xiangyun was right there, dreaming coyly of some sort of fantasy, before Dongfang Ming shattered her thoughts. Ruthlessly, he said, “Xiangyun, I’ll say it again. I’m not going to marry you, so it’s best you don’t waste your time on me!”
If he had wanted to take her as his wife, he would have done that two years ago. Why now?
Yet Wang Xiangyun paid him no mind and acted as though she did not care what he had just said.
Changing the topic again, she said, “Brother Ming, the rain’s not that heavy. Let’s go shopping!”
She felt that it would be quite a romantic moment for two lovers to walk in the rain, under the same umbrella.
Dongfang Ming had gotten used to her habit of changing topics.
He had said what he needed to say. If Wang Xiangyun insisted on being stubborn then the matter was out of his hands!
“Get out!” Dongfang Ming barked again. There was a ring of impatience in his tone but he kept it under control.
He did not want to spend a single moment with her. If it were not for the fact that he respected her parents and her brother, he would have chased her out and barred her from coming near him long ago.
Wang Xiangyun could sense the intolerance brewing in his tone. She knew this because they grew up together. With a pout, she got up and said, “Fine, then! I’m going! But we’re having dinner together. It’s been a while since I tasted Chef Li’s cooking, I can’t wait!”
In spite of the disappointment, she became hopeful again at the thought of having dinner with him.
And then she left the room obediently. The coachman took her to Chef Li, and she told the cook what dishes she would like to have for dinner. When she was done, she took to the streets with her umbrella.
Time passed and very soon it was time to make dinner. Ye Xuan had taken an early leave unexpectedly.
Normally, he would only leave when dinner was almost done, so what he did was quite peculiar.
Not that anyone cared!
After dinner, Aunt Li’s family stayed for a while before returning home in their cloaks.
The sky had begun to darken too, as the drizzle got heavier.
“Sis, I’m going to Yuan Fang’s place tomorrow. Will you take me there?” Liu Ran asked Liu Duo.
She smiled at him. “Of course, and when it’s over I’ll fetch you home too.”
After what happened last time, she did not trust Liu Ran to go out alone.
Even though Liu Qing had been arrested, she still had his father in mind. What if he wanted to avenge his son?
One can’t be too careful! It’s always better to be safe than sorry! In this aspect, she quite agreed with Ye Xuan.
Later, Liu Duo let him take a bath and rest up early.
“Little Duo, let’s take Ran Er to the party tomorrow. I’ll be passing by their house anyway.” Ye Liu smiled at her.
“That works too. It’s quicker to take the bullock-cart than walking.” Liu Duo liked his suggestion.