Chapter 87 Childhood Sweethearts
Jiang Yao knew that He Yunqing’s family was wealthy, but she had never expected it to be so extravagant—wealth on a scale unimaginable to ordinary people.
Following He Yunqing out of the car, Jiang Yao stood before the house, which resembled a grand estate, feeling somewhat overwhelmed. He Yunqing seemed to sense her unease; silently, he squeezed her hand in reassurance and led her inside.
They walked through a lush, vibrant little garden before finally reaching the main house. Upon entering, the interior was even more opulent and refined. At the door, a housekeeper was already waiting, offering a slight bow to He Yunqing. “Young Master, you’re home. The Master is in the tea room, speaking with guests.”
“Guests?” He Yunqing asked.
“You didn’t know? It’s been arranged for some time. Today, Mr. Jin and Miss Jin are visiting.”
He Yunqing glanced at Aileen. Aileen lifted her chin, feigning ignorance as she strode into the house.
“And this young lady is…?” The housekeeper politely inquired upon noticing Jiang Yao’s unfamiliar face.
“Oh, I’m—”
“She’s Jiang Yao, my girlfriend,” He Yunqing replied succinctly and without reservation.
The housekeeper’s eyes widened in surprise, gesturing for them to proceed. Even after the two entered, she kept shaking her head in disbelief.
It seemed tonight’s dinner would not be comfortable. Then again, when had any meal He Yunqing attended at home ever been truly pleasant?
“Hey, who are Mr. Jin and Miss Jin?” Jiang Yao whispered to He Yunqing. “Is it inconvenient for me to be here since your family has guests?”
He Yunqing shook his head and patiently explained, “Uncle Jin is an old friend of my father’s; he watched me grow up. As for Miss Jin—”
He hadn’t finished when a girl in a rose-colored dress came running from the tea room, her joyful manner reminiscent of a lively lark, straight into He Yunqing’s arms.
“Yunqing, you’re finally back!”
She was truly beautiful, from head to toe, even her hair radiated refinement. Her voice was melodious, and her clothes were obviously expensive. Clearly, she was a girl raised in luxury from childhood.
Jiang Yao glanced down at her own outfit—just a plain white T-shirt and jeans. Quietly, she withdrew her hand from He Yunqing’s grasp, watching as the girl affectionately clung to him.
“The last time I came, I didn’t see you. I know you’re busy, but are you so busy you’ve forgotten me?” the girl pouted prettily.
He Yunqing smiled helplessly at her antics. “It’s been a while; you’ve grown taller.”
“How could I still be growing at my age?” She rolled her eyes at him, then finally noticed Jiang Yao beside him. “Who is she?”
Before He Yunqing could reply, an elderly man’s laughter rang out. “Ha ha, Nana is still so close with Yunqing.”
“Nana, mind your manners,” another man’s voice admonished.
Looking toward the sound, two men in their fifties or sixties emerged from the tea room, walking side by side, clearly close companions—no doubt, He Yunqing’s father and Mr. Jin.
He Yunqing immediately bowed politely. “Uncle Jin.”
Mr. Jin laughed heartily. “It’s been so long since I’ve seen Yunqing, but it’s good for young people to be busy.”
“Yunqing, I heard you were injured? Let me see, how bad is it? How did it happen?” As she spoke, Jin Nana reached to pull at He Yunqing’s clothes.
Mr. Jin cleared his throat. “Nana!”
Nana pouted. “What’s the big deal? Yunqing and I grew up together; there’s nothing between us we haven’t seen.”
Mr. Jin shook his head lightly. “This child.” Then his gaze shifted to Jiang Yao, standing beside He Yunqing. “And who might this young lady be?”
He Yunqing smiled as he introduced her. “This is Jiang Yao, my girlfriend.”
With those words, the room fell silent, the air heavy and still; even the sound of a needle dropping would be audible.
Jin Nana tilted her head, scrutinizing Jiang Yao. He Huai’an’s gaze swept over her with a polite but distant nod, then he turned to He Yunqing. “It’s normal for young people to date, but you should focus on your career.”
“What career? The one you’ve always opposed?” He Yunqing retorted bluntly.
He Yunqing’s father, He Huai’an, had always opposed his son’s choice to pursue a career in entertainment, preferring him to inherit the hospital. This was the first time that He Huai’an had spoken the words, “focus on your career.”
How ironic…
He Huai’an frowned and cleared his throat. “Aileen, go check if dinner is ready.”
Aileen poked her head out, “I just checked—it’s ready.”
He Huai’an nodded. “Come, everyone, let’s eat. Miss Jiang, please don’t be shy.”
They all took their seats in the dining room. A stylish woman in her fifties arrived late. Despite her age, it was clear she had been a beauty in her youth, and years of careful maintenance had kept her figure slim.
She entered, carrying a strong scent of perfume, walked past the others, and sat beside He Huai’an, offering an elegant smile. “I apologize, I overslept during my beauty rest and arrived late.”
After a brief silence, Mr. Jin laughed, “No need to be so formal, sister-in-law; we’re all family here.”
As he finished, Jin Nana echoed his laughter.
He Yunqing said nothing, never even glancing at the woman. He lowered his head and began eating quietly.
Jiang Yao didn’t need to know all the details to sense the strange tension around the table. She sneaked a look at the woman, then at He Yunqing, and guessed the situation.
“Yunqing, you haven’t seen Aunt Yu in so long, shouldn’t you greet her instead of just eating?” He Huai’an said.
He Yunqing acted as if he hadn’t heard, ladling a bowl of soup for Jiang Yao, offering her a small smile. “This soup is good. Try it.”
Jiang Yao awkwardly accepted it, glanced around, and tasted it under everyone’s gaze. “It’s nice.”
“Yunqing!” He Yunqing’s attitude left He Huai’an somewhat embarrassed.
“Dad,” Aileen interjected, “Yunqing rarely comes home.”
He Huai’an looked at his son and grunted.
The woman addressed as “Aunt Yu” parted her red lips and gently patted He Huai’an’s shoulder. “Yes, Huai’an, it’s rare for Yunqing to come home. If he doesn’t greet me, so be it—I’m used to it after all these years.”