The mood of those in the living room turned a little sour because of that matter about Zhou Zhuoyang’s family; fortunately, Zhang Manhua and Pei Ge were not the type to harp on things .
Thus, under Liu Yan’s persistent and purposeful leading, the mood quickly eased .
Seeing that Zhang Manhua and Liu Yan had resumed their pleasant talk, Tang Xiaoyu could not help but remark to Pei Ge, “Our mom is so big-hearted . She can actually quickly discard her annoyance and have a happy chat with your second auntie . ”
“We are one family, after all, so we don’t need to be calculative . ” Pei Ge gave her a resigned look .
While they were at fault for making things awkward today, the situation was at least not at a dead end as Zhou Zhuoyang’s family could not make it today, so her mother could only turn a blind eye to it . They were, after all, still family .
“Heh…’One family’, huh . ” She mirthlessly nudged her lips and seemed to disagree with her words .
Pei Ge, who was used to her attitude, merely smiled lightly .
They continued to chat in the living room until the sky turned dark and Pei Zhenghui arrived .
“Ah Hui, you are finally back . Elder Sister-in-law and Ge Ge have been waiting for so long . ” Liu Yan got up off the sofa to welcome him with a smile when he entered the living room .
He handed over his office bag to the housekeeper and looked toward Pei Ge and Zhang Manhua . Greeting them, he directed his attention to Tang Xiaoyu, who was by Pei Ge’s side .
“This is?”
“Oh, that’s Mr . Tang’s daughter, our elder brother’s friend who opened a toy factory . Her name is Tang Xiaoyu . ” Before Zhang Manhua could introduce Tang Xiaoyu, Liu Yan quickly did it for her .
He nodded his head in acknowledgement and then amiably asked, “It’s Xiaoyu, huh . How is your dad recently? I trust he is doing fine?”
“My dad is fine and healthy,” she faintly raised her eyebrow and replied curtly .
One could really not tell that he used to be an unemployed bum when he acted like this .
The world was truly full of mysteries and miracles .
“Mhm, I really didn’t expect for you to stay in touch with Ge Ge even now . ” He chuckled .
“Of course, I will stay in touch . Ge Ge is my best friend, after all . ” She smiled lightly in return . She seemed to be wearing a mask the way she was behaving right now, which was very different from the usual her .
“Ah Hui, where is our daughter?” Noticing that their daughter was not with him, she quickly asked this .
“Shishi and Zhuoyang are slightly behind . They’ll be here soon,” he replied .
“Oh, I see . We can begin having dinner, then . ” Liu Yan nodded and smiled at him .
“Yes, let’s start eating . ” The head of the household, Pei Zhenghui, nodded and turned to walk into the dining room .
“Let’s go to the dining area to have dinner . I am already famished . ” Liu Yan hooked her arm through Zhang Manhua’s with a grin .
Pei Ge was startled by Liu Yan acting intimate with her mother .
What’s wrong with second auntie today? Why does she seem very passionate and welcoming of me and my mother?
“The weasel is paying a chicken a New Year’s visit . Something is definitely not right here,” Tang Xiaoyu whispered to Pei Ge once she saw the latter staring wonderingly at Liu Yan and Zhang Manhua’s backs .
Pei Ge did not comment on this and only silently glared at her best friend .
Everyone following behind Pei Zhenghui reached the dining area when Pei Shishi and Zhou Zhuoyang arrived .
“Elder Auntie, Ge Ge!” Pei Shishi excitedly greeted them the moment she came in .
Zhang Manhua smiled at Pei Shishi’s excited greeting .
Pei Ge, who loved her cousin the most in the past, only lightly smiled at their entrance .
“Hm? This must be Tang Xiaoyu, right?” Pei Shishi smiled at Tang Xiaoyu, who was sitting beside Pei Ge .
“Hm? Shishi, you actually still remember your Uncle Tang’s daughter?” Liu Yan looked at her daughter in shock .
“He he! It’s been many years, so I of course don’t remember . Just that I know Ge Ge has only been keeping in touch with Tang Xiaoyu all these years . ” Her lips slightly curled up as she gently spoke these words .
Those who did not know better would assume that she was really close to Pei Ge .
However, the astute Tang Xiaoyu, who had been living overseas for years, could tell the meaning behind her words .
What did she mean by Ge Ge only keeping in touch with me? She’s clearly implying that Ge Ge only has one friend .
Tang Xiaoyu glanced up at Pei Shishi and eyed her coldly .
She laughed once she saw her face, though .
“Ho, Sister Shishi, you had your nose done in Japan, right?” Tang Xiaoyu was smiling until her eyes narrowed into slits, yet this smile never reached her eyes .
Pei Shishi’s expression froze at this, and she quickly refuted her insinuation, “I haven’t had a plastic surgery . ”
“That’s right, Xiaoyu . You, child, are so humorous . Our Shishi is all-natural . She doesn’t need any plastic surgery . ” Liu Yan tried to diffuse the situation for Pei Shishi by laughing it off .
Tang Xiaoyu only snorted and nudged her lips . “Natural? Is that so? It doesn’t look like it . Sister Shishi’s nose bridge wasn’t this high in the past . ”
“You can never tell what a girl will look like when she grows into womanhood . ” Liu Yan chuckled as she looked at her, but the affection in her eyes were gone by now .
“Xiaoyu, stop it . ” Pei Ge could feel the air in the dining area getting heavier and quickly admonished her best friend softly .
“He he! Sister Shishi, don’t mind me . I just have a colleague who went to Japan for plastic surgery and her nose looks exactly like yours . ” She knew she should not push it, so she quickly apologized to her once she noted the grim faces of Pei Shishi family .
Tsk! I would bear her surname if she really didn’t go under the knife!