Though she often banters with her father, she still thought he was amazing in key moments.
Ming Yutong's throat felt constricted, and after a while, she managed to say, "Yes.".
"Tong Tong, you have to drink it obediently. It's good for your health," Little Jingshi advised. "Even the Chinese medicine in it was bought by Dad himself. He consulted with the old Chinese medicine doctor for a long time and memorized the dietary therapy list."
Not long after Little Jingshi finished speaking, Ming Yutong heard the class bell ringing on his side of the phone.
"Tong Tong, I have to go to class now," Little Jingshi said. "Tong Tong, kiss kiss!"
Ming Yutong felt too shy to return the "kiss kiss" in person. It felt much more awkward to say it out loud than to write it.
She quickly said goodbye to Little Jingshi, not wanting to delay his class.
After the call, Ming Yutong sat there in a daze.
She had poured out the soup that Fu Yinxiu had stayed up all night making.
She touched her chest where it hurt—a deep, internal pain, not a surface wound.
***
That evening, Ming Yutong's father took her to a social event.
She couldn't drink alcohol now and had many dietary restrictions.
She had no reason to discuss her health condition with clients, and since clients might lose their manners at a drinking table, especially with a beautiful woman like Ming Yutong, they might insist on drinking.
So Ming Yutong's father didn't let her go.
After work, Ming Yutong left by herself.
Upon leaving the company, she saw Jiang Lulian standing by the roadside, with his car parked behind him.
Ming Yutong paused slightly before walking over.
"I knew you were at the company today, so I came to see you," Jiang Lulian said with a smile.
He was smart enough not to say he was there to invite Ming Yutong to dinner or anything that might seem like he was cornering her. He knew she wouldn't like that.
So, he just came to see her and then leave.
"You haven't been at the company for a month. Not only did people in your company notice, but others also heard about it. I was quite worried, but now that I see you're okay, I'm relieved," Jiang Lulian said warmly.
"Thank you," Ming Yutong nodded.
"Do you have time coming up? If so, I'd like to invite you to dinner. If not, it's okay," Jiang Lulian asked.
Ming Yutong wanted to clarify things with Jiang Lulian, so she nodded and said, "Alright, let's go together."
Jiang Lulian was visibly pleased, his excitement clear on his face.
For a moment, he seemed unsure of what to do next.
Ming Yutong chuckled and shook her head. She didn't consider herself so exceptional to deserve Jiang Lulian's attention like this.
Compared to most women, she wasn't necessarily an ideal choice for a wife in many aspects. While she was independent and skilled in business, which Jiang Lulian liked about her, there were other factors to consider.
She was still entangled with Fu Yinxiu and even had a son with him. In most families' eyes, this was not an ideal situation.
Many parents wouldn't want their son to marry someone with her circumstances.
Professional capabilities couldn't erase other issues; from a man's perspective, her reputation was questionable, and there could be doubts about her behavior even after marriage.
She didn't quite understand why Jiang Lulian persisted despite these challenges.
Jiang Lulian had opened the car door for her and helped her in.
As soon as Jiang Lulian's car drove away, a Continental car followed at a few spaces behind.
Fu Yinxiu arrived just in time to see Jiang Lulian with Ming Yutong.
Ming Yutong appeared amiable with Jiang Lulian, which made Fu Yinxiu hesitate, unsure whether to confront her and risk making things worse.
He watched Ming Yutong get into Jiang Lulian's car and decided to follow them to a Japanese restaurant.
Fu Yinxiu frowned as he saw the restaurant; Ming Yutong shouldn't be eating cold food due to her condition. How could Jiang Lulian bring her to such a place?
Seeing Ming Yutong and Jiang Lulian enter the restaurant, Fu Yinxiu followed them in.
As he approached, he heard Jiang Lulian say, "This Japanese restaurant has good flavors and fresh ingredients. Can you eat sashimi?"
Before Ming Yutong could answer, Fu Yinxiu had already approached their table, pulled Ming Yutong up, and said, "You know you can't eat cold food right now, yet you come to a Japanese restaurant. What are you thinking? Do you not care about your health?"
Ming Yutong hadn't expected him to show up again after she had poured out the soup he made and he had left quietly, seeming to have given up.
Yet here he was, again.
Fu Yinxiu continued, casting an annoyed look at Jiang Lulian, "How can you pursue her when you don't even know if she can eat this?"
"That's enough. I can't eat raw food, but I can eat hot dishes. Mr. Fu, you're being too intrusive," Ming Yutong said in a subdued voice.
"You refuse to drink the nourishing soup I gave you, but now you come here to eat cold food?" Fu Yinxiu held Ming Yutong's hand tightly, "What's worth making you suffer like this? Don't you want to get your health back in order?"