Chapter 650: 339 Aunt_3
Lin Qingâs face lit up with a smile, âI canât take credit for that. Her master taught her well, and Iâm the one at fault for owing her too much.â
âItâs alright, thereâll be plenty of time to make up for it in the future. Youâre her biological mother, she wonât blame you.â
The words touched Lin Qingâs heart. Seeing the face that resembled her younger self, she felt a growing sense of affection and satisfaction.
âDonât leave tonight, stay at home. Iâll have someone arrange a room for you. The day after tomorrow is Grannyâs birthday celebration, and Iâll bring you with me. From now on, youâll be my niece and Ming Jingâs cousin. Nobody will dare bully you in Jiangzhou again.â
Lin Qing was determined to keep her close, after hearing that even a school beauty dared to casually bully her. If Ming Jing hadnât happened to come across her that day, who knows what would have happened to this child.
It was perfect timing as Zhu Xiangxiang had gone abroad, and her room could be given to Lin Ya.
Ming Jing saving Lin Ya must have been due to their cousinly fate.
Lin Ya graciously accepted without any pretense of modesty.
Lin Qing was pleased with her tact, for if she had any ulterior motives, she would have declined to show she wasnât after the Zhusâ wealth. This girl simply agreed, which put Lin Qing at ease.
Lin Qing instructed Li Juan to prepare a guest room, as she chatted with Lin Ya about various matters. Lin Ya responded appropriately, and the two quickly became as close as mother and daughter.
Lin Qing slipped off her jade bangle from her wrist and put it on Lin Yaâs: âThis is my gift to you, my niece. I hope you wonât find it too offensive.â
Lin Yaâs wrists were thin, and the bangle almost slipped off. She hurriedly removed it and handed it back to Lin Qing, âThis is too valuable, Auntie, I cannot accept it.â
âYou must take it since your aunt gave it to you.â
âThank you, Auntie. I guess Iâll have to put on some weight to wear such a beautiful jade bangle.â
Lin Qing suddenly remembered that she had given Ming Jing a jade bangle when she first returned to the Zhus, but it had been too loose for Ming Jing, who was even thinner than Lin Ya. The bangle would fall off her wrist the moment she tried to wear it.
She never saw Ming Jing wear it again, and when Ming Jing left the Zhu family, she returned everything, including that jade bangle.
Lin Qing couldnât help but blame herself. No wonder Ming Jing had never warmed up to her.
Lin Qing received a phone call stating that there was an issue with the hotel hosting the banquet, which required her attention. She told Lin Ya a few things before rushing out.
At that moment, Lin Qing and Zhu Wentao returned home one after the other. Lin Qing saw the two cousins being affectionate and her smile deepened.
âUncle, hello. Iâm Xiao Ya.â Lin Ya greeted him respectfully.
Zhu Wentao looked at Lin Ya and paused.
She resembled a young Lin Qing so much, but with a touch more of gentleness and quiet beauty.
No one would doubt their relationship if they claimed to be mother and daughter.
Zhu Xiangxiang watched this scene thoughtfully.
Once everyone was seated, Lin Ya calmly served soup for the three elders without any sign of panic. âGranny, Madam Zhou mentioned that you have weak spleen and stomach. I made this yam and mushroom porridge specially for you. Itâs been simmering for a long time and is very light, fragrant, and nourishing for the spleen and stomach. Please try it.â
Granny Zhu took a sip and nodded with satisfaction, âThe taste is quite good; youâre very thoughtful, child.â
âCompared to Cousin Ming Jing, Iâm not so great. Donât praise me too much, Granny, or I might become arrogant.â
Granny Zhu laughed, âYou little girl and your sweet talk ...â
Zhu Xiangxiang found it hard to swallow, even though the taste was excellent. âCousin, didnât your family decide not to have any dealings with our family? What brought you here all of a sudden? Nobody visits temples without reason.â
Lin Qing frowned and scolded her, âXiangxiang!â
Lin Ya gave a faint smile, looking at Lin Qing, âI just wanted to see my aunt, thatâs all.â
Only you know what youâre up to. Zhu Xiangxiang put down her chopsticks, âIâm full.â She then got up and went upstairs.
Lin Qing sighed regretfully, âIâve spoiled that child. Xiao Ya, donât take her seriously.â
âAunt, thatâs not true. Cousin Xiangxiang is your precious daughter, and itâs only natural for you to spoil her. By the way, where is Cousin Ming Jing?â
Lin Qingâs face stiffened slightly.
Zhu Xiangxiang paused at the stairs, gritting her teeth with hatred.
Lin Ya, that wretched woman, must have come here on purpose just to annoy her.