Chapter 238 - 237: Final Decision
Upon hearing Yiyi’s words, Guo Ming nodded with a smile and said, "Yes, indeed, there is some good news. Let’s head over first and catch up while eating."
When the four of them arrived at the Shangjing Restaurant, they made their way directly to the table Guo Ming had reserved in advance.
"Yiyi, take a look at what you’d like to eat and order a bit more." Guo Ming handed the menu to Yiyi, letting her order freely.
Yiyi didn’t hold back, ordering whatever she felt like eating.
Then Mo Ping and Ding Yuejun each ordered one or two dishes, while Guo Ming looked at the menu and added an abalone and vermicelli dish along with steamed sea bass.
Seeing Guo Ming still ordering, Yiyi quickly said, "Master, there’s already enough food, ordering much more would just be a waste since we can’t finish it all."
Upon hearing his apprentice, Guo Ming finally stopped ordering more dishes.
While waiting for the food, Yiyi glanced up to see Shu Yunfang accompanied by an elegant elderly lady and a beautiful middle-aged woman approaching.
Shu Yunfang, of course, saw Yiyi as well. Her expression was quite unpleasant, feeling as though every meal she’d run into the detestable Mo Yiyi. But today she had specially invited her grandmother to dine, so there couldn’t be any mistakes. She merely glared at Yiyi briefly before walking straight ahead without a sideways glance.
However, the elegant elderly lady walking beside Shu Yunfang glanced at Yiyi and her mother, then casually turned her gaze away, continuing to follow her granddaughter forward.
Though it was just a passing glance, Yiyi felt a chill down her spine.
Whether it was her imagination or not, the older woman’s gaze seemed too cold, chilling her to the core, and Ding Yuejun felt it too. She couldn’t help but ask her daughter, "Who were those three just now, and why were they looking at us like that?"
Hearing her mother’s comment, Yiyi knew she hadn’t imagined it. Besides Shu Yunfang, that elderly woman was also hostile towards them. Was it because she was now Gu Tingyu’s girlfriend, and that lady was siding with Shu Yunfang?
"Mom, it’s nothing, just a few unrelated people."
Today’s rare treat from her master meant they should enjoy the meal cheerfully and not let unrelated people affect their mood.
On the other side, after settling down with her mother and grandmother, Shu Yunfang quickly handed the menu to her grandmother and said, "Grandma, the food here is really good. Pick what you like, today we should eat abundantly."
Chen Meilian took the menu and casually ordered two dishes.
"Alright, just these then. What can’t we eat at home? No need to come out. When you next have a day off, come with your mom to Grandma’s house, so the kitchen can prepare your favorites, which taste much better than these restaurant meals."
Beside her, Ding Yating laughed and said, "Yes Yunfang, we should just go to Grandma’s house next time."
Upon hearing this, Shu Yunfang smiled quickly and replied, "Great, then next time I’ll want Kung Pao Chicken, it’s the most authentic at Grandma’s place."
"Of course, I’ll make sure you eat to your heart’s content."
Seeing this coquettish side of her granddaughter, Chen Meilian’s expression relaxed, a smile lighting up her features. But recalling the people she’d seen in the hall earlier, she couldn’t help but ask Shu Yunfang, "Yunfang, what was going on with that mother-daughter pair? You kept looking at them."
At these words, Shu Yunfang’s expression soured slightly. She quickly responded, "Grandma, it’s rare for us to dine out together, so let’s not talk about unhappy things."
However, Chen Meilian’s gaze was fixed solemnly on Shu Yunfang.
Seeing this, Shu Yunfang hastily relayed the matter.
"Grandma, that girl you saw is Mo Yiyi. She’s the one Gu Tingyu chose to date, and... I just can’t accept it! I’ve known Brother Tingyu since we were kids. I’ve liked him since I was little. How could he choose such a girl as his girlfriend? How could he not like me?"
Since childhood, Shu Yunfang had feared her grandmother just slightly, so whenever Chen Meilian had a stern face, she’d immediately spill the beans. But as the words continued, her grievances seemed to deepen, even her eyes reddening slightly.
Seeing her situation, Ding Yating quickly said, "Alright Yunfang, let’s not be upset. If Gu Tingyu can’t recognize your worth, then we won’t want him. Mom will certainly find you a perfect match later."
"But I only like Brother Tingyu, I don’t want anyone else, I just want him."
Tears streaked Shu Yunfang’s face, filled with sorrow and dissatisfaction. She’d adored Gu Tingyu all along, yet it ended with no resolution, leaving her truly unwilling.
Observing her granddaughter like this, Chen Meilian frowned directly and said, "Enough, crying over a man, what does this look like? If you’re not content, then fight for it. Do you think you’re lesser than Mo Yiyi?"
Hearing these words, Shu Yunfang quickly wiped her tears, looking at Chen Meilian with some disbelief, "Grandma, are you supporting me? Does that mean... can I keep pursuing Brother Tingyu?"
Beside her, Ding Yating looked at her mother with some disapproval, "Mom, since Gu Tingyu doesn’t appreciate Yunfang, why insist on him? Yunfang can find someone better."
"Mom, I only like Brother Tingyu, no one else will do."
Seeing her mother’s disagreement, Shu Yunfang hastily clarified her feelings.
"If that’s the case, then let Gu Tingyu marry into the Shu Family. I refuse to believe the Gu Family would give up on Yunfang and choose Mo Yiyi instead. A girl from the countryside should stay in the countryside, why come to Shangjing?" By the end, Chen Meilian’s gaze was deep.
Feeling her grandmother’s support, Shu Yunfang was thrilled.
"That’s amazing, Grandma! If the family steps in, I’m sure the Gu Family will let Brother Tingyu be with me. I refuse to believe that I, Shu Yunfang, the precious granddaughter of the Ding Family, the Shu Family’s jewel, would be inferior to a countryside girl."
Seeing her daughter this way, Ding Yating remained uneasy.
"Mom, Yunfang as the Ding Family’s granddaughter surely won’t worry about finding a suitable match. Why insist on Gu Tingyu, who is emotionally attached elsewhere? Why not simply find someone better for Yunfang? Even if eventually the Gu Family complies due to pressure from the Ding Family and agrees to Yunfang and Gu Tingyu’s marriage, it will ultimately be Yunfang who bears the burden of an unhappy union."
At her mother’s words, Shu Yunfang quickly countered, "Mom, you’re overthinking it. Once I’m married to Brother Tingyu, he’ll definitely live harmoniously with me. We won’t become a pair of unhappy couples."
Seeing her daughter’s stubbornness, Ding Yating wanted to say more.
Yet Chen Meilian glanced at Ding Yating and said, "Yating, surely you don’t think your daughter is inferior to a countryside woman’s daughter?"
"Mom, that’s not what I meant, I..."
"Alright, if that’s not the case then we should support Yunfang’s interest. Since she likes Gu Tingyu, we should fulfill her wishes." Chen Meilian directly interrupted her daughter, making the decision.