To My Dear Mr. Huo

When Su Qingsang entered the private dining room, Xiang Caiping had already been waiting for a few minutes.

Su Qingsang felt sorry. “Aunt Xiang, have you been waiting for long?”

“Don’t worry about it. Anyway, I’m elderly and have lots of free time.” Xiang Caiping was smiling as she stood up.

“Please have a seat, Aunt Xiang. We’re family after all. There’s no need to stand on ceremony.”

Huo Jinyao knew very well that Su Qingsang was not the type of person who needed a big group of people to be around to celebrate her birthday.

Su Qingsang nodded. The trio settled into their seats and decided on the dishes they wanted to order. The server exited the room after providing them with some beverages.

Xiang Caiping retrieved a box from her bag and placed it in front of Su Qingsang. “Qingsang, this is the birthday gift I picked out for you.”

“Thank you, Aunt Xiang.” Su Qingsang received the gift and was not in a hurry to open it. “Aunt Xiang, you don’t have to be so formal with me. You already gifted me with a birthday present this morning.”

 “Did I?”

“Of course you did. That bowl of noodles was my birthday present.”

“That is too unassuming.” Xiang Caiping started gesturing to emphasize her point. “Look, in the past twenty years, I did not celebrate your birthday with you, nor did I gift you with any birthday presents. I…”

“Aunt Xiang.” Su Qingsang could not help but grab hold of Xiang Caiping’s hand. “That is all in the past. Our current relationship is all good.”

Xiang Caiping’s lips quivered. She thought of responding but somehow just felt powerless to utter any words.

Eventually, she pointed to the box. “Open it and see if what’s inside is to your liking.”

Su Qingsang opened the gift box and it revealed a set of jewelry. It consisted of a pair of earrings, a necklace, and a ring. The diamonds encrusted on the jewelry were not especially big and could not compare to the kind of jewelry with diamonds priced at tens of millions of dollars that Huo Jinyao purchased.

However, the jewelry was delicate, exquisite and exuded classic elegance. It was obvious that Xiang Caiping had put in considerable effort in picking out the gift.

“Thank you, Aunt Xiang. I love the gift.”

“That’s great. I’m glad that you like it.” Xiang Caiping took out a velvet box as she spoke. “This is your wedding gift. According to Lin City’s custom, when girls are married off, their mothers are required to gift them with gold jewelry. I was not present when you got married, hence I’m taking this opportunity to make it up to you.”

Su Qingsang stared at the box and felt the urge to cry. “There isn’t any need for this.”

“There absolutely is a need for this.” Xiang Caiping smiled and decided to tread carefully in winning Su Qingsang’s favor. “I’m aware that young people are not inclined to wear this type of accessory, but this is a symbol of the pursuit of jubilance and auspice. I hope you won’t have any aversion towards it.”

“Why would I? I really like it. Thank you, Aunt Xiang.”

With regards to Xiang Caiping’s kind intentions, Su Qingsang only felt gratitude. How could she ever have an aversion to a gift from this woman?

The dining atmosphere was positive and harmonious. Su Qingsang watched as Xiang Caiping wore a sheepish look, while actively getting food for her. It made her feel surreal.

Thinking of the decision she had made this morning, Su Qingsang scooped a bowl of soup for Xiang Caiping indiscriminately. “Mother, this soup is good for skin nourishment. Have more of it.”

“Sure.” Xiang Caiping nodded. The hand she was holding chopsticks with suddenly became shaky. “What…what did you address me as?”

Huo Jinyao had already predicted that this day would come; he was not the least bit surprised.

Su Qingsang used her chopsticks to get more vegetables for Xiang Caiping again. “Mother, have some vegetables.”

Xiang Caiping’s eyes turned red and shimmered with tears, even her hands were trembling.

Su Qingsang felt a little awkward too. Taking such a step forward appeared to have taken her little time. Deep down, she knew that Xiang Caiping was genuinely trying to make up all of the time she had lost with her.

What happened in the past was not wholly Xiang Caiping’s fault.

Su Qingsang was not a stone-hearted person and she was fully aware of the care and mindfulness that Xiang Caiping had showered her with recently.

Xiang Caiping was worthy of being addressed as ‘mother’ by Su Qingsang.