CHAPTER 258: CHAPTER 209 LENG NING’S BIRTHDAY_3

"Good!" Leng Mochen nodded calmly.

Lei Ming’s hand was big, and when Li Si observed him shaking hands with Leng Mochen, it really felt like a stark contrast—like black and white, or like meat sandwiched between bread.

Since everyone here was young and eager to get along, it didn’t take long before they became familiar with one another.

Leng Ning’s close friends were meeting her elder brother’s girlfriend for the first time, so their eyes carried curious and gossipy looks, but without ill intent.

The gift from Leng Mochen and Li Si was a car key for a new BMW model, ready for pick-up at any time; Lei Ming’s gift was a vintage ring, and the group teased him to put it on Leng Ning’s finger. Eventually, amidst the blushes of both, the ring was gently placed onto the middle finger of her left hand.

Then everyone started chanting, "Kiss! Kiss!"

After fulfilling everyone’s wish, they made a birthday wish, blew out candles, and smeared cake on faces—none of it was missing. With Lei Ming protecting Leng Ning, the attacks mostly targeted him, leaving cream marks on his face and adding a touch of cuteness to his otherwise firm demeanor.

Li Si, on the other hand, had the intimidating presence of Leng Mochen shielding her, as well as his age advantage over everyone else, so no one dared to mess with her. Leng Ning behaved unusually well, seemingly still brooding over something from before, and didn’t show too much excitement tonight.

After the playful chaos, when the classmates had left, only the four of them remained, planning to chat for a while longer.

Leng Mochen and Lei Ming were over there discussing men’s topics while Leng Ning glanced at Li Si several times, wanting to say something but stopping herself each time.

Li Si smiled and asked her, "Xiao Ning, you’ve been so distracted all evening. Is there something you need to tell me?" Li Si felt that Leng Ning couldn’t be compared with Mrs. Leng, which is why she chose to attend her birthday celebration.

Leng Ning finally made up her mind. "Sisi, I already know about what happened yesterday. I’m sure you’re not to blame. I want to apologize on behalf of my mother—she was completely in the wrong this time!"

She was originally following her brother’s advice and tried to keep it from Li Si, but now that Li Si had already seen the child, there was no point in hiding anything. She decided to lay out her thoughts openly.

Facing Li Si, she felt guilty. Li Si was so kind, and her relationship with her brother was good, yet her mother had been so blinded as to bring Qian Rouxuan’s child home. Who could bear knowing that?

Li Si had already guessed the truth, and she brushed it off casually. "Xiao Ning, so this is what you wanted to talk about! She is her, and you are you—you don’t need to apologize for her.

Also, about you withholding this from me, I understand you meant well. You don’t need to carry any burden in your heart.

Yesterday, I already saw your mom with Qian Rouxuan and that child. There was also a minor incident; my pet monkey scratched the child’s hand.

In fact, maybe now your mom dislikes me even more!"

Li Si didn’t want Leng Ning to feel uneasy. She believed that Leng Ning had kept the secret simply out of fear that she might overthink it after the encounter with Qian Rouxuan and the child.

Leng Ning stood up in shock. "What did you say? My mom actually appeared alongside that wretched Qian Rouxuan? And you bumped into her?"

What on earth is her mother thinking? Why only mention bringing the child—why not bring up that vile woman?

Could it be that she wants her brother to accept Qian Rouxuan and the child again?

But what about Li Si?

"Yes! It was a chance encounter, and later your brother showed up too!" Li Si spoke nonchalantly, but this news made Leng Ning explode with anger.

Leng Ning clenched her fists tightly, her expression complicated. She turned her gaze toward her brother, and when she saw Leng Mochen nodding, the fury in her chest surged instantly.

Her mother was being foolish! No wonder she had kept insisting that she return home today, even telling her to notify her brother—they were planning something like this? Setting them all up to be humiliated on-site?

No way! She had to go back home.

But she couldn’t say it outright; if she did, Li Si and her brother surely wouldn’t agree.

Leng Ning suppressed her boiling anger and, after sitting with the others a while longer, she made an excuse, saying she didn’t feel well from the drinks and suggested everyone call it a night.

Leng Mochen escorted Li Si away, while she drove Lei Ming home before heading straight to the Leng Family residence.

In the living room, Mrs. Leng and Qian Rouxuan were watching John play the piano. The elegant sound of piano notes flowed from his small hands, and Mrs. Leng smiled in admiration, nodding from time to time.

Qian Rouxuan couldn’t hide the pride as she looked at her son. She had arranged for him to learn a variety of skills from a young age, all in hopes of someday holding her head high.

And look, wasn’t that day arriving soon?

As the song concluded, both Mrs. Leng and Qian Rouxuan applauded accordingly. John performed a gentlemanly bow before happily running to Mrs. Leng, throwing himself into her arms. "Grandma, did you find my music beautiful?"

Mrs. Leng smiled and nodded. "Very beautiful! Come here, my sweet grandson. Are you thirsty? Have some juice!" She picked up some freshly squeezed pineapple juice and handed it to John.

John drank it happily and smiled with satisfaction. "Grandma, it’s so delicious! If only I could always stay with Mommy, Grandma, and Grandpa!"

Mrs. Leng smiled and cast a glance at Qian Rouxuan but didn’t say anything. Except for Qian Rouxuan, the rest of the child’s wishes were within her ability to fulfill.

Qian Rouxuan lightly tugged at John’s shoulder. "John, what has Mommy taught you? You can’t say things recklessly. We’re just guests at Grandpa and Grandma’s house—you need to be polite, understand?"

How could she not see through Mrs. Leng’s thoughts? But time was on her side. She didn’t believe that she couldn’t walk through the Leng Family’s door eventually.

Mrs. Leng wasn’t happy hearing Qian Rouxuan criticize her grandson. She lovingly held the child’s little hand and said, "Rouxuan, sometimes you don’t need to be too strict with children. This boy is so polite! If there’s something he doesn’t understand, you can teach him slowly!"

Seeing Qian Rouxuan nod in agreement without speaking, Mrs. Leng was satisfied and continued, "John, tell Grandma—does your hand still hurt?"

John shook his head. "Grandma, it doesn’t hurt anymore! You blow on it for me, and the pain disappears completely!"

Mrs. Leng happily tapped John’s nose. "You little trickster, you’re too good at sweet-talking! You make Grandma want to smile no matter what!"

At this moment, the sound of the door opening echoed, and everyone turned toward the entrance.

Leng Ning stepped inside with her bag in hand. The moment she saw Qian Rouxuan sitting on the sofa, anger flared up like fire. "Qian Rouxuan! You wretch! How dare you come to my house?"

Mrs. Leng had been quite happy to see her daughter return, but upon hearing Leng Ning’s words, she couldn’t let it slide.

She admonished sharply, "Xiao Ning, what are you doing? Huh? I called you to come home for a birthday party, and you didn’t show up. Now that you’re here, you start insulting people?"

No matter what, with John watching, allowing her to casually hurl insults at Qian Rouxuan wasn’t appropriate. When the child grew up, wouldn’t he resent Xiao Ning for this?