Lingering On and On

Chapter 12： Likes and Dislikes

Tong Yuling kept her head down, allowing that strong and broad hand to hold her delicate small hand as she walked forward in silence until they entered the house.

The house was extremely large. Just the hall alone could accommodate hundreds of people. Luxurious crystal chandeliers emitted soft and bright light, making the whole house as bright as day.

The original decoration of the hall was both magnificent and elegant. All the furniture was carved from solid wood, with a furniture design style from the Italian Renaissance period.

As for the rows of clean and tidy tables and chairs and the huge ceremonial platform in the center, they were probably set up temporarily for the upcoming birthday banquet.

Long Che released Tong Yuling and walked alone towards the sofa. He stopped in front of an old woman in festive clothes and presented a beautiful box. "Grandma, I wish you good fortune like the East Sea, a long life like the South Mountain, good health, and happiness every day!"

It turned out that this old woman was Long Che's grandmother, Miao Ying, the wife of Qiu Jin, the founder of the Qiu Group. She was of Chinese-British descent. Her grandfather was of British royal lineage. Although she only had 1/4 of the royal blood in her generation, it still symbolized honor and luxury.

She had deep brown curly hair, extremely fair skin, a straight nose, and prominent cheekbones. Her eyes and mouth had the characteristics of a Chinese person, and her face shape was the standard oval face of a Chinese beauty. Despite the traces of age, it was not hard to see that she must have been a beauty when she was young. Thanks to her excellent maintenance, she looked radiant and energetic and didn't look like an eighty-year-old old woman at all.

Miao Ying took the gift box from Long Che and asked with a smile, "What flower is it this year?"

"The plum blossom in the first lunar month, the apricot blossom in the second lunar month, the peach blossom in the third lunar month, the peony in the fourth lunar month..."

"The pomegranate flower in the fifth lunar month!" Miao Ying said a step ahead of Long Che. She opened the box and saw a beautiful, unique, and exquisitely designed pomegranate flower brooch lying quietly on the blue satin.

Five years ago, Long Che's grandfather passed away due to a heart attack. Miao Ying was deeply saddened by the loss of her husband. Long Che, who had just returned from studying abroad, was filial and cared about her. So he took her on trips to cheer her up. During the journey, they heard the story of the Twelve Flower Goddesses. Since then, Miao Ying had been particularly interested in flowers, and the birthday gift that Long Che gave her every year had become a flower-shaped brooch.

These brooches were no less valuable than other precious jewels. He hired famous designers at a high price to design the patterns, found the most famous carving craftsmen in the country, and used the best materials to carve them.

"Ah Che's filial piety makes even me, as his mother, feel ashamed!" Qiu Xuelian was both pleased and deeply touched.

"If he gets married soon and gives me a chubby great-grandson, I can die in peace!" Miao Ying continued to play with the brooch fondly.

"Mom, how can you say that!" Qiu Xuelian immediately complained.

"We should say more auspicious words on such a happy occasion!" Long Xiaotian also chimed in. His eyes inadvertently looked around and saw the figure standing silently at the door. A flash of amazement and surprise appeared in his eyes. "Ah Che, who is this young lady..."

Only then did Long Che bring Tong Yuling in front of everyone and casually introduced, "She is my female companion for tonight."

"What a beautiful and gentle girl!" Miao Ying lifted her gold-rimmed reading glasses and looked at Tong Yuling in surprise while making exclamations of praise.

Qiu Xuelian, on the other hand, had a look of inquiry and astonishment in her eyes. Her son had been proud and had high standards since childhood. He would rather be alone than settle for less. So he didn't have the bad habit of being flirtatious like other rich kids. For so many years, he had only had Cheng Jiawen as his girlfriend. It was the first time today that she saw a girl other than Cheng Jiawen beside him.

Noticing that everyone's attention and focus were on her, out of politeness, Tong Yuling nodded and smiled timidly at them. When she met Qiu Xuelian's sharp gaze, her heart trembled inexplicably and she quickly lowered her head.

"Che, who... who is this young lady? What's her father's name?" Qiu Xuelian asked.

Long Che was slightly stunned and then said, "She... is just a friend."

"A friend? What kind of friend?" Qiu Xuelian still stared closely at Tong Yuling and asked seriously.

"Mom, what's wrong with you? Since when did you start asking about my friends? Since Carmen couldn't come back, I invited her to be my female companion for once." Long Che's tone carried a hint of displeasure.

"This girl is very nice. She looks clean and gentle. It's obvious that she would be a good wife." It was Miao Ying's turn to speak. Her eyes were still extremely satisfied and kind. "What's your name?"

Tong Yuling looked up again. She didn't dare to answer casually. She first looked at Long Che and, after getting his indication, said softly, "Old Lady, my name is Tong Yuling."

"Yuling, it's a very beautiful name and suits you well. How long have you known Ah Che? You should accompany Ah Che more in the future, okay?" Miao Ying was more and more satisfied as she looked at her.

Qiu Xuelian immediately retorted, "Mom, Ah Che has already said that this young lady is just an ordinary friend. How can you ask her like that? She has her own life and can't spare time to accompany Ah Che! Besides, the one who should always be by Ah Che's side is Jiawen."

"Jiawen?" Miao Ying couldn't help but snort coldly. Her gaze shifted to Long Che's face. "Ah Che, it's not that grandma likes to nag. That girlfriend of yours, becoming a star for no good reason, is not a good wife and mother at all!"

"Jiawen is the heir of the Cheng Group. She has been spoiled since childhood, so it's inevitable that she is a bit spoiled and willful. If she realizes her dream and wins the Oscar for Best Actress, it will also bring honor to us!" Qiu Xuelian spoke well of Cheng Jiawen again. It seemed that she had long recognized Cheng Jiawen as her daughter-in-law.

However, Miao Ying disliked Cheng Jiawen a great deal. She pursed her lips and continued to snort coldly, "Oscar for Best Actress? I don't care! Which actress is faithful and well-behaved? She knows that the entertainment industry is a big and dirty place, but she still wants to jump into it. In my opinion, if she really loves Ah Che, she shouldn't have gone to Los Angeles without a word. Ah Che, you might as well give her up and start dating Yuling. Yuling is polite, gentle, beautiful, and has a lucky face. She will surely give grandma a cute and well-behaved great-grandson."

"Mom, you're going too far! Miss Tong is beautiful, but Jiawen is also good. They each have their own merits." Qiu Xuelian's tone carried a contempt and disdain that didn't match her words.

"Why do you always oppose me? It's my birthday today. Can't you let me have my way just once?" Miao Ying got angry.

Seeing this, Long Xiaotian quietly pulled Qiu Xuelian's arm, signaling her to stop arguing.

Long Che also put his arm around Miao Ying's shoulders. "Grandma, don't be angry. Today you are the birthday star. Your face should only have a smile and no other expression. Come on, smile!"

Miao Ying was still angry.

Tong Yuling felt guilty when she saw that the trouble started because of her. She forgot what Long Che had told her, "Talk less and smile more." She couldn't help but say, "I'm very sorry for causing trouble to Old Lady Qiu and Mrs. Long!"

Qiu Xuelian blamed everything on her. Instead of accepting her apology, she glared at her angrily.

Miao Ying, on the other hand, took Tong Yuling's hand and said kindly, "Don't be so formal. You can just call me grandma like Ah Che does!"

Tong Yuling was stunned and didn't know what to do.

Just at this time, a servant came in and reported, "Old Lady, Miss, Sir, Young Master, it's time to welcome the guests!"

Long Xiaotian and Qiu Xuelian stood up together. Long Che also helped Miao Ying stand up from the sofa.

Miao Ying suddenly stopped Tong Yuling. "Yuling, come with us!"

"Mom, it's improper to let an outsider welcome the guests with us!" Qiu Xuelian protested again.

"Yes, Mom. Everyone knows that Jiawen and Ah Che are a couple. If they see Miss Tong welcoming the guests together, it might cause some unnecessary speculation and discussion, and Jiawen's parents will also be confused and puzzled." Long Xiaotian also quickly explained.

Long Che then whispered to Tong Yuling, "You go for a walk in the garden first. I'll come to you later!" Then he helped Miao Ying walk towards the entrance.

Qiu Xuelian gave Tong Yuling another cold and hostile glare before starting to walk.

Watching their figures gradually disappear outside the door, Tong Yuling felt very sad and lonely. She then looked at the magnificent surroundings and started to walk outside.