What's going on?
Mi Jing and Shen Xing'er were dumbfounded simultaneously. They glanced at Tong Yao's cards spread out in front of her, then at Tong Yao, who was smiling like a fox. The former was grateful, while the latter was discontent.
The money in their pockets flew away; who could be content?
"Yaoyao, why didn't you say earlier? You got me all excited for nothing!" Shen Xing'er handed the not-yet-warm chips to Tong Yao, complaining unwillingly.
"You reacted too quickly; I didn't have time to speak." Tong Yao defended herself confidently.
"..."
Shen Xing'er was speechless, looking like a defeated rooster, losing all her previous excitement.
"Yaoyao, you have Thirteen Orphans, I need to give you another one." Mi Jing took a chip to give to Tong Yao voluntarily.
Tong Yao didn't hold back, accepting Mi Jing's chip, with a bright smile said, "Jing, Xing'er is right, Ling Xing isn't short of this money, so don't worry, play freely!"
Shen Lingxing was fourth among the siblings, so apart from Shen Xing'er, Xia Yu and Tong Yao called him Old Four.
Xia Yu is the wife of the eldest Gu Mosheng, Tong Yao is the wife of the second Su Jinchuan, Xing'er is the wife of the third Mu Bai. Logically, Mi Jing should call Xia Yu eldest sister-in-law and Tong Yao second sister-in-law, but they are all easygoing people, calling each other by their names.
Then the game continued, the four chatted while playing mahjong, the atmosphere harmonious, bringing Mi Jing closer to them.
"Mommy, Cancan is hungry."
A cute little girl ran in, holding Xia Yu's clothes, pouting cutely.
"Cancan, can you wait a bit? Mommy will make something delicious after this round." Xia Yu bent down to hold Gu Can on her lap, gently negotiating.
"Okay." Gu Can nodded without hesitation, her round face pink and chubby, big eyes with long curled eyelashes, innocent gaze, naturally adorable expression, making all the women's hearts soften.
"Cancan is so good." Shen Xing'er looked at Gu Can with heart-shaped eyes, touching her still flat belly, saying hopefully, "I really hope I'm carrying a girl, as cute and lovable as Cancan."
"Yu, let Cancan stay with me for a few days! I'll make her plump and happy." Tong Yao, not planning another daughter, directly asked Xia Yu to borrow Cancan for a few days.
"Of course! I'd love for Cancan to play at your place for a few days." Xia Yu stroked Gu Can's soft hair, saying, "But it's up to Gu Mosheng to agree."
Hearing this, Tong Yao wilted like a frosted eggplant!
A while ago, her cheeky son boldly stole a kiss from Cancan, making Gu Family upset. They still "hold a grudge," not letting Su Chenyi visit often, guarding like thieves, afraid their daughter might be taken advantage of again. So how could Gu Mosheng agree?
Sigh, it's my son's fault for being impulsive! Tong Yao sighed in grievance.
Seeing Tong Yao's downcast look, Xia Yu smiled subtly and said to Gu Can, "Cancan, this pretty sister is your fourth uncle's wife, call her aunt."
Xia Yu pointed at Mi Jing, urging Gu Can to greet her.
"Hello auntie." Gu Can called sweetly, then took out a candy from her pocket, "Auntie, this is Cancan's favorite candy, now I give it to you, hope you like it too."
"Thank you Cancan." Mi Jing happily accepted the candy, then touched Gu Can's smooth cheeks, feeling she was even more innocent and adorable.
After Gu Can came, none of them wanted to play mahjong anymore. Soon, the game ended, everyone counted their chips, concluding: only Mi Jing lost money, the other three won some from her.
After lunch, Mi Jing left Su Jinchuan and Tong Yao's house with Shen Lingxing, the car speeding on the road, Mi Jing feeling low and gloomy in the passenger seat.
"Not having fun?"
Red light. Shen Lingxing stopped the car at the zebra crossing, then turned to the dejected Mi Jing, asking.
"It was fun, very fun. Your sisters are nice, and the kids are cute." Mi Jing worried Shen Lingxing might misunderstand, forced a smile to explain.
Shen Lingxing noticed her forced smile, asked again, "Feeling unwell?"
"No." Mi Jing looked at Shen Lingxing and asked, "The money lost from mahjong, can I repay you monthly?"
She lost ten thousand playing mahjong; perhaps it's nothing for Shen Lingxing, but for Mi Jing, it's a hefty sum. Her income from painting barely reaches ten thousand a year. Since it's her loss, she felt guilty.
"No need." Shen Lingxing frowned, his eyes narrowed, then said, "We're a couple, no need to be formal!"
Hearing his words, Mi Jing's gloom lifted entirely, she smiled, "Then I won't be formal, now take me home, I want to pick up the car."
Seeing Mi Jing's shining eyes, Shen Lingxing's frown eased.
The red light turned green, Shen Lingxing shifted gears, pressed the gas pedal, the car sped towards Mi Jing's neighborhood.
"Miss Mi, I'd like to discuss the shop rental, are you free now?"
On the way back after retrieving the car, Mi Jing received a call from the shop's landlord, surprised. She paid the annual rent in advance, still months left; why contact now? Urging rent or planning an increase?
Confused, Mi Jing said, "I'm free, set a time and place."
"Let's talk at the shop."
After the call, Mi Jing turned at the next intersection, heading back to the coffee shop.
"Would you like something to drink? Coffee or other beverages?" The landlord, a slightly chubby middle-aged woman, entered the shop with Mi Jing's courteous invitation.
"No, Miss Mi, I... apologize, I can't rent this place to you anymore!" The landlord explained apologetically.
"Why? We signed a five-year contract!" The coffee shop opened this year, not even a full year!
"I can't help it, my family urgently needs money, and someone offered a good price to buy this shop, so I have to breach the contract." The landlord's chubby cheeks turned slightly red, feeling sorry but firm in her decision.