The Sea Queen of 1985

Chapter 190: Chapter 190: All Women Like Flowers

Ye Feng had received a call from Han Xiaorui yesterday and learned Chen Yupeng was coming to visit, so he planned to head to Jinshan Bay early today.

When he got up in the morning, he took a pair of scissors to the backyard and cut a bunch of lilies that were blooming beautifully.

He found some pretty wrapping paper, bundled them up, and placed them by the door.

Xu Yingying hadn’t been in high spirits lately. Juggling her divorce and her career had left her quite exhausted.

”Are those for me?” Xu Yingying’s eyes lit up at the sight of the flowers, and her mood brightened slightly.

Ye Feng froze for a moment, then smiled sheepishly. ”I’ll go cut another bunch for you.”

Xu Yingying rolled her eyes. ”Hmph. The moment you get a wife, you forget all about your aunt.”

”There are so many flowers in the backyard that you see every day. Are you really that excited about a bouquet?” Ye Feng chuckled. He had prepared flowers for Han Xiaorui and roly-poly toys for Pingping and An’an for his visit today.

Xu Yingying retorted, ”That just shows you don’t understand women. We *always* love flowers, no matter what!”

After being told off by his aunt, Ye Feng grabbed the scissors and went to cut another bunch. ’Grandma is a woman, too,’ he thought. ’She must like flowers as well.’

To avoid anyone feeling he was playing favorites, Ye Feng cut one more bunch, wrapped it nicely, and gave a bouquet each to Xu Yingying and Grandma Xu.

Grandma Xu was delighted to receive the flowers. Forgetting all about her meal, she immediately found a vase and arranged them in it.

”Are you going to Jinshan Bay today?” Grandma Xu asked.

Ye Feng nodded. ”Mhm, Xiao Rui is back from her trip out to sea.”

Grandma Xu thought for a moment, then nodded. ”I heard from Uncle Xu yesterday that a cake was specially ordered. All children love things like that, so it’ll be perfect for you to take over.”

Ye Feng smiled at her words. ”Thanks, Grandma!”

Grandma Xu smiled. ”Last time Xiao Rui came over, she brought so much seafood. Since I enjoyed what she brought, it’s only right to return the favor.”

Ye Feng nodded. ”Then on behalf of Xiao Rui and Pingping An’an, thank you.”

”Don’t mention it!” Grandma Xu nodded. ’It’s not easy for a woman,’ she thought. ’To be able to go out to sea and still take good care of her children and home.’

’Most importantly, her grandson wasn’t interested in anyone else. He only had eyes for Han Xiaorui.’

’She had wanted to be the one to break the happy couple apart, but she hadn’t succeeded.’

’Since that was the case, she might as well give them her blessing.’

’At her age, all she wanted was for the younger generation to be happy and live peaceful, safe lives. She didn’t ask for anything more.’

Ye Feng got in his car. He stopped by an elegant, high-end cake shop to pick up the cake his grandma had ordered yesterday, then headed to Han Xiaorui’s house.

Right at the door, he happened to run into Chen Yupeng, who had just arrived by taxi.

”Captain!” Chen Yupeng greeted with a smile when he saw Ye Feng.

Ye Feng saw Chen Yupeng holding a child of about two. ”The little one’s grown so much since I last saw her!”

Chen Yupeng rolled his eyes. ”She wasn’t even a year old when you saw her last. She’s already one year and ten months old now!”

Yao Yulan smiled. ”Hello, Captain Ye!”

’She was truly grateful to Ye Feng,’ she thought. ’They had been short on money to buy a house, and Ye Feng had lent them twenty thousand just like that.’

’Now they had moved out and were no longer living with her in-laws.’

’She instantly felt like the sky was bluer and the air sweeter.’

’Although her child was still little, she could take her to the daycare at her workplace.’

’She could even check on her during her lunch break and bring her home after work.’

’It was a little more tiring than before, but Yao Yulan wouldn’t have it any other way.’

’She no longer had to listen to her mother-in-law’s incessant, passive-aggressive remarks, and her daughter wouldn’t be affected by the grandparents’ blatant preference for boys.’

Ye Feng nodded. ”Yulan, good to see you. Feel free to come over and visit more often on the weekends when you’re free.”

Hearing the voices outside, Han Xiaorui hurried over to open the door. ”You’re all here! What are you doing standing at the door? Hurry and come in!”

Ye Feng introduced them with a smile. ”Xiao Rui, this is Yupeng’s wife, Yao Yulan, and this is their daughter, Mianmian.”

Han Xiaorui greeted her with a smile. ”I’ve heard Chen Yupeng mention you before. You’re three years older than me, so I’ll call you Sister Yulan.”

”Hello, Xiao Rui! I’d be honored for you to call me sister,” Yao Yulan replied with a smile. ”Mianmian, say ’Auntie’!”

”Hello, Auntie!” Mianmian’s words were very clear. She gave the pretty Han Xiaorui a sweet greeting.

”Hello, Mianmian,” Han Xiaorui said with a laugh. ”Auntie has lots of fish at her house, and lots of chicks, ducklings, goslings, puppies, and kittens. Would you like to see them?”

”Yes, yes, yes...” Mianmian could hardly wait. Although she was still in her father’s arms, her body was already squirming, eager to rush over to the little animals.

Pingping and An’an saw the cute little girl who had come to visit and blinked their eyes, full of curiosity.

They wanted to say hello but didn’t dare.

Han Xiaoqing encouraged them, and soon Pingping and An’an were leading the younger girl over to the fish tank to look at the fish.

Little Mianmian lived in the city, where seeing even a single kitten was a rare treat. Now, suddenly faced with so many small animals in the backyard, she squealed with excitement.

It was like a door to a new world, full of fun and novelties.

If the adults hadn’t stopped her, the little one probably would have crawled into the chicken coop to chase the chicks.

Wu Jiao followed the children, helping to look after them.

Han Xiaoqing also stayed close by. Seeing this, Yao Yulan took the opportunity to relax, sitting down under the osmanthus tree.

”It must be tough taking care of a child by yourself all the time, isn’t it?” Han Xiaorui asked, handing her a glass of freshly squeezed peach juice.

Yao Yulan nodded with a smile. ”It is. At home, I’m doing chores while watching her. I practically have to sleep with one eye open.”

Han Xiaorui smiled. ”It gets easier when they’re a bit older. Once they’re past the stumbling and falling stage, it’s a lot better!”

Yao Yulan nodded. ”The hardest part is over! I’m always hearing Yupeng talk about you at home. Your incredible stories have amazed me for a long time.”

Han Xiaorui burst out laughing. ”You’re exaggerating! I’m just a fisherwoman who happens to catch a bit more seafood than average, that’s all.”

Yao Yulan shook her head. ”I heard that you helped a sea turtle at sea by scraping the barnacles off its shell, and that just yesterday you rescued a dolphin.”

”Those things must take time away from your fishing, but you did them anyway! It proves you’re a very kind person who has a deep respect and gratitude for the sea.”

It had to be said, Yao Yulan’s assessment was spot on.

Han Xiaorui smiled. ”Everything I have comes from the sea. It’s only right that I respect it and feel grateful.”

”The little dolphin from yesterday should recover in about a week. If you have time next weekend, we can take the kids to the marine research institute to visit it.”

Yao Yulan’s eyes lit up. ”Can we really go see it?”

Han Xiaorui nodded. ”I think it should be fine. Wait for my call!”

Ye Feng and Chen Yupeng were chatting not far away, mostly about work.

From time to time, Ye Feng’s gaze would drift over to Han Xiaorui, the corners of his mouth turning up unconsciously.

’Although Chen Yupeng had a good relationship with his wife, their passion was nothing compared to that of Ye Feng and Han Xiaorui, who were still in the honeymoon phase of their romance.’

’It was almost unbearable to watch. Was this still the same calm, self-possessed, and awe-inspiring captain he knew?’

However, Chen Yupeng didn’t have time to grumble internally before someone pushed the door open and entered.

A massive giant clam was carried in, its snow-white shell instantly capturing everyone’s attention.