Chapter 115 Calm

Chapter 115: Calm

Song Runing pursed her lips, her brows slightly furrowed, clearly irritated.

Shen Qingye exchanged a glance with her mother, wanting to say something but hesitating since it wasn't their place to comment on someone else's family matters.

Song Runing took a deep breath and said coldly, “Last night, Jing Jing kept saying she wanted to come back today to eat the suan cai yu (pickled fish hotpot) here. I reminded you twice to reserve with the restaurant in advance because this place gets crowded. What did you say? You said ‘okay, okay,’ and yet here we are. Even if Jing Jing was throwing a tantrum this morning, there’s been plenty of time since then—how could you forget?”

Qu Peiyun looked flustered and at a loss. “I’m sorry, honey, I really didn’t mean to. Jing Jing didn’t eat much this morning, so I was focused on making her something else, and in the rush, I just… forgot…”

The atmosphere grew tense. Jing Jing glanced between her parents before quickly clutching Song Runing’s leg, looking up at her. “Mommy, don’t blame Daddy! Jing Jing won’t eat it anymore! Don’t be mad at Daddy!”

Song Runing looked down at her daughter, her expression softening slightly. Song’s mother stepped in to mediate. “Oh, it’s not a big deal. Jing Jing was so fussy this morning—it’s understandable that Xiao Qu forgot. There are plenty of other places around; we can just grab something else and come back tonight!”

She then turned to Shen Qingye’s group apologetically. “Sorry about this. We’d made plans to have fish together, but things didn’t work out…”

Bai Xiuyu smiled warmly. “It’s no trouble at all. We’ll be here for a few more days—we’ll have plenty of chances. Besides, there are lots of other restaurants around. Maybe we can try something different!”

With the tension diffused, Song Runing’s expression eased. Looking at her daughter clinging to her anxiously and her husband’s helpless demeanor, she managed a small smile. “Mommy’s not mad.”

She turned to Qu Peiyun, her tone gentler. “I’m not blaming you. It’s just… we’d made plans, and then this happened at the last minute. I was just a little disappointed…”

“I understand,” Qu Peiyun said softly, pulling her into a light embrace, his expression warm but regretful. “It’s my fault. Next time, I’ll make sure everything’s arranged so you and Mom don’t have to worry.”

Seeing the couple reconcile, Song’s mother relaxed. She snorted and teased, “Alright, Xiao Qu, don’t indulge her too much. It’s not like she wasn’t busy with work this morning either. If she’d helped you out, Jing Jing might not have been so fussy.”

She shot her daughter a look. “Always working, working, working—even on vacation, you can’t let go of that work of yours!”

Song Runing sighed. “I’m almost done. After this, I’ll have the next few days free to spend with you all!”

Even as the company’s founder, she couldn’t just drop everything. She’d already worked through several nights before the trip, held meetings right up to boarding time, and had been tying up loose ends since arriving yesterday. Only now could she finally relax a little.

Song’s mother snorted. “You’d better mean that!”

She then turned to Qu Peiyun. “Poor Xiao Qu—even on vacation, there’s no rest.”

Qu Peiyun smiled. “It’s no trouble at all. It’s rare for the whole family to be together—having fun is what matters. Runing’s busy with work, but it can’t be helped. Things should ease up in a couple of days.”

Song’s mother sighed. “You’ve always been so considerate.”

·

With no seats available at Old Wu’s place, the two groups ended up having lunch at a stir-fry restaurant.

They ordered some local specialties—nothing spectacular, but still novel. By the time they finished, it was midday.

Song’s mother, who usually napped in the afternoon, started nodding off soon after eating, and little Jing Jing also looked sleepy. After apologizing to the others, Song Runing carried the child home for a nap, leaving Shen Qingye’s group to take a leisurely stroll by the lake.

Despite the noon hour, the temperature was a pleasant 26 or 27 degrees. With the shade of the lakeside trees and a gentle breeze, the walk was pleasantly cool.

As they chatted, Bai Xiuyu couldn’t help but remark, “That family is rather unusual.”

Though she’d seen households where the woman was the primary breadwinner, it was rare to see one like the Songs—where the child carried the mother’s surname and the husband showed not the slightest objection.

It didn’t seem like a typical marriage—more like he was the live-in son-in-law.

Shen Linyue said, “Every couple has their own way of making things work. Song Runing is an only child with just her mother left. If she married conventionally, she’d probably worry too much. Finding an accommodating husband makes sense—it gives her peace of mind.”

Bai Xiuyu nodded. "Fair point."

After all, it was someone else's family matter, and they didn't want to spread rumors behind their backs. After a brief exchange, they dropped the topic.

The lake in the scenic area was enormous, and it happened to be June—the season when lotus flowers were in full bloom. The lake’s surface was covered with broad green lotus leaves, sprinkled with delicate pink and white blooms. A gentle breeze swept across the vast expanse of blue, making the flowers sway gracefully, radiating simple beauty. The faint fragrance of lotus wafted through the air, lifting everyone's spirits.

The lotuses here were artfully arranged but not overcrowded, with ample gaps between the overlapping layers. They'd intentionally left several pathways open, where small boats carrying a few tourists drifted leisurely on the water, looking perfectly at ease.

Shen Qingye glanced in that direction, and Yue Lingchuan noticed her movement, asking, "Wanna try it out?"

Shen Qingye hesitated, but before she could respond, Yue Lingchuan had already hurried over and exchanged a few words with the boatman waiting by the shore. He returned and said, "A small boat, including the boatman, can carry up to four people. We can split into two boats. It’s perfect since there aren’t many people on the lake right now—we can really enjoy the scenery."

He then looked at Bai Xiuyu and Shen Linyue and added, "The boatman also mentioned that if we go, we can each pick a lotus leaf or flower to hold. If we had come a bit later, around July or August, we could even pick lotus seed pods."

Bai Xiuyu’s face lit up with delight. "I haven't seen lotus seed pods in ages!"

Shen Linyue also remarked, "There aren't many places growing these in Pingjiang. We're always too busy with work, otherwise, if we went to the countryside, we might still find some."

Bai Xiuyu sighed. "Too bad we missed the season."

She turned to the younger ones excitedly, "Let me tell you, freshly picked lotus seeds are the most tender. Peel them open, pop one in your mouth—so fresh and sweet!"

Gao Ruiyang laughed, "If you really like them that much, I'll take you back here in July or August just for the lotus seeds!"

Bai Xiuyu quickly waved her hand, "Don't go to all that trouble! By then, we can just explore nearby—there might be some somewhere!"

Gao Ruiyang replied, "As you wish."

The group was clearly excited and readily agreed to Yue Lingchuan’s suggestion without much thought.

Apart from the fixed boatman, each boat could accommodate three additional passengers. Shen Linyue and Bai Xiuyu naturally paired up. Gao Ruiyang, unwilling to join the elders, hurried after his sister, but Yue Lingchuan suddenly turned to him, "Why don't you go with Aunt Shen?"

Gao Ruiyang looked puzzled, "Huh?"

Yue Lingchuan said solemnly, "They're two ladies—I'd feel better if you joined them."

"Oh, got it." Gao Ruiyang suddenly understood and hurried back to join them.

Only after seeing Gao Ruiyang board the small wooden boat did Yue Lingchuan casually turn back, meeting Shen Qingye’s amused gaze.

Yue Lingchuan acted as if he hadn’t noticed and stepped onto the boat, extending his hand to her with a straight face, "The boat rocks a bit—watch your step."

Shen Qingye studied him for a moment before letting out a soft laugh.

Who would’ve thought that the renowned Captain Yue was the type to spin such blatant lies without batting an eye?

Shen Qingye wasn’t some martial arts master, but she kept herself in good shape. If Shen Linyue and Bai Xiuyu could board the boat without issue, there was no way she couldn’t.

Both of them knew it was just an excuse, but neither pointed it out.

Shen Qingye naturally reached out, her slender fingers clasping his broad palm as she stepped onto the boat.

The warm touch lingered for just a moment before fading. Yue Lingchuan’s expression remained unchanged, but the tips of his ears turned faintly red.

Shen Qingye noticed, and a knowing smile danced in her eyes.