章 126: Peonies For Happiness
There was a sudden commotion in the Ji Family Villa as a brunette little lady wearing a lime green flower-patterned dress knocked on their gate. She had a cute green rose clip on her hair and it suited her round face well. Although on the chubby side, the child was beyond adorable that some even blatantly fawned at her as she strode towards their front door.
"Good afternoon, I'm Hou Wei Yan" she introduced as she gave a polite bow to the servant who opened up the front door. She beamed her a sweet smile making the maid clutch her chest to contain her excitement.
She was obviously fangirling over the little girl's cuteness and Hou Wei Yan was oblivious of this. "Can I meet Bro Zhao and invite him for tea?"
"Uhmm, can you wait here? I will inform the butler" the maid replied with a smile on her face before she attempted to call the esteemed butler of Ji Li Zhao.
However, because of the huge fuss the maids created as they talked about the little lady who arrived, Butler Gu had already and was now walking towards the maid and Hou Wei Yan. "What's going on?"
The maid immediately gave a polite bow to show her respect. "Butler Gu"
"Good afternoon" Hou Wei Yan greeted as she too gave a polite bow towards the butler. She could tell right away that he was a man worthy of respect based on the soft and gentle stares from the servants.
"I'm Hou Wei Yan. I came to invite Bro Zhao for tea. My friends finally arrived to spend the summer with us so we're celebrating. Is it okay for him to come?"
Gu Man who was finally in front of the child couldn't help but get surprised when he heard her name. In this high prized mountain, there is only one child surnamed Hou, and she's the grandchild of the Xing who owns the villa next to theirs.
[When did they get acquainted?] he asked to himself as he stared at the lady. Hou Wei Yan who felt his stare immediately flashed him a smile to show that she held no ill intentions.
"That decision will depend on the Young Master" Gu Man muttered with a slight smile on his face. He then motioned the maid from earlier and made her fetch Ji Li Zhao who was huddled in his own room once more. "Would you like to come inside, Young Lady?"
Hou Wei Yan who heard this gently shook her head towards him. "Oh, I'll wait here. Mama said I can't enter someone else house when I'm alone"
"Then, is it alright for me to ask something?" Gu Man said as he gave a kind smile to Hou Wei Yan.
The little girl nodded her head without hesitation. "Yes"
"When did you meet, Young Master?"
"I met him yesterday" she honestly answered as she stared directly at him. Gu Man who was fast to read a person's thoughts nodded his head at her honest reply.
"Where?"
"At my place" Hou Wei Yan answered, skipping the exact location of their meeting place. She had treasured that place ever since she first stumbled upon it and didn't want many people to trample on such a sacred place. So instead of lying, she kept her words short.
Suddenly noticing the interview was getting quite personal, she immediately looked up at Gu Man who was still observing her. "There's not much house here so I wanted to make friends. Did I do something I shouldn't do?"
Gu Man who heard her question shook his head before beaming her a smile. She must be the reason why Ji Li Zhao's mood got lifted yesterday. Whatever she did or said was enough to lighten his precious young master's dampened spirit. He's beyond grateful for her help.
"Thank you for extending your hands for Young Master" he gently said making Wei Yan look up at him once more. He sounded like a father thanking her for accompanying his son.
[He must deeply treasure, Bro Zhao] she thought to herself before she looked away and stared at the sky. [He's kind and caring. I wonder if Brother Zhao knows how well-loved he is]
"Young Master just got here and is still unfamiliar around. I'm sorry if he trespassed in your territory"
Hou Wei Yan flashed him a smile upon hearing this. "It's okay. Besides, the forest is not mine to claim. It belongs to everyone"
"Wei Wei?" a familiar voice suddenly called out causing both of them to peek inside the mansion. There stood, below the staircase, Ji Li Zhao who had a surprised yet excited look on his face.
"Bro Zhao!" Hou Wei Yan replied as she waved her hand enthusiastically. After she received a gentle smile from him, she immediately voiced out her intentions. "Some friends came by. Do you want to come and meet them?"
Ji Li Zhao slowly turned towards their butler upon hearing her request. "Can I?"
"Of course" Gu Man replied without hesitation as he flashed him a smile. After this, he motioned one of the maids closer to them. "There's a specially imported tea with a red ribbon on it in the storage. Grab it for me"
"Are you coming too, Uncle?" Hou Wei Yan dared ask as soon as the maid left to search for the item asked of her.
Gu Man nodded his head in reply before he crouched down and fixed the collar on Ji Li Zhao's shirt. Once done, he flashed Hou Wei Yan a kind smile. "I need to formally greet the Madame next door and a gift is necessary to show our gratitude for inviting the Young Master"
Upon hearing this, a wide smile blossomed on her already adorable face. Seeing her excitement, Ji Li Zhao couldn't hide his smile as well, and together, they excitedly waited for the maid to return.
Once she returned, they immediately set out towards the Xing Family Villa. The esteemed Madame of the Household was waiting outside while ordering some servants to buy additional groceries. Hou Wei Yan who saw her mother ran towards her without hesitation. "Mom! I'm back!"
"Welcome back, Ah Yan" she replied back as she patted her daughter's back when she clung to her thighs. After this, her eyes drifted on the man and child who were following behind Wei Yan. "Welcome. I hope my daughter didn't cause any trouble"
"The Young Lady is very polite" Gu Man stated as he flashed her a polite smile. After this, he proceeded with the formalities and offered her a bow before offering her the tea he asked the maids to prepare.
"Pardon us for the intrusion. My name is Gu Man and I serve as one of the butlers under the Ji Family. Although this gift cannot compare to your collection, I hope you would accept it"
A smile blossomed on her face upon hearing the Ji Family name. She immediately accepted the gift. "Thank you"
After handing it to the servant nearby, she crouched down so she could face the child beside the Butler at an eye level. The child flinched at her sudden actions so she flashed him a kind smile to make him realize that she bears no ill intentions. "I'm Wei Wei's mother, Hou Mei Yi. What's your name?"
"I'm Ji Li Zhao" he timidly introduced as he looked around in search of Hou Wei Yan. However, she was no longer in sight.
Mei Yi who heard his name was stunned for a few seconds. She suddenly remembered where she heard his name―his name was that of her good friend's child.
[So this is Qing Qing's child]
With this realization and considering the current quandaries surrounding the Madame of the Ji Family, she offered him a kind and welcoming smile. "I hope you have fun here. I'll apologize in advance because Ah Yan can be a handful sometimes"
After such words were blurted out, their attention was drawn by a running child who had an excited look on her face. Her beaming face made both of them unconsciously smile.
"Mommy! I want to play with Bro Zhao now" she remarked as she held Ji Li Zhao's hands and attempted to take him away from her mother.
Hou Mei Yi who heard this pinched her cheeks while smiling. "Don't play around too much or you'll hurt yourself"
Taking this as a 'Go' signal, Wei Yan immediately pulled Ji Li Zhao closer to her. Soon after, both of them began to run with Wei Yan taking the lead. Noticing that she was overly hyped today, she yelled out one last reminder. "And don't run near your Auntie Fan! She's pregnant so be mindful"
Upon hearing this, Hou Wei Yan's eyes sparkled as she remembered a very exciting event she always looks forward to seeing. She turned towards Ji Li Zhao with a huge smile on her face. "Auntie Fan has a baby in her stomach. Should we go see?"
Ji Li Zhao chuckled at her excitement before nodding his head and allowing himself to get dragged into the garden. As they got closer to the huge garden in the villa, his eyes immediately caught sight of four familiar figures huddled together.
"We're back!" Wei Yan announced causing the four children to turn their attention towards them.
"Wei Wei!" Shi Song called out enthusiastically as he jogged to greet them. However, he stopped midway and had a curious and surprised look on his face as he stared at the boy accompanying their dearest little sister. "Huh? Li Zhao?"
Hou Wei Yan who noticed all of them exchanging glances at one another drew her face closer to Ji Li Zhao. "You know them, Bro Zhao?"
He nodded his head in reply before returning his gaze towards the four children, namely, Shi Song, Fan Shunyuan, Qian Zhiqiang, and Han Yu Shou. "We're classmates…and friends"
Han Yu Shou who heard this immediately pounced at him and slung his arms on his shoulders. "Hey, I thought we agreed that we are best friends already"
Not liking Yu Shou's abrupt attack, she hurriedly pulled Ji Li Zhao closer to her causing Yu Shou to release him from his grasp. Once freed, Hou Wei Yan immediately urged him to lean closer to her and whispered. "You should stay away from Brother Yu Shou…he's very annoying"
"I can hear you!" Han Yu Shou yelled out causing the others to laugh at the treatment he just received.
Hou Wei Yan joined in their laughter before she looked at all of them. "Since Bro Zhao already knows them, we should skip the introductions"
The others nodded at this so Hou Wei Yan found this as a good chance to introduce him to the future addition to their circle of friends. She grabbed hold of his hands and went to the pavilion where the ladies are located.
"Auntie Fan! Auntie Fan! I brought a new friend with me. Can we see your baby?" she excitedly exclaimed causing her mother who was already walking towards the pavilion to shake her head. Her reminder ended up useless again.
Fan Shunyuan's mother chuckled upon hearing her excited request. "The baby is still in my tummy"
After stating this, she placed down her cup and looked at her. Once her eyes landed on the child accompanying Hou Wei Yan, she excitedly clasped her hands together. "Oh, Xiao Zhao! So you're Wei Wei's new friend"
"Good afternoon, Aunties" Ji Li Zhao politely greeted as he bowed down. Fan Huian, Shi Suyin, Qian Peizhi, and Han Yixue immediately flashed him a welcoming smile.
[He's as polite as ever] they thought to themselves as they looked at one another. This is the reason why they liked having Ji Li Zhao around because he's a good influence on their children.
Hou Wei Yan was glad that they welcomed her new friend warmly. She smiled towards their gestures before her eyes were once more drawn towards Fan Huian's bulging stomach.
When she noticed her intense and exciting stare, Fan Huian chuckled before she waved her hands towards Hou Wei Yan and motioned her to come closer to her. "She's kicking. Do you want to feel?"
Hou Wei Yan's eyes immediately sparkled upon hearing this and she excitedly strode towards her without hesitation. Once in front of her, Fan Huian gently guided her head towards her stomach where she could feel her child kicking.
"Wow! She's really strong!" she exclaimed in amazement when she heard a thumping sound and felt her head getting moved by a small kick inside her Fan Huian's stomach.
After feeling such a wonderful sign of life, she turned towards Ji Li Zhao who was timidly standing beside Han Yixue. "Bro Zhao! She's kicking!"
Ji Li Zhao smiled at this before his eyes trailed off towards Fan Huian. When their eyes met, she immediately flashed him a smile urging him to listen as well.
Although hesitant, he accepted her offer and went on the opposite side of her stomach since Hou Wei Yan was still enjoying the thumping sound the baby was making. Once his ears landed on her bulging belly, he suddenly felt a small ripple of movements and a tumbling motion.
"Wow" he muttered before he pulled away and looked at Fan Huian in awe. She was indeed strong just like what Wei Yan said. "Does she have a name?"
"Xifeng" Fan Huian replied with a huge smile on her face. Her husband and her immediately brainstormed for names once they learned of their baby's gender. It took them a while but they finally settled for a name. "Our phoenix"
Hearing such a wonderful name, Ji Li Zhao turned towards Fan Shunyuan and flashed him a smile. "You're lucky, Shunyuan"
"Thank you" he replied back with a grin on his face. He then slowly strode towards his friend and slung his arms on his shoulders. "I hope you can look after her with me as well"
"Okay" he answered without hesitation. He always wanted to know what it feels like to have a younger sibling so Fan Shunyuan's offer is a great honor for him.
"Me too! Me too!" Han Yu Shou exclaimed as he ran closer to the group. The excitement in his eyes never ceased as he raised his hands and waved them enthusiastically like he was volunteering for an event. "I want to be her brother!"
Qian Zhiqiang who was walking behind him sighed before he flashed him a smirk. "Shunyuan won't let you"
"Yeah. She shouldn't associate with you" Shi Song added causing Han Yu Shou to pout.
He had a dejected look on his face as he alternately looked at his mean friends and Fan Huian's bulging tummy. "But I want to"
"Can I be her older sister?" Hou Wei Yan immediately asked as she raised her hands up, following Han Yu Shou's actions.
Fan Shunyuan who heard this approached her and ruffled her hair. "Of course, Wei Wei"
"That's no fair" Han Yu Shou grumbled upon hearing this. "Then I'll be her big sister if you won't allow me to be her big brother!"
All of them looked at one another before they burst into a fit of laughter. Han Yu Shou excels in his studies but when it comes to things like this, why does he always appear dorky.
"Oh, Yu Shou" Han Yixue mumbled while chuckling. "If you wear the dresses I made then you can be Xifeng's sister or brother"
Han Yu Shou immediately pictured himself wearing the creations of his mother. After his imagination became concrete, he felt a shiver run down his spines and he began to furiously shake his head. "No, thank you"
They ended up laughing once more at his remark. After their laughter died down, Hou Wei Yan approached Fan Huian once more before beaming her a smile. "She'll be our little princess"
Fan Shunyuan followed her and ruffled her hair once more. His little sister will indeed be their little princess, but for now, Hou Wei Yan is their imperial princess. "For now you'll be our little princess"
She immediately giggled upon hearing this. After a few seconds, she looked at them one by one and began thinking about what they would do if they have another naughty companion. "Wouldn't it be better if we have a little prince as well?"
This time, it was Shi Song who strode towards her and ruffled her hair to dismiss her of such thoughts. However, this only urged her to turn towards her mother excitedly. "Mommy! I want a little brother"
Hou Mei Yi who just sat down smiled at her as she clung to her lap. "You can't just request it like that, Ah Yan"
"But I want one" Hou Wei Yan grumbled as she buried her face in her mother's stomach.
Noticing that such a topic won't leave her daughter's mind unless she finds a more entertaining thought, she immediately ruffled her hair and looked at the others. "Why don't you guys show Ji Li Zhao the flower bed you tended on"
Hou Mei Yi's intentions successfully played out as Hou Wei Yan excitedly nodded her head and grabbed hold of Ji Li Zhao's hands. They immediately headed towards their secret garden but before leaving, Ji Li Zhao took a final glance at the ladies and saw Hou Mei Yi slowly drop her smile and plaster a sad look on her face.
"We planted a lot of flowers, Bro Zhao. But Brother Yu Shou slipped when he arrived earlier so we have to redo it" Wei Yan muttered as she guided Ji Li Zhao towards their garden alongside the others.
Upon hearing this, he slowly turned towards Han Yu Shou who already had about on his face. "I'm sorry. I got too excited and there was a frog!"
"Frogs don't bite so why are you afraid?" Hou Wei Yan grumbled as she spares Han Yu Shou a glance.
Han Yu Shou looked at her in shock before he began defending himself. Who in their right mind won't get afraid of frogs! "They're slimy! They're gross!"
However, no matter how he defended himself, Hou Wei Yan still looked at him with a judging look on her eyes. Qian Zhiqiang who saw this chuckled at the sight. "Wei Wei is probably the only one who wouldn't jump at the sight of it"
The others nodded their heads in agreement causing Ji Li Zhao to smile. After this, Hou Wei Yan suddenly laughed which gained their attention. "Yu Shou looked like a mudskipper earlier. He's so ugly"
"Hey…mom said I'm the most handsome kid there is" he retorted when the others began chuckling at what their little princess said.
"Auntie Han is indeed a kind woman. To think she would lie for you" Wei Yan replied back with a victorious smile on her face.
"Hey!" Han Yu Shou exclaimed before he turned towards Ji Li Zhao who was silently observing them. "Am I really ugly?"
Ji Li Zhao was stunned by this question before he ended up laughing. Seriously, it was just a silly remark and yet Han Yu Shou was always proud of his looks took it seriously. "Wei Wei is probably joking with you"
After saying this, he turned towards Hou Wei Yan who was staying silent. After a few seconds, she looked at them both and seriously stated. "Yu Shou isn't ugly…but average…Bro Zhao is real the handsome man"
The others immediately laughed at this remark before Shi Song approached Han Yu Shou and patted his back while holding back his boisterous laughter. "Don't mind, don't mind"
Han Yu Shou could only pout at this and not soon after, they finally arrived in their most treasured garden. Ji Li Zhao initially thought that it was just a small plow of land because they are still young however, he was stunned to see a fully functioning garden. "It's huge!"
Hou Wei Yan immediately ran towards the roses she was tending since they first created the garden. "Brother! They're starting to bloom!"
"Look the heather is blooming too!" Qian Zhiqiang exclaimed as he approached the flowers he planted.
Soon after, the others began approaching their flower beds. Ji Li Zhao who was amazed at the size of their garden slowly walked in each aisle to observe the plants. He suddenly stopped when he saw a whole array of small white flowers. "Daisies?"
"They're chamomiles. I planted them" Han Yu Shou corrected from behind him. He instantly turned around and showed him a curious expression. Han Yu Shou who noticed this smiled and immediately filled his curiosity. "It can be used as a herbal tea and it's beautiful"
After hearing this, he began to look around and noticed that there are sunflowers as well. He learned from a book that they have their own medicinal values. "You're the one who planted the sunflowers as well?"
Han Yu Shou nodded his head with a smile. Hou Wei Yan who was near the area joined in and slung her arms in his shoulders with a huge smile on her face. "Yu Shou wants to be a doctor like his father"
"And you?" Ji Li Zhao asked curiously.
"I haven't decided yet, but the adults want me to manage a business like Mommy" she answered with a smile on her face.
Her fate is already sealed and she knows it. Instead of souring her mood with her own negative thoughts, she turned to Ji Li Zhao who had an amazed look on his face. "What about, Bro Zhao?"
"I---" he began before taking a pause. He will probably handle business as well, however, what he truly wants is something profound. Soon, he donned a sad smile on his face. "I just want to be happy"
Han Yu Shou who heard his miserable and hoping tone suddenly stayed silent and soon, he too began to have a sad smile on his face. When the young lady saw this, she immediately turned to look at Ji Li Zhao and offered him a warm smile.
"Don't worry Bro Zhao…you will be happy" she stated causing both boys to look at her. Once she got their attention, she beamed them a close eyed smile. "Wei Wei and the others will make you happy"
Upon hearing this, Han Yu Shou's face lightened up and soon after, he began clinging to Ji Li Zhao again. "That's right, we'll make you happy"
Ji Li Zhao who received such kind words couldn't help but smile. He then approached Hou Wei Yan and ruffled her hair before looking around for a good place where he could begin planting.
When his eye caught sight of a good place, he returned his attention to them both. "What should I plant?"
The two who were always arguing looked at one another as a singular idea came to mind. For his happiness and prosperity, they wish for him to grow a flower which symbolizes it.
"Peonies" they chorused which was only replied by Ji Li Zhao's grateful smile.
クリエイターの想い 
themilesaguanta
themilesaguanta Follow me on Twitter (@tinelavine) for the family tree. I cannot upload an image here so I will upload it there instead this Friday. Also, the side-story is available there, in my media tweet, or you can search using the #TEMPsidedish.
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