sovbooks Chapter 91 Mom Isn't Tired
Chapter 91 Mom Isn't Tired
"Mom, why do my second uncle and aunt hate me so much? Is it because Ning'er ate that bag of rice crackers? I'm sorry, Mom, my uncle gave them to me, and I thought it was okay to eat them. Ning'er will never do that again."
Remembering how her second aunt had suddenly called her a blind little bastard, which had caused her mother to fight with her second aunt and make the New Year's visit extremely unpleasant, Cheng Ning felt very guilty.
Eight-year-old Cheng Ning held her mother's hand tightly, apologizing again and again, blaming herself for eating her second aunt's snow cakes.
Wu Meimei, fighting back tears, squatted down and zipped up her daughter's coat.
"It's none of your business."
No matter what, Wu Meimei was a woman who had just lost her husband, and in the end she couldn't control her emotions, and tears still slid down her cheeks as she spoke.
Cheng Ning seemed to sense her mother's sadness. She raised her little hand, found her mother's face by touch, and gently wiped away her tears.
"Mommy, why are you crying? Did Ning'er make you angry again?"
"No, it's none of your business. My eyes are just tired."
Although Cheng Ning was young and blind, she knew her mother was lying.
She pretended to believe her mother's lie.
"I see. Then Ning'er can rest assured."
"Mom, are we going to visit Grandpa again? Where are we sleeping tonight?"
Wu Meimei wiped away her tears, picked up her daughter and stood up.
"Go home, go back to our home."
Going home, from home to her maternal grandfather's place, is a three- or four-hour walk. It's still winter, and her mother just carried her here. Now she has to carry her home again. Cheng Ning couldn't understand it and felt sorry for her mother.
"Mommy, Ning'er can walk by herself. Mommy can just hold Ning'er's hand."
Wu Meimei did not answer, and carried her daughter on her back, trudging through the snow back to her real home.
"Mom, Ning'er wants to walk by herself."
Half an hour later, Cheng Ning still refused to give up. She wanted to lighten her mother's burden and didn't want to be a burden forever.
Wu Meimei finally stopped and put Cheng Ning down.
Cheng Ning held her mother's hand and carefully followed her steps, thinking about the mnemonic her father had taught her.
"Ning'er, remember this: when an adult takes one step, you take two. In summer, spring, and autumn, listen for the sound of footsteps. In winter, when there is snow, listen for the crunching sound of footsteps on the snow."
Cheng Ning followed the method her father taught her and walked smoothly for ten minutes.
However, relying solely on hearing and not being able to see, she was still prone to tripping over some uneven stones. Even though her feet hurt terribly from the tripping, Cheng Ning gritted her teeth and didn't cry out.
Half an hour later, Wu Meimei silently carried her daughter on her back all the way home, repeating the same sentence over and over: "Mom isn't tired."
···
In the corridor on the third floor of the hotel.
As Cheng Ning recalled these memories from her childhood, she felt even more heartache for her mother.
Only when she grew up did she realize that her mother had never lacked care and love for her. Her quiet and cold personality was simply because her father had left, and there was no one left to protect her mother.
"Hello beautiful, is there anything you need?"
Cheng Ning wiped away her tears and looked at the waiter: "Excuse me, where can I get your tea?"
"Would you like some tea? Well, beautiful lady, tell me your room number, and I'll have someone bring it over in a bit."
"Sure, can you just give it to me? I'll take it back."
The waitress actually knew which private room Cheng Ning was in, because she was right at the door and heard what was happening inside since the door wasn't closed.
She felt great sympathy for the beautiful woman in front of her, but this was someone else's family matter, and she, as a waitress, had no right to interfere.
She can only provide whatever the guests need, according to the hotel's rules.
Just as she was about to ask someone to bring hot tea, the door to the boss's private room opened.
"Mr. Lu is indeed young and promising. I wish us a pleasant cooperation."
"Yes, it's a pleasure doing business with you."
"Mr. Lu, thank you for your hospitality today. I hope you will give me the opportunity to entertain you in the future."
"No problem."
"Well then, Mr. Lu, I'll take my leave now."
"Take care, Mr. Chen."
"Cheng Ning, what are you doing here?"
Hu Wen, who was behind Lu Ran, saw Cheng Ning and happily went up to her. Then she noticed that Cheng Ning's eyes were red, as if she had just been crying.
And it's unclear what she's afraid of; she turns her back as if afraid someone will see her eyes.
Lu Ran was also surprised; he hadn't expected Cheng Ning to celebrate her grandfather's birthday at his hotel.
But now is not the time to think about these things.
Lu Ran stepped forward to see Cheng Ning and ask her what was wrong.
But Cheng Ning kept avoiding him and kept her back to him, showing no intention of facing him face to face.
Lu Ran said helplessly, "Stop hiding, I saw it all. You must have cried."
"I, I'm not, I'm just feeling a bit stuffy, that's all from yawning."
"Then what are you afraid of?"
"I'm not afraid."
"Could you turn around and look at me when you talk to me?"
Hu Wen quietly stepped aside and joined Liu Nini as bystanders.
Cheng Ning slowly turned around, but still kept her head down, not daring to look into Lu Ran's eyes.
Lu Ran gently patted her head and said softly, "Don't worry, I won't force you if you don't want to talk about it."
Cheng Ning was able to endure being bullied by her second aunt, and she could also endure it in front of her mother.
But in front of Lu Ran.
Cheng Ning couldn't help but press her forehead against Lu Ran's chest, instantly shedding her feigned strength and becoming vulnerable.
She wanted to cry, but she held back.
Besides the fact that Lu Ran didn't like seeing her cry, she also didn't want to bother Lu Ran with everything. Lu Ran wasn't her servant or bodyguard, and had no obligation to always stand up for her.
Just offer her a shoulder to lean on when she needs it, and that's enough.
The two remained in the same position in silence.
Lu Ran gently stroked Cheng Ning's hair, saying nothing, only silently comforting her emotions.
At this moment, Lu Ran suddenly noticed that the waiter next to him was staring at him and Cheng Ning, looking like he wanted to say something but couldn't.
Lu Ran then turned to ask, "Is there something you want to say?"
Wu Sisi gritted her teeth and encouraged herself, "I'll give it my all."
Then she recounted everything she had heard and seen from beginning to end.
Cheng Ning panicked. She hadn't expected that the waiter had been outside the door and had heard the commotion in the private room.
Looking up, I saw that Lu Ran's face had darkened.
"Lu Ran..."
Lu Ran put away his cold expression and put on a smile.
"Okay, it's alright, I'll handle it."
Lu Ran looked at the waiter: "You have strong communication skills, you shouldn't just be a waiter. Follow me, I might need you later."
Wu Sisi nodded quickly: "Okay, boss."
After Lu Ran finished speaking, he pulled Cheng Ning towards the private room.
"You worthless thing, Cai Ru's words may be harsh, but they are true. If this were before, you and your daughter wouldn't even be qualified to sit at the table to eat. And you still have the nerve to complain?"
Upon hearing this, Lu Ran laughed in exasperation.
I was originally thinking about whether or not to give Cheng Ning's grandfather some face, but now it seems there's no need.