Meng Po Gave Her a Bowl of Soup (GL) - Chapter 13

— “Do you think General Manager Xu is helping me because of guilt?”

Lawyer Zhao’s sweat was about to drip off his forehead. It’s well-known that a lawyer’s primary quality is a strong psychological resilience. No matter how high-pressure or deceitful the situation, one must remain calm, adjust their thinking, and maintain clarity.

But…

Although Song Wanyue’s tone was very calm, her eyes were as if they could see through everything. Moreover, this woman had a strong presence.

She was different from Xu Ruying and the former Director Xiao, who were clearly dominant and decisive.

Song Wanyue was the type who could smile at you, but you’d still feel the death threat behind that smile.

Lawyer Zhao hesitated for a moment, his lips twitching, and Wanyue nodded and smiled slightly: “I understand.”

Lawyer Zhao: “…”

What’s going on?

Understand??? Understand what???!!! He hadn’t said anything yet.

Song Wanyue, with her arms crossed, gazed softly at the dark corridor and said quietly, “She warned you in advance.”

Lawyer Zhao: “…”

Heaven help me.

He hadn’t even had the chance to speak, and if General Manager Xu found out, would she fire him?

••••

After Lawyer Zhao, with a face ashen and tears in his eyes, left, Wanyue knocked on Xu Ruying’s door.

Xu Ruying, who had been resting on the sofa due to exhaustion, brightened up when she saw Wanyue come in, “What are you doing here?”

Song Wanyue looked at Xu Ruying’s tired eyes and lifted the bag of groceries she had brought from home. “I’m here to express my gratitude to Miss Xu. You look exhausted, so I came to cook for you.”

Xu Ruying: “…”

An instinctive fear.

Is this really to express gratitude?

“Is it that Miss Xu doesn’t trust my cooking skills?”

Song Wanyue smiled warmly at her. Today, she wore the sapphire blue shirt that Xiao Mingyu liked best, with the sleeves casually rolled up, revealing a snowy white forearm.

Xu Ruying maintained a polite smile. “Of course not. I look forward to it.”

She stepped aside, making a gesture of invitation, while quietly calculating in her mind.

Fortunately, she had the foresight to install fire alarms in the kitchen.

Song Wanyue didn’t move and kept her eyes on Xu Ruying, as if she had something to say. Xu Ruying looked at her with confusion. “What’s wrong?”

Song Wanyue: “Can I say something?”

The almost humble tone made Xu Ruying’s heart ache. Wanyue had once been like a treasure to her, and she couldn’t bear to see her so timid. Xu Ruying softened her voice and her gaze. “Go ahead.”

Is there something else she needs help with?

Song Wanyue stared intently into her eyes. “Are you afraid I’ll set the kitchen on fire?”

Xu Ruying: “….…”

Really glad she wasn’t wearing high heels.

Xu Ruying’s awkward smile was almost unbearable to look at. “No, not at all.”

Song Wanyue: “I feel like you’re forcing a smile.”

Xu Ruying: “… I’m hungry.”

••••

Such exchanges were common between Mingyu and Wanyue in the past.

Xiao Mingyu was much older than Wanyue, but she often lost out to her. Wanyue had always been aware of this. Her little woman only showed her softer side and patiently waited at home when Mingyu was around.

In fact, Wanyue was much stronger than Xu Ruying had imagined.

Xu Ruying sat on the sofa, lost in thought.

She even began to consider whether, aside from settling Wanyue and her mother and helping them remove obstacles, she should help Wanyue fulfill her dream from youth.

When she was younger, Wanyue loved oil painting and even participated in domestic competitions during college, achieving good results.

However, due to their emotional entanglements, her parents’ disapproval, and Mingyu’s increasingly busy work schedule, Wanyue had to withdraw from the oil painting circle.

At that time, she smiled and cuddled with Wanyue, saying, “You’re so busy. If I get busy too, what will happen to our family?”

Xiao Mingyu disagreed. “That’s your dream. You can’t just give up on it.”

Song Wanyue’s cheek brushed against her neck, inhaling Mingyu’s scent, and said softly, “Oil painting was a youthful dream, but meeting you and staying with you is my lifelong dream. I’m no longer young; I can’t lose you…”

Recalling the past.

Xu Ruying’s eyes reddened. She bit her lip, trying to control her emotions, when a scream came from the kitchen.

Suddenly standing up, Xu Ruying turned and ran, “What happened? What happened?”

Had she cut herself?

When she burst into the kitchen.

Both Wanyue and Xu Ruying were slightly stunned.

Wanyue held a bunch of chives and looked at Xu Ruying with a dazed expression, seeing the concern and urgency in her eyes.

She remembered a long time ago.

Probably around their 7th anniversary.

Song Wanyue teased Xiao Mingyu, “My Mingyu is becoming more dazzling while I’m growing old and not as lively as the young girls outside. I don’t know how to do anything. Will you dislike me?”

Xiao Mingyu rolled her eyes. “If you have something to say, just say it. Don’t play games.”

Song Wanyue smiled, with a childlike yearning, “Today, I’ll show you how to prepare a sumptuous dinner.”

Then…

Then Wanyue ended up injuring her finger and bleeding a lot. Mingyu was heartbroken and kept complaining.

Back then, Mingyu’s gaze at her was the same as Xu Ruying’s now.

“What are you doing?”

Calming down, Xu Ruying realized she had been tricked, her voice cooling slightly. Song Wanyue looked at her with a pitiful expression. “I almost cut myself.”

This was her usual trick with Mingyu.

Using the most innocent expression and the most pitiful tone to dismantle her anger.

Xu Ruying took a deep breath and turned around. “Why don’t we go out to eat instead?”

Song Wanyue looked at her back and secretly smiled. “No, I’ll be done soon.”

••••

Done soon.

“Soon” turned out to be an hour and a half later.

Huang Lan was also brought over. She sat at the table, looking at the indeed sumptuous meal, and was full of surprise. “Xiao Xu, you’re cooking again? Oh, it looks so delicious.”

She increasingly admired this young woman, not only for her excellent work but also for her gentle nature. Most importantly, she was skilled at cooking and housework and had been very helpful to them. Could it be that her daughter was watching over them from heaven?

Song Wanyue: “…”

Xu Ruying smiled slightly. “It’s not me, Auntie. It was Miss Song who cooked.”

Huang Lan stiffened, and the chopsticks she had picked up were put down. She hesitated, “Oh, it was Wanyue who cooked…”

Can they still eat it?

Why so many dishes? Such a waste of ingredients.

Song Wanyue puffed up her cheeks, “Auntie, why did you put down your chopsticks?”

Huang Lan and Xu Ruying exchanged awkward smiles.

The lights came on.

Another bottle of wine was opened.

Four dishes and a soup, and the family once again gathered around the table.

This time, the sorrow was not as intense as when Mingyu had just left; although she was still deeply affected, the pain was less sharp.

But everyone could stop crying now.

Song Wanyue prepared simple dishes: four-season meatballs, steamed bass, sweet and sour ribs, stir-fried gai lan, and a West Lake beef soup.

As for the taste… it was hard to compliment.

Huang Lan drank a lot of water because the food was too salty, Wanyue frowned after a few bites, and Xu Ruying, however, ate quietly.

She had three bowls of rice.

Not only was this a fatal amount compared to the past, when Mingyu ate as if in a trance, but it was also an unattainable quantity for an average girl.

But Xu Ruying ate happily, diligently practicing the “clean plate campaign.”

Huang Lan watched her and winced, “Xiao Xu, isn’t it too salty?”

Xu Ruying shook her head. “I have a strong taste.”

She intended to eat everything.

In the past, she always felt she had a lifetime with Wanyue, often teasing her about her cooking and playfully calling her a culinary novice.

She had all the time in the world to watch Wanyue grow, and their remaining years were long.

But now.

The remaining time was less than a year.

She needed to remember the taste of her cooking.

To remember everything about her.

Song Wanyue looked at Xu Ruying with a sad gaze. She didn’t stop her, only quietly watched and kept her company.

Huang Lan, being older, always needed to take a walk after dinner to aid digestion. Song Wanyue looked at Xu Ruying and asked, “Miss Xu, do you want to join us?”

Xu Ruying was aware of the square dancing area downstairs, where many elderly people danced. After dinner, the couple went down smiling.

In the past, she thought it was ordinary and even a bit embarrassing.

But now, it was a happiness she could no longer wish for.

She felt tears well up when she saw it.

Xu Ruying smiled slightly. “I’ll pass.”

Song Wanyue looked at her slightly protruding belly and said softly, “I think you need to go.”

Xu Ruying: “…”

In the end, Song Wanyue managed to pull her out.

The three of them walked to the modern square dance center.

The square was as crowded as ever, with dazzling lights, and besides the square dancers, there were many young people skating around, while the central fountain changed with the music.

Everything was as usual.

When Huang Lan first came here, she felt inferior. Coupled with her daughter’s sudden departure, she was upset and didn’t want to be seen.

Later, Song Wanyue occasionally brought her here, and she would quickly take a walk and not join the dancing.

Now, perhaps because of Xu Ruying’s help at home, Huang Lan felt that this child was reliable.

Maybe it was due to a sense of familiarity.

Huang Lan blended into the group of uncles and aunts, and she was even given a pink, delicate fan by the leader, smiling and dancing to the music.

Xu Ruying stared at her with teary eyes. At this moment, Song Wanyue extended her hand. “Miss Xu.”

Xu Ruying looked at her. Under the moonlight, Song Wanyue’s eyes were deep and dark. “Let’s join the dance too.”

Xu Ruying didn’t speak, only looked at her.

Wanyue’s eyes misted over, her voice trembling as she tried to hold back tears. “I once wanted to be here with her.”

To grow old with her slowly.

To grow old with her, with graying hair.

To share the changing seasons of life with her.

Today was the 21th day since Mingyu had left her.

Elders once said that after three periods, the bones of the deceased buried underground turn cold.

They gradually become forgotten by the world, turning into memories or stories told by others.

She would never have the chance to hold her hand again.