To Sink Into You - Chapter 39

On the morning of New Year’s Eve, Ming Qian and Wen Yuxi arrived at the estate to celebrate the holiday with their elders.

Aunt Wu was busy pasting couplets when she saw them return, her smile so wide her eyes disappeared. “Eldest Miss, Madam, you’re back!”

“Mm,” Ming Qian replied with a smile. “Thank you for your hard work, Aunt Wu.”

“It’s no trouble at all,” Aunt Wu chuckled. “Come, sit down and rest. I’ll go wash some fruit for you.”

“No need, no need. We can wash it ourselves if we want some,” Wen Yuxi said, taking off her coat and scarf and rolling up her sleeves. “Aunt Wu, let’s paste the couplets together!”

Aunt Wu nodded enthusiastically. “Alright, alright. Thank you, young Madam.”

“Don’t mention it.”

Ming Qian asked gently, “Aunt Wu, is my mother home?”

“Yes, she’s in the garden with Madam. Chairman Ming is in the study.”

“I see.” Ming Qian turned to Wen Yuxi. “Yuxi, I’m going to have a word with Mom.”

Wen Yuxi tore off a piece of tape. “Okay, go ahead.”

Ming Qian wrapped her cotton coat tighter and walked through the main building to the garden. Ming Yang and Zuo Lian stood beside a lush pine tree, using teacups to collect clean snowmelt from the branches, chatting and laughing intimately.

“Mom,” Ming Qian called out, stepping closer. “It’s freezing out here. Why are you dressed so lightly?”

“Darling!” Zuo Lian exclaimed, hugging her tightly. “Have you lost weight? When did you get back?”

“I haven’t lost weight. I just got home,” Ming Qian replied, taking off her silk gloves and helping her mother put them on. She sighed helplessly. “When will you two start taking care of yourselves?”

Ming Yang chuckled. “We just came out to collect some snow water for tea. We’ll head back inside right away.”

The family of three returned to the main house, where Zuo Lian immediately spotted Wen Yuxi diligently pasting Spring Festival couplets by the entrance. Her face lit up. “Qiqi, baby! Come give Mommy a hug!”

Wen Yuxi obediently let herself be embraced, sweetly wishing, “Happy New Year, Mommy.”

“Happy New Year,” Zuo Lian replied, pinching her cheek affectionately. “Wait a moment, I’ll go get your red envelope. I bought special ones last night—they have little rabbits on them, so cute!”

Before Wen Yuxi could respond, Zuo Lian turned and hurried upstairs. She returned shortly with two thick red envelopes, pressing them into Wen Yuxi’s hands. “Here, envelopes from me and your Ming Yang Mommy.”

Wen Yuxi smiled shyly. “Thank you, Mommy. And thank you, Ming Yang Mommy.”

“We’re family, no need for formalities,” Zuo Lian said, looping an arm around her shoulder. “Come on, let’s have your Ming Yang Mommy make us some tea.”

Wen Yuxi hesitated. “Mom, we haven’t finished putting up the Spring Festival couplets yet.”

Ming Yang smiled warmly. “Come, let’s take a break. We can finish later. Have some tea and chat.”

“Okay.”

The family gathered around the dining table, sipping tea and chatting. Aunt Wu brought out two plates of cookies, smiling as she said, “I baked these yesterday. They’re quite good and go perfectly with tea.”

Ming Yang poured a cup for her. “Sister Wu, have some tea and rest too.”

Having served the Ming Family for over twenty years, Aunt Wu was practically family. She didn’t decline, sitting down and thanking Ming Yang before taking a sip of the warm tea.

Wen Yuxi picked up a buttery-scented cookie and popped it into her mouth. It tasted heavenly. She ate two in a row before nudging Ming Qian with her elbow. “Sister, do you want a cookie?”

Ming Qian smiled and shook her head. “No, thank you.”

Wen Yuxi licked her lips. “Alright.”

As they chatted, the conversation shifted. Ming Qian asked Ming Yang, “Mom, what’s the progress of the Investigation Team’s investigation?”

Ming Yang replied, “There’s a lead, but Shancheng Pharmaceutical’s roots run deep, and many powerful interests are involved. Without authorization from higher authorities, the Investigation Team can’t proceed freely.”

Ming Qian fell into thought. “I understand now.”

Suddenly, footsteps echoed through the room. Everyone turned toward the doorway to see Ming Yi enter the dining room, her expression impassive. “What are you all doing here?” she asked calmly.

“Mom, we’re having tea,” Ming Yang said, raising his teacup. “Want to join us?”

“No, thank you,” Ming Yi replied coolly. “Finish up quickly. It’s time to start preparing lunch.”

According to Imperial tradition, both the New Year’s Eve lunch and dinner were considered highly significant. To ensure good fortune and favorable weather throughout the coming year, twelve dishes had to be prepared and completely consumed, with no waste allowed.

Perhaps this was why the rich grew richer while the poor remained in poverty.

After lunch, Wen Yuxi stayed in the main hall, chatting with Zuo Lian and Ming Yang about family matters. Ming Qian took a phone call and went to the study to handle emails.

Once her work was finished, Ming Qian went to the dining room to pour herself a cup of hot water. She noticed Ming Yi sitting at the table, sipping tea. “Grandma,” she greeted.

“Hmm,” Ming Yi replied, glancing up briefly. “Sit down.”

Ming Qian sat beside her. “How have you been feeling lately?”

“Perfectly well,” Ming Yi said, lowering her gaze and blowing on a tea stem floating on the surface. “Are you going to the Wen Family tomorrow?”

“Yes,” Ming Qian replied. “We’ll visit Yuxi’s parents first, then go to the Old Mansion the day after.”

Ming Yi responded casually, “Hmm, that’s fine.”

After a moment of silence, Ming Qian asked, “Grandma, have you been unhappy with Yuxi lately?”

Ming Yi scoffed coldly. “What reason would I have to be unhappy?”

Just as I suspected.

Ming Qian understood immediately. Softening her tone, she said, “Grandma, Yuxi is still young. She’s bound to have some immature moments. Please be patient with her.”

Ming Yi sneered. “I don’t think it’s immaturity. It’s heartlessness.”

Ming Qian frowned, disagreeing. “Grandma, I’ve watched Yuxi grow up. She’s always been well-behaved. How could she be heartless?”

“Good?” Ming Yi set down her teacup, her voice sharp with anger. “Even Qingcheng makes time to visit me regularly. But Yuxi? She hasn’t set foot in the manor since she moved out years ago, not even during her three years at university in the Imperial Capital. How can you call her ‘good’?”

“That little wolf in sheep’s clothing!” the old woman fumed. “After all the love I showered her with! Humph!”

Ming Qian couldn’t help but chuckle. So that’s what this was about.

Ming Yang and Zuo Lian were busy with their work and their own world as a couple. Ming Qian spent most of her years abroad, only returning home for holidays and special occasions.

Over the years, Ming Yi had spent most of her time alone in the manor, loneliness her constant companion. The old woman clearly craved companionship but stubbornly refused to admit it, instead resorting to a childish pout.

“Yuxi hasn’t had an easy time,” Ming Qian explained gently. “Grandma, she’s been financially independent since starting university. She’s busy with classes during the school year and works during the summer and winter breaks. She simply hasn’t had the time to visit.”

“But I’m sure if you asked her directly, Yuxi, being the filial child she is, would definitely make time to come and keep you company.”

Ming Yi retorted, displeasure evident in her voice, “You sure know how to dote on your wife, then turn around and blame me.”

“That’s not what I meant,” Ming Qian said, her eyes curving into a gentle smile. “Grandma, I just think you could chat with Yuxi more often. She’s not a bad child—you know that better than anyone, right?”

“Spoil her all you want,” Ming Yi said noncommittally. “You pamper her so much, yet she doesn’t seem to appreciate it. She ended things so abruptly. Tell me, in those six years before, did you even see her once?”

“We both have our own lives. There’s no need to force meetings,” Ming Qian replied calmly. “She’s still young, just starting her life. She should spread her wings and soar.”

Ming Yi sighed repeatedly. “You… I don’t know who you take after. You don’t have a shred of Alpha in you.”

Ming Qian’s gentle, considerate nature, her calm demeanor, and her boundless, water-like tolerance stood in stark contrast to the arrogant, volatile traits commonly associated with Alphas. In fact, she seemed more like an Omega.

Ming Qian lowered her gaze. “I think this is just fine.”