Su Xiaomeng knew that Xiao Anhe would definitely say that.
The warm invitation was hard to refuse, so Xiaomeng stayed for dinner.
Xiao Xiaoang was thrilled; during dinner, he stayed close to Su Xiaomeng, especially attentive, offering her various dishes and tidbits.
The Young Master of the Xiao Family had always been served, never had anyone seen him work so hard to please someone.
Xiao Anhe thought it was remarkable; he only understood after hearing from Xiao Yan that Su Xiaomeng and Xiao Xiaoang were quite connected.
Yet, Su Xiaomeng naturally had an endearing personality, got along with everyone, and was incredibly easygoing. Even Little Tiger knew Su Xiaomeng was approachable, and watched her adoringly as he sat obediently by her feet during dinner.
Su Xiaomeng didn’t dare give him random food, knowing everyone has their own habits in raising dogs.
"My two kids just adopted two puppies from the orphanage today, and soon, I imagine our meals will be like this too - humans eating, dogs watching, we’d have to give them a share of everything."
"That’s quite enjoyable!"
Xiao Anhe remarked with a smile.
Xiao Xiaoang sat next to Pu Yang, while Xiao Yan remained quite silent, as did Pu Yang beside them, perhaps uncertain of what to say. Xiao Xiaoang, however, never stopped talking - either eating or chatting with Su Xiaomeng, almost as if he had endless things to say to her.
Truth be told...
Pu Yang was quite jealous; in all the years she’s known Xiao Xiaoang, he had never shown her such enthusiasm.
Pu Yang couldn’t understand what she was doing wrong, even when she and Xiao Yan discussed it, they could never figure it out.
"Next time, Xiaomeng could bring your kids over, our families could go out together, and Xiao Ang could make more friends."
Pu Yang suggested.
But as soon as her proposal came out, she received a fierce glare from Xiao Ang...
Xiao Yan saw this look too, furrowing his brows and glaring at Xiao Xiaoang.
Xiao Xiaoang pouted, lowering his head.
"Sure, that sounds nice. I heard you raised Little Tiger, and the older siblings are about to get dogs too. When you meet, you could tell them some tips about raising dogs, okay?"
"Su Xiaomeng, try this omelette dumpling; it’s really delicious!"
Xiao Xiaoang said as he picked up an omelette dumpling with his chopsticks and placed it in her bowl. His ability to change the subject... well, the adults at the table might all feel inferior.
Xiaomeng asked but didn’t get a response from Xiao Xiaoang, truthfully making it quite awkward.
"Oh right, when you two set your wedding date, make sure to tell me."
Pu Yang’s cheeks flushed slightly as she glanced at Xiao Yan, who smiled slightly, "At the latest by early next year, once we set the date, there’ll be a lot to do. Both Pu Yang and I are usually busy, so we’ll take it step by step."
"Sure, I’ll follow Xiao Yan’s lead."
Su Xiaomeng looked towards Xiao Anhe, "Once it’s settled, it’ll be one less worry for Uncle Xiao, right?"
"Indeed! Haha!"
Xiao Anhe laughed happily, Pu Yang and Xiao Yan shared the joy. Su Xiaomeng felt genuinely happy for them as a family, except for Xiao Xiaoang, who appeared sullen and burdened with concerns...
Xiaomeng was aware, but Xiao Ang was just a child, and children have their own thoughts, though they cannot control the thoughts of adults.
She trusted that Pu Yang would treat Xiao Xiaoang well; she seemed like a knowledgeable and sensible person, quite different from the Pu Family.
Though upon thinking about them, Su Xiaomeng was curious,
"How’s your sister doing now?"
Pu Yang chuckled bitterly, "My sister, she’s practically gone mad, with her retinal nerves damaged; her treatment requires complete cooperation from the patient, but she curses at everyone, even my parents avoid her. We brought her home the other day, yet she refuses treatment, so staying in the hospital wouldn’t help."
"Back home, she made a complete mess of my room... I imagine she despises me most now."
Pu Yang said, shrugging, full of helplessness and disappointment.
Su Xiaomeng could only lament the instability of human nature and the unpredictability of life, how a dignified Beijing University professor, a position many spend half their lives striving for at the top academy, has been squandered so thoroughly.
"It’s good you didn’t pursue the matter further with my sister, or else... who knows what crazy acts she’d attempt, or how much she might embarrass our parents further..."
Pu Yang spoke, and Su Xiaomeng understood well. Although, in her opinion, both of the Pu family’s big professors weren’t of good character...
During dinner, Xiao Anhe frequently mentioned, four years ago, when he treated Yin Shixiu, not to boast of his own medical skills, but to marvel at Yin Shixiu’s extraordinary endurance.
Su Xiaomeng smiled softly, her husband’s numerous achievements were enough to make her proud for a lifetime.
The pride and pleasure in her eyes were entirely captured by Xiao Yan.
After the meal, Xiao Yan drove Su Xiaomeng home, Xiao Xiaoang had already put on his shoes and was waiting in the foyer, "I’ll accompany you in taking Su Xiaomeng home, otherwise it’ll be lonely for you driving back alone."
Such a precocious child, neither Xiao Yan nor Su Xiaomeng could resist.
"Xiao Yang, wait for me to return."
Xiao Yan said to Pu Yang, who nodded and smiled, "Alright, drive slowly."
Pu Yang watched as Xiao Yan drove away, seeing Xiao Xiaoang’s close interaction with Su Xiaomeng in the car... she slightly curled her lips.