I Deserve A Second Chance

Soft, lullaby music was playing in the background. A mix of erhu and qin weaved a beautiful symphony around the four people who were enjoying their meal.

The round table was packed with a lot of ingredients, and three pairs of chopsticks were busy cooking the double pot in the center of the table.

"Grandma," Li Xiqing said as he picked up some cooked vegetables and put them on her plate, "sometime next month, I would like to invite you to dinner."

And then he continued, "My elder sister and my brother in law are visiting Shanghai. They will be staying for a few months here, so I want them to also pay their respect to you."

Grandma Wu put down her chopsticks, and reached out for her tea cup. After taking a sip, she nodded, "Alright, you just arrange what you have to do. And then just let Shaoying know the details," Grandma said as she glanced at Risa who nodded back at her.

"Do they have any place to stay, Daniel?" Risa said as she picked up a few cooked sliced fish and put them on Grandma's plate, "our family has two vacant apartment units that you can choose for her to live in for a few months. The places are fully furnished, so they can move in anytime." 

Li Xiqing also scooped some vegetables and put them on Yan Yan's plate, "Yes, they have rented a unit in my building. Thank you for the offer."

Risa waved her hand, "No need to say thanks, we are family anyway," and then she turned to Shao Yan, "make sure you behave yourself, don't embarrass our Wu family, Yan Yan."

And Shao Yan who was about to bite onto her chopsticks, paused, and then stuck out her tongue, "I know!" And then she resumed eating while bobbing her head happily after teasing Risa.

Li Xiqing pursed his lips at her attitude, and then he put in more meat into the pot, "Mandy runs her own business from home, so when she is bored, she can visit us any time since we will be staying in the same building anyway. That way, Yan Yan and she can accompany each other."

.....

"Grandma, you want to go shopping? Right now?"

Shao Yan left her mouth hanging open after she heard what Grandma Wu just said.

The four of them had just finished their meal. Around them, a few people were cleaning up their table, and more people came to put tea and sweets on their table. The pretty looking dessert was arranged on a three-tier tray and each of the mini cakes was unique on its own, nothing was repeated.

"Why are you so surprised like that? Old people like me also know how to enjoy life," Grandma Wu burst out in chuckles after seeing Yan Yan and her speechless face. Risa selected a few items that looked pretty, and put them on Grandma's plate, "Grandma, taste these desserts."

"Then," Shao Yan started to say, before she paused for a while.

However, before she got the chance to continue, Li Xiqing patted her shoulder, "Why don't I drive all of you to the shopping mall? And then I will pick you up again tonight, alright?"

He also selected two items from the tier trays, and put them on Yan Yan's plate, then continued to say, "There are some things that I need to discuss with Axel anyway, so, why don't all of you ladies have some fun?"

Shao Yan looked at Li Xiqing, before she glanced back at Risa and Grandma Wu, "What do you say, Grandma?"

Risa brought her head down, and let out a soft chuckle, while Grandma Wu just nodded along, "Alright, let's do that." Risa finally raised her face and looked at Li Xiqing, "But, Daniel, you don't have to drop us off. I have my car with me," she paused as she crossed her arms in front of her chest and started to think.

"Why don't you leave Yan Yan with us? Either I will send her back home later, or you can pick her up tonight. What do you think?"

Shao Yan linked her arms around Li Xiqing's and said, "Then, let's do that, Xiqing. So you can meet Axel right away, alright?"

.....

They decided to go to a new shopping mall that had just opened for a few months.

Shao Yan was walking next to Grandma Wu with her arm wrapped around Grandma; she kept Grandma occupied by talking to her all the way.

"So, what are you looking for, Grandma? Maybe Sis and I can help you to find it?"

Grandma Wu patted her arm lovingly, as she said, "I want to buy you a dress, Yan Yan."

Shao Yan stopped on her track, which made Grandma Wu also stood still, "What's wrong, Yan Yan? Do you feel unwell?" A trace of concern laced her voice as Grandma Wu started to search her face to see if she was sick.

Shao Yan shook her head gingerly, she said softly, "Grandma, I'm fine, I'm not sick," she said hesitantly, "I was just surprised that you wanted to buy me a dress."

And then she acted spoiled and clung to her more, "Grandma, I don't need a dress. Let's just buy something that you like. How about we go and see some handkerchiefs?"

"This brat," Grandma playfully poked Yan Yan on her cheek, "how old are you already, still acting like a child like this?"

Grandma Wu also feigned a glare, and then she patted Yan Yan's hand, "You are going to meet Xiqing's sister soon. I want you to have a few beautiful dresses when you meet his family in the future."

"Be pretty, and be more confident with yourself. I want them to see my beautiful granddaughter, and let me be proud."

"Let's look at some Qipao dress then, shall we?" Risa suggested as she pushed both of them gently on the back, "and then at the same time, we can also get some embroidered handkerchiefs for Grandma."

Risa turned her head to look at Shao Yan and then at Grandma, "Sounds good? Okay, let's go," and she started to walk ahead of them even though the two women had not given her answers.

Shao Yan and Grandma exchanged glances before both of them broke out in smiles and followed behind Risa, "Sis, wait for me!"