Chapter 76: Seventy-six, Gift Chapter 76: Seventy-six, Gift Yang Xin’er didn’t pay any attention to Song Yanxue, as she pulled Song Yufeng along to catch up with Song Yan Ning and the others.
Looking at Song Yan Ning and her party approaching, several of the elders in attendance focused their gazes on Song Yan Ning, their eyes full of inquiry. Even though Old Qin had assured them he wasn’t joking, they still found it hard to believe that such a young child could possess such advanced medical skills.
“Old Qin, are you really not joking with us?” Old Li looked at Mr. Qin to confirm once more.
“Mm-hmm.” Mr. Qin nodded affirmatively, his eyes filled with admiration and fondness as he watched Song Yan Ning. He was very fond of this child, especially the cool and noble temperament she possessed, which assured him that she would definitely not be just another ordinary person in the future.
Turning to Mr. Song, “Old Song, what do you think of your granddaughter?” Mr. Song was his old friend, and he still hoped that Mr. Song would correct past mistakes and not judge by appearances, to make amends to this child, otherwise, he would surely regret it in the future.
Mr. Song scrutinized Song Yan Ning. Her expression was indifferent, aloof as if everything around her was merely commonplace. The luxurious mansion, the socialites, high officials, and noble families failed to spark the slightest interest in her, and he felt not only surprise in his heart.
He had assumed that since Song Yan Ning had lived in the countryside, her behavior might be somewhat unrefined. Unexpectedly, not only did her temperament not fall short compared to Xiao Xue and Xiao Li, but it even surpassed theirs. The confidence, strength, and nobility that emanated from her very bones were innate, entirely different from what could be cultivated.
“Unexpected.” Mr. Song said. Had he not seen it with his own eyes, he would never have believed that this was the child they had abandoned.
“He is the ‘Divine Doctor’ I told you all about. If it hadn’t been for my encounter with him on the train, you wouldn’t be seeing me now,” Old Sir Fang introduced Yang Lisheng to the present company with a tone full of admiration.
“Please, have a seat!” Mr. Song stood up and invited Yang Lisheng to sit. He was now very curious about Xiao Ning’s medical skill and wanted to know if she truly was as formidable as Old Qin had stated.
Yang Lisheng nodded slightly, “This is the gift I’ve brought for you, and this is the gift Xiao Ning has for you.” He took the box containing wild ginseng from Song Yufeng’s hands and set it on the table, then took the other box from Li Meixiang. Originally, he had not planned to give this painting to Mr. Song, but since Mr. Song was Xiao Ning’s grandfather, just giving wild ginseng seemed insufficient. Besides, it was Xiao Ning’s first time meeting her grandfather, and presenting a birthday gift could leave a good impression. Even though Xin’er had disappointed him, deep down, he still hoped Xiao Ning could return to the Song Family, for that was her true home.
“You are very kind, thank you, Xiao Ning, for the gift to your grandfather,” Mr. Song said joyously looking at Song Yan Ning. The more he looked at Xiao Ning, the more he liked her. Such an outstanding granddaughter must be kept in the Song Family, and he needed to make it up to her.
“You’re welcome,” Song Yan Ning replied indifferently.
Yang Xin’er gritted her teeth and poked Song Yufeng at her side, giving him a look.
Song Yufeng hesitated. His father seemed to like Xiao Ning very much, and he also hoped Xiao Ning would come back so that he could make up for the wrongs he had done her over the years.
Seeing that Song Yufeng did not say anything, Yang Xin’er pinched the back of his hand irritably and looked at the box on the table, “Dad, why don’t you open it and see what the gift is.” Judging by the box, it should contain a painting. Since there was no stopping it now, she might as well let Song Yan Ning embarrass herself in front of these elders, make their family’s old man hate her, make Song Yan Ning feel utterly out of place, and unworthy of being one of the Song Family. The painting Song Yan Ning had gifted was surely not a masterpiece from a renowned artist, and it might just be something she had doodled.
Song Yufeng inhaled sharply from the pain and, seeing Yang Xin’er’s warning look, reluctantly echoed, “Yes dad, why not take a look.” He wasn’t henpecked, rather, he deferred to Xin’er in all things because she had sacrificed so much for him. She gave up her dreams, her career, devoted her youth to him, and bore him several bright and lovely children. That’s why he respected her so much.
Mr. Song hesitated a bit, actually curious about what was inside the box. However, considering the occasion, if the box contained something of little value, it might subject Xiao Ning to gossip. He gave Song Yufeng a glare and looked at Song Yan Ning, “Xiao Ning, do you think grandpa should open it?”
“It doesn’t matter to me,” Song Yan Ning said indifferently. After all, she had already given away the painting, what he did with it had nothing to do with her.
“Grandpa, please open it. I also want to see what little sister Xiao Ning has given,” Song Yanxue interjected. She was sure that the box contained a painting done by Song Yan Ning herself, and given how ugly she was, the painting must be ugly too.
Mr. Song looked around at everyone, all faces filled with anticipation, and smiled as he nodded, “Then I’ll open it to have a look.”
He reached out to lift the lid of the box, saw a painting inside, took it out, and began to unfold it slowly on the table.
As the entire painting was unveiled, the eyes of the seated elders all brightened.
“This is ‘Summer Clouds and Rain’ by Liu Jue of the Ming Dynasty!”
“Wasn’t this painting long lost?”
“I remember, at the last auction, Liu Yu’s ‘Mountain Stream Grass Pavilion Painting’ was sold for the sky-high price of 6.9 million.”
“Xiao Ning, your birthday gift is quite hefty! Old Song, I’m really envious of you!”
Mr. Song redirected his gaze, glanced at Song Yan Ning, and looked at Yang Lisheng, “My dear in-law, this painting?” Xiao Ning was so young, she couldn’t possibly afford such an expensive gift. It must have been Yang Lisheng who brought the painting to give Xiao Ning some prestige. Yang Lisheng, being a renowned doctor, knew many important people; it wouldn’t be strange for someone to gift him a painting in gratitude for treating them.
“This painting was bought by Xiao Ning in Wangtianjing,” Yang Lisheng said, recounting the process of purchasing the painting briefly.
“Xiao Ning, how did you know there was a painting within the painting?” Mr. Qin looked at Song Yan Ning with a smile, his eyes full of affection.
Song Yanxue clenched her fists tightly, flames of anger burning in her eyes as she watched Song Yan Ning. That damn monstrosity, why should she get to show off in front of these elders? Just wait, I will make sure you’re embarrassed.
Song Yan Ning slightly lifted the corners of her lips, “It was a coincidence!”
Mr. Qin burst into hearty laughter. He couldn’t believe it was simply a ‘coincidence,’ but since Xiao Ning said it was, then let it be a coincidence.
“Xiao Ning, I’ve heard that your medical skills are quite advanced. Why don’t you take a look at Grandpa Zhou’s pulse? He’s been feeling dizzy lately,” Grandpa Zhou said with a smile, admiration and fondness in his eyes. It was hard for him to believe that this child had lived in the countryside before.