Chapter 82: Phone Call

“Yaoyao, what did you just call me?” Ji Yanting pinched himself hard.

Feeling the pain, a stiff but joyful smile spread across his lips.

 He stared intently at Ling Yao, wanting confirmation from her mouth.

He was afraid he had heard wrong.

Ling Yao chuckled softly and called out, “Dad!”

A wave of indescribable emotion surged through Ji Yanting’s heart. His throat tightened, and tears welled up in his eyes,

 “Xiao Mei, did you hear that? Yaoyao called me Dad. She called me Dad. Hahaha…” This was the first time he had felt true family warmth in so many years.

 This was the first time he had heard his daughter call him “Dad.”

“I heard it. I heard it.” Ling Xuemei’s eyes also welled up. Yaoyao finally acknowledged Yanting’s identity.

She finally didn’t have to worry about them anymore. She had been waiting for this day.

“Right, Yaoyao is hungry. Dad will go get you some rice. Your mom made your favorite sweet and sour pork ribs today, and there’s also jade shrimp.”

 Ji Yanting was so happy that he was practically bouncing.

His face was beaming like a sunflower. He rushed towards the kitchen.

Ling Yao watched Ji Yanting’s joyful back, and the smile on her lips gradually deepened, “Mom! Let’s go eat dinner.”

“Okay.”

Ling Yao and Ling Xuemei went to the kitchen. Ji Yanting had already served the rice.

On the table, the sweet and sour pork ribs were red and shiny, the jade shrimp were fresh and tender, and the green vegetables were cooked to a vibrant green and crisp. Just looking at them made one’s mouth water.

“Yaoyao, Xuemei.” After Ling Yao and Ling Xuemei sat down, Ji Yanting picked up his chopsticks and gave them each a piece of sweet and sour pork ribs. They were the most important people in his life.

 He would give them the best things in the world.

“Thank you, Dad! You eat too.” She picked up a piece of sweet and sour pork ribs and put it in Ji Yanting’s bowl.

“Okay, okay.” Ji Yanting couldn’t contain his happiness. He was filled with joy and contentment. He felt like he was the happiest man in the world.

He had a gentle and virtuous wife and a smart and lovely daughter. He felt that his life had become more meaningful and valuable.

Moonlight quietly slipped into the house, blending perfectly with the lights.

The soft glow fell on the smiles of the three of them, radiating happiness and sweetness, like a beautiful painting.

Yang Guofu had been thinking about Ling Yao’s words all the way home. He walked into the house absentmindedly.

“Guofu.”

“Dad.”

Yang Guofu looked up and saw his wife and son sitting in the living room watching TV.

Yang Guofu forced a smile. He didn’t know how to tell his wife and son that he had been fired from the state-owned restaurant.

Yang Yong stood up and went to pour Yang Guofu a cup of tea. He handed it to him, “Dad, Mom and I already know.

 What are your plans for the future?” Their biggest concern was the house. It belonged to the state-owned restaurant.

Now that Dad was fired, the state-owned restaurant would definitely take the house back.

Yang Guofu took the tea and looked at his wife and son with guilt, “It’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have disobeyed you and helped Yang Mei. I’m sorry.”

“Dad, it’s okay. We’re a family. No matter what difficulties we face, as long as we work together, we can overcome them.”

Yang Yong knew that Yang Guofu was very sad now.

Wang Huizhen walked over to Yang Guofu and took his hand, “Don’t think too much. Go eat dinner.”

She didn’t blame her husband. She knew he was a man who valued family very much.

Yang Guofu hesitated for a moment, “I’ve already found a job.

They promised to pay me five hundred yuan a month, pay my pension, and assign me housing.

 In addition, I’ll also have a ten percent share, and I’ll get a share of the profits at the end of the year.”

“Dad, you’re not being tricked, are you?”

“Yeah, old man.” Yang Yong and Wang Huizhen both looked unconvinced.

 Such generous treatment couldn’t be found even if you searched the entire Yuncheng.

“It shouldn’t be. Besides, I’m only good at cooking. What else is there for someone to trick me about? Don’t worry.”

After figuring it out, Yang Guofu felt relieved. He had decided. He would try it. He would give himself a chance.

He didn’t know that this decision would change his life.

 Many years later, he would still be grateful, grateful that he had chosen to believe Ling Yao and taken this step.

After dinner, Ling Yao went back to her room.

She closed the door and was about to slip into her space.

The door was knocked at that moment.

Ling Yao went to open the door and saw Ji Yanting standing outside with a cup of malted milk in his hand.

“Yaoyao, Dad made you a cup of malted milk. Drink it and go to bed early.”

Ji Yanting handed the malted milk to Ling Yao. His eyes were filled with a joyful smile. Today felt like a dream. He still felt a little unreal.

“Thank you, Dad! You and Mom go to bed early too.” Ling Yao reached out and took the malted milk.

“Okay, good night!”

“Good night!”

Ji Yanting closed the door for Ling Yao, humming a tuneless song, and walked towards the next room,

 “I’m so happy today. My daughter called me Dad. I’m so happy. La la la… Today is a good day…”

Ling Yao shook her head, speechless and amused. He was such a childish and easily satisfied man.

Another day of intense exams.

Ling Yao handed in her paper and walked out of the school. She saw a familiar jeep. A smile unconsciously spread across her lips. She walked towards it.

Seeing Ling Yao coming, Lu Qingyun got out of the car. When Ling Yao got closer, he reached out to block the car door above, preventing her from accidentally bumping her head.

“Let’s call your grandpa first, and then go watch a movie? I heard there’s a new movie out today.”

Lu Qingyun closed the car door and looked at Ling Yao expectantly. He had always wanted to watch a movie with Yaoyao.

“Okay.” Ling Yao nodded. Since she had agreed to pretend to be his girlfriend, she naturally had to help.

As for the movie, she hadn’t watched any since she was reborn. She wanted to go see one too.

Lu Qingyun smiled happily and told Xiao Liu to drive.

They arrived at the guesthouse. Lu Qingyun picked up the phone and dialed the number of his home in Beijing.

Soon, a polite voice came from the other end, “Hello! Who are you looking for?”

“Uncle Wang, it’s Qingyun. Please ask Grandpa to answer the phone.”

“Okay, Young Master Qingyun!”

After a while, a familiar, old voice came from the other end, “Qingyun, why did you call Grandpa today?”

“Grandpa! Didn’t you want to talk to my girlfriend? She’s right here with me.” Lu Qingyun smiled at Ling Yao, his deep eyes filled with tenderness.

Ling Yao blushed and looked away.

“Hurry up and let your granddaughter answer the phone.”

Grandpa Lu shouted excitedly. He had been waiting for this for so many years.

Finally, his stinky boy had found a girlfriend. How could he not be excited?