Chapter 57: Going to Grandpa’s
During the summer break, it got increasingly warm every day. It got so warm, that one could practically fry an egg on the ground.
The weather report was being broadcasted on the television. “According to the Meteorological Office, this summer will be one of the hottest summers that this city has ever seen. It will continue to be 40 degrees Celsius over the next two months…”
“How do people live in this weather?!” exclaimed Ning Tiantian, who was still feeling unbearably warm, despite the air conditioning, the electric fans, and the numerous ice creams.
Li Yanmo lifted his head from the homework he was doing, and said flatly to her, “A calm heart keeps you cool.”
“Cool, my *ss!” Mama Li happened to have heard what Li Yanmo said, having just returned home. She was drenched in sweat from having been outside.
“Godma, *sses aren’t cool. They’re warm.”
Li Yanmo was shocked at her statement.
Mama Li was also surprised.
That night, Mama Li got Tiantian’s parents to come over so that they could discuss travel plans for summer break, such as how they could escape the overbearing heat so that no one got burnt to a crisp.
“Where are we going?” Ning Tiantian was especially excited. “Are we going overseas?”
“Sure, we could.” Mama Li smiled and nodded. Turning to look at Mama Ning, she asked, “Mama Ning, any suggestions?”
“Er… a few days ago, Papa Ning and I had already bought tickets for Bali, so we can’t go with you guys,” Mama Ning said somewhat awkwardly.
“How about me?” Ning Tiantian couldn’t help but ask. Why did they buy only two tickets…?
“You go on vacation with your hubby, of course. You want to be our third wheel, instead?” Mama Ning retorted.
“Fine! Then I’ll go have fun with Inky, Godpa, and Godma!” Ning Tiantian said in disdain to her biological parents, who weren’t bringing her along on their vacation.
Upon hearing this, Mama Li also looked apologetically at Tiantian, “Tiantian, actually, your godpa and I have already bought tickets for the Aegean Sea. We also wanted some couple time…”
What?!
Ning Tiantian had received yet another blow. “So, when you said you would be discussing summer vacation plans, you were actually referring to only me and Inky? We weren’t going to go away together?”
The four parents nodded unabashedly.
Ning Tiantian immediately pouted, tears falling like rain. “How could you guys do this…?”
“What’s there to cry about?” Li Yanmo threw her a packet of tissues. “There’s nothing fun outside, anyway.”
If it were up to him, he would rather stay home and work on his practice papers.
“How about you bring Tiantian to Grandpa’s?” Mama Li suddenly had an epiphany. “Your grandpa stays in Zhangjiajie. It’s cooling at the forest park, even during summer!”
“You guys are abandoning me and Inky by going overseas without us! I’ve never even been overseas before!” Tiantian grumbled. Actually, whether or not she went on a vacation overseas was of secondary importance; she was merely upset that both their parents had decided to abandon her and Inky in favor of going on their own trips.
“Tiantian, you might not know this, but Grandpa runs a guesthouse and makes really delicious food,” Mama Li tried to coax her. “Grandpa’s great-grandpa was an imperial chef in the palace. He prepared the emperor’s meals, and the emperor was all praises for his cooking!”
“Really?” Tiantian practically glowed in excitement upon hearing this.
“Why would Godma lie to you?” Mama Li smiled at Tiantian. Kids were indeed easy to pacify. “Inky will bring you there tomorrow, okay?”
“Yes, yes, yes!” Ning Tiantian nodded her head in succession.
Li Yanmo, who had been neglected all this time, finally spoke up. “When did I ever say that I would bring her?”