Chapter 53

Tao Meng glanced at Yang Jingxing and said indifferently, "I don't really want to laugh anyway."

Yang Jingxing asked, "Why? Tell me, and I'll laugh."

Tao Meng looked down on him, "It's not funny."

Yang Jingxing exclaimed, "Wow, your standards have gotten higher."

Tao Meng sneered, "Have you raised them?"

Yang Jingxing was angry, "Could it be someone else? Who?"

"Boring!"

"Who is 'boring'?"

Tao Meng was very impatient, "Where are you planning to buy it?"

Yang Jingxing said, "You're buying it, you decide."

"You're not buying?"

"I'll just buy a cake, I'm not as meticulous as you."

Tao Meng mocked, "You're not meticulous! You can even read an ID... Let's go to the parking lot below my place."

After driving there, Tao Meng directed Yang Jingxing to park in the parking lot of Hongfu Jiayuan. Tao Meng's family had two parking spaces, one of which was occupied by her Mini.

Yang Jingxing meddled, "What about the Rolls-Royce?"

Tao Meng said, "It's parked at the villa. The driver has to go off duty, and Grandma is staying here tonight."

Yang Jingxing asked, "Do you usually live here alone?"

Tao Meng said, "Not really, the villa is farther away, in Songjiang... Actually, this place is much more expensive."

Yang Jingxing asked, "How much?"

Tao Meng said, "Over 40 million yuan."

Yang Jingxing said, "Then I should buy a good pair of socks!"

Tao Meng laughed lightly and reminded him, "It's your first time coming here, and Grandma is here. You should bring something."

Yang Jingxing asked, "What's good?"

Tao Meng was angry, "Are you the guest or am I?"

Yang Jingxing said, "I'm just a regular guest, it doesn't matter if I don't bring anything."

Tao Meng looked at Yang Jingxing, a bit apologetic, "I can only say that... Are you angry?"

Yang Jingxing pushed his luck, "Quick, comfort me."

Tao Meng turned and walked away. Yang Jingxing hurriedly chased after her, "Oh, Tao Meng, what a coincidence, you look so beautiful today."

After entering the mall, Tao Meng's pace slowed down. After looking at a few jewelry counters, she said to Yang Jingxing, "Let's not buy anything too expensive?"

Yang Jingxing said, "I thought you were looking for yourself?"

Tao Meng said, "I'm not very interested in jewelry... Let's go to the sixth floor first."

Yang Jingxing got to tag along with Tao Meng and even got to ride the VIP elevator. On the sixth floor, which was the men's floor, Tao Meng led Yang Jingxing to a store that sold socks.

Tao Meng said, "Choose for yourself."

When did socks get so expensive! Yang Jingxing picked a random pair and was about to pay. Tao Meng spoke up, "This quality is not good, get this one, the black one." She then asked the salesperson, "Get a pair of the darker color, make sure the size is right!"

Five pairs of socks were enough to buy a decent guitar.

Seeing Yang Jingxing sit down to take off his shoes, Tao Meng pulled him, "Don't change them here!"

Yang Jingxing had already pulled out his foot, "Where else then?"

Tao Meng turned away, pretending not to know this person with worn-out socks.

What to do with the old socks, Tao Meng looked around, "Over there, the trash can."

After Yang Jingxing threw away his socks, Tao Meng urged, "Go wash your hands!"

Yang Jingxing held out his hand to Tao Meng, "They don't smell, smell them."

Tao Meng backed away three steps.

After Yang Jingxing went to the restroom to wash his hands and came out, Tao Meng dried his hands with a paper towel and said, "Good thing you still know to be embarrassed. If you went to my house with those worn-out socks, the maid would laugh at you."

Yang Jingxing said, "Unless she laughs better than you."

Tao Meng was speechless, "She's over forty!" She sized up Yang Jingxing and asked, "Do you want to buy anything else?"

Yang Jingxing shook his head repeatedly.

Tao Meng asked, "How many suits do you have?"

Yang Jingxing said, "A lot, I can't even remember them all."

"Boasting, I've seen this one... Your tuxedo is nice, what brand is it?"

"I don't know."

Tao Meng said, "You should develop your own taste."

Yang Jingxing said, "Taste, it's too much trouble. Eating requires taste, listening to music requires taste, reading books and watching movies require taste, even drinking tea requires taste. I don't have that much time, your smile is enough to savor for a long time."

Tao Meng huffed, "You're so busy."

Yang Jingxing said, "Unless you stop smiling, then I'll have time."

Tao Meng huffed, smiling even more confidently.

On the seventh floor, which sold gifts and crafts, Tao Meng looked around and asked, "How old is Yu Xinting?"

Yang Jingxing said, "She's turning nineteen this time."

Tao Meng was surprised, "That old? She's half a year older than you."

Yang Jingxing laughed, "She is older than you."

Tao Meng asked, "Are you really born in 1988?"

Yang Jingxing teased, "Sister Mengmeng."

Tao Meng glared, very seriously, "Do I look older than you? You must be twenty!"

Yang Jingxing continued, "Sister Mengmeng."

Comparing the two, Tao Meng's anger subsided a bit. She picked up a somewhat pretty photo frame and asked, "How about this?"

Yang Jingxing didn't give an opinion, "Whatever you say."

Tao Meng didn't have the heart, "Let's go with this."

Then the two went downstairs, and Tao Meng accompanied Yang Jingxing to buy a bouquet of flowers. Yang Jingxing said, "Pretend it's for Grandma, but it's actually for you."

Tao Meng was proud, "I don't care."

Tao Meng's home was in Building A, with a row of elevators in the lobby. Tao Meng swiped her card and said to Yang Jingxing, "The one behind is the maid's elevator, don't take the wrong one."

Yang Jingxing said, "I'll apply for maid treatment."

Tao Meng looked at Yang Jingxing, puzzled, "Are you really upset or joking?"

Yang Jingxing said, "I'm happy now."

Tao Meng said, "Grandma said you should be more generous."

The elevator opened directly into the house, and the living room was over 200 square meters. Being rich was truly great. The maid was already waiting at the door, a middle-aged woman wearing an apron, clearly cooking.

Yang Jingxing spoke first, "Hello, I'm sorry to disturb you."

"Hello, here are your slippers," the maid smiled brightly.

Yang Jingxing handed the flowers to the maid, who held out her hands, "These are for Grandma, wishing her a long life and a happy smile."

Tao Meng's grandmother stood behind, chuckling, "Come sit, did you buy a gift?" The elderly woman was particular and had changed her clothes.

Tao Meng introduced the maid, "This is my high school classmate, Yang Jingxing... also a good friend."

The maid nodded, "Mr. Yang, welcome."

Yang Jingxing said modestly, "Call me Xiao Yang." To Tao Meng, "I'm really from 1988."

Tao Meng ignored him, "I'm going to change clothes." She instructed the maid, "Show him the bathroom."

Tao Meng's home was decorated in a modern style, but the colors and lighting were soft, luxurious, and elegant. The living room was about 150 square meters, with a few rows of sofas in the middle, a large row of floor-to-ceiling windows on the south side, and a grand piano by the bar on the west side.

The maid pressed a few buttons on the touch screen panel by the front door, probably turning on the lights in the guest bathroom, and then led Yang Jingxing to wash his face and hands.

After washing his face, Yang Jingxing chatted with Tao Meng's grandmother for a while. By the time Tao Meng came out, she had changed into a cute and casual outfit, as if she was preparing to work out.

Tao Meng sat down next to her grandmother, facing Yang Jingxing, glanced at him, and didn't say a word.

The elderly woman asked her granddaughter, "Are you hungry? You didn't eat much at noon."

Tao Meng said, "A little... What about you?"

Yang Jingxing said, "I'm fine."

The elderly woman suggested, "Xiao Yang, play the piano."

Yang Jingxing was happy to, "What would you like to hear?"

The elderly woman said, "Anything."

Yang Jingxing got up and sat at the piano, and Tao Meng also helped her grandmother over. Yang Jingxing teased, "Let me think, I'll play something she doesn't know."

Tao Meng said, "Don't think you're so great."

Yang Jingxing thought for about two minutes before starting to play. It was a famous folk tune, but Tao Meng couldn't name it, only saying, "I've definitely heard it, I just can't remember the name."

The elderly woman was excited, her hands trembling as she clapped, "Good, Zhou Xuan."

Tao Meng couldn't remember who Zhou Xuan was at the moment, but seeing her grandmother almost teary-eyed, swaying her head and mouth opening and closing as if she wanted to sing along.

Yang Jingxing encouraged, "Grandma, sing."

The elderly woman was regretful, "I'm old, I can't remember the lyrics."

Yang Jingxing played for about three to four minutes, ending with a modern touch, looking at Tao Meng proudly.

Tao Meng could only say, "I've definitely heard it!"

The elderly woman clapped, still excited, "The Angel on the Street, by Zhou Xuan, you've seen it."

Tao Meng seemed to remember, "Yes, yes!"

The elderly woman wasn't satisfied and requested, "Play it again, play it again, I'll sing."

So Yang Jingxing played again, looking at the elderly woman to remind her. Fortunately, the elderly woman understood music and started singing softly once she got into the melody: "At the ends of the earth..." There were many places where she didn't remember the lyrics, but she hummed along.

This time, it was Yang Jingxing who clapped for the elderly woman. The elderly woman was delighted, "I didn't expect you to be able to do this... I love Zhou Xuan!"

Next, Yang Jingxing and Tao Meng listened to the elderly woman tell stories about her era of idol chasing. The elderly woman seemed to have returned to her teenage years, a bit excited and a bit melancholic.

Yang Jingxing flattered, "Although that era was not peaceful, it had many artistic achievements, which made a grandmother like you and a granddaughter like Tao Meng, who must have been influenced by you."

The elderly woman returned the compliment, "I didn't expect Mengmeng to have a friend like you... Actually, sending her to your school was to let her interact with people from all walks of life, not to be too pampered."

Yang Jingxing said, "She has always been strict with herself, and the family's education has been very successful."

The elderly woman looked at her granddaughter, "Mengmeng, talk more with Xiao Yang."

Tao Meng put on airs, "There's nothing to talk about."

The elderly woman said, "I'll go to the kitchen and check."

Yang Jingxing quickly said, "Grandma, don't go, I'm afraid of her."

The elderly woman chuckled, "You chat, dinner is almost ready."

The elderly woman left, and Tao Meng and Yang Jingxing stared at each other for a few seconds. Tao Meng spoke first, "Did you come prepared?"

Yang Jingxing was aggrieved, "How could I know I'd be eating at your place?"

Tao Meng pulled one foot onto the sofa, "Anyway, you're trying to please Grandma."

Yang Jingxing said, "I'm only doing it for your grandma, not like I owe you money."

Tao Meng twisted her body, leaning back comfortably, "Anyway, you don't care."

Yang Jingxing threatened, "I'm leaving!"

Tao Meng tilted her head without looking, "Go ahead!"

Yang Jingxing stood up. Tao Meng arched her back, leaning forward, and glared at Yang Jingxing fiercely.

Yang Jingxing was scared and said, "I'll go wash my hands."

Tao Meng leaned back again, not looking at Yang Jingxing, "You can take off your tie, we're about to eat."

Dinner started at seven, with Tao Meng and Yang Jingxing facing each other. The maid introduced the dishes, four dishes and two soups, this one sweet, that one salty. Yang Jingxing liked it, "Everything looks so appetizing, how can you be so thin?"

Tao Meng said, "I don't eat as much as you."

The maid wasn't there, so Yang Jingxing said, "Grandma, I'll serve you some soup."

The elderly woman smiled, "No need, eat as if you're at home."

Yang Jingxing said, "Then I'll have more."

The elderly woman asked, "How old is your grandma?"

Yang Jingxing said, "In her sixties, she lives with my uncle, I haven't been very filial."

The elderly woman said, "Be more filial, when the elderly get old, they like to see their grandchildren. You're so accomplished, your grandparents will be proud of you."

Yang Jingxing said, "You must be even prouder, may you have a long and happy life. Tao Meng, keep it up."

Tao Meng scolded, "Eat quietly."

The elderly woman disagreed, "Talking is good, eat slowly, it's good for digestion."

The elderly woman and Tao Meng ate slowly, so Yang Jingxing controlled his speed, and the meal took nearly an hour. Then he chatted with the elderly woman for a while and prepared to leave.

The elderly woman was quite reluctant, "Come often, Grandma likes you."

Yang Jingxing was happy, "Thank you, Grandma."

Tao Meng wanted to see Yang Jingxing off, otherwise, his car couldn't leave without a card. The two took the elevator downstairs, and Tao Meng handed the small bag with the socks to Yang Jingxing, "What about Wednesday?"

Yang Jingxing said, "Let's just have dinner together."

Tao Meng asked, "Have you planned it?"

Yang Jingxing said, "No, try to give her a surprise."

Tao Meng nodded and asked, "Will there be many people?"

Yang Jingxing was unsure, "Not many, just a few, we'll know when the time comes."

Tao Meng asked again, "How will you surprise her? She might have plans with others."

Yang Jingxing said, "Then we'll crash the party."

Tao Meng refused, "I'm not that close to her."

Yang Jingxing said, "Even if you don't know her, you can still say 'Happy Birthday.'"

Tao Meng said, "You don't have class on Wednesday afternoon, come pick me up, come to my place."

Yang Jingxing agreed, "Okay... Don't dress too beautifully, you'll steal the birthday girl's thunder."

Tao Meng was angry, "Is that my right? It's not a wedding! You're so controlling!"

Yang Jingxing said, "If there are other guys, I won't be responsible for your safety."

Tao Meng exclaimed, "Do I have to cover my face?"

Yang Jingxing said, "That's not enough, you have to cover your figure too... Don't mind, being beautiful isn't your fault."

Tao Meng huffed, "Do I have to do this for every friend's birthday?"

Yang Jingxing said, "Next time it will be your own, dress as beautifully as you want, scare me if you want."

Tao Meng was dismissive, "Who knows when that will be."

Yang Jingxing said, "I don't know either... I really don't remember, I really don't remember, don't tell me."

Tao Meng turned her head and smiled, her gaze meeting Yang Jingxing's in the elevator mirror. Yang Jingxing laughed, "I saw it." Tao Meng turned her head forcefully to the other side.

After the car left the parking lot, Tao Meng said, "I'm going back, drive carefully."

Yang Jingxing said, "Good night, have a good dream."