Mother Sun frowned, disapprovingly. "That won't do. Such a nice place, it shouldn't be ruined like that."
Li Zhiyan smiled and nodded. "Mom, you're right. But let's relax today, shall we? How about we eat out tonight?"
Mother Sun shook her head. "Eating out is so expensive, and it's not hygienic. I'll cook for you tonight."
Sun Zhewen also chimed in, "Mom, let's just eat out tonight. We didn't buy any groceries today."
Mother Sun sighed helplessly. "Ugh, eating out is such a waste of money."
Li Zhiyan's heart ached, thinking of her own parents, who would have loved to take all her money without ever considering her. She sighed inwardly. She walked to Mother Sun and gently held her hand. "Mom, you've worked hard all your life, you should enjoy some peace now. Let us treat you to a nice meal today, don't worry about it."
Mother Sun looked at Li Zhiyan, a hint of emotion in her eyes. "Zhiyan, you're such a good girl."
Li Zhiyan smiled. "Mom, you're my family. It's only right to take care of you."
Sun Zhewen chimed in from the side, "Mom, just listen to Zhiyan. Let's eat out today, and you can relax a bit."
Mother Sun reluctantly nodded. "Alright, I'll do as you say. But you can't be so wasteful next time."
Li Zhiyan, thinking that the elderly rarely went out, specifically brought them to an aerial restaurant in the city. The view here was open, and the entire county town was in sight. The two elders looked at the scenery outside the window with great interest, their faces showing rare smiles. Li Zhiyan acted as a tour guide, pointing out the various landmark buildings of the county town one by one, as if explaining a scroll that had been unfolded.
"That over there is the landmark building of our county town, the Bell Tower. It rings every hour on the hour, and the sound can spread throughout the entire county." Li Zhiyan pointed at the distant Bell Tower and said.
"Oh, it's really majestic," Mother Sun exclaimed. "The sound of the Bell Tower's bell must be beautiful, right?"
"Yes, Mom. Every time I hear the bell, it makes me feel very at ease," Li Zhiyan replied with a smile.
The dishes were served one by one. Li Zhiyan picked up a glass of red wine, ready to propose a toast. Seeing this, Sun Zhewen quickly grabbed her, leaned in close to her ear, and gently reminded her, "You're pregnant, don't drink."
Li Zhiyan smiled faintly, turned around, and also replied softly, "That's exactly what's best." She raised her glass, and with a smile on her face, said to the two elders, "Mom and Dad, you've come from afar. Tonight, I'll first toast you both to express my apology. In the future, I will live with Zhewen, and I hope you will give me more guidance."
The two elders quickly picked up their glasses, and Father Sun said with a hearty laugh, "Zhiyan, it's not easy for you two working outside. Zhewen's a bit soft, so you'll have to help him out more. Your old folks, we don't have much to offer, but we'll come visit when we're free. As long as you two are doing well, we're happy. Zhiyan, don't drink too much."
"Dad, Mom, Zhewen and I will definitely be fine," Li Zhiyan felt a pang of sadness, but she kept a smile on her face.
Sun Zhewen watched from the side, thinking to himself, Li Zhiyan's acting is truly superb, making the fake seem even more real than the real thing.
Seeing this, Mother Sun smiled at Sun Zhewen and said, "Zhewen, aren't you going to thank your wife?"
Li Zhiyan quickly smoothed things over, "Dad, Mom, we're here to spend time with you tonight. Zhewen and I have plenty of time together."
Mother Sun took out a small red box from her bag, and inside was a pair of Jade Bracelets. She said earnestly, "Zhiyan, your parents don't have anything valuable to give you. This pair of bracelets was passed down to me by your grandmother when I got married. Today, I'm passing it on to you. I don't know how valuable it is, but it's a small token of my affection. I hope you don't mind."
Li Zhiyan felt a mix of emotions. She knew she was a fake wife and didn't want to accept such a generous gift. "Mom, this is something Grandma gave you. I really can't accept it if you give it to me."
Mother Sun said with a smile, "Silly girl, what's there to feel bad about? You're our family's daughter-in-law, of course, it should be passed on to you."
Li Zhiyan was touched, but still insisted on refusing. "Mom, I really can't accept this. It's a family heirloom, and I'm afraid I won't be able to take good care of it."
Mother Sun narrowed her eyes and said with a smile, "Zhiyan, if you still listen to your mother, just accept it. This thing just represents our feelings."
Sun Zhewen, who was beside them, quickly echoed, "Zhiyan, just accept it. Otherwise, my mom will get angry."
Li Zhiyan was helpless and had to accept it, but she had already made up her mind. She knew how important the Jade Bracelets were to the Sun family, and she secretly decided to repay Father Sun and Mother Sun's kindness.
\n\n
After the meal, Li Zhiyan suggested, "Mom, Dad, you don't come to the county town often. I'll take you around!"
Mother Sun smiled and nodded, "Okay, Zhiyan, you're such a thoughtful child."
Li Zhiyan took Father Sun and Mother Sun walking on the streets of the county town. Suddenly, her eyes lit up, and she pulled Mother Sun into a jewelry store. Mother Sun was a little puzzled, "Zhiyan, what are you bringing me here for?"
Li Zhiyan smiled mysteriously, "Mom, just wait and see." She walked to the counter, her eyes quickly scanning the jewelry on display, and finally landed on a pair of White Jade Bracelets. She pointed at the bracelets and said to the shop assistant, "Please take out this pair of bracelets for me to see."
Mother Sun quickly waved her hand, "Zhiyan, don't spend so much money. We already have these things at home."
Li Zhiyan smiled and said, "Mom, this is my way of showing my respect for you. You can't refuse." After saying that, she picked out a White Jade Buddha Necklace and insisted on buying it.
Seeing Li Zhiyan's actions, Mother Sun was both touched and a little helpless. "Zhiyan, you're such a child, you really make me love and hate you at the same time."
Li Zhiyan handed the bracelets and necklace to Mother Sun and said with a smile, "Mom, giving me a pair of Jade Bracelets was your way of showing your affection, and this is my way of showing my respect for you."
Mother Sun took the bracelets and necklace, and a glimmer of tears appeared in her eyes. "Zhiyan, you're such a good child."
Then, Li Zhiyan took the two elders to a clothing store and bought them two sets of clothes each. Father Sun was a little embarrassed. "Zhiyan, we don't usually wear these clothes, it's too wasteful."
Li Zhiyan smiled and said, "Mom and Dad, these are the clothes you'll wear at our wedding tomorrow. You don't want to be criticized, do you?"
Father Sun and Mother Sun exchanged glances. They knew it was Li Zhiyan's kind excuse, but they could only accept it. Mother Sun sighed softly, "Zhiyan, you're such a child, you really make me feel for you."
Back home, Li Zhiyan took out the newly bought clothes and had Father Sun and Mother Sun try them on one by one. Mother Sun looked at herself in the mirror and sighed, "Zhiyan, you have such a good eye. These clothes really make me look younger."
Li Zhiyan smiled and said, "Mom, you're young and beautiful to begin with. You're just too busy and don't have time to dress up."