"I'm sorry." Su Nianzhu gritted her teeth and said it. As soon as it was out, it seemed like her previous worries disappeared. "Xiao Rou, I misunderstood you as that kind of woman before, and even listened to others and let you get involved with Ning Yi..."
Huo Rou looked at her timid eyes and could tell that her apology was sincere. "It's okay, Auntie."
She was still Qin Ning Yi's mother. Perhaps she was a bit slow to believe rumors, but at least her heart was good.
Having received Huo Rou's forgiveness, Qin Ning Yi's gaze softened considerably, and An An was willing to smile at her. "Grandma."
Now she was truly accepted. An An's demeanor clearly showed he was on Huo Rou's side. Rejecting Huo Rou meant pushing An An away. She really adored this well-behaved grandson!
Since Grandma Liu's birthday was planned to be a small affair, it was just a family dinner with no other guests.
But with Grandma Liu's status and Old Master Qin's position, how could no one show up?
For quite some time after Huo Rou and the others sat down, the sounds from outside never stopped. Many people arrived with gifts, exchanged pleasantries, and then left, neither disturbing the family dinner nor failing to express their respect.
"Goodbye, Uncle!" An An politely said goodbye at the door as he saw guests off, which earned him continuous praise from those who had brought gifts.
Liu Yuxiu watched for a while, growing fonder by the minute. "Ning Yi, who does An An take after? You weren't this warm and friendly when you were little. Is he like Xiao Rou?"
Qin Ning Yi nodded in agreement, "A Rou taught him well."
Huo Rou smiled helplessly, shaking her head. How could she take credit? She chose to live in the village precisely to avoid all this coming and going!
An An happened to turn around. His adorable smile switched to a pout as he rubbed his slightly sore cheeks and walked back.
"Come, Grandma will rub it for you." Su Nianzhu's heart ached. She hugged An An and began to massage his face. "An An, you're still young. Just sit here obediently. There are still many family members to come. Grandma is here. Why don't you go play outside?"
She felt a pang of pity for making such a young child do these things.
"No." An An shook his head, refusing Su Nianzhu's suggestion. "An An can do it." He had managed so many people during his mother's birthday. There was no reason for him to embarrass his mother at his great-grandma's house!
Liu Yuxiu looked at An An's pouting face and found him incredibly cute. She also rubbed An An's cheek. "An An, how are you so capable!"
"Hehe." An An smiled a little shyly at Liu Yuxiu's praise. "An An learned from Mommy last year during her birthday."
"I see, then Mommy won't have to be so tired in the future."
An An said it as if it were the most natural thing in the world, making Huo Rou suddenly understand.
Her eyes were full of love. So this was why An An had been following her around during her birthday last year.
"Thank you for your hard work, An An." She made a heart gesture at An An from afar.
An An instantly regained his energy, his smile blooming even more genuinely.
"Xiao Rou's birthday had many guests?" Liu Yuxiu asked Huo Rou with a smile.
Before Huo Rou could answer, An An nodded vigorously. "Lots! Luckily, they didn't stay for dinner. They just sent gifts and left."
"Hahaha, then Ning Yi will have to find a large venue for Xiao Rou's birthday party."
As Liu Yuxiu was playfully teasing Qin Ning Yi, a clear voice sounded from outside, "Having a birthday party? Then you can't do without me!"