Tian Jing appraised Gao Mingxiu.
He had changed.
A worldly and fawning air hid in his eyes, while his expression of neither servility nor arrogance was perfectly portrayed.
The downfall of the Gao family had transformed this once seemingly proud and upright youth into a seasoned survivor of life's harsh realities. "Gao Mingxiu."
Gao Mingxiu's smile deepened. "Captain Tian still remembers me."
Tian Jing said indifferently, "An unforgettable memory for a lifetime!"
Gao Mingxiu's smile faltered, then his expression became sheepish. "Captain Tian still speaks so directly."
Tian Jing glanced at him askance. "I live authentically."
With that, she looked at one of the plump girls. "Born?"
The plump girl was taken aback and asked, "Are you...?"
Tian Jing smiled faintly. "We met at the Maternal and Child Health Hospital. Your mother-in-law accompanied you for your prenatal check-ups then."
The plump girl was surprised. "You know my mother-in-law?"
Tian Jing nodded. "We are old acquaintances. Not long after that meeting, I heard your mother-in-law was taken in."
The plump girl glanced at the man beside her, her expression turning sorrowful. "After my mother-in-law was taken in, I couldn't bear the shock and had a miscarriage. Since then, I haven't..."
Tian Jing was stunned. It wasn't as if the plump girl and Lou Caiyun had any deep affection; was it worth it?
Her gaze swept over another pair of 'single' man and woman. If they had come out together with a child, without elderly care, they would surely be bringing the child themselves.
Pondering, her gaze shifted back to the plump girl who had been speaking to her.
Under Tian Jing's sharp scrutiny, the plump girl felt a strange sense of guilt.
The man beside the plump girl, however, looked Tian Jing up and down with a lewd gaze. "Are you the Captain Tian who caused my mother to be taken in?"
Tian Jing frowned. This fellow must be Gao Mingfei. Daring to look at her with such an expression showed he hadn't learned his lesson.
"Thump!"
Gao Mingfei felt as if a heavy weight had landed on his shoulders, and then he was sprawled on the ground, his only thoughts being: Who am I? Where am I?
"Mingfei, Mingfei," the plump girl quickly knelt down and called out to her husband.
The customers in the shop were startled by the sudden turn of events.
Gao Mingxiu had been repeatedly warned by his grandfather not to provoke Captain Tian and had long recognized Captain Tian's capabilities.
Before he could even stop his third cousin's words and glare, his third cousin had fallen to the ground. He knew Captain Tian was angry and quickly apologized:
"Captain Tian, my third cousin is ignorant. Please don't take it to heart."
Tian Jing turned to look at Gao Mingxiu and asked calmly, "Gao Mingxiu, how was your second aunt taken in?"
Gao Mingxiu replied, "For spreading rumors and slander. The evidence was conclusive; she got what she deserved."
Tian Jing's expression grew colder. "Then why did your mother and your cousin say I was the one who caused your second aunt to be taken in? Does your second aunt feel the time was too short? I can help her with that."
Even though he wanted his second aunt to stay inside for a long time and not come out to cause trouble, Gao Mingxiu had to shake his head. "No, absolutely not. They are just too ignorant."
Tian Jing swept a cold glance at Liu Ailing behind Gao Mingxiu. "Your second aunt's words led to her downfall. If your mother and your cousin don't watch their mouths, they will also suffer consequences from their words."
Gao Mingxiu nodded repeatedly. "Understood. I will warn them."
"Let this be the last time." Tian Jing released the pressure on Gao Mingfei.
The heavy pressure on Gao Mingfei vanished. He extended his hand to the plump girl beside him. "Help me up."
Tian Jing's gaze swept over the sisters again before she walked towards the waiting area inside the store.
It seemed these two sisters had developed feelings for the Gao brothers and wouldn't fulfill Ouyang Lei's request. In that case, so be it. She didn't need to force their relationship to sour. It would depend on whether Lou Caiyun caused trouble after she was released.
Li Min and Ouyang Meihua in the waiting area gave her a thumbs-up.
Tian Jing smiled and shook her head. If these people hadn't presumed their noble status and provoked Lili first, especially that troublemaker mother and son, she wouldn't have kicked them while they were down when she met them again.
Gao Mingxiu glanced at the waiting area and left with the Gao family.
Outside the store, Gao Mingxue, who had been silent, asked, "Mingxiu, is that woman your former girlfriend's mother?"
Gao Mingxiu frowned. "Fourth cousin, the saying 'words lead to trouble' was already exemplified by second aunt. Can you stop talking nonsense?"
"I've said it many times, I was pursuing her, and she never agreed. She was never my girlfriend; I had a crush on her."
Second aunt was taken in for falsely accusing Lili of being someone's mistress. These two cousins still hadn't learned their lesson.
Given Lili's temper, she wouldn't have sent second aunt to jail for such slander. It was evident that the man Lili married was capable and influential.
"Alright, alright, I won't say it." Gao Mingxue waved his hand. "It's rare for the three of us brothers to be together. You have to treat us to a good meal."
Gao Mingfei had been frowning the whole time. Why had he suddenly fallen to the ground as if pressed by something?
What kind of identity did that beautiful woman, whom his cousin was fawning over, possess?
...
Li Liguo and Chen Suozhu chose short-sleeved shirts and light-colored trousers. It wasn't a wedding banquet, so there was no need for a suit, and besides, the weather was so hot.
After trying them on, they fit perfectly, so their wives bought them and packed them away.
Checking the time, it was past one in the afternoon. Tian Jing prepared to find a place to have lunch.
Ouyang Meihua said, "I heard there's a restaurant on the top floor. Let's eat here and then go back. The two children are tired too."
Jinian and Jiyang stayed very well-behaved in their uncle and grandfather's arms, looking around with their eyes but not fussing about eating or sleeping.
"Alright!" Tian Jing nodded. "Let's go to the top floor."
It was the weekend, and many people were shopping. The restaurants on the top floor were packed.
Tian Jing wasn't planning to wait and was about to head to the mall's food court when a man running out of a restaurant called out to her:
"Captain Tian, I'm very happy to run into you here. Shall we have a meal together?"
Ma Weite?
Tian Jing looked at the man in surprise. "How are you here? How are you in China?"
Ma Weite shrugged. "I'm here for business. Through proper channels. Zeng knows."
"Thank you for the invitation," Tian Jing declined. "I have a few companions here, and two children."
Ma Weite shook his head. "It's fine, they can join us."
Tian Jing still refused. Let alone her party of five adults and two children, even if she were alone, she wouldn't have eaten with Ma Weite, although she was curious about his business partner.
"Alright then." Ma Weite looked regretful. "If we meet again in the future, please give me a chance to treat you."
"That depends on whether I have the time when we meet again," Tian Jing said, not bothering with domestic pleasantries.
Foreigners didn't understand Chinese politeness.
Tian Jing left with her companions, still feeling a gaze on her back.
This gaze made her uncomfortable.
After sitting down at the food court downstairs, Tian Jing, with Jinian and Jiyang, guarded the bags of clothes, occupying two tables, and asked Ouyang Meihua and the other three to choose whatever food they wanted from the stalls.
"Over here, there's an empty seat here. Come quickly!" a female voice rang out opposite Tian Jing, and then a woman sat down with a tray.
Tian Jing looked up.
The woman who sat down opposite also looked up. Seeing Tian Jing, her eyes filled with surprise. "Auntie?"
"Really! Xiaojie found an empty seat. Xiaoyu, hurry up."
A young man carrying a tray sat down beside the woman opposite Tian Jing.
As soon as he sat down, the young man saw Tian Jing opposite him. With a "bang," the tray in his hands slid onto the table, and some of the food spilled out.
The young man who ran over immediately saw Tian Jing, and the tray in his hands almost fell.
"Little Aunt?"
"Little Aunt?"
The two young men stared at Tian Jing in disbelief.
The woman who had sat down first looked at her two companions in surprise. They actually knew this auntie?
Knew her? The direct familial address, didn't the girl hear it?