Stolen by the First Love - Chapter 76.1

On the eve of New Year’s Eve, Ning Qingwan received a call from Ning Jingjue, asking her to bring Meng Xia home for dinner.

It was unclear whether this was Ning Jingjue’s idea or her parents’.

After publicly coming out at the concert, discussions on Weibo lasted for two days. During that time, major gossip accounts posted extensively about Ning Qingwan, digging up everything they could about her background.

Despite the uproar over her public identity and coming out, Ning Qingwan’s parents didn’t react strongly. They simply issued a public statement in response to some negative online comments: “We respect all our daughter’s decisions.”

This was an acknowledgment of Ning Qingwan’s identity and by extension, Meng Xia’s. With no opposition from her family, netizens naturally had nothing left to say. Gradually, the online criticism died down.

Though Ning Qingwan’s parents had openly expressed support, Meng Xia was still nervous about meeting them. Sitting in the passenger seat, she clutched the gifts Xia Nianzhi had specially prepared for Ning Qingwan’s parents, unconsciously fiddling with the ribbons, tying and untying them repeatedly.

Ning Qingwan glanced at her while driving and, to ease her anxiety, casually asked, “What gifts did Mom prepare?”

Clearly not the best question.

Meng Xia shot her a resentful look. When Xia Nianzhi was preparing the gifts, she had asked Meng Xia to consult Ning Qingwan. Yet, as their daughter, Ning Qingwan knew nothing about her parents’ preferences.

Left with no choice, Meng Xia turned to Ning Jingjue, who replied, “Honestly, I’m not sure either. Last time, I gave Mom an island maybe take that as a reference?”

The example of the wealthy was beyond her reach.

Just as Meng Xia was nearly tearing her hair out over the dilemma, Shen Lan came to her rescue.

Speaking of Shen Lan perhaps that reminder she gave Ning Jingjue had worked wonders. In less than half a year, she had successfully won him over.

Shen Lan spent an entire night scrolling through Mrs. Fan and Mr. Ning’s social media on Ning Jingjue’s phone before concluding: Mrs. Fan loved jade, and Mr. Ning adored tea.

Uneasy, Meng Xia asked, “Do you think Auntie and Uncle will like them?”

“They will,” Ning Qingwan answered without hesitation.

Even if they didn’t, they probably wouldn’t say so. Meng Xia sighed dejectedly.

Ning Qingwan reassured her, “Don’t stress too much. Their attention will likely be on Shen Lan.” She paused, choosing her words carefully. “If they don’t pay you much mind, don’t overthink it.”

Meng Xia’s heart twisted. Suddenly, she recalled the videos documenting Ning Qingwan’s childhood. Staring at the gifts in her hands, she realized Ning Qingwan’s parents might not care much about what she brought either.

Suppressing the surge of emotions, Meng Xia forced a faint smile. “I won’t overthink it.”

Ning Qingwan squeezed her hand. “It’s me, not them, who’s spending a lifetime with you.”

But she still hoped for her parents’ genuine blessing. Meng Xia studied Ning Qingwan’s profile and steadied herself. Well, if it couldn’t be forced, she might as well go with the flow.

As the car pulled into the courtyard, Meng Xia had just stepped out when two corgis rushed over, sniffing and pawing at her and Ning Qingwan’s legs with their short limbs.

Not far away, three chubby little corgis tumbled and chased each other. One with a black head ran too fast, its little butt sticking up as it face-planted into a skid.

“So cute.” Meng Xia blinked. If she weren’t holding the gifts, she would’ve loved to scoop up the little corgi.

“It seems you not only like cats but also dogs,” Ning Jingjue teased with a smile. “Are there any animals you don’t like?”

Meng Xia pondered for a moment. “Quite a few, like those with no legs or too many legs.”

As they chatted, the corgi was taken away by the Ning family’s servant. Meng Xia watched the little corgi being led away with reluctance when she suddenly saw Shen Lan striding over quickly, her features twisted in distress. Meng Xia’s heart skipped a beat.

What on earth happened?!

Shen Lan clung to Meng Xia as if grabbing a lifeline, already disregarding the reaction of the “Ning Vinegar Jar.” “You’re finally here. I’m about to lose it. We barely started talking, and his mom already asked when we’re having kids. How old am I? I’m not done having fun yet who wants to have his kids? You came just in time, help distract my future mother-in-law.”

Meng Xia was torn between laughter and tears, thinking she was powerless to help. The future mother-in-law probably wouldn’t pay her much attention anyway.

Ning Qingwan pulled Meng Xia to her side and “kindly” offered Shen Lan advice. “You could remind her of how she nearly lost her life giving birth to her second child.”

“How dare I?!” Shen Lan’s eyes widened. Realizing what Ning Qingwan had implied, she pressed her lips together, hesitating to speak further, her gaze sympathetic.

Ning Qingwan scoffed, her peripheral vision catching a tall, elegant woman standing under the corridor in the courtyard. She turned to look, her eyes darkening instantly.

Noticing Ning Qingwan’s stiffness, Meng Xia followed her gaze. The woman under the corridor wore a silk cheongsam that accentuated her graceful figure, exuding an impeccable aura. Time seemed to have been exceedingly kind to her.

Fan Yuyao brushed aside the hair at her temple and said coldly, “Have you forgotten how to greet people?”

Her presence was overwhelming.

Ning Qingwan pressed her lips into a stern line, stubbornly silent.

The little rabbit trembled and blurted out, “Mom.”

The air froze.

Shen Lan couldn’t hold back a snort of laughter. Ning Qingwan curved her lips slightly and ruffled Meng Xia’s hair.

Meng Xia closed her eyes in embarrassment. Why did she always mess up at crucial moments? QAQ

Fan Yuyao’s icy gaze swept from Ning Qingwan to Meng Xia. The girl resembled her daughter by seventy percent, but her features were softer, exuding a gentle, refined elegance.

The little girl’s face flushed red, her voice even softer. “Auntie… this is a gift for you and Uncle. I hope you like it.”

Fan Yuyao stared at the gift Meng Xia handed her.

For years, her husband and son had urged her to let go of her resentment. Fan Yuyao knew her youngest child was innocent neither her difficult childbirth nor her husband’s car accident on the way to the hospital had anything to do with Ning Qingwan. She hadn’t been a good mother, selfishly blaming all her misfortunes on a child to ease her own pain.

By the time she realized this and wanted to be a better mother, Ning Qingwan no longer accepted it. The child had grown cold and indifferent, devoid of expectations for any affection.

Fan Yuyao had missed her daughter’s most endearing years and could no longer experience the so-called “daughter as a warm little quilt.”

When she first learned about Ning Qingwan and Meng Xia, Fan Yuyao couldn’t accept it. But after Ning Jingjue talked with her all night and showed her that program, she realized Ning Qingwan had changed, she had warmth again.

She watched Meng Xia on the show and suddenly thought, if it weren’t for her, Ning Qingwan could have been such a likable child too. What she couldn’t give her own daughter, someone else had eventually provided. As a mother, she still wished for her daughter’s happiness.

Just as Meng Xia thought Fan Yuyao wouldn’t accept the gift, her expression uncontrollably falling into disappointment, and Ning Qingwan’s face growing increasingly dark grabbing her hand to leave, Fan Yuyao took the gift.

Fan Yuyao’s brows relaxed, her lips curling into a smile, her demeanor softening instantly. “Thank you, that’s very thoughtful.”

Meng Xia let out a sigh of relief, then heard Fan Yuyao say with a chuckle, “You’ll have to change how you address me from now on.”

After a brief pause, Meng Xia’s face flushed red again, her lips unconsciously lifting higher. She turned to look at Ning Qingwan, her eyes sparkling like stars, radiant with unconcealed joy.

Ning Qingwan’s eyes curved slightly, the softest part of her heart deeply touched.

Fan Yuyao glanced at Ning Qingwan and Shen Lan, remarking dryly, “This little girl is better at addressing people than you two older ones.”

Shen Lan choked, she hadn’t even agreed to marry Ning Jingjue yet! What was this about? Though she inwardly grumbled, she obediently called out.

Ning Qingwan lowered her gaze. It had been a long, long time since she last addressed Fan Yuyao. She could easily call Xia Nianzhi, but it was much harder to call her own mother.

Fan Yuyao gave her a deep look, sighing almost imperceptibly, but didn’t press further. Instead, she gestured, “Come inside, no need to stand out here.”

Once inside, Fan Yuyao pulled the two future daughters-in-law into conversation. Ning Mingqi, Ning Qingwan’s father, sat in his wheelchair nearby, while Ning Jingjue dragged Ning Qingwan off to play video games.

Ning Qingwan kept glancing back worriedly at Meng Xia, bluntly instructing, “If you don’t want to chat anymore, come find me.”

Fan Yuyao glared at her in exasperation, scoffing, “What kind of talk is that? Am I a tiger? Would I eat her or something?”

Meng Xia quickly smoothed things over, “Go play your games. I still want to ask Mom how she stays so elegant and beautiful.”

Fan Yuyao’s expression softened slightly, tilting her chin up and giving Ning Qingwan a sidelong glance.

Ning Qingwan: “…”

Meng Xia: So this is where Sister gets her tsundere tendencies from.

Shen Lan subtly gave Meng Xia a thumbs-up: That flattery was next-level.

The conversation lasted until dinner, and none of the things Meng Xia had worried about happened. Ning Mingqi was refined and gentle, his words putting everyone at ease, making him very approachable. Though Fan Yuyao had a strong presence and seemed stern when not smiling, she was warm and friendly during their chat.

At one point, Shen Lan couldn’t resist teasing Ning Jingjue a couple of times. After she did, the room fell silent everyone knew how fiercely Fan Yuyao doted on her son. But to their surprise, Fan Yuyao took a sip of tea and looked at Shen Lan curiously, “Go on. I can never win against him teach me a trick or two.”

Shen Lan and Meng Xia exchanged a glance, their lips curling faintly.

Dinner was a harmonious affair. Afterward, Fan Yuyao pulled Meng Xia, Shen Lan, and Ning Mingqi into a game of mahjong. Meng Xia didn’t know how to play and lost miserably in the first few rounds, pitifully seeking help from Ning Qingwan, who was still gaming nearby.

“I don’t know how either…” Ning Qingwan coughed lightly behind her hand.

Meng Xia’s shoulders slumped, there was actually something Ning Qingwan couldn’t do.

This delighted Fan Yuyao, who teased half-mockingly, “If you don’t know, then learn.”

The taunt worked. Ning Qingwan put down her Switch, studied the game for a couple of rounds, then replaced Meng Xia to take the field herself.

The loser immediately became Shen Lan.

Shen Lan was on the verge of a breakdown. This whole family was full of geniuses, she was utterly outmatched. She yanked Ning Jingjue over. “You go!”

And just like that, it became a battlefield for the four members of the Ning family.

Shen Lan pulled Meng Xia aside to snack on melon seeds, enjoying the show.

This area wasn’t a fireworks-restricted zone. At midnight, everyone gathered in the front yard to set them off.

Brilliant fireworks bloomed across the night sky, dazzling and radiant. Trailing sparks scattered in all directions, blossoming into tiny flowers that lit up the darkness in a riot of colors, breathtakingly beautiful.

Ning Qingwan pressed close to Meng Xia’s back, wrapping her in her oversized down jacket. Resting her chin on Meng Xia’s shoulder, she whispered softly into her ear, “Happy New Year, baby~”

Meng Xia’s eyelashes fluttered as she replied in a hushed voice, “Happy New Year~ Ning baby.”

“Any New Year’s wishes?”

Meng Xia thought for a moment, then turned her head, her red lips parting slightly.

The lingering glow of the fireworks faded into the night. Fan Yuyao abruptly turned her head to glance at Meng Xia.

Ning Qingwan didn’t notice Fan Yuyao. Her heart melted into a puddle as she gazed at Meng Xia, her eyes shimmering with emotion.

Meng Xia asked, “What about you, sister? What’s your New Year’s wish?”

Ning Qingwan answered with a kiss on her soft lips.

Before leaving, Ning Qingwan bid farewell to Fan Yuyao and Ning Mingqi. “Dad, Mom, we’re heading back now.”

Meng Xia followed up, “Goodbye, Dad and Mom~”

Fan Yuyao turned her face away, wiping the corner of her eye. Earlier, she had overheard Meng Xia’s New Year’s wish.

I hope sister can grow closer to Dad and Mom, and that our whole family stays safe and well.

Fan Yuyao said, “Xia Xia and Lan Lan, wait a moment. There’s something for you.”

After speaking, she instructed the housekeeper briefly before heading upstairs herself.

Meng Xia and Shen Lan exchanged puzzled glances but obediently waited in the living room.

When Fan Yuyao returned, she held two velvet boxes in her hands. She opened them to reveal two bracelets, one set with an emerald, the other with a sapphire.

She fastened the emerald bracelet onto Shen Lan’s wrist and the sapphire one onto Meng Xia’s.

“That one was meant for a daughter-in-law. This one was actually prepared for but giving it to you now is just as fitting.”

Meng Xia smiled gently. “Thank you, Mom.”

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