Tang Wan suggested, "A guest has arrived. Let's go say hello. If we neglect him, Nan Xiao will feel uneasy."
Ling Yun glanced at Nan Yao beside Luan Qian, hesitant. Before she could refuse, Tang Wan had already pulled her over to Nan Yao and Luan Qian.
Seeing the two approaching, Luan Qian secretly tugged Nan Yao's hand.
Nan Yao stopped speaking and looked at Luan Qian suspiciously.
Luan Qian gave him a look, and Nan Yao finally noticed Tang Wan and Ling Yun walking over.
"Xiao Yun..." Nan Yao called out to Ling Yun in a hoarse voice, his eyes then reddening, "It's so good that you're alive!"
"Yes, it's so good to be alive! You've come back too..." Ling Yun looked at his reddened eyes and immediately felt relieved. "Let me introduce you. This is Xi'er's biological mother—Tang Wan."
Nan Yao nodded slightly, "Madam Lan, hello."
Tang Wan smiled gently, "Mr. Nan, hello. Welcome to Lansheng Island."
"Thank you!"
Tang Wan smiled. Seeing Beier and Nana emerge from the room, she said with a smile, "I won't bother you any longer. I'll go check on Beier."
Nan Yao made a gentlemanly gesture of invitation.
After the two women walked away, Nan Yao withdrew his gaze and continued chatting with Nan Zhenting, completely oblivious to the loneliness in Luan Qian's eyes.
Meanwhile, Beier was looking for Sandy. After a brief chat with Tang Wan and Ling Yun, he left.
Tang Wan watched them go and squeezed Ling Yun's hand, "Do you and Nan Yao have a history? You seem so unnatural after seeing him."
Ling Yun gave her a playful glare, "Sister Wan!"
Tang Wan burst into laughter, "I guessed right, hahaha... No, you have to satisfy my curiosity. Come on, let's find a private place and you can tell me."
Ignoring Ling Yun's protests, Tang Wan dragged her to a small reception room.
Under Tang Wan's persistent coaxing, Ling Yun finally spoke reluctantly, "It's nothing much, really. When we were young, Nan Yao pursued me. But at that time, I was already in a relationship with Jin Song, and he also had a child bride. I definitely wouldn't have agreed to him. However, he was a bit stubborn and wouldn't give up even after I explained everything clearly. Later, I said some harsh words that must have hurt him. A few days later, he married Qiu Shuying, and we never saw each other again after that."
Tang Wan was taken aback for a moment, then said with a gossipy tone, "I think he still hasn't forgotten you. Luan Qian looks so much like you; could she be a replacement he found?"
Ling Yun paused slightly, then shook her head, "It shouldn't be. Luan Qian is much younger and prettier than I am."
Tang Wan disagreed, shaking her head, "But I didn't see any signs that he loves Luan Qian that much, yet he was so emotional when he saw you... And although they haven't registered their marriage yet, Luan Qian did have a child for him, but he didn't introduce them to us."
Ling Yun looked at her and smiled, "I've finally found the source of it. Xi'er's love for gossip must have come from you!"
Tang Wan chuckled, "How could my daughter not be like me? If not for your guidance, she might have turned out even more wicked!"
Ling Yun also laughed, "So you admit you're quite wicked!"
Tang Wan nodded with a smile, "Of course I know! I'm self-aware, hahaha..."
The two women instantly burst into laughter.
Outside the window, a figure flashed by. By the time Ling Yun noticed someone eavesdropping and came out to check, there was no sign of anyone.
Ling Yun called over a nearby waiter, "Did you see anyone pass by this room just now?"
The waiter replied respectfully, "Yes, Princess Nana ran past just now."
Ling Yun smiled helplessly. This little girl, she wouldn't have seen Old Seven, would she?
Tang Wan walked out with a smile, "It's time for the banquet. Let's go, we shouldn't keep the guests waiting."
"Okay."
In the three-story banquet hall, all the guests were seated. Lan Haolin said a few words and then raised his wine glass, which was followed by everyone else.
Mumu sat at a separate table with a group of friends. The little one had clearly taken on the role of the hostess, constantly interacting with children of various skin tones.
With her company, these friends didn't feel lonely even without their parents. Only Nan Luan Sheng remained sullen.
Seeing that he wasn't eating much, Mumu leaned over her brother to look at him, "Brother Sheng, what's wrong?"
Nan Luan Sheng avoided her gaze and shook his head, "Nothing, nothing's wrong."
Mumu pouted her small lips, "Lying children grow long noses~"
Nan Luan Sheng pursed his lips, "My mother isn't feeling well and didn't come to eat. I'm worried about her."
"I see..." Mumu beckoned a waiter and said in a childish voice, "Uncle, could you please call a doctor to check on Ms. Luan Qian? Also, please prepare some food for her. Her room is..."
Mumu looked at Nan Luan Sheng.
Nan Luan Sheng looked at her gratefully, "My mother's room number is a21-38."
"Certainly." The waiter bowed and withdrew.
Mumu smiled at Nan Luan Sheng, "Brother Sheng, are you relieved now?"
Nan Luan Sheng smiled, a rare occurrence, "Thank you! Let's eat. After eating, I'll go be with my mother."
Mumu nodded obediently, "Okay, I'll go with you to see your mom later."
Zhao Zhao glanced at her displeasedly.
Mumu blinked, then rubbed affectionately against her brother's shoulder, "I'm sorry, I forgot. We have to go for rehearsal after dinner."
Nan Luan Sheng looked over curiously, "What's rehearsal?"
"Tomorrow, my brother and I will be flower children for Mom and Dad. We're afraid of getting the positions wrong, so we need to practice on stage tonight."
Nan Luan Sheng nodded, "Oh. It should be fun, right?"
Han Yi chimed in with a smile, "It's very fun. We practiced yesterday, and it was a mess at first, but it got better later. Don't believe me? Ask them."
A child of mixed Black and White heritage laughed, "Sheng, why don't you join us too? The stage is amazing, you'll love it there."
Mumu nodded vigorously, "Brother Sheng, come with us! Don't worry about your mother; the doctors here are excellent. She'll be fine."
Nan Luan Sheng was also a child and loved to play. Under the persuasive calls of his friends, his resolve began to waver.
Zhao Zhao glanced at him, "Before we go to rehearsal, you can go see your mother first. We'll wait for you."
Nan Luan Sheng finally nodded this time.
Twenty minutes later, the waiter Mumu had dispatched returned.
"Little Miss, the doctor and I have seen Ms. Luan. She's not seriously ill. She's eaten some food and has already gone to sleep."
Nan Luan Sheng's lips curved slightly. It was good that his mother was alright.