HCB Chapter 179 A Warm Greeting
Chapter 179 A Warm Greeting
"Oh, okay... Mother, this is Miss Long." After saying that, he turned to Long Chuqing and introduced her: "Miss Long, this is my mother."
However, Madam Nangong was clearly not satisfied with Nangong Ming's simple and bland introduction. She couldn't help but roll her eyes at him and complain, "You child, this introduction is far too bland and simple."
Standing to the side, Long Chuqing felt slightly embarrassed. She pursed her lips and then slowly said, "Madam, my name is Long Chuqing. I apologize for disturbing you today. Please forgive me."
Madam Nangong stepped forward and took Long Chuqing's hand, saying warmly, "Don't mention it, please sit down, please sit down... don't be so polite with us."
Meanwhile, seeing his mother's enthusiastic behavior, Nangong Ming secretly groaned inwardly. He had felt a headache coming on the moment he saw her appear in the living room.
You know, over the years his mother has been urging him to settle down, get married, and have children as soon as possible.
Now that Long Chuqing has arrived, he'll probably be called in by his mother for questioning again tonight, and he's sure to get a lecture.
Thinking of this, he sighed helplessly and sat down in a seat with a bitter expression.
Madam Nangong pulled Long Chuqing to sit down and kept staring at her, growing more and more fond of her the more she looked.
With a smile, she asked, "Miss Long, are you from the capital? Which street is your residence on?"
Long Chuqing did not shy away from this, readily answering, "I am not from the capital."
“Not from the capital? Where does that young lady live? I’ll visit your father and mother when I have time.” She said, gently patting Long Chuqing’s hand.
When Madam Nangong pulled Long Chuqing to sit down, she touched her hand and found that it was smooth and delicate without calluses. Even if she wasn't from the capital, she must be a young lady from a wealthy family.
Nangong Ming felt that his mother was going off on a tangent, so he quickly interrupted, "Mother, are you checking someone's household registration? How presumptuous of you!"
Upon hearing this, Long Chu cast a meaningful glance at Nangong Ming, inwardly thinking: If we're talking about being presumptuous, who can be more presumptuous than you, Nangong Ming! You've investigated me thoroughly.
Nangong Ming happened to meet Long Chuqing's gaze. After receiving the intriguing meaning in her eyes, he instantly understood what she meant. Feeling slightly guilty, he quickly looked away.
"Oh dear... look at me, I got a little carried away. Please don't mind me, young lady! That's not what I meant, we were just chatting!"
"It doesn't matter……."
Madam Nangong continued to inquire with concern: "Do you have a place to stay in the capital? Don't stay in the inn all the time. There are many people staying in the inn, it's not clean, and it's a mixed bag. It's not safe for a young lady like you to stay there. If you don't have a place to stay for the time being, you can stay at our residence first."
"Thank you for your concern, Madam. I am not staying at an inn; I have a place to stay now."
"That's good. But if you ever have nowhere to stay, feel free to come to my house. Please don't be shy with us!"
Long Chuqing smiled slightly and nodded in gratitude. "Yes, thank you, Madam."
Nangong Ming, standing to the side, held his forehead with one hand, looking helpless.
Even though he was adept at handling any situation in the business world, he was at a loss as to how to deal with his mother and the current situation.
Madam Nangong turned around with a smile and instructed the maid standing to the side, "Quickly bring up the best tea and snacks in the mansion to properly entertain our guests."
Upon seeing this, Long Chuqing hurriedly said, "Madam, you are too kind. There is no need to go to such trouble. I will be leaving soon."
"Why are you in such a hurry? You just arrived! At least have lunch before you leave!" Madam Nangong's eyes were full of sincere desire to persuade her to stay.
Nangong Ming quickly explained, "Mother, we're heading to the Cheng residence later, so we won't be having dinner here."
"Going to the Cheng residence?" Could it be to attend the wedding banquet of the second young master of the Cheng family? I heard about it from the steward when I returned.
Nangong Ming replied, "Yes! We were just about to head over for lunch!"
After thinking for a while, Madam Nangong said, "Ming'er, I think you and Miss Long shouldn't rush over yet. Stay at the manor for lunch and then go over in the evening."
“Well, Xiao Yu,” Madam Nangong turned to her maid and called out, “Go to the kitchen and tell them to prepare a sumptuous lunch.”
"Yes, Madam," the maid Xiao Yu curtsied in response.
Long Chuqing said, "Please wait a moment."
Nangong Ming said, "Wait a moment."
The two of them called out to Xiao Yu, who was about to leave.
"Thank you for your kindness, Madam, but I will not stay for dinner today."
"Yes, Mother, we're not just going to the Cheng residence for the banquet; we have some business to attend to later."
"Oh, I see!" Madam Nangong said with a hint of regret, "That's such a pity. It's rare for Miss Long to come to our manor. Look, I haven't even had a chance to properly entertain you!"
"Don't say that. It's me who has been presumptuous to come and disturb you. Look at me, I came in such a hurry and didn't bring anything."
"Hey... what's there to prepare! We have everything we need, you just need to come."
Long Chuqing gave an awkward smile.
At this moment, Liu Yu walked in, cupped his hands and said, "Madam, Young Master, the gifts are ready."
When Nangong Ming saw Liu Yu come in, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He quickly said, "Alright, Mother, now that the gifts are ready, we'll head over first. You must be exhausted from traveling all the way back by carriage, so please stay here and rest."
Long Chuqing also stood up and curtsied, saying, "Thank you for your hospitality, Madam. I'll take my leave now."
Madam Nangong immediately stood up as well: "Alright, come again another day when you have time! I will definitely treat you well then."
Long Chuqing smiled politely.
Madam Nangong escorted her to the gate, holding her hand and urging her to come again another day.
Nangong Ming said helplessly, "Alright, Mother, you can go back now!"
Madam Nangong said irritably, "What's the rush? I came out to see Miss Long off, not to see you off." After saying that, Madam Nangong put on a smiling face and looked at Long Chuqing.
Seeing this, Long Chuqing withdrew her hand, smiled slightly, and said, "Madam, you may go back now! We'll be leaving now."
Madam Nangong smiled and waved her hand: "Alright, come again when you have time!"
“Miss Long, why don’t you come with me in the carriage?”
After listening, Long Chu looked up at the sky. It was a clear blue sky with white clouds and no wind. The bright sunlight shone down, and she squinted slightly.
The winter sun wasn't very strong, but it gave a warm feeling, though it was a bit dazzling.
"What about my horse...?"
"You can stay at my residence for now, and ride back when you return."
"Hmm, that works too..."
Liu Yu called the gatekeeper to lead Long Chuqing's horse to feed it, and the three of them boarded the carriage and set off for the Cheng residence.