"You little rascal!"
Hearing Yolanda's words, Lucy Lu couldn't help but shoot her a playful glare, while Joy Zheng's face lit up with a hint of surprised amusement.
She had never heard Yolanda talk like this before. Usually, Yolanda was just a bit lively around her, but now she was downright hyper.
Yolanda stuck out her tongue, a little embarrassed. After speaking, she didn't forget to kick Evan Lin under the table.
"Yeah, that's right. If they don't behave, I'll just beat them up." Evan Lin nodded, half joking, half serious.
Once they get to White Dragon Mountain, if a fight really breaks out, Evan Lin probably won't even need to do anything himself. After all, the whole resort is owned by Summer Mu's family, and Evan has a top-tier Summer Group VIP card—so it's basically his home turf.
"The kids make a good point. Joy, why don’t you think it over again? There’s still a few days left, and it’s pretty boring just staying in Whitewood County all the time." Lucy Lu was clearly in favor of Evan and the others' suggestion.
Over the years, Lucy Lu had often wanted to invite Joy Zheng out to have some fun, and she never planned to ask Joy for room and board. But Lucy also knew that Joy never liked to owe anyone anything, much less accept hospitality without feeling guilty.
"But look at me now—there’s really nothing fun about going out anymore." Joy Zheng smiled, the wrinkles around her eyes deepening.
She hadn’t had time, energy, or money to take care of herself in years—her skin was rough, wrinkles deep, and her hair was streaked with white. If she went out and saw her old classmates, there’d be no avoiding the silent comparisons.
"Auntie Zheng is beautiful." Lynn Chen chimed in seriously from the side.
"Yeah, Auntie Zheng is the kind of woman who makes you feel like a spring breeze just by looking at her." Yolanda Fang nodded eagerly.
The kids’ words made Joy Zheng smile softly and shake her head. "Auntie’s getting old."
"Don’t say that, Joy! Back in teachers’ college, you were our campus goddess—half the guys were chasing after you. And don’t put yourself down. I brought plenty of face masks, so tonight you’re sleeping in my room and I’ll give you a full beauty treatment. You’ll be glowing by morning!" Lucy Lu chimed in supportively.
Even as she said this, Lucy Lu couldn’t help but look at Joy Zheng with a touch of sympathy and regret in her eyes.
Time wears people down, and Joy Zheng, who has been single-handedly taking care of her family, looks much older than her peers.
"Mom, I just remembered something, and since you and Auntie Lu are both here…"
"Something? What is it?"
When Evan Lin spoke, everyone at the table turned to look at him.
Evan Lin got up, went to his room, and soon came out holding two Youth-Preserving Beauty Pills. He handed them to Joy Zheng and Lucy Lu.