"Wen Yao." Jiang Shuyi hung up the phone and looked at Wen Yao sitting across from her. "My mom wants us to go back."

"Mm..." Wen Yao quietly responded.

The winter nights in Huan City came earlier than in Haishi. Jiang Shuyi glanced at the heavy sky and then at the side profile of Wen Yao.

Wen Yao gazed at the red bricks of the old house, silent, with an expression that was hard to read.

In her heart echoed the words she heard in the afternoon:

—"Her heart is cold."

Jiang Shuyi leaned over and kissed Wen Yao's cheek.

"Sometimes my grandfather is a bit biased toward me, but you're not alone. I care about you, and my mom will help us talk to him."

Jiang Shuyi's palm was warm. "Don't worry."

---

The two home, where Jiang Haichao and Tang Wenzhen welcomed them and asked them to sit down.

Everyone avoided discussing the events of the afternoon.

Many dishes were laid out on the table. Jiang Shuyi talked about how they used to play in Haishi while eating, and soon her grandfather started to laugh.

After a while, her grandfather glanced at Wen Yao, who was quietly serving dishes, and slowly said:

"You're too thin, eat more."

". . ." Wen Yao paused with the soup spoon in hand and nodded slowly. "Okay, I will."

---

Due to his age, Jiang Jinian grew tired after eight o'clock.

After dinner, the old man went to bed.

Jiang Haichao and Tang Wenzhen began discussing company matters.

Jiang Shuyi felt bored and got up to go to the bathroom.

Her and Wen Yao's rooms were connected, and the bathroom was shared. Midway through washing up, she suddenly remembered something and called out Wen Yao's name.

"Wen Yao, Wen Yao."

Hearing Jiang Shuyi's voice echoing from the bathroom, Wen Yao put down her book and walked to the bathroom door.

"What's wrong?"

"I forgot to bring my pajamas..."

Jiang Shuyi's voice echoed in the spacious bathroom.

Since Jiang Shuyi had let Wen Yao use her usual room at the old house, her clothes should now be in Wen Yao's room.

"Could you check if my pajamas are in your room and bring them for me, the blue ones..."

Wen Yao looked at the sliding door of the bathroom and replied, "Okay."

After searching for a while in Jiang Shuyi's room, Wen Yao finally found the pajamas she had forgotten.

"Xiao Wen."

As Wen Yao held the pajamas in her arms and was about to pass them to Jiang Shuyi, Tang Wenzhen called out to her.

Tang Wenzhen always dressed formally at home. Even though the New Year was approaching, she still wore a black casual suit jacket and a turtleneck sweater. Her hair was nearly as short as Jiang Haichao's, giving her a decisive and neat appearance.

Wen Yao knew that Tang Wenzhen always spoke sternly, making her seem like a rational adult.

But there was a decisive difference between her and Tang Wenzhen.

Without a doubt, Tang Wenzhen was an excellent mother.

Wen Yao turned to look at Tang Wenzhen properly, feeling the coldness in her palms.

Tang Wenzhen tilted her head and spoke gently, "Xiao Wen, don't take what Grandpa said this afternoon to heart."

Wen Yao looked up in disbelief.

"Sorry to worry you, but I'm fine, it doesn't bother me." She politely continued, "Jiang Shuyi's grandfather also had his own reason for saying that."

"If I were him, I would also hope for my granddaughter to be with someone from a complete family."

Tang Wenzhen hugged her arms and looked at Wen Yao, as if teaching, "You don't need to be so formal or polite in front of adults. Children should act like children."

Tang Wenzhen studied her face and then slowly added, "You can think of this place as your home and regard me and Jiang Shuyi's dad as your parents."

Faced with these words she had never heard before, Wen Yao felt very strange. It had been a long time since she had been in a position where someone was guiding her.

She was unsure how to respond, and finally said, "Thank you."

"I think Jiang Shuyi also wants you to call us Mom and Dad, that's why she brought you back."

Tang Wenzhen's tone was nearly certain.

"So you don't have to worry about these small matters."

". . ." Wen Yao remained silent.

Seeing her like this, Tang Wenzhen said earnestly, "It must have been hard to hear something like that from the old man this afternoon, right?"

"No, I don't mind, Auntie."

"Don't be too formal, you can call me Mom."

Tang Wenzhen looked at Wen Yao with a serious expression, her gaze quite intimidating.

Wen Yao paused, hesitating for a long time but ultimately didn't say it.

Tang Wenzhen nodded, affirming, "But it must have hurt you."

Wen Yao stayed silent for a few seconds before responding.

"No matter how the old man feels, those are not things that should be said."

"Not everyone needs to come from a complete family, but having and establishing a healthy family is not a prerequisite."

"I am my parents' child, and I am also Jiang Shuyi's mother."

"As a daughter to parents, if I heard someone speak about my family in the same way you heard today, I would be heartbroken."

"From a mother's perspective, if I heard someone speak about my daughter like that, I would be furious."

Tang Wenzhen's tone didn't fluctuate much, but her words carried significant weight, especially coming from a mother.

"Also, besides me and her father being able to help you, you can also rely on Jiang Shuyi."

"Although she may seem that way, she really pays special attention to your situation."

"Don't dislike Jiang Shuyi because of the old man, she really likes you."

"I won't dislike her over something like this."

Wen Yao looked at Tang Wenzhen quietly.

---

There was a sound coming from the bathroom, the sound of water splashing on the floor, and Jiang Shuyi's voice could be heard from inside, "Wen Yao, Wen Yao, my pajamas—"

Not hearing Wen Yao's response, Jiang Shuyi called out again from the bathroom.

"Wen Yao—"

"It seems like the annoying one is about to come out, you should go help her..." Tang Wenzhen frowned slightly.

---

Apart from the Spring Festival, Jiang Haichao and Tang Wenzhen rarely spent such long periods of time at home.

Although Tang Wenzhen and Jiang Haichao were Jiang Shuyi's parents' generation, being with them didn't feel uncomfortable or awkward.

Because Jiang Haichao was someone who enjoyed reading, often traveled abroad for business, and had visited many countries. At the dinner table, he would share fascinating stories, like the time an elephant stole his belongings in Thailand, or when he encountered a famous rock band at a French estate, or the time he lost his passport in another country...

"These business people, all of them are good at storytelling." Tang Wenzhen concluded quietly.

Jiang Haichao would always narrate his tales engagingly, making them very enjoyable to listen to.

However, sometimes Wen Yao would pick up the conversation and ask questions.

For instance, she would inquire about Greek sects, philosophers' maxims, the geography of European countries, the origins of vocabulary and food, and how they were made, correcting him one by one.

Jiang Haichao also responded, "Shuyi, Yao Yao, good night to both of you."

". . ." Jiang Shuyi paused with her fingers.

Seeing Wen Yao's usual demeanor, Jiang Shuyi silently walked up the stairs.

Wen Yao felt that the atmosphere around her was quieter than usual, so she quietly looked at Jiang Shuyi, "What's wrong?"

". . ." Jiang Shuyi looked at Wen Yao discontentedly, "I never called you 'Yao Yao'..."

---

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