Yang Zhenzhen remained silent. With her eyes widened in surprise, she stared at the luxurious car outside which soon sped off, disappearing from her sight.
The classmate asked, “Do you think that she’ll hold a grudge?”
Feigning nonchalance, Yang Zhenzhen said dismissively, “I only misunderstood her. What’s there to hold a grudge over? Furthermore, I didn’t do anything illegal. She can’t do anything to me.”
In the car, Zhuang Jiawen asked with a slight frown, “Why do you have friends like them?”
Shen Xinyao replied, “I’m not close to them. I just bumped into them coincidentally.”
Then, she turned around and asked, “Are you angry?”
“What’s there to be angry about?” Zhuang Jiawen deliberately changed the topic of conversation. “Xinyan’s arriving tonight. Let’s pick her up together.”
Shen Xinyao nodded. “Sure.”
From listening to Zhuang Jiawen’s conversations with the other elders, she was aware of what happened to Zong Yanxi.
However, she did not ask much about it.
“Here, they’re for you.” Zhuang Jiawen placed the cakes on her lap. “Eat them.”
Looking at the cakes in the box, she asked in a troubled tone, “What if I gain weight after eating them?”
“It doesn’t matter. Even if you become fatter, it’ll still be comfortable to hug you,” assured Zhuang Jiawen with a chuckle.
“You’re so annoying.” Shen Xinyao cast her gaze downwards and pretended to be angry, but her eyes were filled with an amused look.
Soon, the car stopped at their newly purchased house.
As the custom-made furniture was going to be moved in today, Shen Xinyao wanted to see where they should place them.
When she alighted the car, she was still holding a slice of uneaten cake. She had finished three slices, leaving one remaining mouthful left. However, as she was too full, she walked towards Zhuang Jiawen and instructed, “Open your mouth.”
He was rendered speechless.
“What are you doing?”
“Open your mouth,” insisted Shen Xinyao cutely.
Zhuang Jiawen opened his mouth warily and slowly. Grasping the perfect timing, she stuffed the remaining cake into his mouth and mumbled, “I can’t eat it anymore. You’ll eat it on my behalf.”
Staring at her, Zhuang Jiawen swallowed the cake and pulled her into his arms. “You cunning little fox.”
Shen Xinyao shoved him away. “We’re outside now. Can you be more serious?”
“Huh? You mean you have never chased after me before?” Zhuang Jiawen deliberately teased her.
Before he came to C City and before Shen Peichuan got promoted and was transferred to another city, they studied in the same primary school. Back then, Shen Xinyao kept following him and calling out his name repeatedly.
After he went to C City, both of them separated.
Yet, they always harbored feelings for each other.
Zhuang Jiawen had always treated her like his little sister.
Although he did not know if his love for her was romantic or familial, he did not hate the feeling of interacting with her.
Shen Xinyao shoved him away shyly and dashed into the house. There were too many embarrassing things from her childhood, which she had heard about from the adults. When both of them got engaged as children, she was still too young and unsensible. Hence, she always declared that she wanted to be Zhuang Jiawen’s bride. Now that she grew up, she felt embarrassed just by recalling it. Hence, whenever Zhuang Jiawen mentioned their childhood, she would naturally associate it with the words she said when she was younger.
Zhuang Jiawen followed after her.
Qin Ya was instructing the movers where to place the furniture. When she saw Shen Xinyao enter, she smiled and said, “You came at the right time. Do you think that we should put this here?”
After Zhuang Jiawen came to C City, Qin Ya and Su Zhan took great care of him. Hence, they shared a very close relationship.
Now that he was going to get married, Qin Ya and Su Zhan were even busier and more invested in his wedding than his own parents.
After knowing that the furniture was going to be moved into the new house today, Qin Ya came over early in the morning to help.
Shen Xinyao smiled. “It’s suitable.”
Qin Ya sighed. Except for a few wrinkles on her face, her looks did not change at all. As she remained childless, her figure remained the same. Furthermore, after Grandma Su’s death, Su Zhan took extremely great care of her, allowing her to lead a comfortable life. Hence, she looked extremely healthy and happy now. “Time passes so quickly. Both of you are getting married within the blink of an eye!”
“You’ve repeated this so many times already!” Zhuang Jiawen walked towards her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “Are you scared that you’re getting old? Don’t worry. Uncle Su listens to your every word. Even if you become old, he won’t abandon you.”
“How insolent!” Qin Ya turned around and glared at him.
Zhuang Jiawen laughed. “I’m sorry. Don’t get angry, or you’ll become old.”
Qin Ya was about to hit him when he darted away first. “Be mindful of your image. It’s not elegant to hit or glare at someone!”
Zhuang Jiawen had a cheerful and lively personality. Although he left his parent’s side early, he grew up under everyone’s care and protection. As Qin Ya and Shen Peichuan did not have a child, they doted on him like he was their own. Furthermore, as he was Shen Peichuan’s son-in-law, Shen Peichuan sincerely cared for him too.
His guidance was one of the most significant reasons why Zhuang Jiawen learned to fend for himself at such a young age.
“When will you become mature? You’re going to get married already!” Qin Ya arranged the cushions on the couch and shook her head, looking exasperated. Suddenly, she remembered something and lifted her head. Gazing at Zhuang Jiawen, her initial smile was replaced by a serious expression. “When’s Yanxi coming?”
Then, she sighed. “Your Mom’s isn’t in the best condition now. Because of Yanxi, she’s still angry with your Dad. If she can rush over in time for your wedding, everyone will feel less worried too. We’ve already shown ample consideration for her pride and feelings. Yet, she’s still not returning even after the incident. Is she still intent on worrying us all?”
At the mention of Zong Yanxi, Zhuang Jiawen’s smile also disappeared. “I’m going to pick her up tonight.”
“Really? She’s finally returning?” asked Qin Ya excitedly.
“It’s true.”
“What’s true?” Su Zhan was standing on the second floor while wearing a pair of gloves, looking like he was moving something earlier. As he walked down the stairs, he took off his gloves.
