The moment Shen Zhiqiu realized Yue Mingyuan had silently loved that girl for so long—while she was merely Ya-Ya’s mother to him—her rationality swiftly returned.
Liking someone could be a one-sided affair, but love had to be mutual.
“Zhiqiu, what would you like to eat? Let me get some for you.” Yue Mingyuan asked softly, “How about the sweet-and-sour spare ribs?”
“No need, I can help myself.” Shen Zhiqiu waved him off, picking up a dish from the nearest plate instead. She lowered her head and took small, deliberate bites.
Yue Mingyuan’s chopsticks, still holding the spare rib, froze mid-air for a second before he slowly retracted them. Tentatively, he placed the rib on the edge of her plate.
It was one of Shen Zhiqiu’s favorite dishes—he had specifically asked Auntie Zhao to make it for her.
“Thank you.”
Seeing that she still hadn’t touched the rib, Yue Mingyuan tightened his grip on his chopsticks before relaxing again. He lowered his gaze, masking the disappointment in his eyes.
He had thought that after a month of getting closer, things between them might have changed.
But it seemed she could accept his family, accept him as Ya-Ya’s father—just not as her lover.
Every time he tried to take a step forward, she took a step back, maintaining a polite but distant space between them.
Shen Zhiqiu kept glancing at the spare rib. It looked delicious, tempting her to reach for it—just like Yue Mingyuan’s kindness, which made her crave even more.
In the end, she couldn’t resist. She quickly picked up the rib and popped it into her mouth.
Sweet and tangy. Just like how she felt right now.
…
The banquet didn’t end until past two in the afternoon. After helping clean up, Ye Jiawen approached Qin Liping with Shen Zhiqiu by her side.
“Brother Qin, the materials you provided were incredibly helpful. I can’t thank you enough.”
Ye Jiawen bowed deeply, startling Qin Liping, who hastily sidestepped and gestured for her to rise. “Miss Ye, you’re too kind.”
“Brother Qin, I heard you enjoy tea. This is just a small token of my gratitude.”
She handed him a paper bag—premium West Lake Longjing tea from Shangyuan Lou. Given her limited means, this was the best she could afford.
“What a coincidence! I was just running low on stock. Well then, Miss Ye, I’ll gladly accept.” Qin Liping chuckled as he took the gift.
“Lao Yue, is that girl your daughter-in-law’s cousin?” Ling Chao nudged Yue Guohuai, tilting his chin toward Ye Jiawen.
He had been observing her the whole time—her straightforward personality left a strong impression. He quite liked her.
“Thinking of setting her up with Xiaohang?” Yue Guohuai guessed Ling Chao’s intentions.
Ling Chao burst out laughing and pointed at him. “Damn, Lao Yue, you’re sharp as ever! Anyone would think you’re the worm in my gut.”
“I know exactly what kind of shit you’re about to spew before you even open your mouth!”
Yue Guohuai stroked his chin. “But honestly, Jiawen and Xiaohang would make a good match. No—scratch that. Your Xiaohang isn’t worthy of Jiawen. She’s a graduate student, you know.”
“A graduate student?!” Ling Chao’s eyes lit up, his admiration for Ye Jiawen growing even more.
His family was full of rough-around-the-edges folks—he had a soft spot for scholarly types.
Ling Chao held up two fingers. “Lao Yue, two bottles of Moutai, two cartons of Zhonghua cigarettes.”
“If Jiawen agrees to meet my brat, I’ll throw in four pounds of hairy crab and eight pounds of Fuxingyuan pastries.”
“Whoa, the penny-pincher is splurging!”
Huo Yingnian teased Ling Chao before turning to Yue Guohuai. “Lao Yue, why not take him up on it?”
“If you don’t, he’s gonna lose sleep tonight.”
“As if! Since when does he lose sleep?”
Yue Guohuai suddenly realized he’d spoken too loudly. He glanced at Ya-Ya, relieved to see the baby still fast asleep, then lowered his voice.
“Back in the day, a shell exploded half a meter from him, and the bastard didn’t even wake up! I dug him out of the trench thinking he was a goner—almost cried my damn eyes out!”
“Then what does he do? Wakes up like nothing happened! Lao Huo, tell me, isn’t this old bastard just asking for it?”
“Absolutely!”
Huo Yingnian, ever the instigator, nudged Ling Chao. “Lao Ling, you know what Lao Yue really wants—give him that fishing rod of yours, and he’ll agree in a heartbeat.”
The moment Yue Guohuai heard this, his eyes gleamed with enthusiasm. “Exactly! Lao Ling, that fishing rod would really show your sincerity.”
“What the—Lao Huo, are you helping me or screwing me over?” Ling Chao glared at Huo Yingnian.
“Of course I’m helping! No pain, no gain. If you won’t part with that rod, you’ll never convince Lao Yue.”
“Cigarettes and booze? Lao Yue’s not interested anymore—he’s quitting.”
Huo Yingnian pointed at himself. “Me too.”
“What, you two turning immortal now? Quitting smoking and drinking? What’s the point of living then? Don’t tell me you’re giving up meat next!”
“We’ll still eat meat. And drink—just in moderation, a small glass now and then.”
Yue Guohuai advised Ling Chao, “Lao Ling, you should quit too. Smoking and drinking are bad for you.”
Ling Chao waved him off. “No way! You two quit if you want—leave me out of it! I’d rather die than give up my vices.”
Knowing Ling Chao’s stubbornness, Yue Guohuai didn’t push further. Instead, he returned to the matter at hand.
“I’ll have Jiayin talk to Zhiqiu, then Zhiqiu can sound out Jiawen. It’s up to the girl.”
“If she’s focused on her studies and not interested right now, we can’t force her, understand?”
“Lao Yue, as long as you put in a word, that’s enough. If the girl’s prioritizing her education, that’s commendable. We’re willing to wait.”
“As long as my idiot son doesn’t find someone else first, Jiawen’s my chosen daughter-in-law. She can meet him whenever she’s ready.”
“Deal. I’ll pass that along through Jiayin. We’ll put in a good word for Xiaohang—I’ve watched him grow up, I know his character.”
“If it were someone I didn’t know, I wouldn’t even bother.” Yue Guohuai stated bluntly. “But Jiawen’s a fine girl.”
“Your daughter-in-law’s not bad either—poised, steady, gentle but strong-willed. A perfect match for Xiaoyuan.”
Yue Guohuai nodded in agreement. “Zhiqiu’s wonderful. She’s the family’s pride now, giving us such a precious grandchild in Ya-Ya.”
“Oh? Is my sweet grandbaby awake?”
Noticing Ya-Ya yawning and blinking sleepily, Yue Guohuai placed the baby in a nearby stroller. He gently lifted Ya-Ya’s tiny arms, stretching them lightly, then did the same with the little legs.
Finally, he massaged from the arms all the way down to the toes.
This was part of Ya-Ya’s post-nap routine.
“Grandpa Yue, what are you doing?” Huo Jiusi asked curiously.
“Auntie Mengfang says massaging and gently exercising babies like this helps with their growth and development.”
“Really?”
