Ch 127: Bai Yujing Returns
Le Tao cannot speak yet; encountering novel things, curiosity predominates. His adaptable personality is endearingly sweet.
As for Yan Nian, at two years old, he already understands quite a bit and can speak extensively, even if his expression is sometimes unclear. His body language makes him easily understood.
Yan Nian understands that Xiao Yao and Zhuang Lingyun are her ultimate support, so he is exceptionally attached to them.
He follows them everywhere, never leaving their side, fearing abandonment, and feeling a profound lack of Security.
Yan Nian has a weak heart; his life requires extreme care. Xiao Yao dotes on him, personally comforting him to sleep those first few nights at home, before Aunt Huang takes over.
This enormous villa, once eerily deserted for two, now bustles with six.
With someone preparing breakfast, Zhuang Lingyun no longer needs to rise early to cook.
Yet, when the mood strikes, he still cooks breakfast for Xiao Yao. During workdays, he no longer worries about Xiao Yao’s boredom or loneliness; the two young members of the household are quite noisy, effectively diverting attention.
After a fortnight of adjustment, everything settled into a routine.
The family’s happiness was a beautiful picture, but Bai Yujing, Zhuang Lingyun’s grandmother, in New Zealand, unexpectedly returned, shattering the idyllic scene.
The news arrived suddenly. Zhuang Lingyun fell silent; Xiao Yao was caught off guard.
Although she never met this rumored grandmother, from Zhuang Lingyun’s brief descriptions of his time trapped in New Zealand, Xiao Yao subconsciously sensed that Bai Yujing would be difficult to get along with.
And probably wouldn’t like her, either?
“She’s not well; she can’t cause trouble. This return is likely to visit my Father. She shouldn’t stay long; don’t worry.”
Zhuang Lingyun saw Xiao Yao’s worried expression and comforted her, but he too was burdened by concerns.
Zhuang Lingyun knows exactly what Bai Yujing’s attitude towards Xiao Yao was.
He once believed Bai Yujing orchestrated Xiao Yao’s car accident. Though the truth later emerged, revealing his years of misjudgment, Bai Yujing never defended herself; she didn’t care.
He returned two years ago. Though they occasionally spoke on the phone, their bond has weakened amidst arguments and cold war.
Zhuang Lingyun is the only child of the Zhuang Family; Bai Yujing’s views are unlikely to change.
Hopefully, she won’t bother Xiao Yao this time.
Of course, if she does cause trouble, he won’t be as passive as before.
Xiao Yao is his hard-won treasure; he won’t allow anyone or anything to threaten her in the slightest.
Regardless of Bai Yujing’s purpose, Zhuang Lingyun will do his utmost to protect Xiao Yao.
Xiao Yao is his bottom line, an untouchable line!
The moon is bright, the stars are sparse, and a gentle breeze blows.
In the silent night, a black business car slowly drives down a long, tree-lined path, entering Tan Mansion and stopping before a two-story villa.
The car door opens. A middle-aged woman with a Western face pushes an elderly woman in a wheelchair slowly out of the business car.
A young couple waits at the villa’s entrance. Seeing the elderly woman, they immediately approach.
“Grandmother Bai, you’ve finally arrived.”
The girl’s name is Sang Jia; beside her stands a taciturn young man named Song Yuan.
This couple lives across from Zhuang Lingyun and Xiao Yao. They are university students Bai Yujing financially supports; distantly related, they deeply appreciate her kindness.
Bai Yujing nods slightly. They get out of the car; two strong men take their luggage directly to the young couple’s house. The business car quietly drives away. Bai Yujing turns and looks at the two-story villa across the street.
A room in a corner on the second floor is still lit. Through the curtains, a woman’s figure is visible, holding a child, pacing back and forth. Seeing the magnificent maternal love, Bai Yujing narrows her eyes and lets out a cold hum.
Sang Jia glances in Bai Yujing’s direction and softly says, “Grandmother, it’s late. Rest and adjust to the time difference. When you wake up, I’ll call someone from across the street.”
Bai Yujing hums in affirmation. “Go in.”
Everyone quickly returns inside and closes the door.
Le Tao, frightened by a large black dog during the day, sleeps restlessly at night. He refuses anyone but Xiao Yao to hold him.
Only in Xiao Yao’s arms does he sleep soundly; otherwise, he cries incessantly.
Xiao Yao soothed him for half the night before his emotions improved. After putting Le Tao back in his crib, Xiao Yao’s shoulders ached; she did some exercises to relieve the muscle pain.
The curtains weren’t fully drawn; the night’s chill seeped into the room. While adjusting the curtains, Xiao Yao noticed the curtains in the house opposite, usually drawn for days, were suddenly open.
The lights were on; the scene inside the opposite room was clearly visible.
It looked lively, with old and young people, and possibly a foreigner? Probably relatives visiting. Xiao Yao didn’t pay much attention; she closed the curtains and lay down on the bed next to Le Tao’s crib.
In the middle of the night, she felt someone gently lift her from the bed and carry her back to her bedroom.
Half-asleep, Xiao Yao was partly conscious. Knowing it was Zhuang Lingyun, she buried her head in his chest, finding a comfortable position to continue sleeping.
Soon, a soft hand kneaded her arm and gently patted her back, sighing with concern.
It was tiring, but Xiao Yao enjoyed it.
Enjoying Zhuang Lingyun’s gentle massage, Xiao Yao drifted into a deep sleep.
✦ ✦ ✦
