Chapter 61

As soon as the afternoon session ended, the director came over with a grin.

“Teacher Cheng, we’re going out for dinner tonight. Would you like to come with us?”

Should she go alone?

She suddenly thought of how, that afternoon, she had seen Jiang Lai crouching pitifully at the entrance, waiting for her like a little stray dog abandoned by its owner, waiting for someone to take her home.

If Jiang Lai found out she was going to dinner behind her back, who knew what kind of sweet-talking she’d come up with to make her soothe her all over again. Just imagining that scene made her feel helpless.

Besides, they hadn’t seen each other for many days; she missed Jiang Lai very much too.

Thinking of this, she smiled and declined the man. “Sorry, Director. I’m feeling a little unwell today. Maybe next time; I’ll definitely go next time.”

“Alright, then I won’t insist.”

After exchanging a few more words with the man, she took her leave and headed out of the set in light, quick steps toward the hotel.

When she passed a park, she subconsciously glanced inside, and the sight startled her. From far away, she could see Jiang Lai sprawled on a swing with no regard for appearances, rocking back and forth while scrolling on her phone, her laughter carrying clearly through the distance.

Even though Jiang Lai was wearing a huge pair of glasses, Cheng Shuyang still recognized her at a glance. She shook her head helplessly. “This kid really doesn’t care about her image at all…”

A mischievous thought suddenly rose in her mind. She took off the high heels on her feet and silently walked toward the girl.

Jiang Lai was so absorbed that she didn’t notice her approaching at all.

“Is your phone that interesting?”

She spoke softly.

“Ah…”

Jiang Lai jumped in fright; her phone nearly flew out of her hand. When she looked up and saw it was the woman, a smile instantly lit up her face. “Aunt Cheng? What are you doing here?”

“I came to find some heartless little brat. I was even thinking of taking her out for something delicious, only to find out she wasn’t waiting for me at the hotel at all.”

Hearing the grievance in her tone, Jiang Lai immediately looped an arm around her and began to whine sweetly. “Aww, Aunt Cheng, be generous and forgive me this once, okay?”

Cheng Shuyang was so tightly clung to that she couldn’t help laughing. “You—when are you ever going to grow up?”

Seeing her relax, Jiang Lai burrowed a little deeper into her arms. “Aunt Cheng, I missed you so much. There were too many people this afternoon; I didn’t even get to give you a proper hug.”

“You didn’t exactly hug me any less.”

“Well, I don’t care. Anyway, you’re my girlfriend, so hugging you is only right.”

The woman smiled and tapped her arm.

“Be careful; we’re outside. What if someone takes a picture?”

“Oh, right, right.”

Only after the woman reminded her did she come to her senses and let go.

“Hungry? I’ll take you to eat.”

She obediently nodded, acting especially well-behaved the whole way and not daring to act out again, afraid someone might recognize her and cause trouble for the woman.

Cheng Shuyang felt a little gratified seeing her like this, yet also a little indescribably disappointed.

She was gratified that the child had grown up; what disappointed her was also that she had grown up…

In an instant, reason and emotion pulled her in opposite directions. Reason told her she should think about the two of them in the future; she might not care, but Jiang Lai was in the middle of a career upswing and couldn’t afford even the slightest mistake.

But emotion told her that it hadn’t been easy for the two of them to get together; she ought to let go of those concerns and follow her heart…

“Aunt Cheng, look!”

The girl’s voice cut off her thoughts.

Jiang Lai leaned toward her with a smile. “The boss gave me cotton candy. I’ll share half with you.”

She smiled indulgently and rubbed the top of Jiang Lai’s head. “You eat it yourself; I don’t like sweets.”

“Alright then, looks like you’re out of luck.”

Never mind; let the future take care of itself. Why worry so much now?

Only… if A Lai knew about those things from her past, would she still be willing to stay with her?

As she thought this, a plate of peeled shrimp appeared in her line of sight.

She looked up again; Jiang Lai had her head tilted back, speaking earnestly to the server about something.

After the server left, she couldn’t help asking, “What were you saying?”

“Oh, nothing.”

She placed the warm water, now cooled to a drinkable temperature, in front of the woman. “I told him to make the dishes for our table as light as possible; don’t make them too heavy.”

“…But don’t you like strong flavors?”

“But your stomach hasn’t been well lately; you can’t eat spicy food.”

She asked softly, “Then what about you?”

Jiang Lai smiled. “I’ll eat whatever you eat. I had too much spicy food in Guxian, and my stomach felt bad for several days. These next few days, I’ll behave.”

The woman’s fingertips traced the rim of the cup; warmth spread through her palm.

Just then, the server brought over a dish of steamed sea bass. The rising steam blurred the space between them.

The woman bent slightly and picked up a piece of fish, holding it to the girl’s lips.

“Aunt Cheng, someone will take a picture…”

“They won’t; just eat.”

Jiang Lai obediently opened her mouth and took the fish. Her eyes lit up at once. “Aunt Cheng, it’s delicious!”

“If it’s delicious, then eat more.”

Out of Jiang Lai’s sight, the woman wiped away the tears at the corner of her eyes with her fingertips. Her heart felt like it had swallowed an unripe green plum; the sourness made her eyes sting.

Jiang Lai, did I do something wrong…?

After the meal, she sent the girl to the high-speed rail station, reluctance filling her eyes. “When you get home, spend some time with your teacher properly. There’s no rush for me to come back here.”

Jiang Lai twisted her body and began to whine at her. “Ah… Aunt Cheng, I still don’t want to go back. Can you let me stay with you a couple more days?”

“No. Your teacher is worried about you too.”

“Fine then…”

She pouted and leaned close to the woman. “Then kiss me once, and I won’t make a fuss.”

The woman’s ears reddened again at her sudden move; she gave her a symbolic push. “You’re at it again…”

“That’s my only request anyway. If you won’t even agree to that, forget it. Then I’m leaving; you should head back early too.”

As Jiang Lai said this, she turned to leave, only for the woman to grab her wrist. The force wasn’t heavy, yet she couldn’t shake it off.

“Cheng…”

Just as she turned back, a kiss landed on her cheek, carrying a warm touch.

“Satisfied?”

The woman’s eyes held a trace of helplessness.

Jiang Lai touched her cheek, smiling like a child who had stolen candy. “Satisfied, satisfied. But…”

“But what?”

She wrapped her arms around the woman’s waist and whispered near her ear, “Next time when I come back, you have to kiss me on the lips.”

“…You’re asking for a beating.”

“Alright, alright, I won’t tease you anymore. I’m leaving now.”

The woman stood where she was and waved at her. “Okay. Call me when you get home.”

Jiang Lai hummed in response and pushed her suitcase away.

Just before entering the station hall, she suddenly looked back at the woman.

Cheng Shuyang was a little puzzled, but then her phone rang.

Looking down, she saw that the caller was Jiang Lai.

She laughed helplessly and answered. “What now?”

“Cheng Shuyang.”

“Mm?”

Jiang Lai took a deep breath, gripping the edge of her phone. “Can I tell my family about us?”

The distance between them wasn’t far. The woman raised her head and looked at her; there was expectation in that gaze, tension, and also hesitation.

The air went quiet for a few seconds. Then the woman spoke softly, but firmly. “What do you think? Do you want to tell them?”

“I do, but I’m afraid you won’t want me to. I’m afraid you’ll think it’s too soon.”

“Then have you thought about what kind of price we’d both have to pay if this gets out?”

“I have. But I’m not afraid. The only thing I’m worried about is you.”

The woman stepped forward, gently prying open her fingers before pressing her own palm against hers. “Jiang Lai, whenever you want to say it, however you want to say it, I’ll follow your lead. If anything happens, I’ll face it with you.”

“Aunt Cheng, you’re braver than I imagined.”

After getting off the high-speed rail, Jiang Lai took a taxi back to the Jiang home. Today, everyone in the Jiang family was there; even Jiang’s father, who was usually away on long business trips, was home.

At the sound of the door opening, several people looked up.

“Dad, Mom, I’m back.”

“Is A Lai home?”

Zhao Dan poked her head out from the kitchen with a bright smile. “Perfect timing; dinner’s almost ready. Wash your hands and come eat.”

“No need. I’ve already eaten.”

“You have? With who?”

“With Aunt Cheng. We had Huaiyang cuisine.”

Jiang Lai casually took the plate from Zhao Dan and set it on the table.

“Huaiyang cuisine? But don’t you usually dislike light food?”

“Changing it up once in a while is nice.”

“You seem to be getting along quite well with Xiaoya lately.”

“Mm, Aunt Cheng takes good care of me.”

Zhao Dan glanced at her, as if she wanted to say something, but in the end she held it back.

“Then you all eat first; I’m going back to my room.”

“Wait.”

Zhao Dan grabbed her wrist. “Mom made corn and pork rib soup today. Just taste a little, okay?”

“…Then let me go change first.”

At the dining table, Zhao Dan kept piling food into Jiang Lai’s bowl, looking at her with distress. “How did you come back from Guxian so much thinner? Thank goodness nothing happened to you. If something had happened, what would I have done?”

“Don’t say that. I’m fine, aren’t I?”

“This time, Xiaoya really helped us a lot. When I see her again after she comes back, I’ll have to thank her properly.”

The mother and daughter were chatting when Jiang’s father, who had been silent the whole time, cleared his throat.

“A Lai.”

“Dad.”

“Your Uncle Lin’s son is back. Do you want to find some time to meet him and get to know each other?”

Jiang Lai paused mid-chew, looking a little blank. “Do you mean… you want me to go on a blind date?”

“It’s not quite that. Just getting to know each other. Your Uncle Lin is very satisfied with you.”

Jiang Lai set her bowl down on the table, her voice calm. “I’m not going.”

Jiang’s father put down the soup spoon and frowned. “Just meet him once. That child from the Lin family is outstanding; our families are more or less well matched…”

“Dad, I said I’m not going.”

“Jiang Lai, be good.”

“Be good? Dad, haven’t I been obedient enough all my life?”

Jiang Lai looked straight at Jiang’s father. “I already have someone I like.”

Zhao Dan held down her hand, her tone steady. “The child rarely comes home once. Don’t say things that make her unhappy.”

After a few seconds of silence, Jiang’s father sighed. “I knew you were stubborn, but I didn’t expect you to be this stubborn.”

“Then you know now.”

“Oh, right. The person you like—do your mother and I know her? If she’s reliable, we won’t stop you either.”

“My mom knows her.”

“…Cheng Shuyang?”

Those three words slipped out of Jiang’s father’s mouth, his face full of disbelief.

“Mm.”

“I don’t agree. How can the two of you be together!”

He slammed the table hard; the water in the teacups trembled. Zhao Dan hurriedly picked up Jiang Xiao, who had been startled, and took her back to the bedroom.

In an instant, the living room was left with only the father and daughter.

“She’s so much older than you; how does that look? If people hear about this, what will they think of me and your mother?”

“Why can’t the two of us be together? She’s single, I’m single; why not?”

“A Lai, your father doesn’t mean that…”

Zhao Dan, who had rushed over, tried to smooth things over between the father and daughter.

“That is exactly what I mean. How are two women supposed to live together in the future? What will you do when you’re old? Have you thought about that?”

“When we’re old?”

Jiang Lai let out a cold laugh. “If I get married, will someone be there to take care of me when I’m old? If the children turn out unfilial, won’t I still have to take care of myself? What’s the point, Dad?”

“Just listen to what she’s saying!”

Zhao Dan rubbed her husband’s chest while signaling Jiang Lai to go back to her room.

Jiang Lai didn’t want to keep arguing with Jiang’s father either, so she turned and left.

The moment her fingers closed around the doorknob, she looked back and said, word for word,

“Dad, I really like her.”