Chapter 62

Muted scolding from Jiang’s father and Zhao Dan’s attempts to placate him drifted in from the living room.

Jiang Lai closed the bedroom door and leaned against it. In truth, a trace of regret had risen in her heart too; she hadn’t wanted to argue with Jiang’s father. But for some reason, the moment she heard him talking about women, she’d lost control of her temper.

She glanced over and saw her phone tossed on the bed.

Her fingertips hovered over the woman’s name for a long time before she finally pressed it.

The call connected almost immediately, but the face that appeared on screen wasn’t the woman’s.

“A-Lai jiejie!”

“Xiaoman? Why are you the one answering? Where’s Aunt Cheng?”

Xiaoman flipped the camera around and pointed it at the woman who was filming a scene. “Here, look. Aunt Cheng is working hard.”

“Oh. Okay.”

A little disappointed, Jiang Lai still forced a smile. “Then I won’t disturb Aunt Cheng. Let’s hang up.”

“Should I have Aunt Cheng call you back later?”

“Okay.”

Outside in the living room, Jiang’s father had finally calmed down, but he still couldn’t stop sighing.

Zhao Dan handed him a glass of water, then went to sit on the other side and pick up a book, with no sign that she intended to comfort him at all.

Jiang’s father: “...”

Without looking up, Zhao Dan said, “Why are you looking at me? If you have something to say, just say it.”

Jiang’s father choked on that. “You don’t seem the least bit surprised that A-Lai likes Cheng Shuyang.”

“What’s so surprising about that? You think everyone’s like you, not caring about their own child?”

“What kind of thing is that to say? When have I ever not cared about them..."

“Yes, you care. Care enough that you almost laid a hand on your own daughter.”

“I just couldn’t accept it for the moment.”

“You couldn’t accept it?”

Zhao Dan closed the magazine and sighed. “Old Jiang, the two of us are the least qualified people to interfere with A-Lai’s decisions.”

Jiang’s father looked up sharply, his brows knitting together. “What do you mean by that? I’m her father; how am I not qualified?”

“From primary school on, when the two of us were busy with our careers, we sent her to boarding school. Middle school, high school, even university—let alone everything else. We’ve never fulfilled our responsibilities as parents. So what right do you have now to make A-Lai listen to us?”

The man’s expression stiffened, and he said nothing.

“Besides, Shuyang is a good person. If A-Lai is with her, honestly, I even think our child is the one reaching up.”

Seeing his face ease a little, and hearing her say that, Jiang’s father immediately felt displeased. “Listen to how that sounds; it makes our A-Lai seem so much worse.”

The woman gave a small laugh, sat down in front of him, and patted his hand. “As adults, we always worry that A-Lai will suffer in the future; but the road is the one she chose herself. Whether it’s suitable or not, only she knows.”

After a long while, Jiang’s father let out a sigh. “I’m just afraid she’ll regret it later..."

Inside the set, the woman had just finished filming and looked exhausted.

Xiaoman very tactfully handed over a glass of water. The woman took it, drank a few mouthfuls, then pressed her fingers to her brow; her eyes were ringed with dark shadows.

Not far away, the director was still energetically guiding the other actors. The woman leaned back in her chair and looked as if she could fall asleep the next second.

Xiaoman hesitated, unsure whether she should tell her that Jiang Lai had called.

“Xiaoman, do you have something you want to say to me?”

The woman opened her eyes, her voice hoarse.

“Ah... how did you know?”

“You’ve been pacing in front of me; if I didn’t notice, I’d be blind.”

The girl giggled, then held out the phone like she was presenting a treasure. “A-Lai jiejie called you just now, but you were filming, so I hung up.”

She glanced at Xiaoman, the corners of her mouth lifting. “You sure are bold, making decisions for me. Aren’t you afraid I’ll settle accounts with you later?”

Xiaoman stuck out her tongue and said mysteriously, “It sounded like A-Lai jiejie wasn’t in a very good mood.”

“Is that so?”

Her fingertips slid over the screen, and a trace of urgency entered her eyes.

Xiaoman very sensibly retreated to a safe distance.

Hearing the voice coming through the receiver, her own tone softened even more. “Did you get home safely? Why didn’t you send me a message?”

Jiang Lai answered weakly, “Sorry, Aunt Cheng. I forgot...”

Sensing the girl’s mood, she weighed her words for a long time. “A-Lai, are you unhappy?”

“No. You heard wrong.”

Jiang Lai tried to sound relaxed. “Have you finished filming?”

“Mm, just wrapped. I’m getting ready to head back to the hotel.”

“Aunt Cheng, I have something to tell you.”

Jiang Lai bit her lip. In the end, she still felt she should tell the woman; she had the right to know.

“Mm, go ahead.”

Hesitantly, she told the woman everything that had happened that night, of course leaving out the things Jiang’s father had said about her not being good enough.

A very long time passed, and the woman still didn’t speak. The air felt like cotton soaked in water, pressing down until she could hardly breathe.

“Do you think I’m very stupid, not even able to decide my own feelings..."

Her voice turned rough. “My dad isn’t against the two of us. He just can’t accept it for the moment. He’s really a very good person.”

The further she went on, the smaller Jiang Lai’s voice became, the less confidence it held. She was afraid Cheng Shuyang would feel burdened. Cheng Shuyang had only just agreed to be with her; she was afraid the woman would think all of this was a hassle.

Her nose stung, and she gave two muffled sobs. “Aunt Cheng, don’t break up with me, okay? I’ll work hard; don’t abandon me, okay...”

Just as she was about to lose control of her emotions, the woman’s indulgent voice came again through her ear.

“Fool, why are you crying?”

“Then why haven’t you said anything? I thought you disliked how noisy my family is..."

“I was just thinking, our baby is so popular; if one day she doesn’t like me anymore, what should I do?”

“Aunt Cheng?”

“A-Lai, since I chose to be with you, don’t doubt how I feel about you.”

At those words, the panic in Jiang Lai’s heart was smoothed flat.

“All right, it’s very late. You should go to sleep.”

“Then I won’t disturb..."

“Don’t hang up. I’ll lull you to sleep.”

The phone was held to the girl’s ear. From the receiver came the woman’s humming; it wasn’t especially beautiful, but it had a unique charm.

Listening to it, Jiang Lai’s eyelids grew heavier and heavier. She couldn’t help tilting her head and fell asleep.

Hearing the girl’s breathing from the other end of the call, the woman smiled with deep affection and said softly, “A-Lai, good night.”

Don’t be sad over temporary difficulties, because I’ll always be by your side.

Outside the door, Jiang’s father listened to the girl’s muffled sobbing; his palms were slick with sweat, and he felt even more miserable than he had during their argument just now.

“Old Jiang, go back to sleep.”

Zhao Dan was standing at the bedroom door, calling to him.

Only after a long while did he let out a heavy sigh and turn back toward his room, his steps far heavier than when he had come.

The next morning, Jiang Lai dragged her feet and refused to get up.

After Zhao Dan called her several times to no avail, she simply gave up.

“I’ve left breakfast on the table; remember to eat. Your father has already gone out. Later, take Xiaoxiao to school, and don’t let her be late.”

“Got it.”

Jiang Lai was curled up under the covers, her voice muffled and downcast.

Zhao Dan couldn’t say much more, so she could only try her best to comfort her. “A-Lai, don’t overthink it. Your father just can’t accept it for the moment. He really isn’t a bad person.”

“I know. Aren’t you in a rush to get to the theater troupe? Go on, or you’ll be late.”

“Fine, I’m going.”

The moment the door closed, Jiang Lai threw off the blanket with a whoosh and walked into the bathroom yawning.

In the mirror, the girl looked haggard, her eyes dull; anyone could tell she hadn’t rested well.

“Sis, I should go to school now.”

Jiang Xiao was crouched by the doorway, looking at her.

“Oh, oh, okay.”

She grabbed any hat she could find from the rack, put it on, and took the little girl out of the house.

Downstairs in the neighborhood, a figure stood not far away, watching them with a smile.

Jiang Lai was stunned when she saw who it was. The sudden delight made her words stumble. “Cheng... Aunt Cheng? Why did you suddenly come here?”

The woman smiled and took two steps forward. “What? You don’t welcome me?”

“No, no. It’s just that there are a lot of people in our complex, and I was afraid someone would recognize you. You don’t like that, do you?”

“I’ve got my mask on. No one will recognize me.”

After saying that, she crouched down and touched Jiang Xiao’s forehead. “Hello, Xiaoxiao. We meet again.”

Jiang Xiao hid behind Jiang Lai, a little shy.

“Sorry, my sister’s a bit shy. She’s afraid of strangers.”

The woman straightened up. “It’s fine. She’s very cute, just like you.”

That simple “very cute” sent Jiang Lai’s heart soaring. “Are you going to go with me to take Xiaoxiao to school?”

The woman raised a hand and touched her arm. “Can I?”

“Of course.”

Jiang Lai held out her hand. “Hold my hand.”

“...Shouldn’t I be holding Xiaoxiao’s?”

“Xiaoxiao has me holding her. You just need to hold me.”

She said it with complete seriousness, and the woman couldn’t find a single word to argue back.

Looking at the hand the girl had extended toward her, she gave a helpless laugh and then curled her fingers slightly, as if urging the woman to hurry up.

“You little thing..."

She shook her head, but still obediently placed her hand in hers. The girl immediately wound her fingers around hers, lacing their hands together. The grip wasn’t heavy, but it was tight.

“Aren’t you afraid of being photographed by someone?” the woman asked, turning slightly toward her.

“Don’t worry, I disguised myself very well. No one will find out.”

Beside them, Xiaoxiao tugged on her clothes. “Sis, why are you holding the pretty auntie’s hand?”

Jiang Lai lowered her head and blinked at her. “Because your sister is afraid of falling too. If Aunt Cheng is holding me, then I won’t fall.”

The warmth from the girl’s palm slowly traveled through her fingertips and into the woman. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Jiang Lai smiling brightly; the corners of her own mouth couldn’t help but lift too, and she quietly tightened her hold.

“A-Lai.”

“What is it?”

“It’s already 7:50.”

“Wha—what? 7:50?! Oh no, oh no. Xiaoxiao, what time does class start?”

“At 8:00..."

“Aunt Cheng, hurry! If Xiaoxiao is late, my mom will definitely scold me to death!”

The woman was pulled forward by Jiang Lai, her arm dragged into motion. Looking at Jiang Lai’s flustered face, she couldn’t help but say, “Slow down; be careful not to fall. Why do you seem even more anxious than Xiaoxiao?”

Jiang Xiao was also running out of breath; her little legs couldn’t keep up with their pace, so she could only call out in a babyish voice, “Sister, I have a little red flower; I can be late once.”

“That still won’t do!”

Jiang Lai tapped her forehead. “You can’t be late for school.”

As she spoke, she quickened her pace; in the end, she simply picked the girl up and ran, not forgetting to complain as she did. “Xiaoxiao, have you gotten fat? Why can’t I carry you anymore?”

The woman stood behind them, unable to hide the smile in her eyes. Sensing that the person beside her hadn’t followed, she stopped and said anxiously, “Aunt Cheng, what are you doing? Come quickly.”

“Coming.”

She lifted her foot and walked toward the two of them; the sunlight happened to fall over both of them.

Suddenly, she felt that the happiness people spend their entire lives searching for was, in fact, right beside them.