Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
In the afternoon, Auntie Huang was surrounded by the maids from other houses. They informed her that they wanted to visit the Li family house more often.
Auntie Huang told Lin Wan about it. Lin Wan didnât mind. She told Auntie
Huang to prepare some snacks and interact with the maids of other houses.
Lin Wan also told her that she could invite anyone she wanted because she was part of the family too. Lin Wan always considered Auntie Huang as her own family.
Auntie Huang was delighted. She made some tea and snacks and invited the maids of other houses inside. They talked amongst each other about all sorts of things.
The Li family was bustling with activity.
In the evening, Lin Wan put on some light makeup and waited for Li Yanchen to get off work.
Li Yanchen was equally eager to meet her.
At night, the Royal Water Bay villa was silent. Auntie Huang made a bowl of noodles for herself and went to bed. She posted some pictures online. Lin Wan had taught her how to do it.
Under the picture, Auntie Huang had written, âA group of old sisters.â
Lin Wan was the first to like it.
Li Yanchen parked his car and looked at Lin Wan, who was waiting for him. She was smiling at her phone. âWhat makes you smile that happily?â
Lin Wan pointed at her phone. âAuntie Huang posted on her WeChat Moments. This is her first post. I taught her how to do it. Obviously, Iâll feel happy about it.â
Li Yanchen wrapped his arms around her. âWanwan, your message made me think. You praised me so much, but I think Iâm the lucky one. Youâre my little flame on the cold winter nights. In the beginning, you seemed so distant. But now, everyone loves you.â
âCome on, Mr. Li! I donât want to be sentimental right now. Check your tickets first. â
Li Yanchen chuckled. âAlright.â He pinched her cheek gently.
Li Yanchen spent his days planning what universities couples would do in. He invited Lin Wan out to the movies, or to the library. They even went for a picnic together.
On Christmas Eve, Yang Ruoxi returned to China. Lin Wan went to the airport to pick her up.
Yang Ruoxi was wearing a black down jacket. When she saw Lin Wan, she put down her luggage and ran to her.
âWanwan, youâre here!â
Lin Wan was almost knocked down by the impact of her friendâs hug. âXixi, calm down! â
Lin Wan helped her with the luggage. âXixi, do you want to go home first, or do you want to come with me to the restaurant directly?â
âI can come with you. I want to meet Grandma and Dad first!â
Li Yanchen had gone to Xuecheng Village early in the morning to pick up Yang Ruoxiâs father and grandmother. They were at the Han Han restaurant with him now.
They were waiting for Lin Wan and Yang Ruoxi to arrive.
In the restaurant, Yang Ruoxiâs father and her grandmother were enthusiastically talking about her childhood with Li Yanchen.
Yang Ruoxiâs grandmother asked Li Yanchen why he hadnât brought his children to the restaurant.
âThey are all at school,â said Li Yanchen.
Lin Wan and Yang Ruoxi finally arrived at the restaurant. Before they entered the private dining room, they could hear the laughter from inside.
Yang Ruoxi held Lin Wanâs arm. âIs that my father laughing? Heâs usually so reserved. Grandma always says he talks more only after having a few drinks. Did they start eating already?â
The two pushed the room door open and found that Yang Ruoxiâs father and Auntie Bao were the ones laughing.
They greeted the elders. Yang Ruoxiâs grandmother tried to get up from her chair when she saw her granddaughter. Yang Ruoxi rushed to her side. âNo, no. Donât get up. Grandma, youâve become younger since I last saw you. What have you been up to?â
Her grandmother patted her on her shoulder. âYou brat, you are as rude as ever. You still make fun of me.â
Yang Ruoxi hugged her grandmother. âGrandma, Iâm just calling you beautiful.â
âAlright, alright. Iâm not afraid of being laughed at. Xixi, let me have a look at you. Youâre so skinny. Havenât you been eating well? And what have you done to your hair? Let me take you to this nice shop for hair treatment tomorrow. What is this? Why are your clothes ripped? Has your father been stingy? Did he not give you enough money to buy clothes?â
âGrandma, this is fashion! I deliberately colored my hair this color.â Yang Ruoxi was amused by her grandmother.
Yang Ruoxi then walked to her fatherâs side. âDad, Iâm back.â
Lin Wan could not believe that this âobedientâ Yang Ruoxi was the same friend who was practically a delinquent in her original world.
Yang Ruoxi had indeed changed. She was patient and calm now.
Everyone took their seats. Lin Wan sat beside Yang Ruoxi and Li Yanchen. Yang Ruoxiâs grandmother sat at the head of the table, while her father sat on her right.
The Yang family hadnât been together for a while. Yang Ruoxiâs grandmother had even worn the red cotton-padded jacket that she only wore during the New Year celebration.
âArenât we like a group of unwanted children who eventually gathered together to form a big family to keep each other warm?â whispered Yang Ruoxi to Lin Wan.
Lin Wan kicked Yang Ruoxi under the table. She shook her head and told her to sh*t up.
After a while, the waiter approached their table to confirm that all the guests were present and asked whether they were ready for the food to be served.
Li Yanchen told him that they were ready. The dishes were served.
Auntie Bao got emotional. Her eyes welled up and she turned away. Lin Wan leaned across Li Yanchen and held her hand. âItâs alright, Mother.â
Auntie was even more sentimental at that. Her tears streamed down her cheeks.
Yang Ruoxi also held her hands. âWhatâs wrong?â
Auntie Bao wiped her tears away. âIâm such a mess! Iâm just so happy today.â
Yang Ruoxiâs grandmother also wiped her tears. âYanchen is so thoughtful. He arranged everything for us. When Xixiâs mother⦠passed away, I felt like I had lost a part of myself. It was nice when Xixi was around. She was loud and lively, but⦠when she went away to study, it became so lonely. It feels like everything is alright now.â
Yang Ruoxi couldnât hold back her tears when she saw both Auntie Bao and her grandmother cry. âGrandma, why are you crying if youâre happy? Iâm graduating next year. After that, Iâll stay in Yun City. I wonât leave you. Iâll always stay with you and Dad.
Lin Wan tried her best to hold back her tears. She knew how it felt to spend her life feeling lonely all the time. She was afraid she might bawl if she opened her mouth. She held tightly onto Auntie Baoâs hands..