When Su Wenzu opened the door, Shen Wenzhao was already waiting outside. The damp morning air had stained the hem of his clothes, and the chill had reddened the tip of his nose.
“Young Master Shen, you’re here already? Why didn’t you knock? It’s freezing outside!” Su Wenzu quickly stepped aside to let him in.
“I didn’t wait long. It’s nothing.”
In the courtyard, Su Tian was helping An’an wash up.
Perhaps knowing he no longer had to leave, An’an had slept deeply the night before. Now he was full of energy. While Su Tian washed his face, he kept splashing the water in the basin with his hands.
“Jiejie, look at me!” he shouted, and with a loud pa, slapped the water again, sending droplets flying.
“An’an!” Su Tian was splashed as well and deliberately put on a stern face.
Seeing things turn bad, An’an immediately twisted his little body and burrowed into her arms. “Jiejie, An’an listen fa, wash good-good.”
Having not spoken for so long, his tongue was still stiff, his words sticky and unclear.
Seeing him act obedient, Su Tian couldn’t hold back her laughter. The two of them ended up playing again.
Shen Wenzhao stood at the doorway with his hands behind his back, quietly watching the two figures not far away. His star-bright eyes and sharp brows carried a trace of gentleness.
Sensing his gaze, Su Tian turned around. “Young Master Shen has arrived.” She tidied An’an up and led him over.
“An’an, will you play with Little Uncle today?”
An’an blinked his grape-like eyes but said nothing. He clutched Su Tian’s hand tightly, yet seemed to feel he shouldn’t treat Little Uncle this way, and looked somewhat uneasy.
“An’an.” Su Tian crouched down to meet his eyes. “Little Uncle will stay right here with you and won’t go anywhere. Just like before, you can still see Jiejie, alright?”
An’an turned to look at Shen Wenzhao, bit his lip, then reached out and held his hand. “An’an good. Jiejie is busy.”
“Then An’an is in your care.”
Feeling the soft little hand in his palm, Shen Wenzhao’s lips curved slightly. “Thank you, Miss Su.”
Today, Su Family Restaurant reopened after being closed for two or three days. Even before mealtime, a long queue had already formed outside.
“Boss! It wasn’t your usual rest day—why weren’t you open? I haven’t eaten your dishes these past two days. It’s been driving me crazy!”
“There were matters at home that delayed us,” Su Wanqing said with a cheerful smile. “Everyone eat well today!”
“Alright! One braised pork, one oil-blasted spring bamboo shoots, and spinach pork liver soup!”
“Got it! Coming right up!”
Su Tian was so busy her feet barely touched the ground. The two woks worked in turns. From time to time, she glanced through the window to check on An’an.
Shen Wenzhao sat with An’an beneath the eaves in the courtyard, unsure how to begin.
“Little Uncle…” A voice as soft as a mosquito’s buzz sounded beside him.
Shen Wenzhao lowered his head. An’an was tugging at his clothes, occasionally picking at the embroidery.
“Ning’er.” Shen Wenzhao placed his hand over An’an’s. “Ning’er has suffered these days.”
His palm was broad and warm, covering the back of An’an’s small hand.
An’an stared at their joined hands, his face reddening slightly.
“No… no suffer. Jiejie good.”