Jiang Ya raised an eyebrow, observing the young girl in front of her with genuine interest. Curious about what she actually wanted to say, she unusually decided to wait with patience.
This was the first time Jiang Song’ai had ever seen such a non-gentle expression on her mother’s face. She couldn’t help pinching her hemline, looking somewhat fidgety.
On the other hand, Jiang Xuyin offered soft encouragement from the side. Little darling, it’s fine. Be brave.
With her grandmother backing her up, Jiang Song’ai took a deep breath and finally blurted out what was in her heart: Would you two please be so kind as to take me out to play?
Fearing they might refuse, she hurriedly added, I will be very well-behaved. I promise I won’t expose your identities.
Worried that Jiang Ya wouldn’t cooperate, Jiang Xuyin also chimed in to help. I just made plans with some friends to go out. Why don’t you spend half a day keeping the little darling company?
Song Wanyi remained silent. She simply gazed quietly at Jiang Ya’s profile, vaguely guessing what the other woman was thinking, while her hands never stopped packing things away.
Jiang Song’ai grew even more anxious.
Given how popular both mothers were in this world, there was no telling how long they would have to wait for an opportunity like this to happen again. She blurted out, I, I am willing to spend all my allowance to hire the two mo, aunts to accompany me and play!
Jiang Ya took an elegant sip of her coffee and chuckled softly upon hearing this. If I recall correctly, someone here is still a ‘non-person’ without proper registration, aren’t they?
Jiang Song’ai curled her lips in a pout.
Sure enough, whether it was the mother from this world or the mother from her original world, the personality trait of loving to tease her remained completely unchanged.
How are you talking to a child? Jiang Xuyin didn’t hesitate to gently swat Jiang Ya on the back.
Jiang Ya gave a light cough from being startled. Mom!
She wanted to argue further, but when she turned her head, she happened to meet Song Wanyi’s smiling eyes, and the words sitting right on the tip of her tongue swallowed themselves back down.
What was this person smiling at?
Shrugging helplessly, Jiang Ya finally relented. I can never win an argument against the two of you. Fine, just this once.
Yay!
Jiang Song’ai immediately jumped up with joy, completely disregarding the just-this-once condition.
Anyway, once there was a first time, there would be a second time. She wasn’t worried at all.
For the next dozen minutes or so, Jiang Song’ai kept staring at Jiang Ya with those bright, sparkling eyes, as if her gaze could pierce straight through the other woman if she moved even a little too slowly.
Although Jiang Ya had never taken care of a child before and wasn’t quite used to it, her movements unconsciously sped up anyway.
When she finished dressing in disguise and came down from the second floor, standing on the stairs, she happened to see Jiang Xuyin and Jiang Song’ai whispering together. As soon as the two of them caught sight of her, they immediately separated and acted as if nothing had happened.
Guessing that she was eight out of ten times the center of their topic, Jiang Ya merely raised an eyebrow and didn’t ask any further questions. She then walked over to the cloakroom near the foyer. Looking at the cabinets full of handbags, her eyes swam in confusion. She had too many endorsement deals; she could no longer tell which ones she had bought herself and which ones belonged to her sponsored items.
Anyway, the items kept in this overseas villa were mostly pieces she didn’t care to carry, so they probably wouldn’t be recognized by fans.
After picking and choosing, Jiang Ya finally selected an inconspicuous bag. She stepped out of the cloakroom, turned sideways, and signaled to the two figures on the sofa. Let’s go.
Standing at the entrance of the villa, Jiang Xuyin reluctantly pulled Jiang Song’ai toward her and urged, You must listen to instructions, don’t run around blindly, and never pay attention if a stranger tries to talk to you…
She then turned to Song Wanyi, her voice turning much softer. Please stay safe. If Jiang Ya bullies you, let me know at any time.
Finally, she looked at Jiang Ya with a stern expression. I am leaving the two of them in your care. No bullying allowed.
Jiang Ya felt an urge to surrender with her hands up. Mom, am I really that kind of person in your mind?
Jiang Xuyin arched an eyebrow. Back when we lived in that apartment building during your childhood, you were the naughtiest one of all. Even back in elementary school, you dared to provoke newly-segregated Alphas who couldn’t control their pheromones and strength yet. Good thing that punch didn’t actually land on your face, or you wouldn’t even be able to work as a celebrity today.
Jiang Ya had no memory whatsoever of the incident her mother mentioned. Lowering her head, however, she noticed Jiang Song’ai listening with rapt attention, so she muttered under her breath, Well, I was quite impressive back then…
Jiang Xuyin grabbed a throw pillow from the sofa and tossed it lightly in her direction. And you’re even proud of that!
Jiang Ya caught the pillow with a smile and put it back in place. I’m done joking with you. We are really heading out now.
Even though the number of people who recognized them abroad might be relatively low, to avoid unnecessary attention, all three of them bundled up tightly in full disguise.
Jiang Song’ai had never experienced the stealth mode of going out with celebrities before. She found it immensely fresh and novel, looking left and right along the way and finding interest in everything she saw.
After watching for a while, however, she grew unsatisfied with just that.
Initially, she had been walking right between the two mothers, but as they walked, she noticed the distance between herself and the two women on either side growing wider, making them look almost like three strangers who just happened to be walking down the same path.
Gathering up her courage, Jiang Song’ai took a couple of hurried steps forward and gently reached out to hold Song Wanyi’s left hand.
Feeling the warmth in her palm, Song Wanyi looked down with a soft smile and did not pull her hand away.
With Mommy’s tacit permission, Jiang Song’ai grew even bolder. Hand in hand with Song Wanyi, she quietly inched closer toward Jiang Ya, her small hand cautiously extending toward Jiang Ya’s naturally hanging right hand.
Jiang Ya was actually fully aware of all of Jiang Song’ai’s little maneuvers.
As long as the child wasn’t asking her to hold Song Wanyi’s hand, everything else was fine. Besides, there was no need for her to bicker with a child, so she simply let that small hand slide into hers and hold on.
A wave of joy washed over Jiang Song’ai as she tightly gripped both hands.
This was a scene she had never even dared to imagine in the past, yet in this world, she had actually managed to make it happen.
The three of them took a shuttle bus to leave the residential district. As the main gates came into view, Jiang Ya asked Jiang Song’ai, Where do you want to go play?
Song Wanyi gently shook the little hand she was holding, thoroughly enjoying an atmosphere that felt just like a real family of three, and offered a soft suggestion: I know there is an amusement park nearby. Would you like to go there?
Sure. Jiang Ya was indifferent either way; she just wanted to get this babysitting task over with as quickly as possible.
The amusement park wasn’t far, taking about half an hour by taxi.
Perhaps due to the pleasant, neither-too-cold-nor-too-hot weather, the park was bustling with crowds of visitors, and the joyful laughter of children filled the air.
Several young children were chasing and frolicking in an open space near the entrance, radiating a carefree and lively atmosphere.
Looking at Jiang Song’ai’s still youthful face, Jiang Ya asked with a somewhat reluctant tone, Do you want to try the roller coaster?
Since she had never raised a child, she assumed all kids were just like she had been when she was young, fond of such thrilling attractions.
Jiang Song’ai subconsciously looked over at Song Wanyi. That look clearly communicated that getting Mommy’s approval alone wasn’t enough; Mommy had to nod as well, because a family always had to act as a complete unit.
Song Wanyi had originally planned to decline, but meeting the child’s expectant gaze, the words on the tip of her tongue vanished.
Just as she was about to speak, a roller coaster roared down not far away, tearing a nearly air-ripping scream through the space, sounding sharp enough to scrape metal across glass.
Jiang Song’ai covered her ears, suddenly losing all desire to ride it. Her gaze dimmed as she weighed two conflicting priorities: helping the mothers of this world grow closer versus satisfying her own selfish desire to play. Ultimately, she chose the former.
Never mind, Jiang Song’ai withdrew her gaze, her voice softening. I don’t feel quite like riding that today after all… Let’s pick something else.
She raised her eyes to look at the two adults, her eyes swimming with moisture, as if she might look aggrieved enough to cry the next second.
Jiang Ya was left momentarily speechless by that look.
Regarding this child who had dropped out of nowhere, her feelings still hadn’t completely settled. Shock existed, and awkwardness existed even more, but since she had accepted this unexpected responsibility, she had to see it through.
With that thought in mind, Jiang Ya shifted her gaze slightly, only to bump straight into Song Wanyi’s eyes.
Song Wanyi was still quietly looking at her with a smile.
The slanting sunlight cast a layer of hazy, gold-like dust over Song Wanyi, making even the depths of her eyes hold a fine, shimmering brightness.
Jiang Ya paused slightly.
This person’s eyes… were they always this pretty?
Perhaps because she had stared a bit too long, Song Wanyi noticed. The outer corners of her eyes curved slightly, and her gaze shifted fluidly. Still haven’t decided?
Jiang Ya snapped back to reality abruptly, somewhat hastily shifting her gaze away. Her eyes drifted aimlessly around the surrounding attractions, unable to find a landing point. When she finally had to speak, she could only mumble vaguely, Then let’s pick another one.
Jiang Song’ai immediately beamed. Great! Then let’s go play…
Her words stopped halfway as she choked. She spun around in a circle, sweeping her gaze across the pirate ship, the giant pendulum, and the drop tower… Not a single one looked like something that could naturally encourage the two mothers to grow closer.
Jiang Song’ai quietly pressed her lips together. Why were the amusement rides in this world entirely made up of terrifying, scream-inducing attractions?
Jiang Ya didn’t mind. She nodded and was just about to ask for Song Wanyi’s opinion when she noticed the other woman’s gaze was still resting quietly on the side of her face.
Was there something on her face?
Feeling somewhat uncomfortable under that scrutiny, Jiang Ya nevertheless maintained her polite demeanor and asked, What do you want to play? My treat.
Only then did Song Wanyi unhurriedly withdraw her gaze. Without a trace of embarrassment at being caught, she instead flashed an even brighter, more brilliant smile toward Jiang Ya.
I’m fine with anything, she said in a soft, gentle voice.
Jiang Ya let out an hmph and quickly lowered her eyelashes. If not for this sudden appearance of a daughter, she would practically have had no private interaction with Song Wanyi at all. She certainly would never have imagined that this colleague, who always appeared gentle and poised in public, would have such a direct and bold habit of staring at people in private.
Fine.
Jiang Song’ai looked left and right, concluding that the two adults were even more indecisive than she was. Mimicking an adult, she put her hands on her hips and sighed. Then let’s do eeny, meeny, miny, moe! Whichever one it lands on, we play!
Jiang Song’ai closed her eyes, muttering under her breath while her index finger traced circles in the air, before finally coming to a decisive halt.
That one! She pointed toward the brightly colored bumper car zone not far away.
Both adults nodded.
However, upon reaching the attraction, the attendant looked apologetic. I’m terribly sorry; we only have two cars left. How would the three of you like to… arrange this?
Two pairs of eyes simultaneously turned to look at Jiang Song’ai.
Jiang Song’ai had no idea what Jiang Ya was thinking, but acting as the bridge between the two, she decided to sacrifice herself.
Putting on a bold, willful expression, she lifted her chin and declared, I want my own car!
As soon as the words left her mouth, she met Jiang Ya’s slightly raised eyebrow. Jiang Song’ai’s imposing aura instantly shrank by half, and her voice softened. N, not allowed? I’ve never driven a car by myself before… My other mother always wouldn’t let me, even though this looks so safe…
Jiang Ya had always done as she pleased. Hearing this, she simply waved her hand dismissively. Fine, you can have your own car.
A dozen minutes later, she completely understood why the herself from the other world had adamantly refused to let this child touch a steering wheel.