Wen Yunsheng had just gotten off the plane when she saw five missed calls on her phone while collecting her luggage.
She was about to call back when the phone rang again.
Pushing her luggage with one hand, she answered the call with the other: “Uncle.”
“Shengsheng, have you landed? Hurry home for dinner. Aunt Jin made a whole table of your favorite dishes herself when she found out you were coming back today.”
“I just landed.”
“You silly child, you didn’t even tell us you booked a flight for today. If I hadn’t overheard Lin Xi’s mother mention it, we wouldn’t have known you were returning today.”
Wen Yunsheng pulled her suitcase and slowly switched hands for better comfort:
“I didn’t want to trouble you all with making a fuss to pick me up. The airport is far, and it’s a hassle to travel back and forth. I was definitely going to visit you after returning—I wanted to surprise you.”
“What surprise? You suddenly come back, and we’re unprepared, leaving you with leftovers? Aunt Jin only found out an hour ago that you were returning and immediately jumped up to order the servants to clean and started cooking herself, worried it might be too late.”
Hearing her uncle’s long-missed scolding, Wen Yunsheng’s lips curved slightly, warmth spreading in her heart.
She quickened her pace, heading toward the exit marked “Arrivals.”
The nagging continued over the phone: “Besides, even if you were worried about us traveling back and forth, why not just have your brother pick you up?”
Wen Yunsheng’s steps suddenly halted, the smile on her lips freezing slightly as she stiffly looked up toward the exit.
“Brother Yanchuan, is he here?”
In the bustling crowd, she didn’t seem to see that familiar figure.
“No, he’s probably in a meeting—his phone is unreachable. Lin Xi went to pick you up. Have you seen her?”
Wen Yunsheng spotted Lin Xi at the pick-up area, waving both hands high with a bouquet of flowers, and let out a long sigh of relief.
Wen Yunsheng smiled again: “I see her, Uncle. I’ll hang up now and see you soon.”
“Alright, alright, be careful on the way.”
After hanging up, Wen Yunsheng pushed her suitcase forward a few steps, rounded the railing, and Lin Xi rushed up, wrapping her in a tight hug.
“Ahhh, baby, you’re finally back!”
Wen Yunsheng stumbled from the impact, her head tilting back, but she still held Lin Xi tightly: “Xiao Xi, I missed you so much.”
“You still remember missing me? I think you found another dog out there and forgot all about me!”
“I didn’t.” Wen Yunsheng grinned.
Lin Xi finally released her and shoved the bouquet into her arms: “Here, welcome home!”
Wen Yunsheng held the flowers—a bouquet of jasmine and white roses—and lowered her head to inhale their sweet, familiar fragrance.
Home.
It had been so long since she’d been home.
Lin Xi drove her back to the Qin family home from the airport.
“My mom told Aunt Jin?! Why is she such a blabbermouth!” Lin Xi complained indignantly.
Wen Yunsheng turned to look at her.
Lin Xi chuckled awkwardly: “Ahaha, well, I just accidentally let it slip at the time. How was I supposed to know my mom would immediately tell Aunt Jin?”
“Isn’t it better that everyone knows? It’s lively and warm. You haven’t been back to the country in four years—they’ve missed you.”
Lin Xi even raised her voice in a show of bravado.
Wen Yunsheng bit her lip: “I originally wanted to come back quietly, visit them, and then bring up moving out.””Bringing it up now is just the same. Uncle Qin just called me, saying your brother’s phone is completely unreachable, and he insisted I come pick you up. Maybe he doesn’t want to see you either.”
Wen Yunsheng gazed emptily at the highway speeding past outside the car window, pursing her lips slightly. “That might be true.”
The car stopped in the courtyard of the Qin family villa.
Wen Yunsheng got out of the car, where a servant was already waiting to help her with her luggage.
“Shengsheng, my mission is accomplished. I’ll head off for today, and we’ll catch up tomorrow!”
Lin Xi waved to Wen Yunsheng through the car window, then stepped on the gas and sped away.
Wen Yunsheng had already been about to say, “Why don’t you stay for dinner…”
But as soon as the words left her mouth, they were drowned out by the roaring sound of the sports car.
Wen Yunsheng: “…”
“Second Miss, hurry inside. The master and madam have been waiting for you,” Aunt Zhao said warmly, having already instructed someone to take her luggage inside.
Wen Yunsheng nodded and finally turned to go in.
As soon as she opened the door, Uncle Qin and Aunt Jin happily came forward to greet her. “Shengsheng is back!”
“Uncle, Aunt Jin.”
Qin Mingqian smiled so widely his eyes nearly disappeared. “You’re finally back! You must be hungry. Let’s eat first!”
Aunt Jin hugged her. “You look like you’ve lost weight! I told you long ago I’d arrange another chef for you, but you refused. You’re not used to the food in England, and you’ve lost so much weight.”
Wen Yunsheng couldn’t help but laugh. “Aunt Jin, it’s not that exaggerated.”
Back when Aunt Jin had suggested hiring a chef for her, she had been so startled she quickly refused. She was going abroad to study, not to live like a princess.
“Alright, alright. Now that you’re back, eat more. I made your favorite Longjing shrimp and braised bamboo shoots. The pork rib soup isn’t ready yet—we found out too late and didn’t have time to prepare it earlier. It’s still simmering now, so you can have it after you finish eating.”
“Sis, sis!”
A tall boy suddenly popped out, startling her.
“Qin Cisui? You’ve grown so tall!” Wen Yunsheng exclaimed in surprise.
“He’s seventeen now. He’s been shooting up these past two years, changing every day,” Aunt Jin said with a smile.
“Sis, you’re really underestimating me. My brother is half a head taller than me, and I didn’t see you this shocked then. What, can’t I grow too?”
“You little rascal, is your sister worried you won’t grow tall?” Aunt Jin gave him another playful smack.
Qin Cisui grinned and leaned in, as shameless as he was in childhood. “Did you bring me a gift?”
“I did.”
Wen Yunsheng spoke slowly. Whenever the whole family was talking, especially when Qin Cisui was around, she could hardly get a word in. She could only respond slowly when someone asked her directly.
“Alright, alright. Your sister just got back and is still hungry. What gift can she give you now? Hurry up and sit down to eat!”
Qin Mingqian urged, guiding Wen Yunsheng to a chair at the dining table.
Qin Cisui sat down right next to her, still looking around. “Hey, why isn’t my brother back yet?”
“Who knows? I called him, but he didn’t answer. He’s probably in a meeting. I sent him a message—he should see it once the meeting ends.”
Qin Mingqian placed a piece of Longjing shrimp in Wen Yunsheng’s bowl. “Let’s eat first. We won’t wait for him.”
Wen Yunsheng nodded gently. “Mm.”
She picked up the shrimp and put it in her mouth. It was still the familiar taste. A smile spread across her lips. “Aunt Jin’s cooking is still the best.”
Aunt Jin said happily, “If you like it, eat more!””Better cherish it. My mom rarely cooks, and you probably only get this treatment for the first three days after you’re back.” Qin Cisui was still muttering.
Aunt Jin shot him a glare. “Even eating can’t shut you up.”
Wen Yunsheng couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh.
Just as the atmosphere was lively, the sound of the door opening came from the entrance.
“The young master is back.”
The smile on Wen Yunsheng’s lips froze slightly. That shrimp seemed to have gotten stuck in her throat, making her feel choked.
Heavy footsteps approached.
She looked up and saw a tall figure walk in. Dressed in a black suit, his figure was upright and impeccable. His deep, handsome face was more mature and steady than before, yet it carried a touch of distant and indifferent coldness.
Somewhat familiar, yet somewhat unfamiliar.
“Brother!” Qin Cisui waved excitedly. “You’re finally back!”
Wen Yunsheng choked up slightly, her throat a bit dry. “Brother Yanchuan.”