After knocking for a long while, he realized she wasn’t there. He reached out and pushed the door open; everything inside was neatly arranged.
Even the water cup and mirror she normally used at the Xiao household hadn’t been taken.
He lowered his gaze and scanned the room again, noticing a white-covered notebook on the desk. He flipped it open casually and glanced over it neat notes, elegant handwriting.
He picked it up properly and examined it closely, only then realizing it contained detailed records of data.
Each set of data had plans and feedback.
And there were professional terms he didn’t understand: ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis), natural environment teaching, sensory integration training, and so on.
It wasn’t until the conclusion of each training section that he realized this was an intervention plan for Jinghang, recording his daily schedule.
Just then, he heard footsteps behind him and quickly hid the notebook in his sleeve.
Xiao Tianwen’s voice came: “Jingchuan, I found out where Aunt Jiang rented a place. We’ll drive there and bring them back.”
“All right,” Xiao Jingchuan replied.
After Xiao Tianwen left, he closed the door, reopened the notebook, and read it again. He recalled her performance during chess…
Her composure and measured responses toward him and his father so calm and articulate didn’t resemble a naive country girl with only an elementary school education.
He put the notebook away, took it to his room, sat at his desk, and examined it carefully for a long time, then picked up a pen…
After some time, he finally heard movement downstairs. He went down immediately and saw his father had returned alone. He asked, “Did you see Aunt Jiang?”
Xiao Tianwen nodded. “Yes, I did.”
“What happened?”
Xiao Tianwen briefly explained: “Your Aunt Jiang said she plans to stay and help Yunzhu review so she can focus on preparing for the entrance exam. She won’t be coming over for now.”
He knew she had felt wronged.
Xiao Jingchuan looked at his father’s disappointed expression and asked, “You’re reluctant?”
“Yes. She’s taken care of me for eight years, especially during those two years I was bedridden after my injury. Thanks to her… Be prepared: I won’t let your aunt come to the Xiao household to meddle again.”
His son had grown up at his maternal grandmother’s house and had deep bonds there. For other matters, he could go along with things, but with Youqing, he had to establish a firm stance.
Xiao Jingchuan was silent for a moment. “After attending Grandma’s birthday banquet tomorrow, I’ll go to Aunt Jiang’s place.”
“All right.” That was exactly the attitude he wanted from his son.
This son seemed easygoing, but when it came to important principles, he was unyielding. If he married Youqing against his father’s wishes, she wouldn’t have an easy life.
Early the next morning, father and son drove to the Chen household.
As soon as they entered, they drew the attention of all the guests. Same height, same commanding presence one stern and resolute, the other refined and handsome truly a sight to behold.
“It’s Tianwen and Jingchuan!” Uncle Chen, the eldest, walked over smiling to greet them.
“Uncle,” Xiao Jingchuan greeted politely.
Xiao Tianwen offered a simple greeting as well.
They were led into the room. The matriarch sat in the center, waving at them.
The other guests who had been seated made room.
“Grandma, wishing you longevity as vast as the southern mountains!”
“Mom, wishing you health and long life!”
The old lady’s face was full of joy. “Good! Good! Good! You both came back despite being so busy thank you.”
“Finishing work early doesn’t count as hard work,” Xiao Tianwen replied.
“Our Jingchuan really grows more handsome every year. He’s twenty-five now, and no one has taken care of his marriage. Who’s thinking about his lifelong matters?”
Hearing this, the young ladies sitting nearby perked up their ears.
Xiao Jingchuan smiled. “No rush.”
The old lady’s smile faded. “No rush? Your father had you at this age!”
Then she thought of her prematurely deceased daughter, gazing at her son-in-law, a high-ranking official still single, and hesitated to speak.
Xiao Jingchuan smiled. “Grandma, maybe you should worry about my dad first he’s an old bachelor.”
He stood and said, “I’ll go see Jinghang.”
After Xiao Jingchuan left, Xiao Tianwen said, “Mom, about Youqing… I don’t know if Chen Xia mentioned it.”
The old lady smiled. “She did.”
Her grandson truly cared about his lifelong matters, but she hoped he’d remain single forever, especially after hearing his attitude toward Jiang Youqing.
“I don’t plan to dismiss Youqing. Tomorrow, I’ll have Chen Xia accompany Jingchuan to personally bring her here.”
The old lady hadn’t heard about any apology, so she didn’t dwell on it, but advised with meaning: “Tianwen, with your position, you could easily find a young woman in her twenties.”
Xiao Tianwen understood her meaning. “Jingchuan calling a woman in her twenties ‘mom’ is that appropriate?”
The old lady said nothing but remained firm. Her nephew had grown up in the Chen household and was just as capable as this son-in-law. At such a young age, he was already a regiment commander with unlimited potential. Without her urging, Jingchuan wouldn’t relent.
Xiao Jingchuan reached Jinghang’s room and saw him watching TV. He called, “Jinghang.”
Jinghang immediately turned, jumped off the chair, and walked to him, looking at him expectantly.
Xiao Jingchuan was astonished he could actually respond to people.
He took Jinghang’s hand, reached into the fruit tray on the table, and picked a peanut. “Do you want this?” he asked.
Jinghang shook his head.
Then he pointed to the candies in the tray. Xiao Jingchuan picked one and held it out; Jinghang obediently took it.
The little boy no longer screamed and clung to people.
Excited, Xiao Jingchuan’s chest pounded. He couldn’t help but try all the progress recorded in the notebook from yesterday.
He could do all of it.
He recalled her notes about developmental delay, emotional attachment, and the brain’s golden development period.
These were terms he and his father had never encountered, even after visiting many hospitals with Jinghang.
The only term he’d heard before was intellectual disability “moron.”
This couldn’t be dismissed as genius anymore. He was now 100% certain: this girl probably wasn’t Jiang Aunt’s elementary-school-educated daughter.
Apart from her clothing, her behavior and extraordinary insight didn’t match her supposed identity at all.
Jiang Aunt’s daughter…
Thinking this, he immediately picked up Jinghang. “Let’s go home for a bit. We’ll come back later for the banquet.”
He went to the hall to say goodbye to his grandmother. “Grandma, I’ll take Jinghang back for a moment. Something important was left at home.”
“All right, don’t miss the banquet.”
Xiao Jingchuan’s car stopped at the entrance. As he entered, Liu Aunt greeted him. “Young Master, Fu Yunzhu said she left something here. Since Director Xiao personally fetched them last night, I didn’t dare stop her. But she’s only in her room.”
Xiao Jingchuan nodded. “Mm.”
He carried Jinghang straight inside.
Fu Yunzhu searched for a long time but couldn’t find it. Just as she was about to leave, she heard Jinghang’s voice. Turning around, she saw him being held by Xiao Jingchuan, arms outstretched toward her.