Once three months had passed, Shen Yu’s mother no longer concealed the news and openly shared with friends that her daughter-in-law was pregnant.
Worried that Yao Yao might feel bored at home alone while Shen Yu was at work during the day, Shen’s mother frequently visited Tan Gong to take Yao Yao out shopping or for leisurely strolls. Sometimes, she would even surprise Shen Yu at his office with Yao Yao in tow, or bring her to the mountain villa for relaxation and fun.
The baby in Yao Yao’s womb was very well-behaved; she experienced no adverse symptoms, had a healthy appetite, and all prenatal check-up results were perfect.
During this period, Yao Yao made a new friend named Yuan Wenya. Although Yuan Wenya had a quiet temperament and didn’t speak much, Yao Yao felt completely at ease around her. Even in silence, there was no awkwardness, and the atmosphere remained harmonious.
The two were introduced through Shen’s mother—Yuan Wenya was the daughter of a friend of Shen’s mother’s friend.
When wealthy ladies gathered for social events, they often brought along their young daughters or female relatives. While ostensibly claiming it was for livelier company, the underlying purpose was to familiarize them with society and prepare for potential marital alliances. It was at such a gathering, where Shen’s mother had brought Yao Yao, that they met Yuan Wenya, and the two hit it off immediately.
Shen’s mother had always been fond of Yuan Wenya—her well-mannered and sensible nature—and had once considered matchmaking her with her son. However, upon inquiry, she discovered the Zhao family had already secured the opportunity, which she privately regretted. Over time, as she grew closer to Yuan Wenya, Shen’s mother came to regard her with the affection one would have for a daughter, deeply admiring how well-raised another family’s child could be.
In Shen’s mother’s mind, Yuan Wenya embodied her ideal daughter: cultured, polite, obedient, considerate, charming, and talented. Sadly, she only had one son. Of course, these thoughts were known only to her and Shen’s father, never shared with outsiders.
Before her son’s marriage, when she heard that the Zhao family’s young master had publicly called off his engagement, humiliating Yuan Wenya, Shen’s mother was furious. To her, it felt as if her own daughter had been abandoned by a scoundrel. Compounded by Shen Yu’s close friendship with Zhao Yan, Shen’s mother found herself irritated at the very sight of Shen Yu during that period, though to this day, Shen Yu remains unaware of how he had offended his mother back then.
“Mom, Wenya and I have made plans. I’ll visit her tomorrow to learn how to play the zither~” Yao Yao chatted cheerfully with Shen’s mother as they sat together in the back of the car.
Shen’s mother: “That’s wonderful. Soothing music is beneficial for a child’s development. I’ll buy you a zither to practice with tomorrow.”
Yao Yao: “Thank you, Mom~”
Shen’s mother affectionately patted Yao Yao’s head: “No need for formalities with me.”
“By the way, Yao Yao, there’s something I need to confess to you,” Shen’s mother said, her tone slightly hesitant.
Yao Yao looked at her with clear, innocent eyes: “What is it, Mom?”
After organizing her thoughts, Shen’s mother recounted the entire story of Yuan Wenya, carefully watching Yao Yao’s expression when she mentioned her initial intention to matchmake Yuan Wenya with Shen Yu, fearing any sign of displeasure.
Yao Yao smiled at her mother-in-law’s cautious demeanor, both amused and touched: “Mom, it’s really alright. I don’t mind at all, so please don’t worry.”
Seeing that her daughter-in-law’s reaction was genuine, Shen’s mother felt completely relieved: “Yao Yao, rest assured, in my heart, you now hold the top position, followed by the baby in your womb. This will never change—I truly cherish you as my own daughter.”
“Wenya is such a sensible child it breaks my heart. I heard from her mother that after the engagement was called off, she locked herself in her room for a full day and night without eating anything, just sitting there playing the zither the entire time. When she emerged from her room the next day, her demeanor was exactly as it had always been. You couldn’t tell at all that she had gone through something difficult.”
After listening carefully and learning that Yuan Wenya was the fiancée Zhao Yan had broken off the engagement with, Yao Yao said indignantly, “What’s wrong with Zhao Yan? If he didn’t like her, why did he agree to the engagement in the first place? What was he thinking all this time!”
Shen Yu’s mother was also angry: “This is typical scumbag behavior! Using the excuse of seeking true love to hurt another innocent girl. The matter could have been discussed openly – this is a new society now, we’re not old-fashioned stick-in-the-muds. If they had sat down calmly, things could have been resolved properly. But that Zhao family boy unilaterally called off the engagement without informing anyone, portraying himself as a victim of an arranged marriage between wealthy families, fighting bravely for true love. What he did was completely unfair! No one forced him to attend that engagement banquet in the first place!”
The more she spoke, the angrier she became. Seeing that Shen Yu’s mother was getting agitated and her emotions were becoming unstable, Yao Yao quickly patted her back and comforted her softly: “Mom, don’t be angry. Look at it from another perspective – this is actually a good thing. It’s better than getting a divorce after marriage. Besides, Zhao Yan isn’t worthy of Wenya anyway. She deserves someone better!”
Shen Yu’s mother: “You’re right.”
*
Yao Yao had fallen in love with playing the zither. She was a talented student, and Yuan Wenya was very patient, teaching Yao Yao step by step from the beginning. Yuan Wenya ran her own zither interest class where she taught children to play the zither – Yao Yao was by far her oldest student so far.
Every day when Yao Yao returned home, she would take out the zither that Shen Yu’s mother had given her and continue practicing, never tiring of it.
Shen Yu knew about Yao Yao’s relationship with Yuan Wenya but didn’t say much about it. Seeing how interested Yao Yao was in the zither, he even encouraged her to take grading exams and get certificates. Yao Yao was also quite eager to try.
When Yuan Wenya heard about this, she also encouraged Yao Yao, saying that whether in terms of musical sense or natural aptitude, Yao Yao was very suited to playing the zither.
Yao Yao’s daily life was very comfortable. She would wake up naturally, eat nutritious meals carefully prepared by the chef, then play the zither to relax, or stroll in the garden to cultivate her spirit, or go shopping with her sisters. She also frequently received various gifts from her mother-in-law.
Before they knew it, it was time for Ji Xingzhi to start school. Father Ji and Mother Ji both came to the capital, mainly to see their daughter and future grandchild, and incidentally to see their son off to school.
Shen Yu drove Yao Yao to the airport to pick them up, then took everyone to a restaurant he had booked in advance for a meal. Afterward, the five of them returned to Tan Palace.
Mother Ji chatted about daily life with her daughter whom she hadn’t seen for a long time, while Shen Yu took out a chess set he had prepared in advance and invited his father-in-law to play chess. Ji Xingzhi was looking at cars on his tablet. He had gotten his driver’s license at the end of August, and Shen Yu hadn’t forgotten his promise – he had compiled a list of various luxury cars suitable for young people and given it to Ji Xingzhi to choose from.
In the evening, Shen Yu’s parents also came. The two families chatted and laughed together, creating a very harmonious atmosphere.
Father Ji and Mother Ji stayed in the capital for a week. Apart from taking Ji Xingzhi to register for school during that time, they spent the rest of their time accompanying Yao Yao. The Ji parents were incredibly looking forward to the birth of their first grandchild, and they also wanted to spend more time with their daughter.
Cherishing every fleeting moment spent together, parents and children are the greatest gifts they give to each other!