Сhаpter 7: First Мееting with Grаndmа
Friend…
Wen Yaо fеlt quite disdainful tоward a сеrtаin fооl’s рrogrеss in рursuing sоmеone. Аfter all that effоrt just tо add WеСhаt, аnd thеy wеrе still just “friеnds.”
Not a singlе bit оf my truе teachings рassеd down.
“Therе arе no rеаdy-madе cakes аvаilаblе todaу, sо уоu might need tо wait а bit. I’ll make оne fresh fоr you—it’ll tаke at leаst аn hоur.”
Xu Jinhuаn рoured a glаss of wаtеr, intending to hаve her sit аnd wait nеаrbу, but Wen Yаo deсlined.
“I’d like tо gо tо the back kitchen and see hоw уou make it, and mауbe take а vidеo to bring back.”
Perhaps feeling her words were too stiff, like giving orders in the company, Wen Yao added, “Is that alright?”
“Of course.”
Although Xu Jinhuan’s dessert shop wasn’t very large, it was well-designed. The front and back kitchens were separated by a curtain, and inside there was a counter-like partition—that was where she prepared her desserts.
Xu Jinhuan led Wen Yao to the back kitchen and brought over a stool. “You can sit here. I’ll be quick.”
Wen Yao set down her bag, elegantly took a seat, and smiled.
“No rush, take your time.”
Xu Jinhuan put on her chef’s hat, a transparent mask, and tied her apron, then thoughtfully offered Wen Yao a small gift.
“This is a little dessert for customers to try. You can taste it—it’s not too sweet.”
Wen Yao raised an eyebrow slightly. “So thoughtful? Thank you, little one.”
Being praised by such a beautiful older sister made Xu Jinhuan a bit shy. She pursed her lips and offered a reserved smile.
“It’s my pleasure.”
With that, Xu Jinhuan washed her hands and began making the cake.
Wen Yao leaned lazily against the counter, resting her arm, her gaze following Xu Jinhuan’s movements.
This little one is quite adorable.
Just unfortunately, she’s caught the eye of a slow-witted old cow.
Wen Yao opened her camera and symbolically recorded a short video.
Then she asked, “Is it usually just you in the shop?”
Xu Jinhuan focused on her task but didn’t forget to reply. “There’s also Grandma Liu. She helps me watch the shop and clean up…”
Wen Yao inquired, “You’re still quite young, aren’t you? How could your parents let you struggle on your own? If I had a daughter as well-behaved as you, I wouldn’t bear to let her suffer.”
Xu Jinhuan’s hands paused slightly but quickly returned to normal.
She smiled. “I’m already twenty. You probably couldn’t have a daughter as old as me.”
Wen Yao smiled even more deeply. “Well, you guessed wrong. My son is twelve years older than you—my own flesh and blood.”
“Huh?” Xu Jinhuan was genuinely shocked.
She turned around to see Wen Yao looking at her with a playful smile, her bright eyes full of mischief. Her face was perfectly flawless, without a single wrinkle, and she sat with such elegance she could rival a movie star.
“That… how is that possible?”
Xu Jinhuan simply couldn’t connect the elegant, charming woman before her with a fifty-year-old mother.
Even if she had married and given birth at eighteen, she’d still be fifty now.
But this sister looked only in her thirties—how well must she have taken care of herself?
Her almond-shaped eyes widened, her long, curled lashes fluttering up and down, making her look utterly adorable.
Seeing her reaction, Wen Yao found it amusing.
“Why not? Should I show you my ID card?”
“No, no need!”Xu Jinhuan’s cheeks flushed slightly as she sincerely praised, “You look so young, not showing your age at all. No one would ever call you ‘auntie’ outside.”
Wen Yao, who usually had to deal with her disappointing son at home and maintain a stern image at the corporation, rarely cracked a smile all day, appearing extremely aloof. But now, she had genuinely been amused several times.
“What a sweet talker, little one.”
A faint blush spread across Xu Jinhuan’s cheeks, and she felt an inexplicable shyness deep down, forcing herself to refocus on the cake.
The two chatted idly, and before they knew it, the waiting time had passed.
When packaging the cake, Xu Jinhuan deliberately tied several exquisite bows. “Here’s your cake, please hold it carefully.”
“Thank you. How much is it?”
Xu Jinhuan replied, “Just 188 yuan will do.”
Wen Yao scanned the payment code with her phone, then reached out and pinched Xu Jinhuan’s cheek, which was still dusted with flour.
“I had a great time chatting today. I’ll come play with you again next time.”
With that, she pushed the door open and walked out gracefully.
At the same time, the payment notification sounded in the shop: “WeChat payment received: 18,888 yuan.”
“?!”
Xu Jinhuan was startled. Why was it 18,888 yuan? Had she misspoken earlier?
But by the time she rushed outside, Wen Yao had already gotten into her car. All Xu Jinhuan saw was the speeding car disappearing into the distance—she didn’t even catch a whiff of the exhaust.
How could she leave so quickly…
“Xiao Huan, what are you doing standing at the door? Come eat.”
While Xu Jinhuan stood dazed at the shop entrance, Grandma Liu had already brought over the lunchbox.
“Alright, I’m coming.”
Xu Jinhuan sighed softly to herself.
It seemed she could only return the money when Yao Jiejie came again next time.
…
The Wen Family Old Residence.
Every year, Wen Yu would spend one night at the old residence for his birthday. Social engagements were exhausting, and by the time he arrived home, it was already past ten.
But the living room was still brightly lit, decorated festively with a strong birthday atmosphere.
Wen Yu loosened his tie, took off his jacket, and draped it over the sofa, calling out, “Dad, Mom.”
“You’re back? Are you tired?” Jiang He asked with concern.
He was dressed in casual home clothes, exuding the calm and intelligent aura of a researcher. He, too, didn’t show his age, looking at most in his forties.
Wen Yao was wearing a face mask, her legs resting on Jiang He as she enjoyed his attentive massage.
She glanced at Wen Yu. “Asking you to celebrate your birthday is like pulling teeth. Is it really that tiring?”
Wen Yu took off his glasses and rubbed the space between his eyebrows.
“Why did you leave after only half an hour at the banquet you arranged?”
“My time is precious. Lowering myself to attend for half an hour is already giving you face.”
Wen Yu replied expressionlessly, “Thank you, really.”
Wen Yao snorted lightly. “There’s a birthday gift for you in the fridge. Go get it yourself.”
Wen Yu opened the refrigerator, and the first thing that caught his eye were the three large characters: “Wen Xiaobao,” with “Happy Birthday” written in the lower left corner.
His gaze paused. This handwriting…