Сhаpter 8: A Тhrеe-Yeаr Generаtiоn Gар
“Yоu’vе met hеr?”
Wеn Yu sаt bаck down оn the sofa and рlаcеd thе саkе on thе соffee tаblе.
Hе had seen thоse wаrm and adorаble stiсky nоtеs in the shoр, and the handwriting оn thеm wаs idеntical tо thе оnе on the сakе.
Wen Yaо neither сonfirmed nоr denied it. “Not а bаd сhoiсе.”
“Of coursе.” Wen Yu lооked at thе exquisitе cаkе bеforе him and smiled fаintly.
Thе mоthеr and son shared an unspoken undеrstаnding, leaving Jiang Hе slightlу puzzled. “What аrе you two talking about? What’s not a bad choice?”
Wen Yao chuckled. “Your son has finally come to his senses.”
“Really? Whose daughter is she?”
Although Jiang He wasn’t the type of father who liked to pressure his son into marriage or having children, he still hoped his son would find a lifelong partner so he wouldn’t spend the rest of his life alone.
However, whether it was during university or after starting work, Wen Yu had always been remarkably indifferent to romance.
Even in such an open environment abroad, he had never been seen getting close to any woman, leading the couple to suspect at one point that their son might be impotent or have a preference for the same sex.
Who would have thought that the old house would catch fire and set its sights on tender grass?
Wen Yao opened her phone’s photo album and showed Jiang He a picture of the two of them together.
The girl was wearing a light yellow apron printed with an adorable cat head. Her slightly wavy long hair was tied up in a bun, her skin was fair, and her clear eyes sparkled brightly. She smiled shyly at the camera, looking utterly adorable.
Jiang He leaned closer to the phone, examining the photo carefully.
After a moment, he adjusted his glasses and asked, “Is this child even of age?”
Wen Yao replied, “She’s only twenty.”
Jiang He glanced at Wen Yu, then back at the photo, his tone meaningful. “Three years make a generation gap, Xiao Yu. You’ll have to work hard.”
Wen Yu said, “Don’t worry, I know my limits.”
But as he looked at the girl’s bright smile in the photo, he frowned almost imperceptibly.
He didn’t even have a photo with her.
…
Wen Yu knew he was at a disadvantage in terms of age, so he had privately sought out many quick-start guides to romance.
While he couldn’t guarantee a quick start to a relationship, at least he could avoid stepping on too many landmines in their daily interactions.
He had the confidence and patience to nurture a flower into bloom.
One that belonged only to him.
But plans often couldn’t keep up with changes. The very next day, a major issue arose at the overseas branch, forcing him to handle it personally.
After returning from his business trip a few days later, he had to deal with the backlog of work that had piled up in his absence.
After all, his time-precious mother was unlikely to be so kind-hearted.
Such was the reality of the adult world.
It wasn’t until the weekend that he finally had time to visit the “Yi Huan” dessert shop.
Seeing the familiar figure inside the window, Wen Yu’s weary heart suddenly felt a sense of relief, like a tired bird returning to its nest.
But the little girl was a bit too focused, not responding even after he called her several times.
Wen Yu had no choice but to reach out and gently tap her left shoulder.
“What are you looking at so intently?”
Xu Jinhuan looked up in surprise, her eyes meeting his deep, narrow, and gentle gaze behind the lenses of his glasses.
She hurriedly put away her phone. “When did you get here?”
As if remembering something, Xu Jinhuan pointed to her left ear and explained, “I can’t hear out of my left ear. I didn’t mean to ignore you just now.”
“I know.”
Wen Yu smiled gently. “Don’t be nervous. I just arrived.”
Xu Jinhuan tightened her grip on her phone and let out a slight sigh of relief. If he had just arrived, then he hadn’t seen it.
She smiled and changed the subject. “How do you have time to come today? Aren’t you busy with work? Or would you like to order something?”
“It’s the weekend today.”Wen Yu tugged on the leash in his hand. “I wanted you to meet Ke Er.”
Only then did Xu Jinhuan notice that Mr. Wen was dressed very casually today, with the leash and his clothes both matching shades of gray.
Ke Er wore a black metal muzzle, ears standing upright, fur smooth and sleek. Despite its large size, it sat quietly on the ground, displaying a docility that didn’t match its appearance.
If she encountered such a large dog alone outside, Xu Jinhuan would definitely feel intimidated and keep as far away as possible.
But at this moment, standing beside Wen Yu and breathing in the faint, clean scent that drifted from him, her fear miraculously faded away.
“Can I pet it?”
Wen Yu nodded. “Of course.”
Xu Jinhuan tentatively reached out her hand, making sure Ke Er didn’t resist before placing it on its head and gently stroking along its fur.
To be honest, the texture wasn’t as soft as cat fur—it was even a bit coarse.
But she was already quite satisfied.
“Ke Er really is very well-behaved.”
When Xu Jinhuan smiled, her eyelashes curved like little crescent moons, and even the dimples at the corners of her mouth were filled with joy.
Watching her, Wen Yu’s eyes also lit up with a faint, scattered warmth.
“If it were too unruly, I wouldn’t have brought it.”
Having a pet around could at least bridge one generation gap.
It wouldn’t be so awkward that they had nothing to say.
In the same spot as last time, Wen Yu had Ke Er squat in a corner, “reflecting on its mistakes,” so as not to scare the passing customers.
Several people came into the shop at once, and Xu Jinhuan was busy for a while before she finally had time to pour Wen Yu a glass of water.
“It’s the weekend today. Why aren’t you hanging out with friends?”
Wen Yu replied, “Isn’t that why I came to see you?”
“Besides, I don’t really have many friends.”
PS: That’s right, the old man is scheming against the young lady again.