Jiang Yiyan looked at her meaningfully, her words carrying a subtle implication: “Aunt Cai is married to Dad, so we’re a family now. Whatever I have, Shu Yao surely shares too; it’s not about who benefits from whom. But… these seafood dishes this time, I guess it’s me benefiting from Shu Yao’s share, right?”
As she spoke, she glanced at Jiang Cheng, silently seeking his confirmation.
Jiang Cheng’s gaze flickered slightly, avoiding direct eye contact.
Though inwardly uneasy, he still carried himself with an air of righteousness.
“What are you trying to say now?” Jiang Cheng’s expression darkened.
He found his daughter’s words a bit unpleasant, as if they might disrupt the family harmony.
After all, it was just some seafood. Why fuss over whom it was meant for?
Getting hung up on such a trivial matter would look petty.
“You’re back after a long time. Aunt Cai and I were only trying to treat you kindly. Don’t make a scene and make the house tense. If you came back just to pick a fight, leave now—we won’t keep you.”
Seeing the tense atmosphere, Cai Wenqing immediately intervened, “Acheng, speak kindly, don’t get angry or say hurtful things. Yiyan has come back after a long time; how could you ask her to leave? It would hurt her so much.” She then looked at Jiang Yiyan, smiling as she explained, her tone a little deferential, “Actually, it’s my fault. I thought of Shu Yao’s preferences and asked your father to arrange for these to be brought back. Yiyan, if anyone’s to blame, blame me—don’t be mad at your father.”
Jiang Yiyan didn’t feel upset. She smiled and said, “How could I be angry over such a small matter, let alone at Aunt Cai? If I really got mad over this, I’d be too childish.”
Cai Wenqing’s face showed surprise, and Jiang Yiyan’s smile deepened.
She continued, understanding and tactful: “Shu Yao has returned from studying overseas. This brings honor to Dad, to our Jiang family. If Dad is pleased and treats Shu Yao specially, I think it’s only right. How could I ever be upset?”
With her almost omniscient perspective, Jiang Yiyan clearly understood the father-son psychology.
To them, family prestige came above all else.
Shu Yao earning a PhD brought pride to the Jiang family, so naturally, they were happy.
Jiang Yiyan’s words struck Jiang Cheng deeply.
His anger dissipated considerably, and he said to his daughter with weighty sincerity, “If you were even half as accomplished as Yao Yao, I’d be proud of you too,” his tone carrying a hint of exasperated disappointment.
Cai Wenqing worried that this praise-then-critique would hurt her stepdaughter, so she quickly added, “Yiyan is excellent too. The two girls each have their strengths. Acheng, don’t always belittle Yiyan.”
Yiyan was his own daughter, his blood. He wanted to praise her.
But the things she had done over the years had disappointed him deeply, leaving him unable to find the right words.
Jiang Cheng sighed with a mix of disappointment and regret.
Jiang Yiyan understood his thoughts but stayed silent, suddenly quiet.
Father and daughter both fell silent. Cai Wenqing looked between them, unsure how to act.
The meal wasn’t exactly cheerful, but it wasn’t unpleasant either.
Afterward, perhaps feeling a twinge of guilt for his earlier words, Jiang Cheng invited his daughter onto the sofa and asked sincerely, “How have things been with Mochuan recently?” He meant their marital relationship.
Jiang Yiyan replied, “Pretty good. He’s been busy with work—went on a business trip a few days ago, and these past few days has been working overtime.”
Jiang Cheng, himself a highly career-focused man, understood a son-in-law fully committed to work.
“When men are busy, it’s like this. If he has little time for you, try to be understanding. Don’t argue with him.”
Jiang Yiyan smiled, “Dad, I understand. I’m not unreasonable.”
Jiang Cheng thought, Not unreasonable? But seeing her bright smile, he couldn’t bring himself to say the words he was thinking.
She’s grown up; he hoped she would understand.
Some things, though potentially upsetting, he still said:
“Yao Yao is coming back. Whether it’s me or Aunt Cai, we hope you can get along. I know you don’t like her, and I don’t ask you to accept her completely. Just for my sake, don’t deliberately target her. Dad’s getting older; he just wants a few peaceful days.”
Jiang Yiyan had already intended to get along peacefully, so this request wasn’t burdensome at all.
She agreed readily: “Alright, I promise.”
Jiang Cheng’s eyes flickered with surprise, which quickly turned into relief.
He was proud of his sensible daughter.
Wen Mochuan worried that his wife might cause a scene at her family home again.
She had been acting unusually over the past few days.
While he appreciated her current calm and low-drama demeanor, he feared it was the calm before the storm.
Worried she might suddenly create chaos, he called Assistant Xu after finishing most of his work.
He entrusted all upcoming matters to Assistant Xu, instructing him to handle minor issues and call him directly if anything uncertain arose.
At this hour, leaving the office must mean something important. Assistant Xu instinctively asked, “Mr. Wen, where are you going?”
Where else? Naturally, to the Jiang home.
But Wen Mochuan didn’t answer, draped his suit jacket over his arm, and left.
Watching his boss leave in a hurry, Assistant Xu shrugged and returned to work.
With the boss gone, he had to stay fully alert.
Xiao Chen drove Jiang Yiyan and her mother back to the Jiang residence, then returned to the office.
Before taking the elevator, Wen Mochuan called Xiao Chen.
By the time he reached the ground floor, Xiao Chen was already waiting outside the building.
As soon as Wen Mochuan got in the car, Xiao Chen received a call from Jiang Yiyan.
Looking at the caller ID, Xiao Chen glanced in the rearview mirror, saying, “It’s Madam,” and then answered.
Jiang Yiyan had stayed at her family home after the meal, chatted briefly with her father, and had spent enough time there.
She called Xiao Chen to drive her and her mother back home.
Xiao Chen said, “I just left the office, on my way to you,” and glanced in the rearview mirror, adding, “Mr. Wen is also in the car.”
He was on speakerphone, so Jiang Yiyan paused briefly, and Wen Mochuan heard her clearly.
He instinctively looked at the driver’s seat.
Then he heard her continue, “Oh~ he’s coming with you? Or is it something else? You can drop him off first if needed.” Her tone remained calm.
Xiao Chen glanced in the rearview again: “Yes, Mr. Wen is coming too.”
“Alright, we’ll wait for you then.” The call ended.
Xiao Chen sensed a slightly awkward, tense atmosphere. He thought Mr. and Mrs. Wen might be having a quarrel.
As he tried to sneak a glance at Mr. Wen’s expression in the rearview, he noticed he had quietly closed his eyes, resting.
As for his expression, it was impossible to tell.
Having been a chauffeur for a while, Xiao Chen didn’t disturb the boss and drove quietly to ensure he could rest comfortably.
About half an hour later, the car entered the Jiang family garden, stopping at the villa entrance.
At this time, Jiang Cheng had just come down from his nap. Seeing his son-in-law, he naturally invited him to sit and talk for a while.
Cai Wenqing personally brought freshly cut fruit and warmly greeted Wen Mochuan: “Zhang Jie bought these melons from the market early this morning. Crisp and sweet, refreshing and delicious—try some.”
“Thank you, Aunt Cai.” Wen Mochuan always treated Cai Wenqing with respect.
Cai Wenqing said, “What’s there to thank for? We’re already one family. No need to be so formal.”
When Wen Mochuan first met Cai Wenqing at the Jiang home, he called her Aunt Cai. Though initially distant, he was polite, unlike when Wang Aunt was around.
Later, he had flirted with Shu Yao privately. Returning to the Jiang home, he was polite and respectful toward Cai Wenqing.
After his marriage to Yiyan, he still remained polite, though there was a hint of avoidance.
Wen Mochuan was experienced, decisive, and capable—never timid. Yet perhaps due to events five years ago, he still didn’t know how to face Aunt Cai comfortably.
“Try some!” Cai Wenqing laughed at his continued formality.
Wen Mochuan quickly complied, taking a piece of watermelon, though he rarely ate sweets.
Beside them, Jiang Yiyan watched with a hint of schadenfreude.
Wen Mochuan seemed to sense someone laughing at him and immediately looked toward her. Jiang Yiyan remained unafraid, letting her subtle smile linger but naturally shifting her gaze away.
Cai Wenqing invited Wen Mochuan to stay for dinner, but he politely declined.
Seeing she couldn’t persuade him, Cai Wenqing continued to see the three off at the gate.
“It’s not easy to come back, and you’re leaving so soon. It’s late anyway, why not stay for dinner before you go?”
Once in the car, Jiang Yiyan rolled down the window, her bright, radiant smile facing Cai Wenqing.
“I’ll be back in a few days. It’s not that this will be our last meal. Aunt Cai, don’t be so formal. We’re not guests; we’re family. It feels strange if a family is so formal with each other.”
Cai Wenqing was momentarily speechless.
Seeing this, Jiang Yiyan’s smile grew even brighter. “Aunt Cai, really, don’t see us off—see you in a few days.” She then called her daughter over, “Meimei, say goodbye to Grandma Cai.”
Meimei promptly raised her delicate right hand and politely said, “Goodbye, Grandma Cai.”
Cai Wenqing froze, unable to say another word.
As the window rolled up and that confident smile disappeared, her brows furrowed, a shadow of worry settling over her.
This stepdaughter… seemed entirely different from before.