At 7:10 p.m., the plane Shu Yao was on landed smoothly at Jiang City Airport.
Five years later, returning to this familiar land, Shu Yao felt a surge of complicated emotions.
Jiang Xu had personally driven to the airport to pick up his stepsister. Even after five years, he recognized Shu Yao at a glance among the crowd. Standing in place, he raised the sign in his hand and waved it, trying to catch her attention.
In truth, Shu Yao had not changed much over the past five years. She still dressed the same way as before, her face bare of makeup, her long black hair tied into a high ponytail that swayed behind her, and she wore simple, affordable clothes from ordinary brands.
Yet because she was naturally beautiful and had a good figure, she still stood out effortlessly in the crowd even without makeup.
Five years ago, Jiang Xu had been a graduate student at a prestigious university in Jiang City. Now, nearing thirty, he had shed the youthful air of a scholar and transformed into a well-known rising executive in a major corporation.
Whether in attire or demeanor, he was far more mature than before.
But his face had not changed much, so Shu Yao recognized him instantly as well.
Smiling, she jogged toward him and called out just as she had five years ago, “Big brother.”
Jiang Xu handed her the bouquet of lilies he had prepared in advance and took her suitcase from her.
“Let’s go home first. Aunt Cai is waiting for you,” he said, letting her walk slightly ahead while he pushed her luggage from just behind her.
Five years away has brought many changes to Jiang City. She remembered that when she left, the airport had not been this large or luxurious.
Sure enough, in five years, everything had changed.
“How are Dad and Mom?” Shu Yao asked as soon as they got into the car.
At first, Shu Yao had addressed Jiang Cheng as Uncle Jiang, but later her mother felt that sounded too distant and asked her to call him Dad instead.
She had no objections. After all, this stepfather treated her far better than her biological father ever had.
He had shown kindness to both her and her mother, and she had always remembered it. Calling him Dad came naturally from the heart.
With a driver at the wheel, Jiang Xu and Shu Yao sat together in the back seat.
Jiang Xu smiled. “Don’t worry, they’re both in good health. Before, they always had something weighing on their minds, but now that you’re back, there’s nothing left to worry about. When the heart is at ease, the body naturally follows.”
“I made them worry,” Shu Yao said softly. She knew that the decision she had made on her own five years ago had deeply hurt her mother.
Her mother had relied on her for everything, yet she had done something so rebellious for the sake of a relationship that had never even had the chance to take root. And she had left for five whole years.
Looking back now, she felt she had been incredibly immature.
If time could rewind to that night five years ago when she made her decision, she believed she would choose differently.
But fortunately, she has returned now.
From this point on, she could stay by her mother’s side.
With her daughter about to return, Cai Wenqing had been so excited these past two days that she could barely sleep.
That evening, she even went into the kitchen herself with Sister Zhang to personally prepare Shu Yao’s favorite dishes.
Around 7:50 p.m., Jiang Xu’s car pulled up outside the villa.
Hearing the sound of a car, Cai Wenqing immediately set aside what she was doing and hurried out.
Jiang Cheng also stood and followed her.
Night had already fallen. Under the porch light stood a girl in a white T-shirt, jeans, and sneakers. The light illuminated her small face, making her look even more fair and delicate.
Cai Wenqing could not hold back any longer and rushed forward, pulling her daughter into a tight embrace.
Shu Yao’s eyes glistened with tears, but she kept smiling.
The house staff came to take the luggage, and once everything was handled and the driver drove the car away, Jiang Xu said, “It’s hot and stuffy outside, and Yao Yao must be tired after such a long flight. Let’s go inside and talk.”
Cai Wenqing nodded quickly. “Yes, let’s go inside. We’ll talk at home.”
Shu Yao responded softly. Turning, she saw Jiang Cheng standing nearby and called out generously, “Dad.”
Jiang Cheng’s eyes were filled with pride and relief. “Yao Yao, welcome back.”
Shu Yao lowered her head slightly, a bit shy. “Thank you, Dad.”
“Come in,” Jiang Cheng said warmly. “Your mother personally cooked a table full of your favorite dishes. Let’s eat first.”
Cai Wenqing added, “Your father knew you like seafood, so a few days ago he specially arranged for several boxes to be airlifted from the coast. They’re still very fresh in the freezer.”
Jiang Cheng understood his wife’s intention but did not take all the credit. He said honestly, “Your mother is the thoughtful one. She reminded me. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have thought of it.”
Surrounded by her family, receiving their care and affection, Shu Yao felt a long-lost sense of happiness.
After dinner, Jiang Yiyan began seriously teaching her daughter how to paint. Wen Mochuan was not busy these days, so he stayed nearby, quietly watching.
Around 8:30 p.m., under Jiang Yiyan’s patient guidance, Meimei finally completed a full painting.
After receiving joint praise from both her father and mother, Meimei shyly put the painting away and hid it.
Meimei was learning seriously, and Wen Mochuan was fully attentive in accompanying them. But Jiang Yiyan was multitasking, teaching her daughter while her mind wandered to what was happening at the Jiang family home.
By this time, Shu Yao must have already arrived.
After a moment’s thought, Jiang Yiyan suddenly asked, “Are you sleepy?”
Since it was summer vacation and there was no need to wake up early the next day, Meimei had been resisting going to bed early.
She had expected her mother to send her to sleep after finishing the painting, but instead, her mother asked if she was sleepy.
Seeing hope, Meimei shook her head vigorously, her eyes wide. “Not sleepy! I’m not sleepy at all!”
Jiang Yiyan smiled, a hint of mischief in her expression.
“Since you’re not sleepy, how about we video call your grandpa and uncle?”
Meimei blinked. “Huh?”
Wen Mochuan, who had been quietly watching, also turned his gaze toward them.
“Your aunt returned home today,” Jiang Yiyan explained. “We should greet her.”
“Who’s aunt?” Meimei had no concept of such a person.
It was understandable. When Shu Yao left five years ago, Meimei had not even been born. After that, Jiang Yiyan had never mentioned her.
Even when visiting the Jiang family occasionally, Cai Wenqing might mention it in passing, but Meimei had been too young to understand or ask.
Jiang Yiyan patiently explained, “You haven’t met her yet. She’s the daughter of the Grandma Cai we saw that day. She’s been abroad and just came back today.”
“Oh,” Meimei said, though she was not particularly interested. “Then I’ll listen to Mom.”
“Then I’ll make the call,” Jiang Yiyan said.
“Okay!” Meimei immediately snuggled closer, ready to appear in the camera.
Jiang Yiyan took out her phone, found her father’s WeChat, and initiated a video call.
At the Jiang household, they had just finished dinner. The staff were clearing the table while Jiang Cheng and the others remained seated.
His phone lay on the table, connected to Wi-Fi. The moment the call came in, Jiang Yiyan’s video request popped up on the screen.
He glanced at it casually, then froze.
“Yiyan?”
After so many years, this was the first time his daughter had video-called him. Before, even when they had to contact each other, she would only send messages or make voice calls, never video.
Her initiative filled him with joy.
Without hesitation, he grabbed the phone and quickly accepted the call, afraid that even a moment’s delay might cause her to hang up.
As the call connected, the screen showed the faces of his daughter and granddaughter.
“Dad,” Jiang Yiyan greeted.
“Grandpa!” Meimei called out brightly.
Jiang Cheng beamed, unable to hide his happiness.
Still, he maintained some restraint. Their relationship had only just begun to thaw, and he could not instantly transform from a stern father into a doting one.
But he responded warmly nonetheless.
“Have you eaten?” he asked.
“We already ate!” Meimei replied cheerfully. “Grandpa, haven’t you eaten yet?”
Jiang Cheng smiled. “Grandpa has eaten too, just now.” To prove it, he switched the camera to the rear view and showed the table.
At that moment, the other three people seated at the table were also captured on camera.
Jiang Cheng sat at the head, Jiang Xu on his left, and Cai Wenqing and Shu Yao on his right.
Caught off guard, Cai Wenqing and Shu Yao looked slightly awkward, their smiles stiff.
Cai Wenqing waved. “Yiyan.”
Jiang Yiyan, however, appeared far more composed. She greeted her calmly, “Aunt Cai,” then looked at Shu Yao. “Five years apart, and Yao Yao still has the same scholarly air.”
Her tone was gentle, her smile friendly.
Shu Yao had not expected their first meeting after five years to be like this.
She smiled at the camera. “Yiyan, hello.”
Her smile was as pure and clean as it had been five years ago.
Since they were not far apart in age, Jiang Yiyan did not feel the need to call her “sister.” Addressing each other by name was enough.
As the two women began chatting peacefully, Jiang Cheng did not switch the camera back. Instead, he handed the phone to Shu Yao.
After taking it, Shu Yao switched the camera to the front.
Now, at close range, the two of them could clearly see each other’s faces.