Jiang Wanxi was very good at keeping the atmosphere lively. She chatted with several of the women about clothes and styling while occasionally joining the others’ conversations.
One moment, she was asking after the old man’s health; the next, she was asking Second Uncle Jiang about his hobbies. She also asked whether her eldest brother had ever been injured while serving in the military, chatted with her second brother about the customs and local culture where he worked, and even discussed schoolwork with her younger cousin.
She didn’t forget Jiang Yu either. Seeing her pale complexion, Jiang Wanxi thoughtfully asked how her injury was healing, whether she was recovering well, and if she had been going to the hospital regularly for follow-up examinations.
Watching his daughter interact naturally with everyone, Jiang Hongtao finally relaxed.
He had been worried that she might harbor resentment and be unable to accept them so quickly.
The Jiang family who had raised her had done an excellent job. They had doted on her without spoiling her.
In the future, the two families could continue visiting each other as relatives. Judging from his daughter’s attitude, she would probably be happy with that arrangement as well.
The family reunion they had initially expected to be awkward ended up being lively and harmonious.
Jiang Yu had prepared countless things to say to emphasize how wronged and aggrieved she felt, but in the end, she didn’t get the chance to say a single one.
Seeing everyone in such a cheerful mood, she couldn’t exactly start shedding pitiful tears. Not only would that ruin the atmosphere, but it would also make her appear petty.
It felt as though a wad of cotton had been stuffed into her chest, leaving her stifled and uncomfortable.
After the meal, Jiang Hongbin left with his wife and child. Before leaving, he repeatedly reminded his eldest brother and sister-in-law to bring Jiang Wanxi over to their house sometime, if only so she would know where they lived.
Since Jiang Hongtao and his family lived within the same residential compound, they stayed behind to spend more time with the two elderly parents.
When the old man heard that Jiang Wanxi knew how to play Chinese chess, he happily told his eldest grandson to bring out the chessboard. He wanted to play a game or two with his granddaughter.
In her previous life, Jiang Wanxi had worked at a private hospital. Many elderly patients with distinguished backgrounds often received treatment there.
Jiang Wanxi had an excellent work ethic and knew how to speak in a way that made people comfortable, so many of those elderly patients treated her like one of their own juniors.
Over time, she had learned how to deal with elderly people like them.
In truth, many of them were simply lonely.
They wanted someone to keep them company, someone they could talk and chat with.
She remembered one particularly difficult old gentleman. He would lose his temper during examinations and throw another fit whenever it was time to take his medicine.
After Jiang Wanxi heard that he enjoyed playing Chinese chess, she specifically went online and learned how to play.
Later, whenever she had a day off, the old gentleman would call her and ask her to play chess with him.
Under his guidance, she gradually went from being a hopeless beginner to a genuine chess enthusiast. Eventually, she could even win a game or two against him.
While living in Ji Province, she had also often played chess with her grandfather.
When it came to an elderly man of Jiang Shicheng’s status, Jiang Wanxi naturally knew how to make him happy.
Once the pieces were arranged, grandfather and granddaughter began their battle across the chessboard.
Every now and then, Jiang Wanxi would take back a move or shamelessly argue her way out of a bad position, making the old man burst into hearty laughter.
Usually, all the children had their own affairs to attend to, so he had to go out and find his old friends whenever he wanted to play chess.
Even when his children had free time, they rarely sat down and played with him like this.
The more he looked at this granddaughter, the more he liked her.
She was neither arrogant nor impatient, and she carried herself naturally and confidently. Although he could tell she was deliberately trying to please him, she did it in such a natural way that it wasn’t unpleasant at all.
After playing several games of chess with her grandfather, Jiang Wanxi helped her grandmother alter two pieces of clothing.
Only after dinner did the family finally leave under the reluctant gazes of the two elderly grandparents.
Jiang Hongtao’s home was only a few buildings away.
As soon as they returned home, Jiang Yu could no longer hold herself back.
She looked at Jiang Wanxi, who was carrying a cloth-wrapped bundle, and let out a mocking scoff. Without saying anything, she turned around and went straight to her room.
Bang!
She slammed the door shut behind her.
Shen Menglan felt embarrassed, and complicated emotions welled up inside her.
She knew perfectly well what kind of temperament the daughter she had doted on for so many years possessed.
She could understand why Jiang Yu was having trouble adjusting to the sudden change in her circumstances. But when Shen Menglan looked at the sensible and considerate daughter beside her, she couldn’t help comparing the two.
They had wronged Jiang Yu’s biological parents.
That family had raised their daughter exceptionally well, yet they had raised the other family’s daughter to be spoiled and arrogant, with little understanding of how the world truly worked.
Jiang Wanxi, however, didn’t care.
Counting both her previous and current lives, she was already several decades old. There was no reason for her to argue over every little thing with a brat.
She had always been someone who could take things as they came.
Like a weed growing in the wild, no matter how harsh her surroundings became, she could always adapt and survive.