Shen Yunhe stayed at home for only two days before hurriedly returning to the military base.
Shen’s father and mother planned to visit the Jiang family in a few days.
That day, while Jiang Banyue was in the shop playing with the babies, a little girl around three years old suddenly ran into the “Sweet Home” cake shop.
She was wearing a pretty knitted dress and had two little braids. She stood on her tiptoes, gripping the counter with both hands, staring longingly at the cakes while drooling.
At first, Jiang Banyue thought she had come with an adult and didn’t pay much attention. But after observing for a while, she realized there was no adult around her.
She walked over and crouched down gently.
“Little girl, where are your parents?”
The little girl was not shy at all and sweetly called her “Auntie.”
“Auntie, my uncle brought me here. He’s outside.”
Jiang Banyue went outside to look but didn’t see anyone, so she returned inside.
“Little girl, where is your uncle?”
Instead of answering, the girl asked:
“Auntie, can I eat that sweet cake? When my uncle comes, he’ll pay you.”
“Alright.”
Jiang Banyue took out a piece of cake and placed it on a small round table. The little girl climbed onto the chair and sat properly, eating obediently.
Jiang Huai Jin, nestled in his mother’s arms, murmured softly:
“Mom, did she get lost?”
“Maybe.” Jiang Banyue stood outside and looked around, but didn’t see any adult looking for a child. So she went back inside holding her eldest son.
After a while, a young man wearing glasses rushed in anxiously and shouted at the little girl:
“Zhao Jiaojiao! How dare you run around everywhere!”
Zhao Jiaojiao happily jumped off the chair when she saw her uncle.
“Little uncle! The cake here is so delicious! You should try it too!”
Gu Qingci was so angry at his niece that he almost wanted to hit her. He forced himself to calm down.
“You ran around everywhere! I’ve been looking for you for a long time—I almost called the police! What if a kidnapper had taken you?!”
“Little uncle…” Zhao Jiaojiao trembled in fear after being scolded, and tears instantly fell.
Seeing this, Jiang Banyue awkwardly tried to mediate while holding her child.
“Um… don’t worry, the child is fine…”
Gu Qingci turned to look at her and suppressed his anger.
“Hello, my name is Gu Qingci. This is my niece. I’ve caused you trouble today. I will definitely come to thank you properly another day.”
“It’s fine. She’s been very well-behaved, just sitting there eating cake without causing trouble.”
Gu Qingci quickly asked, “How much is the cake?”
“One yuan and fifty cents.”
He took out money from his pocket and handed it to her. Jiang Banyue took it and went to the counter holding her child.
Zhao Jiaojiao tugged at Gu Qingci’s sleeve, looking up carefully.
“Little uncle, I haven’t finished my cake yet…”
Gu Qingci looked down and realized he had scared her. He bent down and picked her up.
“Jiaojiao, you can’t run around like that again, understand? There are bad people outside who will take you away, and then you won’t be able to see your parents.”
Zhao Jiaojiao hugged his neck tightly, resting her head on his shoulder.
“Little uncle, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to. I was hungry and smelled the sweet cake, so I ran over.”
“You could have told me. I would have brought you here to buy it.”
“I know now, little uncle. Can I come eat cake again next time?”
“Yes, but you’re not allowed to come alone. I must bring you.”
“Yay! Thank you, little uncle!”
..
Zhao Jiaojiao happily finished her cake. Gu Qingci wiped her mouth and prepared to leave. Just as they reached the door—
Boom rumble…
Thunder suddenly roared, dark clouds covered the sky, and heavy rain poured down. The thunder was so loud it made one’s scalp tingle.
“Little uncle, I’m scared…”
The little girl cried and hid in his arms. Gu Qingci immediately picked her up and returned to the shop.
The electricity had gone out. The three babies also scared themselves and hid in their mother’s arms.
Jiang Banyue patiently comforted them and asked the two nannies to help watch the children while she went to find candles.
After lighting the candles, the room was filled with a faint glow. The babies were no longer afraid and sat on the carpet playing again.
Zhao Jiaojiao climbed out of her uncle’s arms and went to Jiang Banyue.
“Auntie, can I play with the little brothers and sisters?”
“Of course.”
Jiang Banyue smiled and patted her head.
“Yay! Thank you, beautiful auntie!”
She ran over and sat with the babies, happily playing.
Gu Qingci sat nearby watching, occasionally chatting with Jiang Banyue.
“Are they triplets?”
“Yes.”
“Your babies are very cute.”
“Thank you.”
She kept knitting calmly, occasionally looking at the children.
Gu Qingci looked at the gentle woman and the lively children and couldn’t help thinking that the man who could have them must be very fortunate.
“With such cute children around, their father must be very happy.”
Jiang Banyue’s hand paused slightly. Her lips moved, but she said nothing.
The atmosphere turned slightly awkward.
After a while, one of the nannies quietly told him:
“The boss is divorced. There’s no man. She raised and gave birth to all three children alone.”
Gu Qingci froze.
He turned to look at Jiang Banyue, wanting to apologize but unable to say anything.
Under the candlelight, the woman knitting looked gentle and serene, like a peaceful painting.
Gu Qingci felt his heart suddenly start beating faster—like a still lake suddenly rippled outward in waves.
When Jiang Banyue noticed his gaze and looked up, Gu Qingci quickly looked away, his ears turning completely red.