It was almost dawn when Jiang Yuxia left the police station.
Director Liang had developed a detailed plan for addressing the potential hazards at her home.
For the two days leading up to the 24th, Jiang Yuxia would temporarily be unable to return home.
Only after the date mentioned in the Diary had passed would she be allowed to go back, accompanied by designated personnel.
Before she left, Director Liang shook her hand once more.
“Ms. Jiang, if you encounter any difficulties, please let me know. The higher-ups have arranged for specialized protection personnel who should report to you in a couple of days. They asked me to convey that you can trust the country to ensure your safety.”
After expressing her gratitude, Jiang Yuxia left the police station with Tang Fei.
The streets were empty, with only the occasional car passing by.
Jiang Yuxia took out her phone, only to find it had long since run out of battery and shut down.
She sighed helplessly. “Brother, I don’t want to stay in a safe house.”
She had heard that safe houses were equipped with surveillance cameras, and she wasn’t used to living under constant monitoring.
Tang Fei glanced at her. “How about you come stay at my place instead?”
“It’s so late—won’t it disturb Aunt and Uncle?”
“Don’t worry, they’ve been asleep for a while.”
It seemed this was the only option for now.
Jiang Yuxia had initially thought about spending the night at one of her other properties.
But Director Liang had just reminded her that it was best not to act on her own these next two days.
So, she obediently followed Tang Fei back to his home.
Pushing the door open, the house was pitch dark, with faint snores coming from her aunt’s room.
Tang Fei turned on the light and led Jiang Yuxia to the guest room.
“Make do for tonight. When my mom sees you tomorrow morning, she’ll probably be over the moon.”
“Brother, if Aunt scolds me, you have to back me up. I’m a key protected asset now.”
Five years ago, she had left without saying goodbye, leaving only a letter behind.
Her aunt had even come looking for her at her school back then, but Jiang Yuxia avoided her. According to her roommate, her aunt had left in tears.
Tang Fei handed her a blanket, sneering. “You deserve to be scolded. If I told her you secretly got married, she’d be even more shocked.”
Only then did Jiang Yuxia remember she had a husband in name—Wei Huaizhou.
They had agreed to meet at the old house today, but she had completely forgotten about it.
She picked up her phone to contact him, remembered it was dead, and borrowed a charger from Tang Fei.
Tang Fei couldn’t help but ask, “Does your husband know about the Future Diary?”
Hearing the unfamiliar term “husband,” Jiang Yuxia paused. “No, I haven’t told him.”
A satisfied smile spread across Tang Fei’s face. “Not too foolish. Let me tell you, some things are better kept to yourself. Protect yourself.”
“Got it, Brother. You should go rest now.”
“Oh, one more thing,” Tang Fei leaned against the doorway, his handsome figure half-illuminated by the desk lamp. “You’re not a burden to us. Now that you’re back, don’t run off again.”
Jiang Yuxia’s nose tingled with emotion. “Mm…”
Tang Fei closed the door and left.
Jiang Yuxia found herself unable to hold back her tears and buried her face in the pillow.
She cried until she fell asleep.
When she woke up the next day, slivers of daylight seeped through the closed curtains.
She picked up her phone—it was already past eight in the morning.
As soon as she unlocked the screen, two WeChat messages and a missed call popped up.
All from Wei Huaizhou.
The last message was sent at four in the morning, saying, “Miss Jiang, I don’t like people who break promises.”
Jiang Yuxia’s heart skipped a beat.
She had experienced a chaotic day yesterday and simply hadn’t had time to go to the old house to find him.
Jiang Yuxia immediately called back.
Suddenly, she remembered that Wei Huaizhou had just returned from abroad and would probably need to adjust to the time difference.
Just as she was about to hang up, the call was already answered.
Wei Huaizhou’s deep, lazy voice came through: “Miss Jiang finally remembers to contact me?”
Jiang Yuxia pressed her lips together: “I was at the police station yesterday, something came up and delayed me. I’m sorry, Mr. Wei. Let’s schedule another time to meet the day after tomorrow.”
There was a two-second pause on the other end before Wei Huaizhou’s cool tone sounded again: “Not convenient today?”
“I’m at my aunt’s house today, so I probably won’t have time.”
Wei Huaizhou hung up directly.
Jiang Yuxia was taken aback, staring at the screen.
Was he angry?
Well, there was nothing she could do about him now. Jiang Yuxia put down her phone and walked into the living room.
In the kitchen, she saw her aunt and uncle’s busy figures, their backs turned to her, standing in the light.
Her aunt was scolding her uncle: “Oh, I’ve already prepared twelve dishes! Why did you buy so many shrimp?”
Her uncle laughed: “Our Xiaxia loves shrimp the most, so we have to have plenty for her.”
“Then remember to cut off the shrimp heads and clean them properly,” her aunt scurried over to the stove. “Oh dear, my pork ribs are almost done too.”
Jiang Yuxia just watched them like that, the air filled with the aroma of pork ribs.
It had been a long time since she had felt such warmth.
“You’re awake?” Tang Fei’s voice came from behind.
He had just returned from outside, carrying a bag of things.
“I bought you some toiletries. My mom invited Uncle and the others over for lunch today, so hurry up and get ready.”
Jiang Yuxia took the bag and looked inside—Tang Fei had actually bought her a children’s teddy bear toothbrush.
He still treated her like a child!
“Xiaxia’s awake!” came her aunt’s excited voice.
Jiang Yuxia turned around and smiled somewhat guiltily: “Aunt, it’s been a long time.”
Her aunt immediately gave Jiang Yuxia a bear hug.
“You silly child, how could you be so heartless? Leaving for five whole years! When I went to your school to find you, you still wouldn’t see me!” As she spoke, she began to cry.
Her uncle tugged at her from the side: “Alright, alright. As long as Xiaxia is back, why bring up the past?”
“Xiaxia, don’t mind her. Your aunt is just too excited. When she found you sleeping this morning, she wanted to hug you right away—we could barely hold her back.”
Jiang Yuxia’s eyes reddened: “I’m sorry for making you and Aunt worry.”
Her aunt tightly grasped her hand: “From now on, just live at your aunt’s house. I’ll take good care of you. Look how thin you’ve gotten.”
Jiang Yuxia cast a pleading look toward Tang Fei.
“Alright, Mom. Uncle will be here soon, and your dishes aren’t ready yet,” Tang Fei stepped in to defuse the situation. Her aunt and uncle dove back into the kitchen to continue their work.
Jiang Yuxia went to the bathroom to freshen up. By the time she came out, her uncle’s family had indeed arrived.
Her uncle and aunt (maternal) entered with her cousin Qiao Lei and her cousin-in-law.
Seeing Jiang Yuxia, her uncle Qiao Xinguo teared up again: “Seeing you reminds me of Younger Sister. You look more and more like your mother.”
Her cousin Qiao Lei, with her eight-month pregnant belly, smoothed things over.
“Xiaxia, come on, let’s sisters go chat on the balcony.”
Jiang Yuxia followed Qiao Lei away and let out a long sigh of relief.
Qiao Lei tightly held her hand: “You must have suffered a lot these past five years outside, haven’t you?”
“It’s alright. Now that all the external debts are paid off, I don’t feel the pressure anymore.”
“You’ve always been strong-willed since you were little, daring to venture out on your own at eighteen with millions in debt on your back. Thankfully, you’ve finally overcome the hardships and found success. Ah!”
Qiao Lei’s words were filled with heartfelt concern. Suddenly, she remembered something: “By the way, not long ago, I saw on Douyin that you got married. What’s going on? Why did you come back alone? Where’s your husband?”
Jiang Yuxia casually made up a lie: “We had a bit of a disagreement, and now we’re in a state of separation.”
Upon hearing this, Qiao Lei immediately urged her to be cautious.
“It must be because of that woman surnamed Ye in the video, right? Let me tell you, your husband is so wealthy—you must keep a close eye on him!”
Jiang Yuxia nodded in agreement, seizing the opportunity to change the subject.
“Sister, you’re about to give birth soon, right? Is the baby a boy or a girl?”
“We don’t know yet, but whether it’s a boy or a girl, your brother-in-law and I will love them just the same.” Qiao Lei gently placed her hand on her belly, her face glowing with tender happiness.
As the two were talking, someone suddenly knocked on the door.
Uncle Qiao Xinguo went to answer it and was taken aback when he saw the tall man standing outside.
“Who are you looking for?”
“Hello,” Wei Huaizhou’s voice was steady, “I’m here to see Jiang Yuxia.”
Hearing the commotion, Jiang Yuxia walked toward the entrance. When she saw Wei Huaizhou, she froze.
“What are you doing here?”
“There’s a shareholders’ meeting at the company the day after tomorrow, and I won’t have time, so today happened to be convenient.”
Aunt came out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron: “Xiaxia, who is this…?”
“Her husband.”
“My friend.”