Looking back, a middle-aged woman stood at the entrance of the backyard, her face full of surprise. It was unclear how long she had been watching.
But as soon as she clearly saw Shi Mei’s features, the surprise on her face disappeared in an instant.
The smile froze on her face, and facing the glances of the few people around her, she forced a somewhat awkward smile and apologized, "I’m sorry, I... I mistook you for someone else."
Jian Yun’s gaze rested on Shi Mei, her eyes slightly red. Looking into Shi Mei’s eyes, there was a faint disappointment, but her lips still carried a very polite smile, elegant and gentle.
Jian Yun was tall, standing at one meter seventy.
But these past few years, she seemed to have lost quite a bit of weight, making her clothes appear unable to fit properly, her cheeks gaunt. Perhaps it was due to regular sleep deprivation, her eyes were slightly yellowed, with visible blood vessels. The unmistakable traces of time could not be hidden on her face.
It was very different from three years ago.
Yes, three years had passed.
Even if those three years were only a few months to Shi Mei, for them, it had already been a long one thousand three hundred days or more.
A sour feeling welled up in Shi Mei’s heart, causing a slight ache.
She owed them far too much.
But the person she was now was no longer Tang Wu. She didn’t know how to face her own family, her own parents.
Granny Tang looked at Jian Yun’s expression at the moment and sighed quietly, breaking the silence, "Didn’t you say you were going to a meeting? How come you’re back so early?"
After Tang Wu’s death, Jian Yun had thrown herself entirely into her work, rightly deserving the title of workaholic.
But Granny Tang knew that Jian Yun was just seeking an outlet for her grief, as if only in that way could she suppress the longing for her daughter.
The hearts of parents are indeed full of compassion. Having been a parent herself, Granny Tang could understand Jian Yun’s feelings all too well.
Jian Yun, hearing her mother-in-law’s words, forced a smile, "Yes, I wasn’t feeling very well today, so I came back early. I heard you playing the piano and wanted to come and listen. I didn’t expect Aunt Qin to be here too. Who is this?"
"This is your Aunt Qin’s granddaughter-in-law," Granny Tang introduced, "Her name is Shi Mei."
"Shi Mei?" Jian Yun repeated the name, her heart unable to hide the disappointment.
That fleeting glance earlier had looked so much like Xiao Wu.
That elegance, that demeanor, it was all so like Xiao Wu.
Why couldn’t it be Xiao Wu?
Jian Yun felt utterly disappointed and said softly, "I see."
"Shi Mei," Grandma Shi reminded, "call her Aunt Tang."
Shi Mei pursed her lips looking at Jian Yun but was reluctant to say the words. She slowly approached and said softly, "Don’t be sad."
Jian Yun was momentarily stunned, then raised her eyes. The girl in front of her had large eyes, a small face, and slightly chubby cheeks, hinting at baby fat. Her pitch-black eyes seemed as if they could speak, looking at her and continuing in a soft voice, "She will always be with you in a place you can’t see."
Jian Yun’s eyes turned noticeably redder; she managed a weak smile and nodded, "Thank you."
Shi Mei smiled sweetly, "You’re so beautiful. Do you know how to braid hair? Shi Mei’s hair has come undone," she said, opening her palm to reveal two small pink hair ties, "Shi Mei can’t braid hair, and neither can Granny. You’re so beautiful; you must know how, right?"
Jian Yun was amused by her words.
Grandpa Tang and Granny Tang’s faces also relaxed into smiles.
Grandma Shi’s face turned stern as she said, "That’s impolite, come back here, let Aunt Chen braid it for you when we get home."
Wow, after updating four Chapters at once, I found not only has the number of votes decreased, but so have the number of people checking in. Oh, everyone, don’t forget to check in!