Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Yun Bixue introduced Ji Qiongxin to Yun Bilu. “This is my mother-in-law. I address her as ‘Mom’, you can call her ‘Aunty Ji’.”
“Hello, Aunty Ji. I heard from my elder sister that you’re extremely kind to her. Thank you, Aunty Ji, for treating my elder sister so well!”
Ji Qiongxin looked at this bright and adorable young lady, and her heart grew soft. She stepped forward and hugged Yun Bilu as she said, “Such a sensible child. In the future, we’ll all be a family. No need to thank me.”
Yun Bilu nodded. It all felt so wonderful. Everyone said that the relationship between a mother and her daughter-in-law was the trickiest, but her elder sister had shown her that it could be beautiful too. It made her willing to believe in love too.
Her heart grew resolute. After celebrating the new year, she had to go back and continue pursuing her male idol—Huang Yize.
The family walked into the living room on the ground level of the villa. With a crowd of people, it quickly became lively.
Yun Bilu smiled happily and said to Yun Bixue, “Elder Sister, it still feels the best to return home for the new year.”
“Yes. This is also the year that Elder Sister has truly felt at ease.” In the past, time passed slowly in the Yun family home—each day felt like a year. There was a complete lack of the warm ambiance that accompanied a new year.
“Elder Sister, I want to go with you to buy new year goodies.”
“Sure, anything is fine.”
Ji Qiongxin had long prepared a change of clothes for the two sisters for their return home. It was a newly-bought set of clothes meant for sisters and had already been washed.
Byt the time the two of them changed, the dining table was already filled with dishes.
Ji Qiongxin arranged the chopsticks while urging the two of them, “If you’re done changing, hurry and wash your hands. Let’s sit down and start eating.”
Old Master Yun tottered across the living room using his walking stick. He said, “Bixue, these dishes were personally prepared by your mother-in-law. We were all waiting for you to return.”
This time, Old Master Yun had witnessed firsthand how this mother-in-law pampered her daughter-in-law. He felt very delighted, and his heart also felt relieved.
“Yes, Mom is very kind to me.”
Looking at Aunt Zhou, who was sitting beside her grandfather, Yun Bixue understood in her heart. Her grandfather’s complexion was glowing now, and it was probably because Aunt Zhou had taken good care of him. As their descendants, they also wished for the older folks’ happiness, and thus would not object to it.
While they had their meal, Xie Limo picked out food for Yun Bixue as per usual. Everyone had grown accustomed to it.
Yun Bixue also picked out food for her grandfather, Ji Qiongxin, Mommy Lu, and Yun Bilu. The family members she loved were all by her side. She was extraordinarily happy inside and felt that the warmth contained inside her heart was close to seeping out.
At the dining table, the family chitchatted and the atmosphere was harmonious. Yun Bilu, in particular, wasn’t shy. She frequently added her own comments, amusing everyone and making them burst into laughter. She was simply the life of the party.
Ji Qiongxin said, “As the saying goes, ‘one should eat dumplings when leaving, and noodles when arriving’. Bilu, my dear child, eat more. These noodles were personally hand-pulled by Mommy Lu. They’re delicious!”
Yun Bilu licked her lips and replied, “Yes, I’ve missed Mommy Lu’s hand-pulled noodles. I can finally eat them now that I’m back.”
Yun Bixue was also fond of Mommy Lu’s hand-pulled noodles. This was a taste that she hadn’t had in a long time. The taste wasn’t particularly amazing, but it contained her childhood memories.
After the meal, a few of them gathered together. As they chatted, the entire villa was filled with constant laughter. Xie Limo accompanied Old Master Yun for a game of chess, and the women huddled together and talked. With the life of the party, Yun Bilu, around, any topic could be brought up.
Finally, it was late. Everyone then reluctantly prepared to sleep.
The villa was exceptionally large and had numerous rooms. Old Master Yun stayed on the ground floor, in a door facing the east. Aunt Zhou stayed in the room next to Old Master Yun.
Ji Qiongxin, Mommy Lu, and the two sisters stayed in the rooms on the second floor.
Xie Limo returned to the bedside to retrieve a set of clothes. Hugging Yun Bixue, he lowered his head and captured her lips. After a deep kiss, he finally let her go. Unwilling to part, he said, “Tonight, you can sleep with Bilu. I’ll sleep on the first floor, but only for one night. In the future, she has to sleep alone.”