The sun was slowly setting, casting a golden-green glow over the Jing family's courtyard.
Jing Beicheng and Lin Ruiqing walked arm in arm through the garden outside their villa. "It's getting cold. Shall we go back inside?" he asked.
As the sunset faded, Jing Beicheng tightened the coat draped over Lin Ruiqing's shoulders, worried she might catch a chill.
Lin Ruiqing wanted to walk a bit longer. After her hospital stay, she felt like she had nearly grown into the bed.
Jing Beicheng reluctantly agreed, accompanying her on a slow stroll through the courtyard.
The surroundings were so quiet that only the sound of wind rustling the leaves could be heard. Lin Ruiqing remarked wistfully, "The house is usually so lively. It feels strange to have it suddenly so quiet."
Jing Beicheng looked at Lin Ruiqing. "If you're bored, I can call everyone back."
Lin Ruiqing smiled at Jing Beicheng's words, giving him a helpless look. "The children all have their own things to do. Why would you call them back?"
Jing Zeyou had called earlier to say he had to work overtime today. As for Jing Zeqian, he was unusually busy as well, saying he had meetings with artists that wouldn't end anytime soon.
Jing Zejun also had plans with a director today and wouldn't be home for dinner. Jing Yi was out gathering with friends.
The house was suddenly left with just the two of them.
Jing Beicheng didn't care about all that - he simply disliked seeing even a trace of melancholy on his wife's face.
Lin Ruiqing continued, "Before Yi came, I suppose the house was often like this too."
Back then, before they had found Jing Zejun, Lin Ruiqing had nearly convinced herself that wherever he was, Jing Zejun must be living well.
Jing Zeyou and Jing Zeqian were frequently busy at the company, leaving just her and Jing Beicheng at home.
After finding Jing Zejun, they weren't very close at first, and the atmosphere at home wasn't very natural. Later, when Jing Yi came to the Jing family, there was hardly a day without noise and commotion in the house, unless several people were away.
Now she found herself unaccustomed to the quiet.
Lin Ruiqing sighed, "I'm starting to feel a bit old now."
Jing Beicheng frowned, not wanting his wife to talk that way. "How are you old?"
Lin Ruiqing glared at him. "Not just me - you're old too!" Jing Beicheng opened his mouth, then stopped himself. Well, alright then - they could grow old together.
Seeing he didn't argue, Lin Ruiqing couldn't help but laugh. "But it's okay. Even if I'm old, I still have you by my side..."
Jing Beicheng squeezed Lin Ruiqing's hand tightly, about to say something.
"Auntie! Uncle!"
Just as they were getting sentimental, an energetic voice interrupted their wistful mood.
They both turned their heads towards the main gate. Jing Yi had returned.
After finishing dinner with Shen Xi, Jing Yi had headed straight home. Shen Xi had driven her back.
She had wanted to invite Shen Xi in to sit for a while, but as soon as Shen Xi heard Jing Beicheng was home, she immediately refused.
This was a big shot even her father couldn't approach - she didn't dare act carelessly in front of Jing Beicheng.
Jing Yi found it amusing. She was just inviting her in to sit, not asking her to misbehave.
Shen Xi said very seriously, "If I go in, I'll get nervous as soon as I see your uncle. When I'm nervous, I'll say the wrong things. Saying the wrong things would be misbehaving."
Jing Yi had no choice but to give up, waving goodbye.
As she walked through the gate, she saw the warm and beautiful scene - a couple strolling hand in hand in the sunset.
Jing Yi couldn't help but call out loudly to greet them.
It was only when she got closer that she realized she might have disturbed them.
[Oh no! Did I interrupt Uncle and Auntie?]
Lin Ruiqing was actually very happy Jing Yi had returned. She let go of Jing Beicheng's hand and took a few steps towards Jing Yi.
"Why didn't you stay out longer with your friends? Have you eaten?"
Jing Yi supported her, smiling sweetly. "I ate! Have you and Uncle had dinner?"
"We've eaten too, but Aunt Wang should still have some tonic soup simmering. Would you like some?"
"Yes, yes!"
The two of them walked back into the house arm in arm, leaving Jing Beicheng standing alone in the courtyard as the sun set.
How realistic - once the child comes home, they don't need him anymore. Jing Beicheng could only sigh and make his own way back into the house.
Jing Yi and Lin Ruiqing were already seated in the dining room. Two steaming bowls were placed in front of them, containing the three-delicacy bird's nest soup Aunt Wang had specially prepared for Lin Ruiqing.
Jing Yi picked up a spoon and took a sip, her eyes lighting up. "Auntie, this is delicious!"
Lin Ruiqing's lips curved up, telling her to drink more.
Jing Beicheng walked in and quietly sat down next to Lin Ruiqing. Aunt Wang brought out another bowl and placed it in front of him.
"Didn't you drive out today?"
Lin Ruiqing was worried that because of what Jing Beicheng had said last time, Jing Yi was forcing herself to comply.
Jing Yi looked up, her face beaming with an obedient smile. "As it happened, Second Brother was going out too, so I just caught a ride with him."
"Then how did you get back?"
Jing Yi spooned another sip, then replied, "Xi drove me back."
After the banquet last time, Lin Ruiqing had learned that Jing Yi had a very good friend in Jiangbei named Shen Xi.
She had some impression of that round-faced girl. "Why didn't you invite your friend in to sit for a while?"
Jing Yi remembered Shen Xi's on-guard expression and laughed. "She was a bit nervous, so she didn't come in."
[Actually, she was afraid of seeing Uncle.]
Jing Beicheng, who had been quietly sipping his tonic, paused. He realized he had never interacted with any of Jing Yi's friends and felt a bit wronged.
Lin Ruiqing smiled knowingly, well aware of her husband's image in others' eyes.
"Next time, tell her not to be nervous. Just think of us as ordinary parents."
Jing Yi nodded. "That's what I told her too."
[Maybe Uncle's reputation has spread too far.]
Lin Ruiqing agreed with this. Compared to being someone's father, Jing Beicheng's identity as the Chairman of Hengjing Group was more deeply ingrained in people's minds, generally causing some trepidation.
"Jun and the others aren't back yet?" Jing Yi looked around, not seeing the other three, and asked curiously.
Lin Ruiqing explained, "Zeyou is working overtime today."
[Big Brother is still working overtime, as expected.]
"Zeqian also has meetings today. He said he's discussing future promotions with some artists."
[What artist requires Young Master Jing to arrange things personally? Could it be that Jiang Miaomiao?]
"Zejun is out having dinner with a director and some investors."
Dinner with investors?! Something seemed to flash through Jing Yi's mind. Her eyes suddenly widened, her expression completely losing its previous relaxed state.
"Dinner?! Auntie, which investor is Jun having dinner with?"
Lin Ruiqing didn't understand why Jing Yi was so nervous all of a sudden. She hesitantly said, "It's for that drama she filmed before, 'Sea Crabapple Still Blooms'."
"Auntie, which restaurant are they eating at?"
Lin Ruiqing hesitated a bit. "I think it's at Yuelai."
Jing Yi's mind exploded. She seemed to have realized something and abruptly stood up, rushing towards the door.
"Auntie, Uncle, I need to go out for a bit. I'll be right back!"