Chapter 2
After hearing from Ye Xialan that Jiang Chenyin was about to return, Bo Muyu’s emotions were in a state of flux.
Amidst the daze, her thoughts tumbled with increasing intensity.
Although Bo Muyu and Jiang Chenyin had sent each other photos during the four years Jiang Chenyin was away, when the moment to meet face-to-face finally arrived, Bo Muyu still found herself pondering certain questions over and over.
It’s been four years. Am I as tall as Jiang Chenyin now? It’s been four years. How is Jiang Chenyin different from before? Are the laugh lines at the corners of her eyes more defined, or has her light, pleasant voice become more steady?
These were things that photos couldn’t convey, things that could only be felt on the day their eyes met.
During the more than a thousand days and nights that seemed to have passed in the blink of an eye, the thing Bo Muyu did most was to pull out the photos Jiang Chenyin had taken with her, and the videos filmed as she grew up, and watch them over and over, imprinting them in her heart again and again.
But no matter how much she reviewed them, Jiang Chenyin had ultimately been absent from her life for four years.
She repeatedly reminded herself that when they met, when they could finally stand face-to-face instead of just exchanging updates on their phones, she had to ask Jiang Chenyin in person why she had left back then.
Was it because she was too clingy, or had something else happened? What was the reason that allowed Jiang Chenyin to leave without any hesitation?
It wasn’t until the day Jiang Chenyin returned that she saw Ye Xialan’s updated social media post, and her mood inexplicably calmed.
[To the renowned actress, famous voice actor, and philanthropist, Teacher Jiang, welcome home.]
The accompanying picture was a selfie. Ye Xialan, slightly in the foreground, was all smiles, her radiant appearance completely belying the fact that she was the mother of a twenty-one-year-old.
Then again, Ye Xialan had been underage when she got together with Bo Mingliang and had given birth to Bo Muyu at eighteen. At her current age, she was indeed much younger than the average mother.
And slightly behind Ye Xialan stood a person with wavy, shoulder-length hair. Her gentle, deep eyes were as clear as water, and at first glance, they seemed to hold a captivating, amorous charm.
Perhaps tempered by the years, Jiang Chenyin was even more beautiful than before.
Suddenly, a female voice sounded beside her, startling Bo Muyu, who was looking at the photo. “Hey, Xiaoyu, what are you looking at?”
“Hm?” Bo Muyy casually tapped the screen to exit the enlarged photo, then put down her phone and said as calmly as possible, “Nothing, just looking at my social media feed.”
Her female colleague leaned over and wrapped an arm around Bo Muyu’s shoulders, teasing, “Smiling while you look, and you still say it’s nothing? I don’t believe you.”
Bo Muyu wasn’t good at explaining, so she said vaguely, “It’s someone who’s been away for a long time.” She paused, a slight smile touching her lips. “A friend.”
When she was little, her parents’ friends would always say, “Come, come to Uncle,” or “Xiaoyu, Auntie brought you a gift, come here.” Only Jiang Chenyin was different.
When Jiang Chenyin was with her, she never acted like an elder, nor did she refer to herself as “Auntie.” The way they interacted, aside from Jiang Chenyin often taking care of her when she was young, was more like friends.
“Then I got my hopes up for nothing.” The female colleague sighed and let go, patting Bo Muyu’s shoulder. “I thought you’d finally seen the light and were ready to end your dreary life. I didn’t expect you to be this happy just because a friend is back. You’re a lost cause, a lost cause…”
Bo Muyu pushed her hand away and said, “What’s so dreary about my life? I think it’s quite good.”
“You’re just in the thick of it and don’t realize.” The colleague glanced at her watch and urged, “Let’s go, let’s go, time for lunch. We can talk on the way.”
Bo Muyu was helplessly pulled along, her fingers gently stroking her phone. She thought about finding a moment later to like that social media post, while listening to her colleague continue to rail at her. “Look at you. Other people are the silent-but-sultry type, but you’re just silent, no sultry. How are you ever going to find a boyfriend? By the way, that new young director, the one surnamed Yang, the one who’s 1.86 meters tall? He’s looked for you several times. It’s a real shame he’s not an actor with looks like that…”
The afternoon breeze carried the heat of late summer, brushing against the exposed skin of every passerby.
A black sedan drove from the airport into the city of Qinzhou, crossing through the bustling metropolis towards a residence in the suburbs.
The car stopped in front of the Jiang family’s main gate, and several people who were already waiting there came forward to take the luggage.
The sun today seemed particularly warm, with a feeling of home.
Jiang Chenyin tilted her head up slightly, letting the sunlight bathe her.
“Liu’er, welcome home.”
“Liu’er, what took you so long to get home? We’ve been waiting for ages.”
Two middle-aged male voices interrupted Jiang Chenyin’s thoughts one after another, a warm smile rippling in her eyes.
She was the third child in the family, but her nickname contained the character “Liu,” meaning six. There was a story behind it.
Back then, her parents had always wanted a girl, but to their surprise, the first and second children were both boys. For the third pregnancy, Old Master Jiang had declared that if it wasn’t a girl, they would stop having children. So, on the day she was born, the long-held wish of Old Master Jiang and Old Madam Jiang was finally fulfilled. She was the third child, and Old Madam Jiang was also the third child in her maiden family. Three plus three made six, and so the newborn treasure’s nickname was set as “Liu’er.”
“Big Brother, Second Brother, the plane wasn’t late,” Jiang Chenyin said, a little exasperated. “You’re the ones who were too anxious.”
She walked forward to stand with her two tall brothers.
Jiang Gaojun chuckled. “How could we not be anxious? How many years has it been since you’ve been home? Mom and Dad are even more anxious than we are. Big Brother and I had a hard time stopping the two old folks from coming out to wait for you.”
Jiang Chenyin looked at her eldest brother, Jiang Yingzong, who nodded silently.
It had been four years. No matter what, it was time to come back. No matter what, she couldn’t leave again.
Her eyes, which had just been sparkling with joy, instantly dimmed, overshadowed by guilt. “Big Brother, Second Brother, I…”
“Let’s not talk about the past. It’s all over,” Jiang Yingzong sighed, his resolute face naturally imposing. “It’s necessary for young people to go out and see the world, but when it’s time to come home, you have to come home. Alright, let’s go inside and see Mom and Dad.”
Jiang Gaojun said, “That’s right, let’s go in. Mom and Dad are waiting for you.”
Jiang Chenyin nodded. “Okay, let’s go in. Let’s not keep Mom and Dad waiting.”
The three of them walked into the old Jiang family residence together. Old Master Jiang and Old Madam Jiang were sitting side-by-side in the seats of honor, looking quite formal and serious.
In his early years, Old Master Jiang had been the director of Qinzhou Television Station, holding a high status in the outside world and respected as an elder in their circle. Now retired, he still carried the aura of someone who had held a high position. He sat there with his back straight, holding a dragon-headed cane, and few dared to speak out of turn.
Old Madam Jiang was a traditional lady from a distinguished family. Even though her youth had faded, her gentle and virtuous aura had not diminished in the slightest.
Even so, upon seeing Jiang Chenyin enter, Old Madam Jiang couldn’t contain her excitement and hurried forward to greet her. “My Liu’er, you’re finally home…”
“Mom, I’m back,” Jiang Chenyin said, quickly reaching out to embrace her mother, her voice low with apology.
“It’s good that you’re back, it’s good that you’re back,” Old Madam Jiang said with relief. “Being outside is never as comfortable as being at home. It’s good that you’re back.”
Jiang Chenyin’s departure that year hadn’t been kept secret. Most people in their circle speculated about the reason, wondering if she had chosen to go abroad because she was being bothered by obsessive pursuers. However, only the Jiang family knew the real reason was not that.
That was why Old Master Jiang had done nothing. Seeing how much their parents missed their daughter, the two Jiang sons didn’t dare to act rashly either. Otherwise, with their capabilities, it wouldn’t have been a problem to drag Jiang Chenyin back.
Jiang Chenyin replied with a smile, “I know, Mom.”
Old Madam Jiang was finally at ease and instructed, “Get a good rest tonight, go to bed early. When you have time, tell Mom about what happened while you were away. Tell me everything you’ve been doing all these years.”
Jiang Chenyin still smiled. “Okay, I’ll definitely tell you, Mom.”
Jiang Gaojun, who was standing behind them, said, “Liu’er, your two sisters-in-law have gone to prepare tonight’s dinner. Even if you find Chinese food abroad, it never tastes like authentic Chinese food. Tonight, you have to savor the taste of home.”
Jiang Chenyin teased, “Aren’t there any dishes from our master chef, Second Brother, tonight?”
Jiang Gaojun laughed. “How could there not be? How could I be left out of the cooking?”
“Ahem…”
A light cough was heard. Jiang Chenyin froze for a moment, and Jiang Yingzong gave her a look.
“Oldest, go to the study and see if the calligraphy I just wrote is dry. Second, go to the kitchen and check on things.”
As soon as Old Master Jiang finished speaking, his two sons took their leave.
Just when they thought they were about to get to the main point, Old Master Jiang gave another order. “Suhua, go with Second and check on our daughters-in-law.”
He was clearly sending everyone away.
Old Madam Jiang played along with an amused smile. “Alright, then I’ll leave Liu’er to you. Just don’t be too harsh on her.”
Her tone was as if to say to Old Master Jiang, Who doesn’t know what you want to say? Aren’t you just concerned about your daughter? Why must you put on such airs?
After saying that, Old Madam Jiang went to the kitchen.
Jiang Chenyin waited for a while, but seeing that her father didn’t speak, she took a deep breath and said, “Dad, I’m back. I’ve made you, Mom, and my brothers worry.”
“Mm,” Old Master Jiang responded gruffly, his gaze sweeping directly over her. “You’re not young anymore. You should know what you should and shouldn’t do.”
Jiang Chenyin lowered her head slightly. “I understand. I won’t leave again.”
Old Master Jiang nodded and moved his cane, tapping it a few times on the wooden floor with a dull thud.
Jiang Chenyin understood. She went forward to help Old Master Jiang stand up, not saying another word.
“Have you greeted all your friends here? You can’t let your connections go to waste.”
Jiang Chenyin replied from his side, “Don’t worry, Dad. I’ve kept in touch with everyone. I’ll spend the next few days with you and Mom first, and then I’ll contact them.”
Old Master Jiang was finally satisfied. His gaze softened considerably, and his voice held a note of concern. “Go upstairs and rest. Come down for dinner tonight.”
Jiang Chenyin smiled. “Dad, I’ll go up and rest then.”
As Jiang Chenyin went upstairs, she could still feel the gaze on her back. She opened her bedroom door and entered the long-unseen room.
The room was spotless, and not a single one of her belongings was out of place. This was something she had long expected.
During her years abroad, she had rejected all work invitations, living a carefree life. She would occasionally gather with friends abroad, and whenever the mood struck, she would grab her luggage and set off on a short trip.
But no matter how relaxed she felt, she was always like a bird that couldn’t find a place to land.
Jiang Chenyin’s steps were light as her fingertips traced the grain on her desk, stopping at the photo frame next to the pen holder.
She thought, that child is a grown-up now. She must be wearing high heels, and that adorable smile that reveals her two small canine teeth must have lost its childishness.
That child, is she as tall as me now?
