He walked in quickly, the scent growing stronger. Aunt Xiao and Grandmother were sitting and talking on the living room sofa, and Chris was sitting beside them reading documents.
A Lang stood by the kitchen, peering inside expectantly.
From the semi-open kitchen, Shen Qingqing and Aunt Cao could be seen busy, but it was mainly his young wife, with Aunt Cao just helping out.
This harmonious family atmosphere stirred something within him.
He suddenly had a strong desire to go home.
Home had his grandmother, his son, and his wife. His home was even warmer than this place.
As one sumptuous dish after another was served, Shen Qingqing also emerged from the kitchen in her apron, placing down the last dish, beef brisket soup that had been simmering for two hours.
She took off her apron, set out the bowls and chopsticks, opened the red wine, and poured everyone a glass.
Even Aunt Xiao, whose health was the poorest, received half a glass of wine. Although she could finish it in one gulp, she was still very happy, cradling the wine glass as if it were a treasure.
With her husband seated beside her, Shen Qingqing raised her glass. "This glass, I toast to Aunt Xiao and Uncle. Thank you for your hospitality these past few days."
She drank it down in one go.
Everyone else, giving face, also finished their wine.
However, Xiao Yuying, being sensitive, felt something was amiss. "Qingqing, are you leaving soon?"
Although Shen Qingqing disliked goodbyes, parting was inevitable.
"Mm."
As she responded, the atmosphere at the table gradually became stiff. Everyone fell silent. The wine, which had tasted so good moments ago, suddenly became astringent.
More importantly, the table was laden with delicious food, but no one had the appetite to touch it.
"I'll go with Sister."
A Lang gently tugged at Shen Qingqing's sleeve. She turned to see A Lang's clear, bottomless eyes looking at her, a small reflection of herself in their depths.
She felt a surge of affection and stroked the little girl's soft hair.
Over on the other side, Old Mrs. Xiao also sighed and spoke calmly, "I should be heading back too."
At this pronouncement, Xiao Yuying looked crestfallen. "Mom..."
She hadn't had much time to cultivate a relationship with her mother, and now her mother was about to leave. She had just called out "Mom," and her mother hadn't even responded.
Old Mrs. Xiao lowered her gaze.
Xiao Yuying's eyes reddened, and she almost wept. She remembered that it was a family reunion dinner today and didn't want to spoil the mood.
She held back her tears.
Shen Qingqing, not wanting the atmosphere to be tense, tried to liven things up and gave Chris a look.
He was a straightforward man. At first, he felt a moment of reluctance about their departure, but it quickly passed. He soon embraced his role as the life of the party.
Fortunately, he was adaptable. A man of nearly six feet, he was quite adept at lifting everyone's spirits.
After dinner, Shen Qingqing and A Lang accompanied Old Mrs. Xiao for a stroll to aid digestion. The remaining dishes were naturally left for the two men to clear up.
Aunt Cao helped Xiao Yuying back to her room to rest.
As evening set in and everyone was sound asleep, Chris, however, couldn't sleep.
There was no other reason than his beloved wife tossing and turning in his arms. He loved holding her close and couldn't sleep, yet he couldn't bear to chide her.
"Wife, what's wrong?"
Xiao Yuying turned and glared at him. "Can't you tell what's wrong with me?"
Chris truly couldn't tell, but his intuition told him not to be direct. So, he cautiously probed, "Wife, did I neglect you at the dinner table today?"
He had initially been wholeheartedly focused on livening up the atmosphere. Later, after a few drinks with Fu Jingshu and some conversations, he had veered off track, not only forgetting this but also getting thoroughly carried away with Fu Jingshu.
It was only because both of them had good alcohol tolerance and were drinking red wine that they hadn't gotten drunk.
Xiao Yuying felt even more wronged. She pushed Chris away with annoyance and said, "If you don't know, then just go to sleep. Don't bother me!"
"Wife!"
Chris had no idea what had happened and didn't dare to ask. He let out a low sigh.
His wife's temper was becoming increasingly difficult to fathom.
The commotion they created wasn't significant, but Shen Qingqing was in a good mood today. As she was talking with her husband, she suddenly heard faint footsteps outside.
"Listen."
Fu Jingshu's ears twitched. He pulled the covers closer, attempting to envelop them both.
"It's nothing, go to sleep."
Despite his words, his hands under the covers began to grow restless, causing the blanket to bulge. Shen Qingqing's playful, charming voice came from beneath the covers.
"Mmm, don't fool around..."
The man remained unmoved, and the blanket grew higher and higher...
Suddenly, the blanket was thrown aside. Shen Qingqing, her hair disheveled and her face flushed, shot him a glare. She sat up, tidied her rumpled clothes, and concealed her alluring, partially exposed demeanor.
"I'm going to check."
She worried it might be A Lang or Aunt Xiao. Both of them had poor health and couldn't afford to be out in the cold.
Fu Jingshu lay flat on the bed, his strong arm raised to rest on his brow. His pajama top was open, revealing his muscular physique.
It was the kind of body that would make any woman's mouth water.
Alas, at this moment, he was alone, his charm destined to go unappreciated.
...
Footsteps sounded from behind. Xiao Yuying turned and saw her niece approaching gracefully. "Why are you out? Can't you sleep?"
Shen Qingqing walked up to her. "It's you who can't sleep, isn't it?"
Xiao Yuying lowered her gaze slightly and said softly, "Qingqing is indeed sharp."
They stood on the balcony, the railing offering no barrier to the night breeze. Shen Qingqing had casually grabbed a jacket when she came out, and now she draped it over her aunt. The skin her aunt touched felt cool.
"Let's go back, don't catch a chill."
Xiao Yuying shook her head and looked at the night sky in the distance. "I think I'm starting to understand why A Lang stares outside all day."
Such a quiet and beautiful night sky could soothe all turbulent emotions and bring a sense of peace from the depths of one's heart.
Seeing that she seemed unwilling to leave, Shen Qingqing subtly shifted to block the wind and observed her aunt's expression. "Aunt, did you and Uncle have a fight?"
Mentioning her husband, Xiao Yuying pouted, displaying a rare girlish demeanor.
"He's such a blockhead, what would I fight with him about!"
Shen Qingqing chuckled softly. "So, you did fight after all. That's strange. Uncle has always doted on you. Did he do something wrong?"
Xiao Yuying sighed, her nose feeling a bit sore. She tried hard to hold back, but couldn't quite suppress a hint of sadness.
"Your grandmother... is leaving soon. I really wish I could go with you all."
But her body wouldn't allow her to endure the strain.
So that's what it was about.
Shen Qingqing said softly, "When she leaves, she can always come back. Technology is advanced now, and travel is convenient. We're not saying goodbye forever."
A crystal tear traced a path down Xiao Yuying's cheek.
"It's different... I'm scared..."
"Scared of what?"
"I'm afraid that once she leaves, she'll never come back."
Shen Qingqing paused. Looking at Xiao Yuying's sorrowful profile, she suddenly asked, "I don't think I've ever asked, but why exactly did you and Grandmother fall out so badly?"