Chapter 21

Chapter 21

Over the past five years, though Shu Yao was overseas, Wu Jingmeng would regularly update her about Jiang Yiyan.

Of course, these were all negative reports.

As such, in Shu Yao's mind, Jiang Yiyan had become even more spiteful and vicious than she was five years ago.

But when she finally saw her face-to-face, she felt a moment of disorientation.

This was not the Yiyan that Mengmeng had described.

She hadn't grown into a more malicious person; on the contrary, compared to five years ago, she seemed kinder and gentler.

This gentle demeanor didn't align with the words "spiteful" or "vicious."

Gradually, Shu Yao extended her goodwill towards her.

"It's been five years. How have you been?" Shu Yao initiated the conversation.

Jiang Yiyan smiled and nodded, showing no sign of discomfort.

"I've been good. Though I don't have a high level of education and currently don't have my own business, fortunately, Meimei is well-behaved and Mochuan treats me well. I'm quite content with this life."

Jiang Yiyan didn't intentionally bring up Wen Mochuan; she simply thought that since she mentioned her daughter, it would seem odd if she deliberately avoided mentioning her husband.

She didn't boast; she merely mentioned him casually, passing over it quickly. She believed this wasn't excessive.

However, while she said it without intention, Cai Wenqing and Jiang Xu, who were listening, took it to heart.

Jiang Xu immediately frowned, his displeasure evident on his face.

Cai Wenqing was better at hiding her feelings, although she also felt uncomfortable.

As for Shu Yao...she didn't care whether her stepsister meant it or not. After all, she and Mochuan had no chance together five years ago, so she didn't mind. What did it matter to her whether Jiang Yiyan mentioned him or boasted about her current life?

"That's great," Shu Yao said with a pure smile, sincerely praising Jiang Yiyan. "You look wonderful, I can tell you must be happy every day."

"Yes," Jiang Yiyan agreed. Having achieved her goal for the call, she didn't wish to continue the conversation and thus only echoed Shu Yao's words. "I do feel less stressed. Every day is just about eating and sleeping, without any worries."

To be honest, they weren't close, so continuing the conversation would be awkward. Thus, they tacitly ended the talk.

The phone returned to Jiang Cheng, and Jiang Yiyan bid her father farewell.

"Dad, it's getting late. You should rest early. Mochuan and I will go to the Nebula Hotel early tomorrow."

Jiang Cheng agreed but seemed reluctant. He chatted with Meimei a bit longer before reluctantly ending the call.

Throughout the conversation, Jiang Yiyan never spoke to Jiang Xu.

Even as she chatted with Shu Yao and briefly greeted Cai Wenqing, she never mentioned Jiang Xu.

While Jiang Yiyan was video calling her family with her daughter, Wen Mochuan sat beside them. He neither approached nor deliberately avoided them.

He initially assumed that since she made this video call, she would include him in the frame. Perhaps, she would even flaunt their relationship in front of Shu Yao.

But by the time the call ended, he still hadn't seen that happen.

Wen Mochuan found it hard to understand the woman beside him. When she hung up, he looked at her meaningfully, his brows furrowing slightly.

Without needing to see his expression, Jiang Yiyan could guess what he was thinking. However, she ignored it. Meeting his searching gaze, her tone remained as calm as ever.

"It's getting late. We should get ready for bed," she said matter-of-factly.

Wen Mochuan nodded in agreement, but he thought that this was just an excuse to fool Meimei, a preschooler. It was only a little past eight, and she wasn't elderly; why would she go to bed so early?

Still, Wen Mochuan didn't expose his wife. Instead, he called Feng Ma to take Meimei for a bath.

Meimei was reluctant to leave. Even as Feng Ma led her to the bathroom on the first floor, she kept looking back at her parents.

She really wanted to sleep with her parents tonight.

But despite her hints, her parents showed no reaction. Disappointed, Meimei hung her head and pouted, refusing to look at her parents anymore.

In the past, there had been times when the three of them slept together, but those instances were usually initiated or hinted at by her original self, with Wen Mochuan passively accepting it each time.

Now that the original self was gone, replaced by another Jiang Yiyan, she wouldn't bring it up.

If she didn't mention it, Wen Mochuan certainly wouldn't bring it up either. Thus, Meimei's small wish was destined to shatter like bubbles.

Unless she gathered the courage to ask to sleep with her parents tonight.

But after disturbing her mother's sleep yesterday and causing her to vomit during her morning run, followed by a day-long nap, she didn't dare to push too much right now.

Her relationship with her mother was improving, and her mother was becoming gentler. She was content with everything as it was. So...she would take it step by step. One couldn't become fat from a single meal.

With these thoughts, Meimei suddenly became happy again. She obediently followed Feng Ma to bathe and sleep, even humming a tune.

Jiang Yiyan might have noticed the girl's hints, and she was relieved that Meimei didn't suddenly run over and beg to sleep with her parents. If she had, how would she have refused her gently?

Thankfully, it was just a false alarm.

After Meimei left, the couple had nothing to say to each other. They wished each other goodnight and went upstairs to their respective bedrooms.

.

That night, Jiang Cheng, understanding that his wife and stepdaughter hadn't seen each other in a long time and probably had a lot to catch up on, suggested that his wife sleep with her stepdaughter.

Cai Wenqing was delighted. "Ah Cheng, you always think of us." She appeared deeply moved, her gaze filled with gratitude as she looked at Jiang Cheng.

Jiang Cheng didn't think it was a big deal. "You've been missing Yao Yao for five years. Now that she's back, you two should spend more time together." Then, considerately, he added, "It's almost nine. Yao Yao must be tired. There's nothing else here, so you two should go upstairs and rest."

Cai Wenqing, holding her daughter's hand, said goodbye to the father and son before happily heading upstairs toward Shu Yao's bedroom.

The father and son's gazes followed the mother and daughter until their figures disappeared in the corridor. Only then did they both unconsciously withdraw their eyes.

Jiang Cheng was very happy now. His stepdaughter had returned from abroad with a doctorate, which undoubtedly brought glory to their Jiang family. He firmly believed that it wouldn't be long before the entire wealthy circle of Shenzhen would know that their Jiang family had produced a female doctorate.

As for Yiyan, although she wasn't particularly capable or promising, she was gradually becoming more understanding. She no longer harbored ill will towards Wenqing and her daughter, and even actively extended kindness to them.

He didn't have many expectations for his biological daughter. He didn't expect her to achieve great things at home or in the company, nor did he hope for her to excel in any field and bring him honor.

All he wished for was that she could live a normal life, happy every day, and that would be enough.

Everything seemed to be developing in a positive direction.

But Jiang Xu wasn't so optimistic. He felt that his sister's current kindness was an act. It was unpredictable when she might reveal her true colors and stir up a storm in the family once again.

.

Cai Wenqing was also worried, but her concerns were the opposite of Jiang Xu's.

Jiang Xu feared that all of Jiang Yiyan's kindness was an act, while Cai Wenqing was afraid that Jiang Yiyan wasn't acting, but had genuinely come to some realizations and changed.

So after entering the room, she locked the door behind her and then sat down next to her daughter to talk.

Without bothering to inquire about her daughter's life and studies abroad over the years, she anxiously said, "You must have noticed how unusual Yiyan is acting?"

Yiyan was indeed different from what she had imagined. Her current demeanor was far from what Mengmeng had described over the past five years. Compared to five years ago, she was much kinder and more amiable.

But Shu Yao didn't find this to be a bad thing; on the contrary, she thought it was good.

There was no longer any enmity between them, and they had let go of the past. This was how they could continue to live well together.

"I've seen it," Shu Yao earnestly shared her feelings. "To be honest, I'm quite surprised. Over the years, Mengmeng has been telling me all sorts of negative things about Yiyan, so I was quite worried and fearful before coming back. But now that I've seen her true self, I feel relieved."

She had been quite anxious in the days leading up to her return, as Yiyan had unexpectedly liked one of her posts on social media, something that had never happened before.

Considering their past relationship, she dared not assume it was a gesture of goodwill. Thus, she had been uneasy for several days.

It wasn't until just now that the weight on her heart finally lifted.

Given her daughter's innocence, Cai Wenqing was even more concerned for her.

"Over the years, it wasn't Jingmeng intentionally speaking ill of Yiyan in front of you. What she said was merely stating the facts. Over these five years, Yiyan hasn't changed at all, if anything, she's become even more malicious and terrifying than before."

"It's precisely because of this that I'm even more worried. They say that one can change their environment but not their nature. If she didn't have something to hide, why would she suddenly change so much?"

"You're so innocent and easily taken in by others. I'm afraid you'll suffer!"

Mother's words did indeed make Shu Yao more wary of Jiang Yiyan, but she didn't voice her concerns. Instead, she tried to reassure her mother.

"Don't think like that. For Dad's sake, we should believe that she has truly changed for the better. Dad hopes for a harmonious family, and we want to live peaceful lives. Isn't everything fine now?"

Cai Wenqing's brows remained furrowed. Not only had her daughter's words failed to alleviate her concerns, but they had made her even more worried.

"I'm not afraid of her causing trouble, but rather, I'm afraid of her being too well-behaved." And if it was an act, it was all to deal with them, mother and daughter.