Chapter 43

Jiang Sixun descended the stairs and exchanged a brief greeting with the newcomer.

Xu Ningwei, spotting him in a crisp white shirt, instinctively thought, “Brother Sixun, do you have business tonight?” She hoped Jiang Sixun would join them for dinner, especially since Xu Zhiyi was at home; otherwise, it would just be the four of them at the table, which could be awkward.

“No business,” he replied.

He Yian chuckled and explained, “Sixun has matured; he doesn’t wear those bright colors anymore.” Since coming home, he had stuck to a palette of black, white, and dark blue.

This piqued her curiosity—what kind of girlfriend could inspire such a change in a man who previously avoided marriage?

The coffee table was adorned with an array of fruits and various teas. Jiang Sixun asked the housekeeper for a small glass bowl, selected a few oranges, and placed them inside. “You sit,” he said to Xu Ningwei.

He casually picked up a cup of red tea, sipping it as he walked towards the grid-window, carrying the glass bowl.

Xu Ningwei followed closely, watching as he crouched down in front of the woman arranging flowers, setting his half-drunk tea on the floor. He placed the bowl on the carpet and began peeling a green orange.

The woman, still focused on her peonies, didn’t lift her gaze.

Jiang Sixun’s relaxed demeanor was quiet yet captivating, a far cry from the typical brother-sister interaction.

If she were in Xu Zhiyi’s place—sitting by the window, feeling down while arranging flowers—Jiang Sixun would definitely comfort her, but not like this.

He wouldn’t crouch down in front of her; instead, he would point to the fruits and assorted chocolates on the table and call out, “Qingwei, come here.”

Then he’d inquire about what was bothering her.

If she were reluctant to share, he would respect that, never pressing for more details.

Jiang Sixun had patience, but it was limited.

As for her biological brother, Xu Hang, patience was a luxury he rarely afforded.

Xu Hang would notice her mood and ask, “Who upset you this time?”

Only her parents would patiently inquire and offer various forms of comfort.

Xu Ningwei found it increasingly difficult to recall the past; just thinking about it felt like a fresh wound slicing through her heart.

He Yian was seated right next to her, pouring her a cup of coffee with care, yet she could no longer lean into her mother’s embrace for solace.

Lifting the cup, she couldn’t help but glance at the two figures by the grid-window.

The man was leisurely peeling an orange, while the woman remained silent, focused on her flowers.

He Yian also looked over, sensing something was off but prioritizing her daughter’s feelings. Having Jiang Sixun there was undoubtedly a good thing.

“Do you want a little more milk in your coffee?” she asked, pulling her gaze back to Xu Ningwei.

Xu Ningwei smiled slightly. “No, it’s just right.”

“Have you thought about the academic conference?” He Yian asked, her tone cheerful.

Xu Ningwei had little interest in participating, feeling she had wasted the golden opportunity that Shang Tongxu had secured for her. Yet, not wanting to disappoint her adoptive mother, she feigned enthusiasm. “I learned quite a bit. Listening to those big names was very enlightening.”

As she started to embellish her experience, Xu Ningwei realized the distance between her and He Yian wasn’t just a matter of time and space; it was deeper than that.

In the past, she would have candidly shared everything with her mother without reservation.

Her rebelliousness had been pure, and her parents had never managed to curb it.

“Your joy shines through,” her father would always say.

Xu Xiangyi had briefed the chef on what to prepare as he entered from the kitchen.

“Ningwei, is there anything special you want? Just let the chef know, no need to be polite.”

Holding her coffee cup, Xu Ningwei replied, “Anything is fine; I usually eat light at night.”

Her adoptive parents were attentive to her needs, but their conversations lacked depth. They wouldn’t pry into her relationship with her biological mother, Xiu Mei-Hua, nor would they lecture her on her shortcomings. It was all very cordial—how they treated guests.

A pang of nostalgia hit her as she remembered the days after learning about her adoption, before everyone returned home. Her father had prepared three gifts for her biological parents and sister, and when she had refused to go to the airport, he had angrily scolded her, asking, “Who will care for you if I don’t?”

Back then, they treated her like their own child.

Now, as these thoughts crossed her mind, she couldn’t help but steal another glance at the two by the floor-to-ceiling window.

Jiang Sixun had finally finished peeling the orange, carefully discarding the rind and the strands back into the glass bowl. He took a segment for himself and offered the rest to her.

Xu Zhiyi placed the flower she had just trimmed into the vase, softly saying, “My parents are watching.”

Jiang Sixun replied, “I’m just trying to cheer you up. Even if I give you a hug, they won’t suspect anything.”

Xu Zhiyi remained silent.

Noticing she wouldn’t take the orange, Jiang Sixun popped another segment into his mouth and held out the orange again. “Not hungry?”

Xu Zhiyi continued to avoid his gaze, focusing on her peonies, whispering, “If you’ve eaten it, others will think our relationship is ambiguous.”

He leaned closer, “Didn’t I always eat a piece before giving you one? Uncle Xu and Aunt He should be used to it by now. Don’t feel guilty.”

“…”

Xu Zhiyi was curious, “That orange you gave me on my first day back home—did you peel it just for me?”

“Yeah.”

“Was it because you were afraid it would be sour and you couldn’t finish it?”

Jiang Sixun replied, “No.”

Xu Zhiyi reminisced, “I can still remember the taste of the orange and chocolate we had that day.” The bittersweet fusion of the 70% dark chocolate her brother had brought and the perfectly peeled orange lingered in her mind.

“Wait here,” he said, standing up.

Out of the corner of her eye, she watched him walk away in his black dress pants.

Jiang Sixun turned to Xu Xiangyi, who was sipping tea. “Uncle Xu, do we have any chocolate at home?”

“Yeah, in the fridge.” Xu Xiangyi gestured for him to go ahead and look. “It’s all dark chocolate; you might not like it.”

“I’m not eating it; I’m getting it for Zhiyi.”

Xu Zhiyi felt her heart leap into her throat.

The word “getting” in the ears of Xu Xiangyi and He Yian sounded like a hint that their daughter was feeling down, and Jiang Sixun was using chocolate to remind them.

“Jiang Sixun!” Xu Zhiyi exclaimed, worried he might say something even more embarrassing.

Usually, he was addressed as Mr. Jiang, despite her numerous attempts to change that; it was as if he didn’t hear her. Today, however, he called her by name, causing Xu Xiangyi to look at his daughter, realizing she truly wasn’t happy and that Jiang Sixun had let slip her emotions.

They’d have to talk to her later.

He Yian, lost in thought while sipping her coffee, wondered why her daughter’s mood had been so light today. Did she hide her sadness too well?

That shouldn’t be the case.

After six years together, she could tell whether her daughter was genuinely happy or just pretending.

Now, she found herself questioning if she really understood her child well enough.

That evening, He Yian planned to have a heart-to-heart talk with her daughter.

Xu Ningwei, still wrapped in her own sadness, found herself momentarily distracted, her gaze shifting between Xu Zhiyi and Jiang Sixun. The bond formed through years of growing up together didn’t always allow for openly tender words like “cheer up.”

Yet here was Jiang Sixun, bold and casual, uttering those words right in front of Xu Zhiyi’s parents.

He slipped into the kitchen, and for a moment, his presence vanished.

Was she overthinking things?

Soon enough, he returned, holding a piece of chocolate, once again crouching in front of Xu Zhiyi.

Having been in a relationship for seven years, she was no stranger to the kind of ambiguous intimacy couples share.

But wasn’t Xu Zhiyi supposed to be engaged to Shang Yun? What was happening in front of her?

Jiang Sixun handed her the chocolate. “70% dark chocolate, just like the one we had that day.”

Xu Zhiyi snipped a leaf. “You remember?”

“Of course,” he replied softly. “Want me to unwrap it for you?”

“…I can do it myself. You just said you wanted to cheer me up. Aren’t you afraid my parents will notice?”

“I want them to notice.”

Xu Zhiyi set down her scissors, accepting the chocolate and taking a bite.

As she savored the rich flavor, Jiang Sixun peeled two orange segments and offered them to her. His fingertips brushed her palm, sending a tingling sensation through her.

“Are my parents still watching us?”

“Not constantly. They’re busy with Xu Ningwei.”

With each piece of chocolate Xu Zhiyi enjoyed, Jiang Sixun handed her more orange segments.

“Why aren’t you talking?” she asked, munching thoughtfully.

“What’s there to say?”

“Anything.”

After finishing one orange, he reached for another from the glass bowl. “Including today, you’ve called me Jiang Sixun four times.”

Finally meeting his gaze, she noted how he towered over her while crouched. “Then I’ll just call you that more often.”

Just then, a black SUV rolled into the yard—Xu Hang was back from the airport.

Outside, night enveloped the world, while inside, the house glowed brightly, revealing everything to anyone peering in.

Xu Zhiyi casually grabbed a peony from the side and waved it out the window.

Xu Hang strode into the villa, searching for his slippers for what felt like ages. Every time Jiang Sixun returned, all of his shoes seemed to be shoved to the bottom of the shoe rack.

He handed his suit jacket to a maid, thanking her, then called out, “Is Ningwei here?”

Xu Ningwei lit up. “Brother!”

Xu Hang nodded. “Have a seat.”

While their parents entertained guests, he made his way through the spacious living room, heading straight for the most eye-catching presence.

Jiang Sixun had just finished peeling an orange and was handing it to Xu Zhiyi.

Xu Hang approached, lowering his voice. “You’re being so reckless in my house?” It was like he didn’t see anyone else.

Jiang Sixun replied coolly, “This is my house too.”

“Have some shame!”

Frustrated, Xu Hang reached for the orange in Jiang Sixun’s hand.

Quick on his feet, Jiang Sixun pulled back just in time, avoiding the grab. But crouched as he was, his balance faltered, and he nearly tipped over, using one hand to brace himself on the floor.

With a firm push, he regained his balance.

Xu Zhiyi had been distracted and thought Xu Hang had shoved Jiang Sixun.

The tension between them was palpable, each man bristling with annoyance, as if ready for a showdown.

“Dad, my brother’s stealing my oranges and being mean!” Xu Zhiyi interjected.

Xu Hang paused, incredulous.

“Which eye saw me being mean?” he said, playfully ruffling her hair. “Hmm?”

“Xu Hang! Let go of your sister!” a voice echoed from the living room.

“How old are you? Causing chaos the moment you walk in!”

The accusation was ludicrous; when had there been chaos?

Xu Zhiyi pushed his hand away. “You messed up my hair!”

“You deserved it! Next time, don’t come crying to me.”

“I already told Dad about your bad behavior. Just wait for him to deal with you!”

Xu Hang brushed her off, taking a glance at the flower arrangement. “You’ve been at this all evening, and it looks like this? I could throw some flowers in a vase with my eyes closed and it would look better than that.”

Xu Zhiyi frowned.

Jiang Sixun chimed in, defending her, “Let’s see you do better with your eyes closed.”

Xu Hang truly shoved Jiang Sixun aside this time, saying, “Out of the way.”

He had initially wanted to sit cross-legged, but in his dress pants, that was tricky. Instead, he crouched like Jiang Sixun, pulling out the unevenly arranged flowers and picking up the scissors from the carpet, snipping and trimming rapidly.

Having never arranged flowers himself, he had watched enough to know the basics over the years.

Jiang Sixun handed Xu Zhiyi a whole orange, reminding her, “Hold on tight.”

Xu Zhiyi laughed. “He won’t dare take it.”

As Xu Hang finished his quick arrangement, he shot a sideways glance at Jiang Sixun. “I’ve been helping take care of Qi Zhengchen for days; shouldn’t I get a reward, like an orange?”

“Isn’t he the one taking care of you?” Jiang Sixun countered.

Xu Hang was momentarily left speechless.

Jiang Sixun turned to the butler, requesting assistance in finding another pair of scissors and a vase.

“What’s this?” Xu Hang smirked at the man who would soon become his brother-in-law. “Are you trying to learn flower arranging from me?”

Jiang Sixun, uninterested, asked Xu Zhiyi, “Do you want more chocolate? I can get you another piece.”

Xu Zhiyi shook her head. “That’s enough; we’ll be eating soon.”

The butler returned with scissors and three or four vases of various sizes, all filled with fresh water.

Jiang Sixun chose the smallest, a delicate glass vase, and trimmed two peonies—each one a different length, but leaving some green leaves intact. He poured half a bottle of water and placed the vase in front of Xu Zhiyi. “This is for you.”

Xu Zhiyi’s lips curled into a smile. “Thank you!” She picked it up, admiring it in delight. “Peonies look so beautiful in a vase like this.”

Jiang Sixun had a habit of arranging peonies this way; on the terrace of his London bedroom, he often cut a couple to display. His mother always used just one peony in a vase, and having seen that all his life, he instinctively changed it to two.

He handed her the half-eaten orange. “Here, take this too. You should try arranging some flowers yourself.” He selected another vase for her to use.

As Xu Zhiyi picked a flower to trim, Jiang Sixun caught the discarded stems and leaves, his touch light yet intentional.

She smiled silently at him, and he glanced back, casually popping the leftover piece of orange into his mouth.

Xu Hang couldn’t take it anymore. “You keep being so reckless, and I’ll stop covering for you,” he warned, positioning himself in such a way that their parents wouldn’t see what Jiang Sixun was doing.

“Covering for me? That’s irrelevant. I’ve been this way since before you showed up,” Jiang Sixun replied coolly.

Xu Hang took a deep breath, choosing to let it go. He turned to his sister. “By the way, I got the tickets for the F1 Grand Prix in Singapore. Make sure you’re free those days.”

“And the hats are here—three of them, all signed by your favorite drivers,” he added.

“Do I get a ticket?” Jiang Sixun asked.

“Why would I bring you along? Just to get irritated?” Xu Hang shot back.

“I don’t need you to bring me; I won’t be going with you guys anyway.”

While they exchanged banter, Xu Zhiyi finished her flower arrangement with three peonies.

Jiang Sixun stepped forward, gesturing toward her creation. “I’ll take this one.”

“Sure,” Xu Zhiyi replied, holding up the vase he had given her.

No one seemed to care about how Xu Hang was arranging flowers anymore.

Across the room, Xu Ningwei was still nursing a coffee that had long since turned lukewarm.

From her vantage point by the grid-patterned window, the scene outside felt like a distant reality.

It was the first time she found herself distracted while chatting with He Yi’an.

At a quarter past seven, a table laden with a variety of home-cooked dishes was set, prompting everyone to move to the dining room.

Xu Zhiyi chatted with her brother about the upcoming Grand Prix in Singapore, while He Yi’an walked behind them. She noticed a small gray-green leaf clinging to her daughter’s skirt and quickly plucked it off, gently smoothing out a wrinkle created from her daughter’s seat.

When Xu Zhiyi turned to see her mother, she smiled and continued talking to her brother. He Yi’an instructed the butler to arrange the table flowers.

Xu Ningwei watched the little exchange unfold, noting how the people involved seemed unfazed. But to her, those small, silent gestures were what truly represented intimacy.

That tiny, wilted leaf blended seamlessly into the soft, foggy blue of her skirt—almost invisible to the casual observer. But He Yi’an had seen it.

In the past, her mother’s attention had always been solely on her.

The dining table had six chairs arranged on either side of a long table.

Xu Ningwei hesitated, unsure where to sit. She had always been next to her mother.

This time, she didn’t take a seat first but glanced at Xu Zhiyi.

“Mr. Jiang, I’ll sit beside you,” Xu Zhiyi said, looking up at him with a smile.

Jiang Sixun pulled the chair slightly back. “Come here.”

Usually, she sat between her parents, but today she found herself seated between Jiang Sixun and her brother, the perfect excuse to sit close to him.

He handed her chopsticks and laid a napkin across her lap.

“I can do it myself,” she protested.

But he ignored her entirely.

Xu Ningwei redirected her gaze; all three seats across the table were occupied, so she sat beside He Yi’an, with her father at the head of the table and her brother, Xu Hang, directly across from her.

In the past, their seating arrangements were similar, with her and her parents on one side and Jiang Sixun and her brother on the other.

Today’s only difference was the presence of Xu Zhiyi in the middle.

Countless times, she had wished this mix-up was just a dream, that once she woke up, her parents would still be her parents, and she wouldn’t know who Xu Zhiyi was.

“Lingwei, try the dishes,” Xu Xiangyi’s voice pulled her from her thoughts.

“Oh, okay. Thanks, Dad.”

Throughout the meal, the atmosphere remained warm and inviting, with her parents treating her like a guest in their home. With Xu Xiangyi and He Yi’an’s graciousness, she felt no hint of discomfort.

The dishes were arranged thoughtfully, placed in front of those who enjoyed them most. The butler and chef were meticulous, ensuring none of the meals contained anything anyone disliked.

From the appetizers to the soup, and finally the dessert, everything in front of her was her favorite.

Her adoptive parents were so considerate that it made her think of the phrase, “home away from home.”

She even wondered if Xu Zhiyi would inadvertently show off a bit—perhaps by acting especially affectionate with their parents. But that didn’t happen.

Throughout the meal, Xu Zhiyi was entirely focused on her own plate, occasionally leaning over to whisper something to Jiang Sixun.

“How busy has the lab been lately?” He Yi’an asked.

Just as Xu Ningwei was about to reply, her phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen—it was a call from her biological father, Shang Tongxu.

Not wanting He Yi’an to see, she hurriedly rejected the call, anxiety and guilt coursing through her.

Quickly, she opened WeChat and messaged him: [Dad, what’s up? I’m busy.]

Shang Tongxu replied: [Have you eaten lunch? Go treat yourself to something nice. If you don’t want to come back right now, enjoy a few more days in London and relax.]

Xu Ningwei had never felt this guilty before: [I’m coming back tomorrow.]

After putting down her phone, she explained to He Yi’an, “That was my biological father.”

He Yi’an smiled kindly. “No worries. Just call him your dad from now on; you don’t need to add ‘biological.’ Your adoptive dad won’t get jealous.”

Xu Ningwei opened her mouth but didn’t know what to say.

Across the table, Xu Zhiyi finished her dessert.

“Dad, I’m going to my room for a meeting,” she announced.

Xu Xiangyi nodded. “Go ahead and do your thing.”

Xu Zhiyi took the vase with two peonies and headed upstairs.

Within half a minute, Jiang Sixun also got up. “I’ll go check on her.”

Xu Hang interjected, “Didn’t you hear her say she’s having a video meeting? Don’t go interrupting.”

“I’m her boss. If there’s a meeting, I’d know,” Jiang Sixun replied, a confident tone that left no room for argument.

Xu Xiangyi, concerned for his daughter, tilted his chin slightly. “Go see how she’s doing. And, by the way, there are dried strawberries in the fridge. Bring her up two bags.”

“It’s the second fridge on the left,” he added.

Xu Ningwei noticed how her adoptive father now seemed quite familiar with the kitchen—knowing exactly which fridge contained the strawberries. He had never stepped foot in there before.

Everything in the house felt strange to her now.

On the third floor, Xu Zhiyi had just entered her bedroom, the vase still in her hands, when she heard footsteps approaching.

The door was half ajar, and suddenly, Jiang Sixun pushed it open, holding two bags of dried strawberries.

“How dare you come in here!” she exclaimed.

Jiang Sixun wrapped her in a hug. “I just wanted to check on you.”

“I have a meeting!” she insisted.

“What meeting?”

“A video call with Secretary Cai. There are some documents I can’t send over.” Xu Zhiyi glanced at her watch. “We scheduled it for five minutes from now.”

He released her and set the snacks down in her small study. “I won’t disturb your meeting.”

But Jiang Sixun only stayed for a few minutes before Xu Hang called him away.

After her video meeting with Secretary Cai, Xu Zhiyi felt a sense of clarity about all the information they had discussed.

She took a hot shower, her mind racing with plans for what came next.

With her hair still damp, she grabbed a bag of dried strawberries and stepped out onto the terrace to catch a breeze.

After six years, the terrace was lush and blooming, filled with vibrant flowers.

The gentle floral scent mixed with hints of citrus filled the air.

Bathed in moonlight, it felt like stepping into a dreamlike painting.

As she nibbled on the strawberries, thoughts of Shen Qingfeng and Shang Tongxu’s conflicts swirled in her mind.

Lost in contemplation, she didn’t notice someone on the lawn below.

Xu Ningwei had been chatting with her adoptive parents, taking a stroll to aid her digestion.

Every inch of the garden was steeped in memories.

When she inadvertently looked up at the third floor of the villa, her gaze froze upon seeing Xu Zhiyi on the terrace.

That room used to be He Yi’an’s study, her mother’s private space filled with cherished collections. The study had been there since her parents’ marriage, and now it was Xu Zhiyi’s room.

Her phone buzzed—a text alert about her account balance: six hundred thousand.

Shang Tongxu had messaged again: [Before you come back tomorrow, go shopping for some nice dresses.]

Xu Ningwei bit her lip, tears welling in her eyes. She wondered how long it had taken her father to save that money. There was no way she could spend it frivolously on clothes.

[Dad, I have plenty of clothes. I still have many that still have tags on them.]

When she looked up again, Xu Zhiyi was no longer on the terrace.

There was a knock at the door, and Xu Zhiyi went to open it, finding Jiang Sixun standing there with a glass of iced drink.

“…Your courage is growing,” she remarked.

“Uncle Xu knows,” he replied nonchalantly.

“I have something to tell you.” Xu Zhiyi gestured for him to come in and closed the door behind them.

Jiang Sixun checked his watch. “Do we have a minute? Uncle Xu is still waiting in the living room.”

Xu Zhiyi quickly summarized, “I have to fly to London the day after tomorrow. Shen Qingfeng holds a grudge against Shang Tongxu, and finding evidence of the mix-up is going to be tricky. I can only approach her directly.”

Jiang Sixun looked at her. “Are you planning to see Shen Qingfeng?”

Xu Zhiyi nodded. “Of course, I need to confront her in person.”

“Shen Qingfeng isn’t in London; she should be back in Hong Kong soon.”

“Is she attending the family banquet?”

“Yeah.” Jiang Sixun pulled her close. “Don’t you want to see her? I can take you to the Lu family banquet.”

“…I shouldn’t go to your family banquet.”

He kissed her, dismissing her concern. “There’s nothing inappropriate about it.”