Chapter 10.2 Going to His Home

Having a quiet birthday didn’t bother Shi Miao; she was used to it. That said, she didn’t mind a lively atmosphere either. It was a good opportunity to meet Min Ting’s younger sister and the brother-in-law he didn’t particularly like.

However, this meant she wouldn’t get to spend time alone with him.

“Are you free on Saturday?” Shi Miao asked directly.

“Even if I’ve got plans, I can rearrange them,” Min Ting replied. “What’s up?”

Shi Miao said, “I have the day off on Saturday. Can you spend the day with me, just the two of us?”

She didn’t need him to provide emotional support or to love her. All she wanted was his presence when she needed company. There was nothing she needed to vent about—just a simple meal together would suffice.

Min Ting assumed she had encountered an interpersonal issue at work and agreed. “Sure.”

At 6:10 p.m., Shi Miao changed into a dress and left the department.

Uncle Chen was already waiting for her in the parking lot to pick her up.

As soon as she got into the car, a new message popped up on her phone. She quickly checked—it wasn’t from her father.

Ye Xicun: Happy birthday. Did you have cake?

Shi Miao: Thank you, brother. I had cake at lunch.

Ye Xicun: Just lunch in the cafeteria to celebrate?

Shi Miao: I’m at Min Ting’s place tonight.

Ye Xicun: That’s good.

Shi Miao didn’t reply further. Before exiting the app, she glanced again at her father’s chat. The workday was over, yet he still hadn’t sent her a single birthday greeting. It seemed he had forgotten her birthday entirely.

Putting her phone aside, she grabbed a throw pillow and held it close, leaning back in the seat and closing her eyes for a brief rest.

Forty minutes later, the car slowed to a stop in front of a villa nestled among lush trees. The surrounding area was tranquil.

Min Ting stepped out of the house. Seeing that the car had stopped but no one was getting out, he didn’t need to guess—she had fallen asleep again.

His strongest impressions of her thus far? Always tired and perpetually tangled up in a mess of blankets.

He walked to the car and gently opened the door.

Shi Miao was curled up with the throw pillow, her head tilted against the edge of the seat, nearly touching the window.

“Shi Miao.”

He called her twice before she stirred.

In her dream, Shi Miao was performing surgery while Jiang Yang was being scolded by the lead surgeon. Jiang Yang cried, and after he got reprimanded, it was her turn. When she looked up, the surgeon turned out to be her father.

Frustrated, she kicked Jiang Yang and told him to stop crying and toughen up.

But Jiang Yang only cried harder, unable to handle the humiliation. Just as she was about to kick him again, she vaguely heard Min Ting’s voice.

Her dream faded, and she slowly opened her eyes.

“Min Xi is making you a cake,” Min Ting said matter-of-factly.

They never had small talk or pleasantries; their conversations always went straight to the point.

Shi Miao took a moment to gather herself and then sat upright. “Min Xi knows how to bake?”

“Yeah. She learned the year she got divorced.”

Shi Miao hadn’t known anything about his family’s history. She lowered her voice despite knowing Min Xi and her husband were in the house. “Is Fu Yanzhou your new brother-in-law or…?”

“Still the same one,” Min Ting replied.

“…” No wonder he didn’t like Fu Yanzhou.

Shi Miao adjusted her hair and stepped out of the car. “I’ll help Min Xi with the cake.”

Min Ting glanced at her. “You know how to bake?”

“Not really, but I can help with the small tasks.”

“Fu Yanzhou’s already helping her.”

In the kitchen, Min Xi had just sprinkled rose petals on the cake. Looking up, she saw the perfectly matched pair walk in one after the other. She waved at Shi Miao with a smile. “Sis, come check out your cake!”

Shi Miao returned a polite smile. “It’s already done?”

“Just finished.” Min Xi popped a rose petal into her mouth and chewed thoughtfully.

The two skipped formal introductions entirely and got along naturally.

Finally, Shi Miao met the infamous Fu Yanzhou. Brother-in-law and brother-in-law may not be family by blood, but their commanding auras were cut from the same cloth.

Shi Miao exchanged polite nods with Fu Yanzhou in greeting.

The cake was a floral masterpiece featuring white roses and camellias, accented with a few vivid red rose petals.

Shi Miao took out her phone to snap a photo. “It’s gorgeous.”

Min Xi handed her a piece of leftover chocolate. “Time was tight this year. Next year, I’ll make you an even prettier one.”

Shi Miao didn’t stand on ceremony, popping the chocolate into her mouth. She smiled. “Next time, I’ll be your assistant.”

Min Ting carried the cake to the dining table, where a sumptuous spread of homemade dishes awaited, including freshly hand-pulled noodles.

In past family gatherings, the seat beside Min Ting had always belonged to Fu Yanzhou. It was strategically chosen so the two wouldn’t have to look directly at each other.

With Shi Miao now in the picture, Min Ting asked her opinion first. “Would you like to sit next to me or…?” His opposite seat was vacant, leaving the choice to her.

Shi Miao barely hesitated before heading for the seat beside him.

Min Ting reached out and pulled the chair out for her.