Chapter 14: Unstoppably Lovable

Seeing the woman’s nervous appearance, Jian Han felt calm. She reached out, grasped the woman’s hand, and called out without hesitation, “Mom.”

The woman’s eyes instantly filled with tears. She couldn’t hold back anymore and pulled Jian Han into a tight embrace. Jian Han was almost suffocating from the force of the hug but didn’t complain. She rested her head against the woman’s warm shoulder, as if drawing endless courage from it.

Who knows how long they hugged before two loud coughs interrupted them. Jian Han peeked over the woman’s shoulder and saw two elderly figures standing at the doorway, one on each side. The old man was dressed in a traditional green Tang suit, while the old lady wore a dark red cheongsam, looking like a couple from an old Republican-era photograph.

The old lady smiled and said, “Alright, alright, come inside quickly.”

Jian Han gently patted the woman’s back. Reluctantly, the woman let go, and Jian Han smiled, taking her hand. The woman immediately smiled through her tears.

Jian Han couldn’t help but think that this mother of hers was so simple, like a child in kindergarten—give her a little sunshine, and she would brighten up.

Inside, the house’s European exterior was mirrored in its interior. The first floor was an open living room with a platinum-colored European palace-style sofa set. Everyone took their seats on the sofas, and Jian Han quickly noticed something odd.

European sofas, known for their elegance, were most comfortable with two people seated on them. Three could fit, but it would be a bit cramped. Yet here Jian Han was, sitting alone on one sofa, while the elderly couple and her mother squeezed onto the sofa across from her.

Her mother looked at her with gentle eyes, but whenever Jian Han met her gaze, she’d quickly avert her eyes, like a frightened rabbit, afraid of being caught.

The grandparents were even stranger, their gazes wandering everywhere except toward her.

Suddenly, Jian Han had a very clear feeling: the three elders across from her were both trying to please her and afraid of her at the same time.

Her confidence surged. Their strange behavior was because they cared about her, wasn’t it?

No matter what the old Jian Han had done, she wasn’t going to let such adorable family members slip away.

Jian Han took out three bags from her pile and smiled as she opened the first one. “These are some traditional cakes—Changbai and mung bean cakes from Lao Ding Ji. They’re made entirely of mung beans with just a little sugar, so they taste especially fragrant. They’re a gift for Grandpa and Grandma.”

The grandmother hadn’t even recovered from being called “Grandma” when the grandfather eagerly grabbed a piece of the mung bean cake, took a bite, and closed his eyes in happiness. “Oh wow! I haven’t had this in years! I didn’t know they still made it. When I was young, Lao Ding Ji’s pastries were the best gifts you could give!”

After finishing one piece, he licked his lips and grabbed another, nodding in approval. “This is the same taste! It hasn’t changed a bit!”

The grandmother shot him a skeptical look. “Is it really that good?”

She casually picked up a piece, took a bite, and immediately turned to Guan Su with a smile. “It’s sweet but not too sweet. Really quite delicious. Su Su, you should try one!”

But Guan Su, with a hint of jealousy, glanced at the cakes on the table and pursed her lips. “Those are gifts from Han Han for you two.”

She emphasized the word “gifts,” letting a slight tinge of jealousy slip out.

Jian Han chuckled and quickly reached for another bag. “This is for you, Mom. I bought you a light blue silk scarf. I thought it would match your elegant style.”

Guan Su’s eyes lit up. This was the first time in her life she’d received a gift from her daughter!

She fumbled to unwrap the scarf, immediately putting it around her neck, and then ran over to the mirror to admire it.

Jian Han took out another bag and smiled again. “I also bought a scarf for Grandma, but this one’s gold. Luckily, it matches your complexion quite well.”

The grandmother was surprised and pointed at herself. “I get a gift too?”

Jian Han nodded as she unwrapped the scarf. “Of course! You’re a beauty, and beauties deserve special treatment.”

Her words made the grandmother beam with joy. She accepted the scarf, draped it around her neck, and, to her delight, it matched her dark red cheongsam perfectly.

…

In the car, Du Zicong, sitting in the front passenger seat, fiddled with his PSP, looking unhappy. “Bro, why are we going back so early? What if that annoying girl hasn’t left yet?”

Du Ziming responded indifferently, “Precisely because Jian Han is there, we need to get back early. You’ve been avoiding her for a whole day already.”

Du Zicong scoffed. “You think I’m the only one trying to avoid her? Grandpa and Grandma didn’t want to come out either! If Mom hadn’t cried so much last time, they wouldn’t have come out either! Who wants to see that miserable face of hers, acting like the whole world owes her a million bucks?”

Du Ziming thought about the smiling face he saw earlier in the morning, bathed in sunlight, and raised an eyebrow. Seriously, he warned, “You know what she hates, so don’t provoke her. When we go back, you’d better watch your words.”

Du Zicong snorted. “Yeah, yeah, I know!”

Just as Du Ziming parked the car, their father, Du Mo, also arrived at the house. After his driver parked, Du Mo got out and nodded to his two sons. Du Zicong smiled and asked, “Dad, why are you home so early today?”

Du Mo motioned for his sons to follow him and smiled warmly. “Since Han Han is visiting today, I came back early to see her.”

Du Zicong snorted, which immediately earned him stern looks from both his father and brother. He forced a fake smile, and Du Mo turned away, resuming his conversation with Du Ziming about the stock market trends of the day.

Before they even entered the house, they could hear laughter coming from the living room. Du Mo and Du Ziming exchanged glances before Du Mo opened the door. The girl who had been chatting happily immediately stood up, graceful and poised, and greeted them naturally, “Dad, you’re back.”

The room fell silent.

Du Ziming instinctively took a step back, scanning the room from left to right. To the left, the five-meter-long aquarium his friend brought back from abroad. In the middle, the European sofa air-shipped from Sweden. On the right, the red oak dining table from a Canadian client.

Yes, this was his house. No doubt about it.

Du Zicong was utterly stunned. Had Jian Han been possessed by a ghost?!

It was Du Mo, with his years of experience, who reacted first. He coughed lightly, covering his mouth with a fist. “Han Han, you’re home.”

His words broke the awkward tension in the room. Grandpa immediately perked up. “Han Han has been here all day! Why didn’t you all come home sooner?”

The Du family trio: “…”