Chapter 8.1

Later that evening, Jiang Yu discovered that her favorite chili sauce was gone.

She scraped the bottom of the empty jar for the last drop to mix with her rice and displayed her woeful expression to Jiang Zhe.

“It’s all gone. Not a drop left!”

The glass jar was completely empty, cleaned out by her.

Her pitiful expression was so dramatic it was as if the absence of the chili sauce was a life-and-death situation.

Jiang Zhe actually wanted to advise her to eat less of it, but her forlorn look left him at a loss for words. Eventually, he reluctantly said, “If you really want it, I can go get some from my grandma tomorrow.”

The pitiful look on Jiang Yu’s face disappeared instantly, replaced by surprise, her eyes sparkling with gratitude. “That would be wonderful!”

Recalling the original owner’s harsh attitude toward his grandmother, Jiang Yu thought the elderly woman must have felt hurt. After a moment of consideration, she offered, “How about I visit grandma as well?”

Upon hearing her suggestion, Jiang Zhe paused noticeably, clearly reminded of the original owner’s harsh behavior.

He felt guilty toward Jiang Yu and didn’t want to project his frustrations onto his grandmother, nor did he want her to be sad because of him.

In her heart, Jiang Yu lamented, Oh, original owner, even if you dislike Jiang Zhe, you shouldn’t take it out on an old lady.

Seeing Jiang Zhe hesitating, Jiang Yu didn’t want to push him, so she added, “If it’s inconvenient, it’s fine. Just bring back the chili sauce. But I feel I should bring something nice for grandma. Tomorrow we can buy some gifts first, and then after you drop me off, you can go visit her. How does that sound?”

Jiang Zhe looked at Jiang Yu’s face and thought about her recent changes. She had changed quite a bit lately, and if she had ulterior motives, they would have likely surfaced by now. She wouldn’t be acting kindly toward an old lady.

If his grandmother saw the changes in Jiang Yu, she might stop worrying about him.

Jiang Zhe agreed, “Okay.”

Even if she couldn’t go, bringing a gift to appease his grandmother would work.

Jiang Yu beamed with joy. “Then it’s settled! You come back tomorrow, and we’ll go buy some things. After you drop me off, you can go to your grandmother’s.”

The elderly lady lived in an old neighborhood, but it wasn’t far to drive there—about half an hour.

Jiang Zhe lifted his gaze, his long, dark lashes gently fluttering as he looked into her eyes and said, “No need. You can come with me tomorrow.”

Jiang Yu was momentarily stunned, her surprise frozen on her face. She had thought he wouldn’t want her to go, so hearing him invite her was even better.

Jiang Yu felt that the meal tasted better than usual, a bright smile lingering on her lips.

Every time Jiang Zhe caught a glimpse of her smile, he found himself momentarily taken aback. He couldn’t quite articulate what was so charming about her smile, but there was an undeniable feeling that he wanted her to keep that bright expression on her face.

After dinner, Jiang Yu wanted to sit on the balcony for a while, but the weather was a bit chilly. As soon as she sat down, Jiang Zhe frowned slightly and asked, “Don’t you think it’s cold out here?”

Jiang Yu had deliberately put on an extra layer. With a cheeky smile, she showcased her thick winter coat, saying, “I added a layer, so I shouldn’t be cold.”

Jiang Zhe began to contemplate adding windbreak curtains to the balcony.

Fortunately, Jiang Yu wasn’t too sensitive to the cold. After sitting for a while, she felt chilly and decided to head back to her room.

The next day, around 10 AM, Jiang Yu got ready, and they set off to visit his grandmother.

Jiang Zhe often visited his grandmother, so he didn’t feel the need to inform her in advance this time. After picking up some gifts from the supermarket, he drove toward his grandmother’s house.

His grandmother lived in an older community, and because the trees in the area were so tall and ancient, it felt like they had entered a primordial forest.

Unlike the quiet of a new community, the older area was full of life, where the sounds of cooking and the occasional argument could be heard as they got out of the car.

As Jiang Zhe retrieved items from the trunk, he encountered a middle-aged aunt from the same floor, who was out with her grandchildren. Upon seeing him, she greeted him warmly.

“Xiao Zhe brought his wife home?”

Perhaps because this was a familiar environment or because the aunt was not a stranger, Jiang Zhe appeared at ease and politely nodded, “Aunt Lu.”

Aunt Lu was quite curious about Jiang Yu. There were rumors that Jiang Zhe and this girl had gotten married because she was pregnant, and some said that Jiang Zhe’s wife had actually liked his nephew but ended up with him by mistake.

After their marriage, she seemed to harbor resentment towards Jiang Zhe’s family, even being disrespectful toward the elderly woman.

Aunt Lu studied Jiang Yu’s clean and pretty face, hoping to discern any ulterior motives or dissatisfaction. However, the beautiful girl, aside from her slightly noticeable pregnancy, seemed perfectly fine. In fact, she greeted Aunt Lu with a smile that was far brighter than Jiang Zhe’s.

“Hello, Aunt Lu.”

Uncertain of what to call her, Aunt Lu smiled back and replied, “Hello, Xiao Zhe’s wife.”

Rather than finding Jiang Yu unpleasant, Aunt Lu found her rather charming.

Before leaving, she told Jiang Zhe, “Xiao Zhe, bring your wife over to my place sometime.”

Jiang Zhe was momentarily stunned and replied, “Sure.”

The older community didn’t have elevators, so Aunt Lu took her grandchildren upstairs first. As they ascended, her grandson said to her, “Grandma, that sister is so pretty! When I grow up, I’ll marry her!”

Aunt Lu was taken aback, unsure where her grandson had learned such words. She chuckled and said, “You little rascal, if you say that in front of your Uncle Jiang, he’ll get angry. Don’t talk nonsense.”

However, she couldn’t deny that her grandson was right: Jiang Zhe’s wife was indeed beautiful, like a flower blooming in spring, radiating liveliness and brightness.

Jiang Zhe’s grandmother lived on the third floor. As they climbed the stairs, Jiang Yu felt a bit embarrassed seeing Jiang Zhe carry so many things while she had nothing.

“Do you want me to help carry something?” she asked.

Just as her hand brushed the bag he was holding, he sidestepped, causing her delicate fingers to barely touch his palm. The light and gentle sensation made him slightly tremble, but he quickly regained his composure and continued up the stairs.

“I can manage. Let’s go.”

With her hands empty, Jiang Yu cheerfully approached his grandmother’s door.

Jiang Zhe placed the items on the ground and used one hand to ring the doorbell.

Soon, a tidy and well-groomed elderly woman opened the door.

Seeing Jiang Zhe, she smiled warmly, “Xiao Zhe, you’re back!”

Noticing the girl behind him, the grandmother momentarily paused but quickly smiled wider. “Xiao Yu, you’re here too!”

The elderly woman’s smile was completely genuine, as if the harsh words Jiang Yu had spoken previously had never occurred. Jiang Yu couldn’t help but feel a twinge of guilt and unease.

“Grandma, Xiao Yu loves your chili sauce, so I came to see if there’s any left,” Jiang Zhe said.

Jiang Yu sensed that after arriving at his grandmother’s house, Jiang Zhe appeared much more relaxed, even revealing a childlike demeanor as he spoke to her.

The grandmother welcomed them in and, upon hearing his words, expressed a bit of regret: “Last time your cousins visited, Xiao Juan and the others took all the chili sauce. If Xiao Yu likes it, I can make a fresh one for you.”

Jiang Yu thought there would be some left, but to her disappointment, there wasn’t any. Considering how old grandma was, the idea of her going through the trouble to make more just for a dish made Jiang Yu reconsider, thinking she might not need to eat it after all…

But then again, not eating it felt wrong.

“Grandma, it’s too much trouble to make more,” Jiang Yu said.

The grandmother’s gaze lingered on Jiang Yu, noticing the significant change in her demeanor. The last time Jiang Yu had visited, she had been a spoiled girl who complained about the gifts and told her to leave.

**