“Hehehe…” Xiao Yu’s laughter broke the awkward silence. Looking at Yi Lanya, she said, “Sorry, my kid doesn’t know any better. Teacher, would you like to come in and join us for dinner?”

“Mom, can’t we just eat as a family first? Let sister’s teacher come another day!” Xiao Ruoguang tugged at Xiao Yu’s pant leg as he spoke.

Hearing that, Yi Lanya realized she had no excuse to stay and could only say, “You all go ahead and eat. I have other things to attend to. I’ll come by another time. Oh, Xiaoyu,” she turned to Ji Yu, “the math exam was a bit tough this time. If you’re struggling, maybe I can come tutor you on Sunday?”

Xiao Yu smiled and replied, “Oh, no need to trouble yourself. I’m back now, aren’t I?”

Yi Lanya frowned. “…But you haven’t taught her before. She doesn’t understand your explanations.”

“It’s fine. It’s just first-grade material. How hard could it be? I’ll go over it with her. There’s no need to make you come all this way again—it’s really too much trouble,” Xiao Yu said with a fake politeness.

Yi Lanya was about to argue when Ji Xuan spoke up: “Since Xiao Yu insists, let Ji Yu study with her mother on Sunday.”

All Yi Lanya could do was cast a resentful glance at Ji Xuan and say, “I have no objections, of course. I’m just worried she might fall behind. You know how lonely she used to be—that’s why she’s been so mischievous.”

Trying to stir things up between them? Xiao Yu raised an eyebrow, then said sadly, “Yes, Xiaoguang is sensible, but he’s had to work hard just to get by every day. He’s never even had a chance to be naughty. I’d actually prefer if he were a bit more mischievous.”

Yi Lanya forced a smile. “Xiaoguang is indeed very well-behaved.”

“Young Master, you’re back! And the young miss is back too?” An energetic elderly woman came out from the front door. She wore a black dress with red floral patterns and carried herself with elegance.

If it weren’t for the original host’s memories, she would’ve thought this was Ji Xuan’s mother!

The elderly woman glanced at Xiao Yu and said, “Oh, Madam, you’re back too.” Then she turned to the little boy standing beside Ji Yu, her face softening with a kind smile. “And this must be the young master! Come here, let Granny Kong take a look at you!”

Xiao Ruoguang looked at Xiao Yu, who gave him an encouraging nod and smile. Only then did he cautiously step forward. Granny Kong gently turned him around to inspect him, then said with heartfelt concern, “You’re so thin, young master. How did you get so skinny?” Then her eyes suddenly sharpened as she turned to Xiao Yu. “Is it because your mom isn’t feeding you?”

Xiao Ruoguang blinked and replied, “Mom gave me all her money.”

Granny Kong stared at him. “…You’re in charge of the money?” He didn’t even look three years old. Wait, no—if he wasn’t three, he wouldn’t be the young master’s child.

Xiao Yu chuckled. “Auntie Kong, do I look like I’m capable of managing money even if I wanted to?”

Granny Kong finally spared her a glance. Though she felt a pang of pity, her expression stayed cold as she asked, “What happened to you? How’d you end up like this?”

Xiao Yu immediately put on a pitiful expression. “I’ve had it rough. Took the bus and got in an accident. I was the only one thrown out of the whole vehicle. That’s how I ended up like this.”

Granny Kong blinked. “The only one? That’s terrible… Wait a second! Why were you taking the bus? What happened to the money the young master gave you?”

Xiao Yu, caught right on the sore spot, rolled her eyes and muttered, “I invested it.”

Granny Kong clearly didn’t believe her, but after a quick glance at Yi Lanya, she changed the subject and asked, “Miss Yi, you haven’t left yet? It’s not a holiday or the weekend—what exactly are you doing here?”

Yi Lanya smiled politely and said to Kong Yuqing, “I’m leaving now!”

Old hag, always acting like I’m here to steal something.

Kong Yuqing and Xiao Yu responded in perfect unison, both smiling sweetly: “Oh, leaving so soon? Let the driver see you out!”

They exchanged a glance, then turned away from each other. Bombarded by the pair, Yi Lanya could only force a laugh, say goodbye to Ji Xuan, and make her awkward exit.

“She finally left,” Kong Yuqing muttered under her breath, unintentionally letting her true feelings slip as she watched Yi Lanya’s back.

Ji Yu immediately turned to her. “Granny Kong, you don’t like Miss Yi?”

Kong Yuqing froze for a moment, then smiled warmly. “Of course Granny Kong likes her. Miss Yi is a gentle young lady.”

Sigh. The moment she says she doesn’t like someone, the young miss starts acting up, thinking everyone’s against her. Who knows what that woman’s been teaching her, getting so close like that. It’s better that this woman surnamed Xiao was back—at least we can join forces and expose that vixen for what she was.

With that, Kong Yuqing gave Xiao Yu a look full of hidden meaning. Xiao Yu flashed a wide, toothy smile and said, “Auntie Kong, this is Sister Wang. She’s here to help take care of me.”

Ji Xuan gave a brief introduction for Sister Wang, then turned to her and said, “Auntie Kong is the elder of the household—she basically manages everything here. If you have any questions, feel free to ask her. She’ll take you to your room in a bit. Take a look around and let her know if there’s anything you need.”

Kong Yuqing was much more pleasant toward others than she was with Xiao Yu. She greeted Sister Wang warmly, asking her a few questions before leading her inside. Technically, Sister Wang had her own room, but it was arranged right next to Xiao Yu’s so she could help her during the night if needed. For convenience, the room also had elevator access, so stairs weren’t an issue for Xiao Yu.

The rehab equipment was all set up in a large room on the first floor, and Kong Yuqing took Sister Wang there for a quick look.

Meanwhile, Ji Xuan pushed Xiao Yu’s wheelchair toward the living room, with the two kids following along.

Xiao Yu and Xiao Ruoguang were both starting to get hungry, so Xiao Yu asked, “Aren’t we having lunch yet?”

Ji Xuan said, “Always thinking about food, huh? It’s barely past eleven—let’s wait a little longer.”

Hearing that, Xiao Ruoguang looked down in disappointment and touched his stomach. Ji Xuan noticed and asked, “Are you hungry, Xiaoguang?”

Xiao Ruoguang gave a brave little smile. “It’s okay. I can wait.”

That expression, paired with those words, made Ji Xuan feel a wave of guilt. He immediately crouched down and hugged the boy tightly. “It’s Daddy’s fault. I didn’t realize you were hungry. Hold on, I’ll go check with the kitchen. I’ll have them bring out some soup for you first, okay? Do you like soup?”

Xiao Ruoguang replied thoughtfully, “I can eat anything. I’m not picky.”

Ji Xuan patted his head. “Alright, wait right here. Daddy will go get you something to eat.”

Watching Ji Xuan walk off, Xiao Yu—clearly feeling the sting of being left out—looked at Xiao Ruoguang and said wistfully, “I’ll go tell dad to bring me something too.”

Xiao Ruoguang nodded obediently, and Ji Yu turned to Xiao Yu. “Mom, I’ll go get something for you!”

Xiao Yu smiled. “Sure, that’d be great!”

Ji Yu pitter-pattered away, just as Kong Yuqing came downstairs with Sister Wang. Seeing only Xiao Yu and Xiao Ruoguang in the living room, she asked, “Where are the young master and little miss?”

Before Xiao Yu could answer, Kong Yuqing spotted Ji Xuan and Ji Yu coming out of the kitchen—each carefully holding a bowl of soup, eyes fixed on the contents to keep it from spilling. Their movements were nearly identical, cautious and deliberate.

Ji Xuan walked over to Xiao Ruoguang, while Ji Yu went to Xiao Yu. Both of them looked up and said in unison, “Pork bone and corn soup.” The expressions on their faces were exactly the same.

Xiao Ruoguang thanked Ji Xuan, took the larger bowl from him, and handed it to Sister Wang so she could feed his mom. Then he took the smaller bowl from Ji Yu, thanked her too, and started drinking it himself.

Kong Yuqing: “…”

It’s only the first day back, and this is what I’m seeing?

=^_^=