“Do you think Yueyue would tell us everything? At least the parts that would make us worry, she would hide very well.”
Jiang Da didn’t understand, “Didn’t you say you trusted her before? Why now…”
“Trusting her and worrying about her aren’t contradictory.”
“Alright, let’s call her now to clear things up so we can both stop worrying.” Jiang Da made a move to take out his phone.
“Wait…” Han Yunru immediately stopped him, “Why are you in such a hurry?”
The man wiped his face, “I’m not the one in a hurry, it’s just looking at you like this…” It hurts to see you like this!
“We still can’t call.”
“Don’t you want to understand clearly?”
Han Yunru shook her head.
The couple fell into a brief silence.
Suddenly, Han Yunru spoke, “Honey, actually we can’t stop Yueyue, right?”
Jiang Da was stunned for a moment, then sighed, “She… is a child with her own ideas.”
Whether it was supporting them in renting this shop or signing up for the competition, as parents, they not only failed to play a guiding role but even made their daughter consider everything for them.
Somehow, Jiang Fuyue had become the backbone of the family.
“Since we can’t stop her, why make things difficult for her?” Han Yunru smiled, a mix of loss and helplessness, but there was an unhidden light in her eyes.
“She is our pride. Since we can’t hold her back, let’s support her to fly forward bravely. We will always be her support. When… Yueyue gets tired of flying and wants to stop, at least she has a place to rest.”
Jiang Da scratched his head, “So you’re not worried anymore?”
“I was a little worried before, but after talking with Mrs. Liu just now, I figured it out.”
“Figured out what?”
Han Yunru said slowly, “What we need to do is not to hold her back, but to help her achieve.”
Achieve Yueyue’s dreams and ambitions, watching her fly higher and higher, soaring through the sky.
Worrying is not a reason for parents to bind their children.
All they could do is make sure she has no worries, which is more effective than anything.
“So,” Han Yunru took a deep breath, “let’s live in the villa peacefully and run the shop earnestly!”
Jiang Da grinned, “Alright, I’ll listen to you.”
…
At the same time, under the old and dilapidated apartment building that the Jiang family used to rent.
Several people were looking around.
“Second Brother, are you sure it’s here? No mistake?” Jiang Teng looked around disdainfully, kicking away a plastic bottle by his foot, speaking in a not-so-good tone.
Jiang Hua looked at his phone map and carefully checked the address left by Jiang Da at the last birthday banquet, affirming, “It’s definitely here.”
“Oh my god, can people really live in a place like this?” Liu Shuting covered her nose, tugging at Jiang Teng’s sleeve, whispering, “Honey, why don’t we leave? There’s a weird smell here, my rhinitis is acting up.”
Jiang Teng patted his wife’s hand, giving her a comforting look, “Ahem! Brother, Sister-in-law, why don’t you look for them first? I’ll take Shuting to the convenience store to buy some water.”
With that, he was ready to slip away.
“Wait, Third Brother, we agreed to find them together. You can’t just run off halfway,” Jiang Qin sneered with a sideways glance.
“Little Sister, what are you saying? I’m just going to buy water for everyone.”
“One person is enough to buy water. Is it so heavy that a grown man can’t carry it and needs his wife to help?”
“You!” Jiang Teng gritted his teeth in anger.
Liu Shuting rolled her eyes, “I have rhinitis, can’t I go out for some fresh air?”
Jiang Qin: “I’m feeling chest tightness too. I’ll go out for some fresh air. You guys take your time looking. Who’s more delicate than whom? Second Sister-in-law, right?”
Yang Jinqiu nodded, “Third Sister-in-law, since we’re already here, you should bear with it.”
Liu Shuting pursed her lips, rolling her eyes so hard they almost turned over, but she didn’t say anything about leaving again, only muttering angrily, “Brother and Sister-in-law are really something, living in such a shabby place, it’s disgusting!”
The group seemed to find a target to vent their frustration—
Jiang Qin: “At least making pancakes is a small business. I see people making a thousand or so a day. Why is it that Brother can’t even afford a decent place to live?”
Yang Jinqiu’s eyes turned, “I heard this house is rented? Looking at the surroundings, it should be very cheap.”
Liu Shuting sneered, “Cheap? That’s too polite. It’s downright dirt cheap! As expected, what kind of dog gets what kind of kennel.”
Jiang Hua, who had been silent, frowned slightly, “Everyone, speak less. Don’t forget why we’re here today!”
Giving face to her husband, Yang Jinqiu fell silent.
Liu Shuting and Jiang Qin also quieted down.
Jiang Teng: “Second Brother, what should we do? We’ve looked several times and can’t find Unit 2, Room 4-1… Did Brother leave a fake address to mess with us?”
Jiang Hua pondered for a moment, “Let’s split up and look. If we see anyone, we can ask. These old houses should have familiar neighbors.”
“Okay.”
A quarter of an hour later—
“I can’t stand this smell anymore!” Liu Shuting covered her nose and ran off.
“Hey—” Jiang Teng stretched out his hand, “Wife, don’t run off. What if something happens? Second Brother, I’ll go check on her!”
With that, he ran off too.
Jiang Qin’s eyes flashed, preparing to find an excuse to leave.
Yang Jinqiu said coolly, “Third Brother and his wife left. What, are you planning not to look for Brother and Sister-in-law? Are we three families splitting Mom’s medical bills?”
Jiang Qin couldn’t accept that.
“Second Sister-in-law! Don’t make arbitrary arrangements! Leaving aside Third Brother and Third Sister-in-law’s situation, I’ve married off a daughter and shown plenty of filial piety. Why should I contribute as much as you and your sons? I absolutely disagree with an equal division!”
“Fine, you can discuss it with Brother yourself.”
Jiang Qin decided not to leave, “I’ll call Third Brother and his wife back now!”
They must all share the burden equally; Liu Shuting shouldn’t get a pass!
Outside the alley, Jiang Teng and his wife hadn’t gone far.
Liu Shuting, covering her nose, eyes teary, “Honey, I can’t take it anymore… not for another second!”
Jiang Teng: “Let’s go back. Since we’re out, I don’t want to go back in.”
“Okay, let’s go. Where are the car keys?”
“Wait… I have a call, it’s from Little Sister.”
Liu Shuting: “Don’t answer! She’s definitely calling us back.”
Unfortunately, it was too late; Jiang Teng already answered.
“Wow! Third Sister-in-law isn’t happy coming back, even coaxing Third Brother not to answer my call.”
Liu Shuting: “…”
Jiang Teng tried to appease her, “Ahem! Little Sister, what’s up?”
“Third Brother, you’ve been out for a long time. It’s time to come back, isn’t it? This concerns Mom’s hospital fees. If we can’t find Brother, are you planning to cover his share?”
Liu Shuting: “Why should we pay?! Why don’t you? Why don’t Second Brother and Second Sister-in-law?”
“Because you two left. Second Brother, Second Sister-in-law, and I haven’t left.”
“…”
Jiang Teng exchanged a quick look with his wife, “Who said we left? We’re at the alley entrance. Coming right back!”
“Oh! Don’t forget to buy water. Since you’re out, I want a sports drink. Standing around is tiring.”
After the call ended, Liu Shuting was furious, “Look at Jiang Qin, what kind of attitude is that? Does she see me as her sister-in-law?”
Jiang Teng quickly tried to calm her, “Don’t be mad, don’t be mad. Is your nose better now?”
“No… still uncomfortable.”
Jiang Teng gritted his teeth, “Should we go back then?”
“Are you stupid! If we leave and they really make us pay Eldest Brother’s share, what then? Even if we have the money, we shouldn’t spend it like this.”
“But Eldest Brother lives in such a place, he probably doesn’t earn much. Plus, he has two kids to support…”
“I don’t care. We’ll only pay our share. If Eldest Brother has it tough, it’s his own fault for not earning enough. He still needs to contribute his share for Mom. You’re both sons. He’s the eldest; he should pay more. We’re already generous by splitting evenly.”
“Yes, yes…” Jiang Teng nodded quickly, “Wife, you’re right. We’ll do as you say. So now?”
“Go back! We can’t let Second Brother and Second Sister-in-law take advantage of us!”
“And the water?”
“Forget it! Let Jiang Qin get it herself if she wants it. Sports drink… she wishes!”
Jiang Teng and his wife rejoined the search.
After a tough half-hour search, they found someone who knew—
Sister Li: “Jiang Da?”