Jiang Da’s mind buzzed, “…Go where?”
“The imperial capital.”
…
“Out! Get out—both of you!”
Han Qishan and Han Shen were stunned as Jiang Da suddenly burst out of the kitchen into the living room, sweeping them out like autumn wind scattering fallen leaves.
Bang—
The front door slammed shut.
Swish—
The curtains were drawn.
The father and son stood outside in the chilly wind, looking at each other.
Han Qishan’s aged eyes were dazed: “W-what just happened?”
Han Shen gave a wry smile: “You tried to take his wife. Of course he’d be mad.”
“Little Ru is his wife, but she’s my dear daughter! If it weren’t for that accident all those years ago… she’d be living a life a thousand times better than now!”
“Dad, I know you want to make up for it, but you can’t rush things. The more forceful you are, the worse it could get.”
The old man froze. “What do you mean?”
Worse?
How could it be worse?
Didn’t they already acknowledge Little Ru?
Han Shen’s tone was heavy: “Since we got here, has Little Ru once called you ‘Dad’ or me ‘Brother’?”
The old man was dumbfounded. “You mean…”
“She hasn’t accepted us.”
“Why not?” Han Qishan couldn’t understand.
“Dad, some things can’t be taken just because you offer them.”
Especially when they come too late.
“Then what should we do?” The old man panicked. “Little Ru won’t forgive me?”
Han Shen: “…I don’t know either.”
The two stood there sighing for over ten minutes, but the door showed no sign of reopening.
Han Shen: “Let’s go. We’ll come back tomorrow.”
“No! I want to explain things to Little Ru…”
“Dad,” his voice lowered, “did you not hear a single word I just said?”
“…”
“Let’s go.”
Han Qishan: “…Then when are we coming back?”
“Tomorrow.”
Only then did the old man leave, looking back every few steps.
“Make sure we come tomorrow!”
Han Shen’s temple twitched: “Mm.”
“All that’s Jiang Da’s fault, driving us out like that—unbelievable!”
“You weren’t saying that when you were eating his porridge.”
“I—I was just giving Little Ru face! I didn’t want to embarrass her.”
Han Shen replied blandly, “One bowl would’ve been enough. Why did you have three?”
Han Qishan’s eyes wandered. He immediately shifted the blame: “Wasn’t it him who kept insisting on serving me? You think I wanted to drink it?”
“Oh, and you had his pickled vegetables too. Your chopsticks didn’t stop.”
“Well… since he served porridge, of course I needed something to go with it.”
Han Shen: “…”
…..
That night, at the Jiang family villa, master bedroom.
In the darkness, a figure sat up in bed. Carefully lifting the quilt so as not to wake the woman beside him, he slipped on slippers and tiptoed to the balcony.
Moonlight bathed the railing, as if coated in silver.
Half the man’s face was lit up clearly, full of worry and distress.
Jiang Da pulled out a cigarette, held it between his lips, then fished out a lighter. Click—the cigarette tip flared red in the night.
After smoking, he went to the guest room’s bathroom to rinse his mouth before lying back in bed.
Suddenly—
“You’re smoking behind my back again.”
His whole body froze. “W-wife… you’re awake…”
In the darkness, Han Yunru’s eyes were open, clearly sleepless.
She hadn’t woken up—she’d never fallen asleep.
“Sorry, I…”
Jiang Da spoke like a child who’d done wrong, his voice muffled, his tone uneasy.
“Sleep,” she said.
Jiang Da was silent for a moment. “…Wife, do you think I went too far today?”
“Hmm?”
“I mean, kicking the old man out. I was too anxious… I was afraid they’d take you away, so I…”
He had been determined at the time—anyone trying to take his wife, he’d fight them to the end!
But after cooling down, he started to feel he might’ve overreacted.
They were, after all, her biological father and brother. Blood ties aren’t easily cut. It might feel good to kick them out now, but how would they face each other in the future?
“I don’t want to go,” Han Yunru said.
Warmth bloomed in Jiang Da’s heart. He turned sideways and pulled her into his arms. “Mm, then we won’t go.”
Han Yunru smiled. “Sleep.”
“Okay.” Jiang Da also smiled.
The couple slept soundly till morning.
…..
Jiang Da got up early to head to the shop. Han Yunru, still recovering from her injury, stayed home.
Before leaving, the man reminded her over and over: “Don’t do anything. Wait for me to cook, okay?”
Han Yunru nodded. “Mm.”
“Then I’m off…” He seemed reluctant to go. After stepping out, he doubled back to the door and said, “Wait for me to come back.”
“Okay.” Han Yunru nodded.
At eight o’clock, Jiang Fuyue left for the lab after breakfast.
Her younger brother also headed off to school.
Only Han Yunru remained in the large, quiet house.
But she didn’t stay idle. She crocheted a yarn cover and slipped it over a vase—it fit perfectly, with beautiful patterns.
Suddenly, the doorbell rang.
She paused, clearly guessing who it was.
Han Qishan didn’t come today. Han Shen came alone. He’d already prepared himself to be left outside.
But in the end, the door opened. The woman stood inside, gentle yet reserved as she looked at him.
“Little Ru…”
“Come in and sit,” she said.
Han Shen didn’t hesitate. He thanked her and walked in.
Han Yunru glanced behind him.
The man smiled. “Don’t worry. Dad didn’t come.”
“…Oh.”
Han Yunru went to the kitchen and made a cup of chrysanthemum tea, placing it before him.
Han Shen thanked her.
She shook her head. “You’re welcome,” she said softly.
“Little Ru, yesterday we were too rash. Sorry. Dad didn’t mean any harm—he just really wants to make things right. He was domineering when he was young, and now that he’s old, he’s grown even more stubborn. He often acts without thinking. Don’t take it to heart.”
His tone was warm, and his gaze soft.
Han Yunru felt a warmth in her heart, but her face remained calm and distant. “I didn’t take it to heart.”
She just…
Wasn’t used to it.
Really wasn’t used to it.
“Little Ru, can you tell me what you’re thinking?”
This time, Han Yunru didn’t stay silent.
She slowly looked up. “I’m not going to the imperial capital.”
Han Shen wasn’t surprised—he’d already guessed yesterday.
“I promise—no one will force you. Not even Dad.”
She let out a soft breath. “…I think my current life is just fine. I don’t want it to change.”
Han Shen paused. “You don’t want to acknowledge us?”
“Blood ties can’t be denied, but emotions don’t come just because you want them to.”
They were strangers to her. Twenty years—memories fade, and so do feelings.
Han Shen felt slightly relieved. As long as she didn’t deny them entirely…
“I understand. This all happened so suddenly. It’s normal that you can’t accept it right away. Little Ru, I won’t pressure you. But please don’t shut us out either, okay?”
She thought for a moment. “…Okay.”
“Then I’ll go for now. Don’t let your hand touch water.”
“Mm.”
Han Yunru saw him out.
“No need to walk me out,” Han Shen waved at her.
Soon, the car drove away.
About fifteen minutes later, Jiang Da returned.
Even earlier than yesterday.
As soon as he walked in, he looked around. Not seeing the Han father and son, he finally relaxed a bit.
Han Yunru thought he looked like a hunting dog surveying its territory, sniffing around to detect the scent of intruders.
“Stop looking. They came and left.”
“What?” Jiang Da was stunned. “They—they came?”
“Dad didn’t. My brother did.”
My brother…
Just that phrase alone showed the change in her attitude between yesterday and today.
Jiang Da’s heart skipped a beat. “You accepted them? Are you going to the imperial capital?!”
After speaking, his eyes locked anxiously on her, black and intense.
He cared so much, yet tried so hard to stay calm. Jiang Da’s heart felt like it had first been scorched by fire, then plunged into cold water.
Han Yunru’s expression shifted slightly. “What if I said yes…”
The man swayed as if struck by lightning. His face went pale, lips trembling.
“O-of course…” Jiang Da nodded blankly, unaware of what he was saying. “I’m not capable… you’ve suffered all these years with me. If you can return to your parents, I… I’m happy for you…”
“When will you go? Can I see you off? Yueyue’s grown up now, don’t worry. Chenxing’s still young, but very sensible. After you leave, I… I’ll raise them well, send them to a good university…”
Han Yunru thought, Oh no. She’d only meant to tease him. She hadn’t expected him to believe it and say such heartbreaking things.
“Husband! Don’t be like this… I was kidding! I’m not going to the imperial capital! My brother already agreed!”
But Jiang Da seemed not to hear, lost in his own thoughts.
“Don’t worry, I respect your decision. These past twenty years were stolen… I didn’t give you a good life, and even dragged you down to suffer with me…”
