Jiang Ci opened the car door and got out, then opened the trunk and took out a heap of gifts.
Si Jianhua frowned when he saw them. He walked over to help her carry them, then looked at her and said sternly, "You don't need to buy things when you're coming home."
This was the first time Si Jianhua had spoken to Jiang Ci so sternly, though he was still nowhere near Wen Qianyue.
She understood what he meant. After marrying Wen Qianyue, Si Jianhua had treated her as his own daughter.
By bringing gifts over for dinner, she was treating herself as a guest.
Si Jianhua didn't want her to think of herself as a guest. He wanted her to understand that this was her home too.
She nodded and said obediently, "Okay, I won't buy anything when I come home again."
After a moment's thought, she explained, "I just wanted to get you some things to eat and use. None of it's expensive. I saw them on the way and picked them up to bring home."
Hearing her say things like "picked them up to bring home" immediately cheered Si Jianhua up.
But then he glanced at the smiling Jiang Ci with some puzzlement.
He had felt that something was off, and now he finally realized what it was.
His daughter was being so well-behaved today. She wasn't making any cutting remarks or scowling at him at all.
She even seemed to be in a very good mood, and so gentle.
How rare. How very rare.
If only she could always be like this.
Wen Qianyue stood to one side without saying anything, but her face was thoughtful.
Ever since that phone call yesterday, she had felt that something was different.
But none of that mattered. Of course she knew her daughter was the best. The rudeness she usually showed when defying her was all an act.
This was her real daughter.
Whatever she was thinking now, and whatever had made her seem to suddenly see the light, all that mattered was that she was safe and healthy.
The food was all ready. After washing her hands, Jiang Ci helped carry the dishes to the table.
The five dishes and one soup were all her favorites.
Sweet-and-sour pork ribs, spicy chicken, stir-fried cabbage with vinegar, braised eggplant, fish with pickled mustard greens, and seaweed egg drop soup.
Wen Qianyue watched her daughter eating quietly across from her for a while before asking, "What have you been busy with lately?"
Swallowing her food, Jiang Ci looked up and said, "I'm majoring in business administration and minoring in computer science. I also joined the university's taekwondo club."
The girl's tone was gentle, and she answered earnestly and carefully.
"I haven't neglected dance or calligraphy either."
Although Wen Qianyue had already asked others about all this, this was the first time Jiang Ci had taken the initiative to tell her with such patience.
Wen Qianyue's expression softened considerably, no longer as stern as when Jiang Ci had first arrived.
After some thought, she said with concern, "Your studies are important, but your health is the foundation for everything. Take good care of yourself while you're living alone, or move in here with me."
Jiang Ci was overwhelmed by the unexpected concern. It was rare to hear Ms. Wen Qianyue say things like this to her.
She could tell that Wen Qianyue seldom said such things, which was why she sounded sterner the longer she spoke.
"Okay, I will."
Seeing how obedient Jiang Ci was, Wen Qianyue felt very happy and picked up a sweet-and-sour pork rib for her daughter with her chopsticks.
"Have more if you like it. Help yourself. Don't just keep your head down and eat rice."
Jiang Ci obediently put the rib into her mouth.
Seeing the mother and daughter getting along so harmoniously gave Si Jianhua a great boost of confidence.
With a warm smile, he said, "Your mom's forty-fourth birthday is in half a month. I'll call your brother home then too. You two haven't met yet."
Jiang Ci's hand paused as she reached for some food.
In her previous life, she had never come back for a meal, nor had she come for her mother's birthday.
She had never even met that stepbrother. Only after the natural disasters did she learn that he had died in the line of duty while carrying out a mission before the disasters struck.
In this life, she wanted to change the course of her own life, along with those of Ms. Wen Qianyue and her stepfather, Si Jianhua.
As for this stepbrother, she would leave him to fate.
She didn't know him anyway, nor did she care whether he lived or died.
Besides, she had no idea when he had died in the line of duty or what mission he had been on. With so little to go on, she couldn't exactly demand that Si Jianhua lock his son up.
Wen Qianyue chimed in, "Beichen is a very good boy. Haven't you always wanted an older brother? You must get along with your brother from now on, understand?"
Jiang Ci nodded, but inwardly she thought little of it.
He might not even survive. Whether we can get along can wait until he manages to stay alive.
Out of the corner of her eye, she caught Si Jianhua looking at her with a goofy grin.
After a moment's thought, she picked up a piece of spicy chicken for him and asked tentatively, "Would you like some?"
Si Jianhua's pupils contracted slightly, his face filled with excitement and flattered surprise. He hurriedly picked up the spicy chicken in his bowl and put it in his mouth, nodding repeatedly in praise. "Mm-hmm, delicious!"
As though she had cooked that plate of spicy chicken herself.
Wen Qianyue shot the hopeless Si Jianhua a speechless glance.
This is nothing yet. Once he spends more time with her, he'll see even more of how wonderful my daughter is!
Si Jianhua wanted a daughter but ended up with a son, and now he's gotten mine for free. He really got a bargain!
Jiang Ci felt a faint ache in her heart and warmth in her eyes. This was her mother, whose words belied her feelings, and her stepfather, who treated her as his own daughter.
In her previous life, she hadn't cherished them. She had been too busy defying Ms. Wen Qianyue, and had never shown Si Jianhua a pleasant face either.
By the time she wanted to care for them, they were already gone!
Whatever Wen Qianyue and Si Jianhua asked, Jiang Ci answered readily.
The whole family enjoyed the meal.
After the meal, Jiang Ci didn't stay long. After all, she still had plenty to do.
Wen Qianyue and Si Jianhua were both especially happy today, so they went along with whatever Jiang Ci said and didn't try to keep her any longer.
After leaving the Fragrant Orchid Cottage, Jiang Ci went to the snack street.
The snack street beside the university district was very famous. It operated around the clock, with some vendors doing business during the day and others running night-market stalls.
Students from the nearby universities all liked coming here to shop, go on dates, have group meals, and so on.
After parking in the underground parking lot, Jiang Ci savored the feeling of strolling along the bustling streets.
She soon turned into the snack street.
Twenty portions of takoyaki.
Twenty giant squid skewers.
Twenty grilled sausages.
Twenty portions of oden.
Twenty vegetable pancakes.
Twenty portions each of Xiaowuzi flatbreads, multigrain crepes, Peking duck, grilled New Orleans-style chicken legs and wings, flatbread wraps with grilled skewers, grilled sweet potato starch sheets, grilled pork belly, hot-and-sour glass noodles, Weizifu chicken strips, pan-fried buns, and more.
She paid first and would come back to collect them later.
It was just after lunchtime, and every stall was quiet, but Jiang Ci's arrival sent the entire street into a bustle of activity.
The weather in March was still a little chilly. Steam rose all along the street, filling it with the warmth of everyday life.
Jiang Ci went back to the parking lot and took her camera out of the car.
She wandered here and took pictures there, capturing many scenes of everyday life and busy figures along the bustling streets.
Towering buildings, blue skies and white clouds, homes tucked into alleyways, street vendors...
A young couple embracing and kissing on a street corner, a family of three shopping hand in hand, an elderly couple with graying hair walking with faltering steps, older men and women square dancing...
Every moment was precious.
This was the peace and prosperity that would be hard to see again after the natural disasters.