Xian An Na pouted and muttered in a low voice, "Mommy always let me and big brother go to kindergarten every day. Aunties and teachers there are not fun."
"What do you think is more fun?" Xian Zihao asked with a smile.
"I want to play in the sand with other children, neither the teachers nor aunts will allow me, and I want to catch dragonflies, they will not allow me either. Only big brother will listen to them obediently. I don't want to write or draw at all, I don't want to."
Jiang Ruolan sighed in relief as she watched Xian Zihao lead Xian An Na to the couch, having a father-daughter's talk.
"I'll go back to my room and take a shower first. I'll come down later." Jiang Yijun picked up his bag and was about to go upstairs when Jiang Ruolan quickly picked up another small bag beside her and said, "I'll accompany you."
Jiang Yijun stopped and pointed to Xian Zihao and Xian An Na. "What about them?"
"There's no problem handing it over to Zihao. Can't you see beneath the surface of the calm aura, Zihao has a daddy's heart? Don't worry, let's go."
Jiang Ruolan followed him upstairs casually.
On the way upstairs, Jiang Yijun turned around and looked at Xian Zihao, who was sitting on the couch. He looked thoughtful, but he didn't say anything. He just walked up with Jiang Ruolan.
"What kind of gift did you buy for Chiahao and An Na this time?" Inside the room, Jiang Ruolan turned around and smiled at Jiang Yijun.
Jiang Yijun sighed, "The gifts I bought for them the last two times were almost eaten by the two children. Plus, I don't have time or opportunity to go out and buy them."
"It's fine. We also can't make them get used to asking for gifts from you every time you work outside." Jiang Ruolan put down Jiang Yijun's small bag on the bed and opened it to take the dirty clothes inside. As soon as she opened the bag and took out two pieces of clothing, she suddenly smelled a perfume.
Jiang Ruolan raised her eyebrow, looked down at the navy-striped shirt in her hand, then turned to see the tired Jiang Yijun, who was sitting on the couch not far from the bed with eyes wide open.
"Sigh." She stood next to him and pushed his shoulder. "Yijun, if I hadn't been your sister for twenty-five years and habitually helped you clean up after you returned from your business trip, I really wouldn't have had the chance to find out that you've been on the business trip with the same person. Why did you always have the same perfume scent on your clothes?"
Jiang Yijun suddenly opened his eyes, turned his head to look at her, then looked at the shirt in her hand. His mouth twitched, and he got up, walking towards the bathroom as if nothing had happened.
"This isn't the perfume you're used to wearing, so it means you're with someone."
Jiang Ruolan immediately became happy. She shook the clothes in her hands and said casually, "My dear brother, this perfume is very light and definitely a perfume from a good brand. Let me think …On whose body did I smell before?"
"Do women as they get older become more gossipy?" Jiang Yijun walked to the bathroom and snorted in disdain as he unbuttoned his shirt.
"F*ck you! I'm only twenty-seven and a half years old!" Jiang Ruolan picked up his shirt and threw it at his head.
"Twenty-seven and a half!" Jiang Yijun twisted his body and mimicked the tone. Then, he couldn't help but laugh as he went into the bathroom.
Jiang Ruolan curled her lips. Ever since she'd turned twenty-five, she'd used half a year to calculate her age. She didn't want to admit that she was nearly thirty.
But the perfume on the shirt …
It seemed that Heaven did not disappoint those who are willing to work hard. Jiang Yijun was not a small leader in a government department. When he first came there to work as a chief, he already had a cute little sister, Zhao Huifang. This girl kept harassing and chasing after him, but this brat wouldn't even spare a glance at her. He kept pushing the girl away.
It was said that after Jiang Yijun was promoted last year, the girl became his secretary due to her work performance and having someone influential in her family. Could it be that she's the one who also went on these trips with him?
Jiang Ruolan secretly speculated about Jiang Yijun's actions as he went on a business trip. She walked over to pick up the shirt and put it in her hand. She smiled and went back to his bag to help him pack his clothes.
When Jiang Ruolan came down, Old Man Xian also walked down with his cane. She quickly walked over to support him.
The old man looked at her and immediately smiled, "Oh, it's you, spoiled girl. Your grandpa's legs aren't good now and wherever you see me, you always help me. Sigh. Cui Liuxian had left. Guiying did not return home for three years after her marriage. Zihao and Yijun are usually too busy. Right now, the ones who care the most about their grandfather, it's only you."
Jiang Ruolan smiled. "Grandfather, if I didn't have my annual leave from the company recently, I wouldn't have a chance to accompany you. So don't praise me too highly."
Old Man Xian just smiled. He held her hand with one hand and said as he walked downstairs, "Ruolan, how is your mother?"
Although the matter was basically over, Old Man Xian always asked her about it as if he still felt a little guilty. So, for so long, the Old Man had always been especially concerned and careful when treating her.
He was afraid that he would hurt his grandchildren and great-grandchildren because of his mistake.
They both walked down the stairs. Jiang Ruolan looked out the window and saw Xian Zihao leading Xian An Na, the little brat, towards Old Li's car.
Jiang Ruolan helped the old man sit on the couch, scooped a walnut soup into a small bowl before saying, "My mother is fine. A few months ago, Zihao and I accompanied her to F City and stayed at Aerial Club for a few days until my mother finally got into the mood to work with Senior Huang on the orchard. She said that this is the way to exercise and it's good for her body."
"I would send someone to take a look and see how their relationship develops. Although I am her daughter, I didn't have the courage to ask."
Jiang Ruolan smiled when she said this. She then placed the bowl on the tea table, "Grandpa, drink it while it's still hot. The meal will start soon, and the doctor has warned you to take care of your diet. Your body is no longer as healthy as it used to be. Before every meal, you should drink some nourishing soup to prevent yourself from being too full."
Old Man Xian chuckled slightly. He took the bowl and gently stirred the soup with a spoon. After taking a sip, he looked at her again. "Senior Zhou didn't come to see her this year?"
Jiang Ruolan pursed her lips and shook her head slowly. "My mother treated him like a stranger and didn't recognize him, but at the same time, she also chose not to hate him."
Old Man Xian sighed and then said, "There are many things that can't be forced. Not all things can have the best end, and not all stories can be fully put together. Yet, this is also your mother's forgiveness for everyone."
Jiang Ruolan smiled but didn't say anything.
Perhaps Zhou Qingling's personality was a bit extreme, but since she was born, over the years, she had accepted too much injustice and ugliness, resulting in this kind of her.
Still, she willingly gave up everything for her daughter, gradually accepting a new life, gradually adjusting to what was now indeed the greatest forgiveness for the past.
