Chapter 16 The Flower Shop

After asking the question, she held her breath, her heart pounding in her chest, afraid of hearing an answer she couldn't bear. Was he already married? Had he long since sealed her away in the dust of his memory?

Jiang's mother paused slightly as she combed her hair, then lowered her hand more gently, her voice carrying a distant memory and a sigh: "I don't know much about his current situation either. Since you... left, your brother and your father, worried that my health couldn't take it, and also worried that... worried that Ayan would be reminded of the past, have not let me ask too much, let alone contact him. They probably feel the same way about his family."

She paused, her voice lowering, filled with pity for the young man who was also deeply mired in pain: "All I know is that back then, he collapsed and vomited blood at your grave, and his parents took him abroad overnight. Later... about three years after you left? I vaguely heard Yunting mention that Ayan had returned to China and started a business in S City. But I don't know anything more specific."

In the darkness, Jiang Yining's eyes instantly welled up with tears. She hugged her mother tightly, burying her face in the warm crook of her mother's neck, her muffled voice filled with a heavy nasal tone and belated guilt: "Mom... I'm sorry... and, I love you."

Jiang's mother's heart clenched at her daughter's "I'm sorry." She hugged her precious daughter, whom she had lost and found again, even tighter, gently resting her chin on her daughter's head. Her voice was as tender as the lightest feather brushing against her heart: "Silly child... it's good that you're back. Don't think about anything, go to sleep. Goodnight, my darling."

The next morning, Jiang Yining was awakened by the faint sounds of voices and the familiar aroma of breakfast coming from downstairs. Rubbing her sleepy eyes, she walked out of her bedroom and saw Aunt Chen and her mother sitting in the small living room, talking amicably.

"Ningning's awake?" Aunt Chen saw her and immediately stood up, her face full of sincere smiles, saying repeatedly, "Congratulations! That's wonderful, it's truly a blessing that you've found your biological parents. Now I can finally rest easy."

Jiang Yining was still a little confused. She looked blankly at Aunt Chen, then at her parents.

Seeing her dazed look, Jiang's mother couldn't help but laugh as she stood up, walked over, and gently patted her head: "The sun's already high in the sky when you get up. Go wash up, breakfast is on the table, look at you."

Jiang Yining covered her head where she had been slapped, and looked at her father, who was sitting to the side reading a newspaper, with a wronged expression: "Dad, look at Mom, her love boat capsized so easily!"

A single sentence made everyone laugh, and the attic in the early morning was filled with a long-lost, warm and cozy atmosphere.

Aunt Chen then stopped smiling and explained her purpose with a hint of apology: "Ningning, I was worried about how you would manage the shop alone after I left, but now that your parents are here, I feel relieved. My son... sigh, something urgent happened, and he really needs me to go and help take care of him for a while. As for the flower shop job... I'm afraid I can't do it anymore. I've come to resign from my job."

Jiang Yining was now fully awake and quickly said, "Aunt Chen, please don't say that. Your son's matter is important. You can go and take care of the family. You don't need to worry about the flower shop. Actually... I was planning to go home with my parents after I finished dealing with the flower shop."

Jiang's mother also offered gentle words of comfort. Jiang's father put down his newspaper, took out an envelope he had prepared beforehand from his bag, inside which was a thick wad of banknotes, far exceeding three months' salary. Without saying a word, he stuffed it into Aunt Chen's hand: "Sister Chen, thank you so much for taking care of Ningning all these years. Please accept this small token of my appreciation. Come back to Z City to visit when you have time."

Aunt Chen, unable to refuse, her eyes slightly reddening, thanked him repeatedly. She then meticulously explained to Jiang's mother everything about the flower shop's supply channels, daily management, and the landlord's contact information, leaving no detail unattended. Finally, Jiang's parents escorted the kind and warm-hearted aunt downstairs, watching her get into a taxi before turning back.

Back in the attic, Mr. Jiang looked at the still vibrant flowers in the flower shop downstairs and couldn't help but rub his temples. He said to his wife, half helplessly and half teasingly, "So many flowers... You want this girl to take care of them all by herself? I doubt it." He knew all too well his daughter's "carelessness" when it came to the details of life.

Looking at the room full of fresh flowers, Jiang's mother sighed, "Yes, she's not cut out for tending flowers and plants. What a pity... While they're still fresh, let's quickly lower the price and get rid of them in the next few days. We'll sell as many as we can; it's better than letting them rot in the shop."

Mr. Jiang nodded. Mrs. Jiang, a woman of action, immediately went downstairs, removed the wooden sign that read "Closed for Three Days" from the doorway, and reopened the glass door of "Lemon & Flower Shop."

Sunlight streamed back into the small flower shop, and soon customers followed the fragrance of the flowers in to inquire. Jiang Yining finished washing up, hurriedly ate breakfast, and went downstairs, where she saw her mother standing among the flowers, skillfully pruning the branches, matching colors, and wrapping bouquets.

Although Jiang Mu hadn't touched flowers for many years, her sense of beauty and her foundation in floral art remained. Ordinary carnations and baby's breath seemed to be given new life in her hands, becoming exceptionally elegant and charming.