After bringing Xiao's mother and her group back, the rebuilt house was almost finished.

Because most of what we used were leftovers from when Jiang Ruan renovated the mall, but it was enough.

There are about five floors, with a dozen or so small rooms on each floor, and several large rooms for multiple people to live in.

Actually, the style of the house is secondary; as long as it can safely avoid danger, it is excellent.

"Ruan Ruan, you've really impressed me! This is much more impressive than the old Xiao residence. What's that taller building? Is it also a dormitory building?"

Madam Xiao was stunned as she pointed to the building that occupied almost the entire Xiao residence. She had assumed that this building had also been built immediately.

But that's not the case...

"Mom, don't worry about that. Let's go inside and take a look first. My parents are waiting for you."

Jiang Ruan was actually a little worried. She knew that her true identity was Xiao's mother's child, but the kindness of the Jiang couple was like a second birth, and their kindness in raising her was greater than heaven. She was not someone who could not distinguish right from wrong.

To avoid misunderstandings and endless arguments, it's better to explain things in advance and save ourselves the trouble of worrying about it all day.

"Okay, okay, let's go in." Xiao's mother happily walked into the mall with Jiang Ruan's help. The array of goods inside was already enough to amaze her, but she didn't expect the food to be so plentiful as well.

Having weathered many storms, he knew and was surprised, but he didn't show it too obviously.

Jiang's parents noticed them as soon as they entered the door. They had heard Jiang Ruan mention them, so they had been looking forward to meeting her biological parents.

They are all teachers, and as educators, they have a deeper understanding and feeling about the loss of children.

They knew all too well the excruciating pain, the inner torment and agony. They had searched everywhere before, but to no avail.

Each disappointment felt like a knife cutting into their hearts, leaving them feeling helpless and desperate.

This time, besides feeling uneasy about whether Jiang Ruan would still acknowledge him as her biological parent, he was also filled with indescribable excitement.

After all, who doesn't yearn for family reunions and enjoy the joy of family life?

Jiang Ruan, who had initially thought that an argument might break out after the two sides met, was now staring intently at the three people having a harmonious conversation in front of her, lost in thought.

This was completely different from what she had expected.

But it's still a pretty good ending.

About an hour or two later, everyone reached a reconciliation and stayed to take good care of Jiang Ruan and the child.

As Jiang Ruan went out to prepare the dishes for everyone to eat together, Xiao's mother quietly approached Jiang's mother and asked, "Who is the child's father? We only know that Ruan Ruan is his biological mother, but what about the father? Could it be that he abandoned her after starting the relationship?"

Xiao's mother was extremely sensitive about this matter. Her own marriage had already failed, and she couldn't afford any more problems with her daughter's situation.

Jiang's mother shook her head and pulled An Xia over, "This is Ruan Ruan's best friend and best confidante. She knows everything about her."

An Xia was supposed to go to the warehouse with Jiang Ruan to select ingredients, but she was called away halfway there and had such a big problem with her.

After all, how could she possibly know everything!

Out of respect for Jiang's mother, An Xia's expression appeared somewhat unnatural. The corners of her mouth turned up slightly, revealing a rather stiff smile, and then she nodded gently to indicate that she understood Jiang's mother's meaning.

Then, she took a deep breath and began to tell Gu An's story, from the moment they met until recently, telling everything without reservation.

Meanwhile, Xiao's mother and Jiang's mother sat upright on the sofa, both of them listening attentively to An Xia's narration.

They exchanged glances from time to time, as if they were communicating with each other.

A tranquil and harmonious atmosphere permeated the entire living room, as if time had stood still at that moment.

An Xia talked for almost half an hour before mentioning that Gu An had gone into Jiang Ruan's space, but she didn't say "space," only that she had found a place to heal her wounds and would be back soon.

Xiao's mother nodded with lingering interest. Although they had never met, she vaguely felt that this young man was quite good—deeply affectionate, devoted, wealthy, and reliable—truly an excellent choice.

Before the others had finished speaking, Jiang Ruan had already prepared all the necessary items.

It was the height of summer, and the workers, basking in the scorching sun, were invited to the mall to enjoy a barbecue feast.

Several barbecue grills were lined up side by side, and an enticing aroma wafted through the air.

The crowd surged toward the barbecue grills like a tidal wave, filling them instantly. Everyone's face was beaming with excitement and joy, seemingly having completely forgotten their earlier exhaustion.

"Wow, I actually got to eat barbecue at a time like this! Mom, I'm so proud of myself!"

"Stop arguing, or I'll throw you out. Hurry up and eat, or you won't be able to eat anything."

"That's right, if you're not going to eat it, then I'll eat it."

Everyone ate voraciously; some food wasn't even fully cooked, and was eaten raw. Two freezers were emptied in no time.

......

The atmosphere at Jiang Ruan's table was much more harmonious in comparison, especially with Xiao's mother.

She paid no attention to the delicious food in front of her; all she could think about was one big question: Who exactly is Gu An?

Could he really be her daughter's husband?

Are they already married?

If they get married, is the child born within the marriage or an illegitimate child born outside of marriage?

There are far too many questions that she needs to find answers to.

Therefore, her gaze would linger on Jiang Ruan from time to time, as if trying to discern some clues from her.

Perhaps her gaze was too intense, for Jiang Ruan looked up and met Xiao's mother's inquiring gaze.

Jiang Ruan said helplessly, "Mom, you can ask whatever you want now. We're all family, so you don't need to be so reserved. Just be yourself."

When Xiao's mother was caught, she lowered her head in embarrassment, then laughed.

"Mom is fine. Mom just wanted to see what kind of dipping sauce you all eat. I want to learn too. I haven't eaten this kind of barbecue much before, so I'm not used to it."

In the end, Xiao's mother didn't say it, but instead used a lame excuse to brush it off.

Jiang Ruan knew this in her heart, but she didn't say much. She placed all the different dipping sauces next to Xiao's mother for her to choose from.