Early autumn in City A is not as cool as in Jiashui. Although it is already October, the weather is still hot.
In the courtyard of the Shen family's old house, the old man sat in a wicker chair under an osmanthus tree, basking in the sun. Su Xue sat beside him, watching her hands intently. A fragrant aroma of tea wafted over, and she smiled as she respectfully handed the tea to the old man, saying, "Grandpa, please try it. How is this brew?"
Grandpa Shen took the teacup, first smelled the aroma, then took a sip, savoring it for a few seconds before saying, "Our Xiaoxue's tea-brewing skills have also improved."
Su Xue said happily, "That's right, after you scolded me last time, I went home and studied hard with my mother..."
Before he could finish speaking, Shen Du returned from outside.
Su Xue smiled at him and called out, "Cousin, you're back!"
Chen Du's gaze lingered on her for a few seconds before he asked in a relatively gentle tone, "When did you arrive? Where's Archie?"
Su Xue smiled and said, "I just arrived a short while ago. Aqi said he made plans to play ball with his friends and will be here later."
Shen Du nodded without saying anything more and sat down in the chair next to Old Master Shen.
Old Master Shen squinted and turned to look at him, asking, "Why are you back at this hour?"
The sun was blazing overhead, even though it was only a little past two o'clock.
Chen Du took the tea Su Xue handed him and said gently, "I'm going to B City this afternoon."
Old Master Shen suddenly turned to look at him and hurriedly asked, "The Yan family?"
Chen Du glanced at Su Xue, who immediately understood and winked at him playfully, saying, "Grandpa, I'm going inside to wash some fruit."
After watching her figure enter the house, Chen Du took out his phone, opened a video, and handed it to Grandpa Shen.
The child's soft, sweet voice came through, and a smile appeared on the old man's face: "Zhaozhao has raised him very well."
Chen Du then said, "The child is at the Yan family's house. Would you like to go and see him?"
Speaking of this, Grandpa Shen couldn't help but sigh: "If it weren't for me back then, you and the child might be much closer."
Chen Du remained calm, simply saying, "You don't need to worry about these things. As long as the child is alright..."
Grandpa Shen agreed, "Yes, it's all thanks to Zhaozhao."
Three years ago, Grandpa Shen was looking forward to the arrival of this child. Zhao Zhao did not want to come back to give birth, and he did not force her. He originally planned to wait for her to give birth and then have Adu take him with him.
Unexpectedly, an autumn rain disrupted this gathering and chilled Zhao Zhao's heart.
Three years ago in City A, an autumn rain lasted for half a month. The old house had a lot of green plants, and Shen Du repeatedly told Butler Liu not to let Old Master Shen go out, but he still couldn't resist going out for a stroll.
That day, the continuous autumn rain that had fallen in City A for half a month finally stopped. Old Master Shen insisted on taking a stroll in the garden, and Butler Liu couldn't stop him.
The path in the courtyard was covered with slippery moss. Old Master Shen lost his footing and tumbled down the steps. He stayed in the ICU for two months, and they issued countless critical condition notices.
When the old man had his accident, Ye Zhao was probably eight months pregnant. That was also the busiest time for the Shen family. Shen Du was running between the hospital and the company every day, extremely busy and exhausted. Even Yang Xu was too busy to pay attention to Ye Zhao, let alone the old man who was in a coma for a long time.
By the time he came to his senses and remembered this, it was too late. Shen Du also learned from Yan Xu about Ye Zhao's premature birth.
By then, the child had already come out of the incubator and no longer needed their care. Ye Zhao also resisted their contact during that time. After that, there was no further contact between the two sides, and Chen Du relied entirely on Yan Xu to understand the situation of the mother and child over the past three years.
Old Master Shen squinted at Chen Du and asked, "You're going to the Yan family, have you asked Zhao Zhao's opinion?"
After a two-second silence, Shen Du slowly said, "Ye Zhao is still in Jiashui, and the child is with the Yan family..."
Old Master Shen understood what he meant, and after thinking for a moment, he suddenly said, "Let's go!"
As he spoke, he picked up the chair to stand up, and Chen Du quickly stepped forward to help him.
As she entered the house, she ran into Su Xue, who was carrying fruit out. She quickly asked, "Grandpa, won't you sunbathe a little longer?"
Grandpa Shen shook his head at her: "I'm going out for a bit. Tell Aunt Wang what you and Xiaoqi want to eat tonight."
Su Xue replied blankly, "Oh." Looking at the two figures from behind, she wondered why her grandfather, who had just looked so sleepy, now seemed so energetic.
Four hours later, a gentle evening breeze swept through B City, taking away the day's heat.
Grandpa Shen sat in the car, repeatedly adjusting his clothes.
Butler Liu said with a smile, "You don't need to tidy it up, it's all fine."
Grandpa Shen asked with concern, "Is it okay for me to wear this? Won't it scare the child?"
He was wearing a Zhongshan suit, with a shaved head, and his serious expression was quite intimidating.
Butler Liu quickly replied, "No, you're such a kind person."
The old man still seemed a little uncomfortable as he straightened his clothes.
Shen Du remained silent, but his slightly pursed lips betrayed his nervousness.
The Yan family lives in the mountains on the outskirts of B city. The vegetation is lush, the environment is comfortable, and the air in the mountains is fresh, making it a very suitable place to live.
Yuanbao has been here for a few days and hasn't felt out of place at all, except that he occasionally mentions missing his mother.
Yan Xi took Yuanbao for a walk around the area in the afternoon, and they didn't go home until evening.
Her face was soaked with sweat, and she must have gotten something on it in the woods, because it was incredibly itchy. When she got home, she handed the child to her mother and went to take a bath.
After taking a shower and getting ready, she came out and saw Yuanbao playing with his toys in the living room. She went over and sat down next to him, asking gently, "Yuanbao, what do you want to eat tonight? Auntie will make it for you."
Little Yuanbao stared intently at Yan Xi with his big, bright eyes, without saying a word.
At this moment, Yan Xi's mother, Yang Meijia, also said gently, "Why isn't our Yuanbao saying anything?"
Unexpectedly, Yuanbao suddenly moved closer to Yan Xi, looked at her for a while, and then asked in a childish voice, "Auntie, I remember you were quite pretty during the day?"
Yan Xi: "...?" What does that mean? She's not pretty now?
Yang Meijia was also completely bewildered.
At this moment, Yuanbao asked again, "Where's the redness on your face?"
Yan Xi paused for two seconds, then suddenly burst out laughing, reaching out to pinch Yuanbao's chubby cheeks: "You little rascal, does Auntie not look pretty anymore after taking off her makeup?"
Yang Meijia realized what was happening and burst into laughter.
Just then, the maid outside the door hurried in and said, "Madam, the master said that two guests are coming to the house tonight, and he would like you to prepare dinner."
Yang Meijia suppressed her smile and stood up: "Guest? Where is the gentleman?"
"The gentleman has already gone to greet the guests."
Yang Meijia and Yan Xi exchanged a glance, both looking puzzled.
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