Xia Yan walked out of the kitchen holding a freshly baked cake with gloved hands. As soon as Xiao Han caught the aroma, his mind was filled with nothing but the cake. He smacked his lips, let go of Jiang Mingxiu's hand, and dashed straight to Xia Yan, wrapping himself around her leg like a pet accessory. Xia Yan looked down at him, both amused and exasperated, but then felt a sharp gaze scrutinizing her, making her heart tighten with nervousness.
Seeing this, Aunt Chen quickly moved to Xia Yan's side, turning her back to Jiang Mingxiu and giving her a meaningful glance. "Miss Xia, let me take the cake."
Aunt Chen's意味深长 look gave Xia Yan a bad feeling. She recalled that Xiao Han had just come in with her, holding her hand. Composing herself, she handed the cake to Aunt Chen without changing her expression, then bent down and lifted Xiao Han with both hands. Xiao Han was nearly six now, and his weight was a bit much for Xia Yan. He tilted his head up to look at her, his voice soft and sticky. "Sister Yan, is today my surprise day?"
Xia Yan had been busy lately, but now she had time to bake a cake, and his beloved grandmother had flown back from abroad to see him. For Xiao Han, these were two surprises happening on the same day.
Perhaps too happy, Xiao Han wrapped his chubby arms around Xia Yan's shoulders, pursed his lips, and left a wet kiss on her cheek.
Jiang Mingxiu casually tossed her Gucci bag onto the sofa, not bothering to take off her sunglasses. She narrowed her eyes, displeased from the first moment she saw Xia Yan and how clingy Xiao Han was with her. Clearing her throat, she glanced sidelong at the sofa behind her, stepped back, and sat down slowly. She crossed her legs slightly, folded her hands on her lap, and paused. When she saw Aunt Chen place a slice of cake in front of her, she raised one hand, extended her index finger, and pushed the cake away with disdain.
Aunt Chen froze for a moment, then silently stepped aside.
The sunglasses covered most of Jiang Mingxiu's face, but Xia Yan caught a glimpse of her hands resting on her lap—pale and delicate, clearly unused to labor. Her nails were painted a vivid, blood-red hue that made her skin look even whiter. She wore a tight black lace dress with a thin brown-black trench coat over it, and the Gucci bag beside her was a limited edition. Xia Yan frowned. She could see Jiang Mingxiu's arrogance, but also the aura of a wealthy matron.
While Xia Yan discreetly sized up Jiang Mingxiu, the latter was openly scrutinizing her.
The living room was silent except for the faint sounds of Xiao Han eating cake. Xia Yan stood while Jiang Mingxiu sat. Finally, a crash broke the stillness. Aunt Chen cautiously looked up, respectfully glanced at Jiang Mingxiu, and quickly cleaned up the empty water glass that had fallen.
Seeing this, Jiang Mingxiu cleared her throat and stared intently at Xia Yan. "You're Xia Yan?"
"Yes, Auntie." Xia Yan's answer was proper and measured. If she could ignore Jiang Mingxiu's arrogant and dismissive tone, she might have been more cordial.
Jiang Mingxiu was clearly dissatisfied with Xia Yan's response. As soon as she spoke, her brow furrowed into a deep crease.
Xia Yan couldn't see her expression and had no idea what she was thinking. What she did know was that the noble woman sitting before her was Lu Zhengting's mother.
"I hear you're with Zhengting now?" Jiang Mingxiu said, casually removing her sunglasses. She had delicate features; time seemed to have barely touched her face. From Xia Yan's perspective, Jiang Mingxiu didn't look like someone with a son as old as Lu Zhengting. Her wrinkles were barely visible, and her peach-blossom eyes were both beautiful and alluring, yet they commanded respect—her gaze was sharp, carrying an innate nobility.
Xia Yan found it hard to imagine that Lu Zhengting's mother could be like this.
She quickly masked her shock and looked at Jiang Mingxiu with sincerity. "Auntie, Zhengting and I are indeed together now."
"Is that so? Has anyone told you that you're not fit for our Zhengting?"
Jiang Mingxiu was blunt, and it caught Xia Yan off guard. She even thought she'd misheard, but the disdain in Jiang Mingxiu's eyes confirmed it. She opened her mouth to retort but held back, mindful of the delicate relationship. After a moment, Xia Yan chose silence, her expression unchanged.
"What does your silence mean? Are you challenging me? I hear you're still living here?"
Xia Yan steadied herself, deliberately ignoring Jiang Mingxiu's first remark. "I'm staying here temporarily because—"
"You don't need to explain the reason to me." Jiang Mingxiu cut her off, glancing sideways at Xia Yan. "It seems Xiao Han likes you a lot."
Xia Yan didn't dare to respond carelessly now. It felt like no matter what she said, it wouldn't pass muster with Jiang Mingxiu. Then Ke Yaru arrived. Xia Yan stood still, watching as Ke Yaru sat beside Jiang Mingxiu, the two of them like mother and daughter.
Ke Yaru glanced at the cake pushed aside, let out a light laugh, leaned forward, and placed the cake in front of Jiang Mingxiu. "Auntie, you haven't tried Xia Yan's cake yet, have you? It's quite good. Xiao Han loves it. Remember how she and Zhengting first connected over cake..."
Before she could finish, Ke Yaru abruptly stopped, her eyes apologetic as she looked at the composed Xia Yan.
"Would a cake like this taste good?" Jiang Mingxiu sneered, not even bothering to look at the cake in Ke Yaru's hand. She turned her gaze to Xia Yan and said coldly, "These days, girls will do anything to climb the social ladder."
Xia Yan said nothing. She didn't know what to say. Defending herself would only seem like covering up in front of Jiang Mingxiu. She understood clearly: Jiang Mingxiu looked down on her, and Ke Yaru was seizing the chance to kick her while she was down.
When Lu Zhengting returned and saw Ke Yaru there, his expression didn't change or show surprise. Xia Yan watched his calm demeanor, puzzled. The living room was thick with an eerie atmosphere. As soon as Jiang Mingxiu saw Lu Zhengting, her face lit up with a loving smile. Aunt Chen had already prepared dinner, and Jiang Mingxiu took Ke Yaru's hand in one and Lu Zhengting's in the other, leading them toward the dining room.
"Zhengting, where are you going..." Ke Yaru's eyes had been fixed on Lu Zhengting the whole time. When she saw him turn back to Xia Yan, her eyes nearly turned green. But she had to act as if nothing was wrong, quietly staying by Jiang Mingxiu's side.
Jiang Mingxiu was both surprised and angered by this. Noticing the longing in Ke Yaru's eyes for Lu Zhengting, she patted Ke Yaru's hand.
Xia Yan was left standing aside. From the moment Jiang Mingxiu arrived, she hadn't had a chance to sit, and her legs were now aching. She bent down to rub her calves, lifting her head to look at Lu Zhengting, only to find his face inches away. She stared at him, stunned. "Aren't you..."
"Silly. How long have you been standing?"
Lu Zhengting's doting tone and gaze completely lifted Xia Yan's spirits, washing away her discontent. She grinned. "Just a little while."
Jiang Mingxiu silently observed Lu Zhengting's actions, her dissatisfaction with Xia Yan growing. She glanced at the obedient Ke Yaru beside her, her expression darkening. Aunt Chen set the table, and Lu Zhengting led Xia Yan to sit, naturally placing her beside him.
After dinner, Jiang Mingxiu had Ke Yaru accompany her to her room. Lu Zhengting had hoped to use this chance for Xia Yan to bond with his mother, but that plan fell through.
Not having to interact with Jiang Mingxiu alone was a relief for Xia Yan.
She politely bid Jiang Mingxiu goodnight and followed Lu Zhengting to his room. Ke Yaru's hands trembled with rage as she watched them disappear up the stairs, feeling murderous. Jiang Mingxiu needed to adjust to the time difference, so Ke Yaru stayed with her.
Time ticked by, and Jiang Mingxiu insisted Ke Yaru stay overnight.
"Auntie, is that appropriate? Zhengting won't agree."
"I'm in charge today! You'll sleep in the room next to mine. I'll have Aunt Chen clean it out."
"Auntie, this..."
"I've decided." Jiang Mingxiu gave Ke Yaru no room to refuse, then changed the subject. "Yaru, tell me, do you like Zhengting?"
"Auntie, I, well..." Ke Yaru blushed, stammering.
"You silly girl. You like Zhengting but never told him. Now another woman has beaten you to it." Jiang Mingxiu sighed, patting Ke Yaru's hand absently.
"Auntie, Zhengting loves Xia Yan. Telling him how I feel would only burden him. So I'll just love him quietly." Ke Yaru's voice was filled with undisguised sorrow, her sad eyes fixed on the curtains, stirring Jiang Mingxiu's sympathy.
"Yaru, it's too early to be sad."
Ke Yaru looked up at Jiang Mingxiu, puzzled.
"I said, since you like Zhengting, be more proactive. Don't let other women steal the lead. Matters of the heart aren't solved by giving in."
Ke Yaru nodded, half-understanding. She took Jiang Mingxiu's arm. "Auntie, I know what to do now."
Jiang Mingxiu gave Ke Yaru a meaningful look and said lightly, "Tomorrow, bring me all the information on Xia Yan."