Chapter 18: Worry

Just as she stepped through the door, Wen Jiu received a call from Lin Sheng.

“Jiu Jiu, are you tired from work? I just got home myself. Since it’s the weekend, why don’t you come back tomorrow and keep your mother company?”

Wen Jiu called out “Mom” sweetly before agreeing to the suggestion.

After chatting with Lin Sheng for a few moments, Wen Jiu urged her mother to wash up and get some rest.

Lin Sheng laughed and promised to do so, then hung up.

Once the call ended, Wen Jiu took her pajamas and went to shower. She scrolled on her phone until sleepiness crept in, then set it aside and drifted off.

The next day, Sunday.

Wen Jiu woke up early. After confirming that both her parents were awake and preparing breakfast, she drove back to the Wen residence.

Upon arrival, she saw Wen Zhan and Lin Sheng already seated at the dining table, waiting for her.

The sight made Wen Jiu quicken her pace unconsciously.

Softly, she called out, “Dad, Mom, I’m home.”

The couple, who had been eagerly anticipating her return, stood up as soon as they saw her.

Lin Sheng stepped forward and took Wen Jiu’s hand, leading her to the table.

Wen Jiu glanced at the spread—a breakfast of all her favorites.

Soy milk, fried dough sticks, steamed buns.

“Jiu Jiu, look at you, you’ve gotten thinner. Be sure to eat more,” Lin Sheng chided gently.

Wen Jiu nodded obediently.

After Wen Zhan and Lin Sheng began eating, she picked up her chopsticks as well.

Breakfast lasted nearly an hour. The three of them, parent and child, seemed to have endless topics to discuss.

Mid-conversation, Wen Zhan suddenly remembered something and asked, “Jiu Jiu, at Madam Gu’s banquet last time, you mentioned you’re neighbors with the second son of the Gu family?”

Wen Jiu was puzzled by the sudden question but replied, “Yes, I only met Gu Zehuai after becoming neighbors—he lives directly across from me.”

Wen Zhan nodded, satisfied.

Lin Sheng, still unclear about the matter, inquired further.

Wen Jiu explained the situation briefly.

Eventually, the three finished their leisurely breakfast.

Afterwards, Wen Zhan headed off to work, leaving Lin Sheng and Wen Jiu at home.

Lin Sheng, in high spirits, pulled Wen Jiu into the dressing room, which was filled with shopping bags and gift boxes bearing various brand logos—souvenirs Lin Sheng had collected for Wen Jiu during her travels.

“Jiu Jiu, come see if you like the gifts your mother bought for you,” she said, urging Wen Jiu to open the boxes.

Under Lin Sheng’s expectant gaze, Wen Jiu unwrapped one gift after another.

There was no denying Lin Sheng’s impeccable taste; every present matched Wen Jiu’s aesthetic perfectly.

“Thank you, Mom, I really love these gifts,” Wen Jiu said, leaning in to hug her.

Lin Sheng tapped her on the forehead and teased, “You’re already in your twenties, yet you still act like a child.”

Wen Jiu replied with conviction, “Even when I’m thirty or forty, I’ll still be your daughter. I can be myself in front of my parents, no matter what.”

Lin Sheng was momentarily defeated by her words, smiling helplessly, though her heart was full of joy.

“Speaking of which, I still need to hold you accountable,” Lin Sheng suddenly remembered. “You came back to the country, moved out, and didn’t even tell your mother. How can we not worry about you living alone? Your father, too—he’s always indulging you!”

Wen Jiu replied sheepishly, “It was wrong of me not to tell you, Mom. But you don’t need to worry, I can manage living by myself. Besides, Aunt Liu is there.”