The following morning, Song Nianyue tried to recall her dream, but only hazy fragments of a little boy and girl remained. She patted her head, a nagging feeling that something important had slipped her mind.
Downstairs, her father was already at the dining table. “Dad, morning,” she greeted.
Father Song looked up. “The Song family recently launched a new project, and our company is quite skilled in that area,” he said, narrowing his eyes. “You haven’t visited the old lady at the Song family home recently. Find some time today.”
“Dad, I…” Song Nianyue knew her father wanted her to secure this project for him. In the past, she would have been confident, but with her recent scandals exposed, she wondered if she could still charm the old lady as easily as she did Song Xiaoqing. Though aged, the old lady’s eyes were sharp and wise, not easily deceived. Song Nianyue always had to be on her guard when around her.
“Nianyue, whether you win this project is up to you. You haven’t been out much lately. Is it because you don’t have enough money? Later, I’ll tell the secretary to give you some money. Buy whatever you like.” Father Song’s face was a mask of loving concern.
Song Nianyue remained silent. When she first transmigrated, she had been quite content with the original owner’s background as a wealthy daughter with doting parents. However, over time, she realized her parents’ affection was conditional, always pushing her to curry favor with the Song family. She had considered resisting, perhaps breaking away like other heroines, but aside from dancing, she possessed no other skills. Leaving the Song family meant abandoning her current life of luxury. In her past life, to escape poverty, she had even contemplated marrying a wealthy, middle-aged man with a large belly. Now, having transmigrated into a life of riches, how could she possibly give up such an identity?
After breakfast, Song Nianyue changed and headed for the Song family estate. Standing majestically in the heart of City B, the Song family residence defied the modern, towering buildings surrounding it. Its architecture was simple, solemn, and steeped in tradition. Each visit filled Song Nianyue with a quiet awe for the family’s enduring legacy.
“Miss Song, the old lady just went to rest,” the housekeeper informed her, leading the way.
“It’s quite alright, I’ll just wait for the old lady to wake up,” Song Nianyue replied, a practiced, dignified smile gracing her elegant face.
Within the Song family grounds lay a beautiful lotus pond, dug by Mrs. Song herself. Every summer, the old lady delighted in admiring the lotus flowers from the pond’s pavilion. Since Jiang Ci’s unfortunate fall into the pond years ago, a half-person-high fence had been erected around its perimeter, and special personnel were now responsible for its annual inspection and maintenance.
As she passed the pond, Song Nianyue paused, staring at the water in a daze. The housekeeper, noticing her halt, turned and smiled. “It’s autumn now, and the lotus flowers have already withered, but this year the old lady had many of them picked to make wine.”
Song Nianyue nodded distractedly.
“Speaking of which,” the housekeeper continued, “Miss Song has quite a connection to this pond. When she was young, Miss Song, with her kind heart, jumped into the pond to save Master Jiang Ci…”
Fragments of memory flashed in Song Nianyue’s mind. She remembered it now, the dream from last night. It wasn’t a dream at all, but a long-forgotten memory from the original body. The little boy in the dream was indeed Jiang Ci, and the black, fat girl… Song Nianyue’s lips curved into a subtle, knowing smile, a glimmer of light in her eyes.
When Song Nianyue finally entered the house, the old lady had just woken up. She sat in the hall, observing a renowned tea master, a servant in her household, skillfully preparing her tea. Suppressing the rising excitement in her heart, Song Nianyue immediately composed herself.
“Old lady,” she greeted, stepping forward with a sweet, elegant smile.
The old lady slowly raised her eyes, watching the tea master place the freshly brewed tea before her. “Sit down,” she instructed.
Song Nianyue’s heart tightened further. “Yes, old lady.” Everyone believed she had rescued Jiang Ci and was his savior. Yet, only Song Nianyue knew she had never truly earned the old lady’s warm smile. The old lady always regarded her with a mild indifference. Even her most strenuous efforts to please had never garnered special favor. Fortunately, Song Nianyue had observed that the old lady treated everyone similarly, rarely smiling, even at her own grandson.
The tea master offered Song Nianyue a cup of tea, and she politely thanked her. After the tea master departed, Song Nianyue began. “I just heard from the butler that you had someone make lotus wine. I wonder if I might be honored to taste it?”
“The longer the wine brews, the more mellow it becomes,” Mrs. Song said slowly, sipping her tea. The old lady’s meaning was clear: she wouldn’t be offered any. Song Nianyue, always adept at reading the old lady, didn’t press the matter. “Yes, that’s what you said,” she quickly responded.
Clasping her hands tightly, Song Nianyue casually mentioned, “When I passed by the pond just now, I noticed it’s already autumn. Unfortunately, I haven’t had a chance to admire the lotus flowers this year. But autumn also has its own beauty. As I watched the pond earlier, I inadvertently remembered something that happened when I was a child.” She looked at the old lady, who was still sipping her tea, and said warmly, “Old lady, I suddenly remembered the time I saved Jiang Ci…”
Old Lady Song placed her teacup on the coffee table and looked up at Song Nianyue. Song Nianyue’s heart pounded, but she bravely recounted the story of the fat, black girl who pushed Jiang Ci into the pond.
“You mean that black and fat little girl is Su Yue?” Old Lady Song narrowed her eyes, her white hair contrasting with her sharp, wise, and energetic gaze.
Song Nianyue suppressed the triumphant joy in her heart. “Yes, in fact, just take a look at Su Yue’s childhood photos, and you’ll know.” It was perfectly normal for the Su family to attend the Song family’s banquets, so Su Yue’s presence at the Song family home back then was no surprise.
“However, now that Su Yue is married to Jiang Ci, if Jiang Ci discovers this matter, it might affect their relationship. I’m also worried that one day, the truth will come out, and Jiang Ci will find out. That wouldn’t be good. That’s why I’m embarrassed. I wanted to ask the old lady to make a decision and see if you can continue to keep this matter a secret…” She understood Jiang Ci’s character. Whoever hurt him, he would never let go; he was ruthless. If he knew what Su Yue had done to him, he would definitely hate Su Yue!
Mrs. Song closed her eyes and slowly said, “That child, Aci, hasn’t come to see my old bones for a long time.”
In the days since leaving the chives behind, Su Yue had been remarkably obedient to Jiang Ci, almost too obedient. Jiang Ci, eating a new mango cake made by Su Yue, glanced at the chives, who sat patiently at the room’s threshold, forbidden to step inside. He scoffed. Was he, a co-owner , merely basking in the glow of that ugly thing’s light?
“Go away!” he scoffed lazily at the chives. However, the chives, oblivious, merely barked at Jiang Ci, then obediently lay down at the door. Despite Jiang Ci’s cold gaze, it didn’t move.
Su Yue returned with a glass of juice. She addressed the chives. “Chives, Haohao wants to feed you. Go find Haohao.” Only then did the chives spring up, twisting its chubby dog body, and departed.
Jiang Ci glanced at her, then lowered his eyes to his cake. Su Yue walked over with the juice. “Drink the juice, freshly squeezed. Is the cake delicious this time?”
“It’s okay,” Jiang Ci replied lazily.
Su Yue snatched the spoon from his hand, took a bite from where he had just eaten, and finished the rest. “It’s obviously delicious.”
Jiang Ci looked up at her lips, noticing a tiny bit of cake. “Come here.” He pushed the remaining cake away. Su Yue looked at him suspiciously but obediently hugged him. “Jiang Ci, we’ll find a kindergarten for Little Haohao soon.” Recently, Little Haohao had been practicing calligraphy diligently, and she could tell the little boy enjoyed going to school.
“Yeah,” Jiang Ci responded casually, his warm fingertips tracing her bright red, beautiful lips, picking off the minuscule cake crumbs.
“Ah, did I get some on my mouth?” Su Yue reached for a tissue to wipe off the cake crumbs on his fingertips. However, in the next moment, she watched as he hooked his fingers, bringing the tiny crumbs to his lips and licking them off.
Su Yue’s face burned. “Is’nt it dirty?” she whispered, giving him a shy look.
Jiang Ci looked up at her lazily, asking solemnly, “Where on your mouth have I not kissed you?” Tongue? Teeth?
“Drink juice!” Su Yue was effectively silenced.
When the housekeeper arrived, he observed Jiang Ci finishing his cake, while Su Yue beside him had a flushed face and dewy eyes. The atmosphere between the two was unusually charged.
“Eldest Young Master, Mrs. Song has sent someone to pick you and Madam Eldest up,” the housekeeper announced. “The Song family’s car has arrived at the door.”
“Don’t go!” Jiang Ci slowly pushed the empty plate away from him.
The housekeeper looked puzzled. “The person who came conveyed what Mrs. Song said. The old lady said that she is getting old, and her bones are missing a glance. You haven’t visited her for a long time. Perhaps there won’t be another chance.”
Jiang Ci’s face hardened, and he threw the silver spoon aside. It clanged against the white porcelain plate. He snorted coldly, but eventually stood up.
On the way to the Song family, Su Yue felt a little nervous. The grandmother, as Jiang Ci had called her, was said to have single-handedly supported the vast Song clan in her youth. During her reign, the Song clan had never seen a whisper of dissent; her capabilities were extraordinary, making her no ordinary grandmother.
“Why’s so nervous?” Jiang Ci asked, wrapping an arm around Su Yue’s shoulders, his fingertips tangling in her fine hair.
“Why does my grandmother suddenly want to see us?” Su Yue blinked. She had no memory of the old lady.
“She’s just idle, likes to torment her juniors,” Jiang Ci said lazily.
“Don’t talk nonsense,” Su Yue admonished, swatting his arm.
“If you can hit someone, it proves you’re not nervous,” Jiang Ci countered, loosening his grip on her hair. He turned her chin to face him. “You’re not afraid of me, so why are you still worried about what she’ll do to you?”
Su Yue was stunned for a moment, then smiled, rolling her eyes. Yes, she wasn’t afraid of the devil Jiang Ci; there was truly nothing to be nervous about. She reached out and touched Jiang Ci’s face. “Aci, you’ve become more caring.”
Jiang Ci glanced at her, a subtle smile playing in his dark eyes.