Volume One, Chapter Eleven: Grandmother's Affection

A violent storm raged as the sky darkened. Visibility through the car window was poor. Yujin gripped the steering wheel tightly, focused on driving, and curiously asked, "Why are you near my place having coffee?"

Weiwei’s eyes flickered as she looked out the window. "A friend of mine lives nearby. She just went through a breakup, so I stayed with her all night. I was really tired and thought a cup of coffee would help, but I didn’t expect such heavy rain."

Yujin’s interest waned, and he didn’t press further.

Weiwei turned to him, "I heard from your assistant that you’re flying to Australia early tomorrow?"

Yujin’s tone was cold and stern, "Mind your own business."

Weiwei leaned toward him, her manner proud and confident, propping her elbow on the divider and resting her chin on her hand. "What a coincidence, I booked the same flight and the same hotel. But I’m going for a vacation."

Yujin scoffed coldly, "I’m going for work, no time to play around with you."

“I don’t need you to accompany me,” Weiwei muttered in complaint. “You know my parents—they always treat me like a child and won’t let me travel abroad alone. They say it’s dangerous overseas and don’t trust it. So I have to tag along with your work trip to have an excuse to tell them you’re with me, so they feel safe.”

Yujin remained silent, saying nothing.

Weiwei added, "If I really get into some trouble abroad while you’re on a business trip, at least I can reach out to you for help immediately. We’re like brothers, gotta look out for each other!"

Yujin: …

—

The spring rain drizzled on and off for six days before finally ceasing.

The air was damp and heavy, the overcast sky devoid of sunlight, casting a gloomy mood over everything.

The taxi pulled into the picturesque estate and stopped in front of a two-story detached villa.

Song Wanxi stepped out and looked through the iron gate.

Her mood was even heavier than the dark sky.

Married for two years, she rarely visited her in-laws’ home, especially not her stepmother-in-law’s.

But this time, it was her grandmother who had called her.

She was delighted to hear her grandmother had come from the countryside and was eager to see her.

She pressed the doorbell.

In an instant, the housekeeper appeared.

—

A kind and honest middle-aged woman, she smiled warmly and opened the iron gate. “Wanxi, you’ve finally come. The old lady has been waiting for you.”

Song Wanxi nodded politely. “Hello, Aunt Chun.”

“Good, come in quickly.” Aunt Chun closed the gate and led Song Wanxi inside.

The lavish living room was brightly lit, with four European-style leather sofas of varying lengths arranged around a large, low coffee table. The room was filled with people on all sides.

On the coffee table were tea, snacks, and an assortment of exquisitely wrapped gifts.

Her father-in-law and stepmother-in-law, her second uncle and aunt, her cousin Jenny, Weiwei and her parents, and her white-haired, kind-hearted grandmother.

Song Wanxi followed Aunt Chun inside.

No one noticed them.

Weiwei animatedly recounted her joyful travels, handing out gifts.

“This was specially chosen by Arjin for Auntie.”

Yin Chanjun smiled brightly. As Yujin’s stepmother, receiving a gift personally selected by her eldest stepson delighted her greatly. She quickly accepted it. “Arjin traveled with you and was so thoughtful to pick this out for me. I’m so happy. Thank you both.”

Jenny’s face lit up with expectation. “Weiwei, do you have one for me?”

Weiwei smiled indulgently. “How could I forget our cousin? Of course I have one.”

Weiwei handed a large box to Jenny.

Jenny’s grin grew even brighter. “Thank you, Weiwei, and thank you, Big Brother.”

Weiwei picked up a delicate, small box and handed it to Grandma, her smile softening, her voice gentle and slightly coaxing. “This is something Arjin and I carefully chose for Grandma. We hope you like it.”

“Thank you.” Grandma Yu’s expression remained indifferent. She took it with one hand and placed it on the sofa, then glanced toward the front door, her thoughts lingering. “Where is my eldest granddaughter-in-law…”

Mid-sentence, she saw Song Wanxi not far behind and her face immediately brightened with joy. She stood to greet her, reaching out to grasp Song Wanxi’s hand, which was also extended.

“Grandma.” Song Wanxi held the frail, pale hand politely and greeted her warmly. Seeing the smile on Grandma’s face, she felt relieved that her grandmother had finally emerged from the sorrow of grandfather’s passing.

At her age, she had long come to terms with life and death. Death was inevitable, making it easier to let go.

Grandma Yu’s eyes shone with affection, clearly delighted. “My eldest granddaughter-in-law has finally come. Grandma missed you so much.”

The warm atmosphere vanished the moment Song Wanxi entered. Except for Grandma, everyone else’s smiles disappeared, replaced by disdainful glances and impatient expressions.

Song Wanxi was not one for many words. She gently touched Grandma’s hand and softly asked, “Grandma, how is your health?”

“Besides some old ailments, everything is fine.” Grandma Yu held her hand and led her toward the sofa.

—

Song Wanxi nodded in greeting to those inside. “Uncle, Aunt, Second Uncle and Aunt, Uncle Wu and Aunt Wu.”

Everyone wore an arrogant demeanor, their faces cold and eyes tinged with contempt. They barely responded, only nodding in return.

Grandma Yu looked toward the door. “Where is Arjin? Didn’t he come with you?”

Song Wanxi’s heart tightened. She hadn’t seen Yujin for six days. Upon receiving Grandma’s call, she had come straight from the research institute.

Grandma Yu sat down beside Song Wanxi. Weiwei forced a smile, looking slightly guilty as she spoke, “Sister-in-law, sorry, I forgot to bring you a gift.”

Grandma Yu took a seat next to Song Wanxi, gently clasped her hand, and looked at Weiwei with a sharper tone. “Nowadays, with the internet, you can buy anything you want. Buying gifts is easy.”

The implication was clear: who cares about your gift?

Weiwei’s face instantly darkened. She returned to sit by her parents, sighing helplessly, “Arjin is really something. I wanted to take him abroad to relax and have fun, but he’s such a workaholic. Once there, he just runs off to the branch office. There’s quite a lot of trouble over there.”

Weiwei’s mother frowned, complaining, “Arjin is irresponsible even when traveling with you? How can I feel assured leaving my daughter in his care in the future?”

To these people, Yujin’s marriage to Song Wanxi was temporary. The true destined match was Yujin and Weiwei, who came from families of equal standing and were the real desire of the family.

Weiwei hastened to explain, “Mom, don’t say that about Arjin. It’s understandable he’s career-driven. Besides, when he’s busy with work, he always has me by his side.”

Weiwei’s mother’s lips curved slightly upward. “At least he has some conscience.”

Song Wanxi remained silent, sitting quietly, a heavy weight pressing on her chest. The suffocating emotion drained her energy.

Grandma Yu could no longer bear it. With a stern face, she retorted, “My eldest grandson has parents and a wife to care for, and will have children of his own someday. Your Weiwei is not missing any limbs. Why does she need my eldest grandson to take care of her?”

Weiwei’s mother looked slightly embarrassed, smiling. “Madam, don’t misunderstand. By ‘care,’ I meant the sibling bond, the protection a brother offers his sister.”

“Our Jenny never expected her eldest cousin to look after her. Aren’t you all a bit rude?” Grandma Yu did not let them off easily.

After a stern reprimand, Weiwei’s mother’s expression darkened and she said no more.

Weiwei bit her back teeth, forcing a stiff smile to hide her displeasure.

She had won the favor of everyone except the old lady, who clearly favored Song Wanxi.

She was unwilling, resentful, and deeply upset.