Chapter 469 - 255: A Family of Four, Reunited

Chapter 469: Chapter 255: A Family of Four, Reunited

Utterly amazed, Wen Wan didn’t ask any more questions.

The plane taxied and took off. The entire process was impossibly smooth.

Jiang Silu pressed her face against the window, watching the ground shrink below. The houses turned into building blocks and the cars into ants, until finally, everything merged into a hazy gray expanse.

"Brother, look, look! That’s the Yangtze River!" she exclaimed, pointing out the window.

Sifan leaned over to take a look. Sure enough, it was a winding, silver ribbon, shimmering in the sunlight.

Wen Wan glanced outside as well, a smile gracing her lips.

Lu Fan sat across from them, watching the three kids, a constant smile on his face.

He picked up his phone and sent a message to Jiang Yixia: [We’ve taken off. We’ll be there in two hours.]

Jiang Yixia: [Got it.]

Once the plane leveled off, a flight attendant came by pushing a cart laden with fruit, snacks, and drinks.

"Miss Jiang, what would you like to drink?" the flight attendant asked with a smile.

Jiang Silu looked at the colorful bottles of drinks and hesitated for a moment. "Orange juice, thank you."

"And Mr. Jiang?"

"Just water is fine."

"And for you, miss?"

Wen Wan glanced at Sifan and said softly, "I’ll have water, too."

Lu Fan asked for a cup of coffee, leaned back in his seat, and gazed at the clouds outside.

The layer of clouds was thick—a vast, white expanse, like a snowy plain stretching as far as the eye could see.

"Dad," Jiang Silu said suddenly.

Lu Fan turned his head.

"Thank you," Jiang Silu said, looking at him with bright eyes.

Lu Fan froze for a moment, then broke into a smile. "What are you thanking me for? I’m your dad. This is what I’m supposed to do."

Jiang Silu smiled and didn’t say anything else, lowering her head to sip her orange juice.

Sifan, sitting next to her, glanced at Lu Fan. His lips moved, but he said nothing.

Two hours passed quickly.

The plane landed at Yangcheng Baiyun Airport.

After exiting through the private VIP terminal, they found a black luxury van already waiting for them.

"The flower shop first," Lu Fan said to Chen He.

The van left the airport and got on the highway. Winter in Yangcheng was much warmer than in Jinling; the trees along the road were still green, and the bougainvillea was in full, vibrant bloom. Its purplish-red petals were so bright in the sun they were almost blinding.

Wen Wan leaned against the car window, watching the scenery pass by, feeling more and more nervous.

She squeezed Sifan’s hand, her own palm growing sweaty.

"Don’t be nervous," Sifan whispered.

"I’m not nervous," Wen Wan replied, but her grip on his hand only tightened.

After about a forty-minute drive, the van turned onto a street in an older part of the city.

The road was lined with small shops—fruit stands, dry cleaners, snack bars—their colorful signs packed one after another.

They arrived at the flower shop.

Jiang Yixia was standing in the doorway, wearing a lavender sweater.

Her hair was down and she wore a bit of light makeup. Standing there with the sun shining on her, she radiated a gentle warmth.

Before the van had even come to a complete stop, Jiang Silu pushed the door open and jumped out.

"Mom!" she cried, running over and throwing herself into Jiang Yixia’s arms.

Jiang Yixia hugged her, patting her back. "You’ve gotten thinner," she said with a smile. "Have you not been eating properly?"

"I have been, but the cafeteria food is awful," Jiang Silu said, her voice muffled and a little choked.

Jiang Yixia’s eyes reddened as well, but she fought back the tears, refusing to let them fall.

She patted Jiang Silu’s back again, then looked up toward the van.

Sifan got out of the van. He stood by the door, looked at Jiang Yixia, and called out, "Mom."

Jiang Yixia walked over, looking him up and down. She reached out to cup his face. "You’ve lost weight. Your chin has gotten so sharp."

"I haven’t. I’ve actually gained a couple of pounds," Sifan said with a smile.

"A couple of pounds? Then how come your face looks smaller?" Jiang Yixia said, unconvinced.

"Maybe it’s because my hair is longer, makes my face look smaller."

Jiang Yixia laughed and patted his shoulder. "You little smart-aleck."

Jiang Silu, standing to the side, wiped her eyes and said with a grin, "Mom, look who my brother brought."

Jiang Yixia’s gaze fell upon Wen Wan.

Wen Wan stood by the van door, clutching a paper bag. She wore the cream-colored coat and stood ramrod straight, but her hands were trembling slightly.

"Hello, Auntie. My name is Wen Wan." Her voice trembled slightly, but she managed to keep it steady. "This is a gift for you. I wasn’t sure what you liked, so I bought some tea."

Jiang Yixia took the paper bag, smiling. "Oh, you shouldn’t have. Just having you here is enough."

She took Wen Wan’s hand and looked her up and down. "You’re so beautiful. That silly boy Sifan is a lucky one."

Wen Wan blushed and lowered her head. "Auntie, you’re too kind."

"It’s not kindness, it’s the truth," Jiang Yixia said with a laugh, then turned to glance at Sifan. "You treat her well, you hear?"

"I hear you," Sifan replied with a smile.

Lu Fan stood by the van, watching the scene unfold without a word.

His hands were tucked into his coat pockets, a faint smile on his lips. But there was something else hidden in that smile.

Jiang Silu noticed him and walked over. She tugged on his sleeve and whispered, "Dad, why are you standing so far away? Come over here."

Lu Fan smiled and walked over to stand beside Jiang Silu.

Jiang Yixia glanced at him but said nothing.

Jiang Silu looked at Jiang Yixia, then at Lu Fan, then back at Sifan, and said with a laugh, "Mom, when are we going to eat? I’m starving."

"You and your stomach," Jiang Yixia said fondly, turning to head into the flower shop. "Come on in. I bought groceries, I’ll start cooking in a bit."

The flower shop wasn’t large, but it was very neat and clean.

A few photos of floral arrangements were taped to the wall behind the counter. A potted devil’s ivy sat in the corner, and the flowers on the shelves were all neatly arranged, filling the air with a faint floral fragrance.

Wen Wan stepped inside and looked around. "Auntie," she said softly, "your shop is beautiful."