Chapter 470 - 255: A Family of 4, Reunited

"Just a small business, enough to make a living," Jiang Yixia said with a smile. She took a few bottles of water from under the counter and handed them over. "Have some water. You probably didn't get enough on the plane, did you?"

Jiang Silu took the water, twisted off the cap, and took a big gulp. Then she leaned against the counter, looking at Jiang Yixia.

"Mom, have you been busy lately?" she asked.

"Busy. I have a big wedding order next week. It's a 300-person venue, so it'll keep me busy for a few days," Jiang Yixia said, a hint of excitement in her voice.

"Three hundred people? How much is that worth?" Jiang Silu's eyes widened.

"Not a whole lot. Enough to cover two months' rent," Jiang Yixia said with a smile.

Jiang Sifan stood at the flower shop's entrance without going inside.

He leaned against the doorframe, watching the scene inside the shop: Jiang Yixia and Jiang Silu talking, and Wen Wan standing quietly to the side, listening.

Lu Fan walked over and stood next to him, also not going in.

The two of them just stood there, neither one speaking.

After a while, Jiang Sifan finally spoke. "I want to take Wen Wan to see the Guangzhou Tower. It's her first time in Yangcheng."

Lu Fan nodded. "Go ahead. Just be back in time for dinner tonight."

"Okay." Jiang Sifan turned and called into the shop, "Wen Wan, let's go. I'll take you to the Guangzhou Tower."

Wen Wan came out of the flower shop, walked over to Jiang Sifan, and asked in a low voice, "Are we going right now?"

"Yeah. It's not dark yet, so we can see the panoramic view from the top," Jiang Sifan said, taking her hand and leading her away.

Jiang Silu poked her head out of the shop. "Bro, aren't you eating?"

"We'll eat when we get back," Jiang Sifan said without turning his head, and led Wen Wan away.

Jiang Silu glanced at Lu Fan, then walked over and tugged on his sleeve. "Dad, my brother needs time. Don't rush it."

Lu Fan looked down at Jiang Silu's face and smiled. "I'm not rushing. I'm not rushing at all. Just seeing the three of you so happy together after a whole semester apart is enough to make me feel gratified."

Jiang Silu looked into his eyes. They were a little red, but he was smiling.

She suddenly felt her nose tingle and quickly turned her face away, pretending to look at the flowers.

"Mom, I'll help you cook," she said, heading toward the kitchen in the back of the shop.

Jiang Yixia followed, and the mother-daughter pair got busy in the kitchen.

Lu Fan stood at the entrance of the flower shop, watching the scene in the kitchen.

The warm yellow light from inside the shop shone through the glass door, landing at his feet.

The sound of Jiang Yixia and Jiang Silu talking in the kitchen drifted out faintly. He couldn't make out what they were saying, but their laughter was clear.

Just then, Lu Fan's phone vibrated. It was a message from Jiali: [President Lu, next week's schedule has been arranged. Would you like to take a look?]

Lu Fan replied: [Send it to my email. I'll look at it later.]

After sending the message, he put his phone in his pocket, pushed the door open, and walked into the flower shop.

In the kitchen, Jiang Yixia was chopping vegetables while Jiang Silu washed them nearby.

"Let me," Lu Fan said as he walked over, rolled up his sleeves, and took the kitchen knife from Jiang Yixia's hand.

Jiang Yixia glanced at him. "You know how to cook?"

"Have you forgotten? Who do you think cooked that feast last time at your place?" Lu Fan said with a smile. With a few swift motions, the potato was cut into even, thin slices and arranged neatly on the cutting board.

Jiang Yixia froze for a moment, remembering the sight of him cooking in her kitchen last time, wearing an apron.

"Fine, you cook then. I'll take a break," she said, wiping her hands and going to sit down behind the counter.

Jiang Silu looked at Lu Fan, then back at Jiang Yixia. A smile played on her lips as she whispered, "Mom, you two..."

"Kids shouldn't meddle in adults' business," Jiang Yixia cut her off, but her ears turned red.

Jiang Silu laughed but didn't say anything more. She ran behind the counter and sat down next to Jiang Yixia.

"Mom, let me tell you, our landscape design professor this semester is so strict..."

The mother and daughter chatted about school while Lu Fan worked in the kitchen. The clatter of the spatula against the wok mixed with their voices, filling the cozy little flower shop.

Outside, the sky gradually darkened, and the streetlights came on.

The lights in the flower shop were on, their warm yellow glow spilling through the glass door onto the sidewalk.

An hour later, Jiang Sifan and Wen Wan returned.

Wen Wan was holding a paper bag containing two boxes of souvenirs from the Guangzhou Tower.

She had a smile on her face and her eyes were sparkling, clearly having had a good time.

"You're back? Go wash your hands for dinner," Jiang Yixia said, getting up from behind the counter and heading to the kitchen.

The dining table was laden with dishes: steamed sea bass, spareribs in black bean sauce, blanched prawns, baby Napa cabbage in superior stock, dry-fried beef chow fun, and a slow-cooked soup.

"Wow, so many dishes!" Jiang Silu's eyes lit up, and she picked up her chopsticks, ready to dig in.

"Hold on, your brother hasn't sat down yet," Jiang Yixia said, slapping her hand lightly.

Jiang Silu stuck her tongue out and put down her chopsticks.

Jiang Sifan and Wen Wan washed their hands and sat down at the table.

Wen Wan looked at the feast on the table and said with a blush, "Auntie, you're too kind. We won't be able to finish all this food."

"If we can't finish it, we'll eat the leftovers tomorrow," Jiang Yixia said with a smile. She picked up a ladle and served Wen Wan a bowl of soup. "Here, have some soup. It's been simmering for two hours, so it's very flavorful."

Wen Wan accepted the bowl with both hands and took a sip with her head lowered.

Lu Fan brought out the last dish from the kitchen.

It was sweet and sour spareribs. He placed it on the table and sat down next to Jiang Yixia.

"Let's eat," Jiang Yixia announced.

The five of them sat around the small dining table in the back of the flower shop. Above them, a warm yellow lamp cast a glow on everyone's face.

Jiang Silu picked up a piece of the spareribs, took a bite, and her eyes lit up. "Dad, did you make these ribs?"

Lu Fan nodded and said with a smile, "Is it good?"

"Delicious!" Jiang Silu exclaimed, grabbing another piece. "A hundred times better than the cafeteria food."