Chapter 471 - 255: A Family of 4, Reunited

Jiang Sifan didn't say a word. He silently picked up a pork rib, took a bite, chewed, and swallowed.

Wen Wan, sitting beside him, asked softly, "Is it good?"

Jiang Sifan nodded. "It's okay."

Jiang Silu glanced at him, the corner of her mouth quirking up, but she didn't call him out on it.

Watching her children eat, Jiang Yixia's eyes began to redden, but she held back the tears.

She lowered her head and took a sip of soup. It was scalding, making her eyes redden even more.

Under the table, Lu Fan reached out and gave her hand a gentle squeeze.

Jiang Yixia shot him a glare and pulled her hand away.

Lu Fan just smiled. He didn't reach for her hand again, simply picking up his chopsticks to continue eating.

After dinner, Jiang Silu helped Jiang Yixia clear the dishes. Jiang Sifan and Wen Wan sat on chairs in front of the flower shop, watching the city nightscape.

Wen Wan leaned against Jiang Sifan's shoulder and said softly, "Your mom is a really good person."

"See? I told you she's easygoing," Jiang Sifan said with a smile.

"Your dad... he's a good person too," Wen Wan added deliberately.

Jiang Sifan didn't answer, just humming in response.

Wen Wan knew he didn't want to talk about it, so she didn't press the issue.

A little after nine in the evening, Lu Fan stood up and patted Jiang Sifan's shoulder. "Alright, let's get you all back to rest. The apartment is ready. It's near the flower shop, about a ten-minute walk."

Jiang Sifan nodded, stood up, and said to Jiang Yixia, "Mom, we're going to head out."

"Okay, go on. Come over for breakfast tomorrow morning." Jiang Yixia wiped her hands as she saw them to the door.

Jiang Silu went over and hugged Jiang Yixia. "Goodnight, Mom."

"Goodnight. Go to bed early."

Jiang Silu then looked at Lu Fan. After a moment's hesitation, she hugged him too. "Goodnight, Dad."

Lu Fan froze for a second, then broke into a smile and patted her on the back. "Goodnight."

Jiang Sifan stood in the doorway, a complicated expression on his face as he watched the scene unfold.

He gave Wen Wan's hand a little tug. "Let's go."

They left the flower shop and started walking down the sidewalk.

Lu Fan and Jiang Silu followed behind. The four of them walked along the old streets of Yangcheng, the streetlights stretching their shadows out long.

Wen Wan glanced back and saw Lu Fan and Jiang Silu walking together. Silu had her arm linked with Lu Fan's, and whatever they were talking about had her roaring with laughter.

'This family is actually pretty great,' she suddenly thought.

'They just need time.'

The apartment they arrived at was spacious and spotlessly clean, with four rooms.

Jiang Silu chose a room by the window, Wen Wan took the one next to her, and Jiang Sifan took the room at the end of the hall.

Lu Fan stood in the living room and said to Jiang Sifan, "I'm heading out. You all get some rest."

Jiang Sifan nodded. "Take care on your way home."

Lu Fan looked at him, as if wanting to say something more. He opened his mouth, but in the end, he just smiled, turned, and left.

Jiang Silu poked her head out of her room. Seeing Lu Fan's retreating back, she called out, "Dad, see you tomorrow!"

Lu Fan turned, gave her a wave, and stepped into the elevator.

The doors slid shut.

Jiang Sifan remained in the living room, staring at the closed elevator doors for a long moment.

Wen Wan came and stood beside him. "Sifan," she began softly, "your dad..."

"I know," Jiang Sifan cut her off, his voice heavy. "I know he's good to me."

"Then why won't you call him 'Dad'?" Wen Wan asked.

Jiang Sifan fell silent for a few seconds, then sighed. "Just... give it some more time."

Wen Wan said no more. She gently stepped forward, gave him a brief hug, and returned to her room.

Jiang Sifan stood alone in the living room, gazing out the window.

Jiang Yixia sat alone behind the counter in the flower shop, lost in thought.

Her phone buzzed. It was a message from Lu Fan: [The kids are all settled in.]

Jiang Yixia replied with a simple "Mm."

Lu Fan sent another message: [Your sweater looked really nice today.]

Jiang Yixia froze. She glanced down at her light purple sweater, and a blush crept up her cheeks.

She typed a few words, deleted them, and finally sent back a reply: [Oh, stop your smooth-talking.]

Lu Fan sent back a smiley face emoji.

A small smile played on Jiang Yixia's lips as she looked at the emoji. She placed her phone on the counter, stood up, turned off the lights, and locked the door.

Lu Fan had offered to take her home, but Jiang Yixia had insisted on going by herself.

She wanted to walk alone.

She tilted her head back and looked up at the sky.

'The moon is so full tonight.'

She suddenly recalled the image of Lu Fan stir-frying in the kitchen earlier that day.

She remembered the sight of Jiang Silu hugging him and calling him "Dad."

Her eyes grew misty again, but this time, a smile graced her lips.

Nineteen years.

It seemed this family was finally, truly coming together.

But she knew, deep down, that her son, Jiang Sifan, still hadn't completely forgiven Lu Fan.

And her own father, Jiang Guoqiang, was just as stubborn.

'As for herself...'

Jiang Yixia had a feeling that a truly complete New Year's reunion for the whole family was still some time away.