Chapter 482 - 258: A Top-Tier Yangcheng Villa for Yixia

Jiang Yixia stood to the side, watching him carefully fill out the contract.

'But she knew the truth deep down.'

She really liked the house, but that was all it was. Just a feeling.

By the time they left Ersha Island, the sky was already growing dark.

Jiang Yixia got in the car and leaned back against the seat, closing her eyes. Her mind was filled with the image of that round window, the river view beyond it, and the few white birds.

"You must be hungry. Let's go eat," Lu Fan said.

"I'm not hungry. Take me back to the flower shop," Jiang Yixia answered, her eyes still closed.

"Aren't Silu and the others watching the shop? What's the rush?"

"I'm still worried."

Lu Fan chuckled and said to Chen He, "Back to the flower shop."

The car started heading back.

Jiang Yixia kept her eyes closed, not saying a word.

Lu Fan sat beside her, also silent.

By the time they reached the flower shop, it was already dark.

Jiang Yixia got out of the car and pushed open the door to go inside.

Jiang Silu was sitting behind the counter wrapping a bouquet, with Wen Wan beside her handing her supplies. The two of them worked in perfect sync.

"Mom, you're back?" Jiang Silu looked up and said with a smile, "Did you finish the viewing? How was the house?"

"It's nice," Jiang Yixia said, taking off an apron and hanging it on a hook. "Have you two eaten yet?"

"Not yet. We were waiting for you to get back so we could eat together." Jiang Silu stood up and stretched.

Just then, Lu Fan pushed the door open. He stood at the entrance, looked at the three women in the shop, and said with a smile, "Come on, I'll treat you all to dinner."

Jiang Silu glanced at Jiang Yixia. When Jiang Yixia didn't say anything, she took it as tacit approval.

The five of them went to a Cantonese restaurant near the flower shop and got a private room.

Lu Fan ordered a table full of food: steamed sea bass, pork ribs in black bean sauce, poached prawns, stir-fried beef chow fun, baby cabbage in superior broth, a slow-cooked Cantonese soup, and Jiang Silu's favorite, sweet and sour pork ribs.

"Dad, why are you being so generous today?" Jiang Silu asked with a laugh.

"When am I ever not generous?" Lu Fan chuckled.

Jiang Silu laughed, picking up a piece of a pork rib. After taking a bite, she asked, "Mom, so what did you really think of the house? You haven't really said yet."

Jiang Yixia took a sip of soup, set down her bowl, and said quietly, "It was nice."

"How nice?"

"Just... nice."

Jiang Silu studied her mother's expression. Something felt off, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it.

She glanced over at Wen Wan, who was also watching Jiang Yixia. Their eyes met for a second, but neither of them spoke.

After dinner, Lu Fan walked them back to the flower shop.

Jiang Yixia walked in the front, with Jiang Silu and Wen Wan behind her, and Lu Fan bringing up the rear.

"Dad," Jiang Silu said, slowing her pace to let Lu Fan catch up. She lowered her voice and asked, "That house... did you buy it for Mom?"

Lu Fan glanced at his daughter and smiled. "How did you know?"

"Just a guess," Jiang Silu said, starting to laugh. "You never ask for anyone's opinion on things. You always make up your mind on your own before you do anything."

Lu Fan looked at his daughter, his eyes filled with a mixture of surprise and pride.

"Your mom doesn't know yet," he said quietly.

"So when are you planning to tell her?"

"When the time is right."

Jiang Silu nodded and didn't press him further.

When they got back to the flower shop, Jiang Yixia stopped and turned to Lu Fan. "You should head back. Thanks for today."

Lu Fan smiled. "It was nothing. You're the one who had a long day, running around with me."

Jiang Yixia glanced at him, looking as if she wanted to say something, but she held her tongue.

She turned and went into the flower shop, with Jiang Silu and Wen Wan following behind her.

Lu Fan stood at the entrance, watching as the lights inside the shop went out one by one. He watched Jiang Yixia's silhouette move back and forth behind the glass door for a while before he finally turned and walked away.

Jiang Silu peeked her head out of the shop and, seeing Lu Fan's retreating back, called out, "Dad, see you tomorrow!"

Lu Fan turned around and waved to her with a smile. "See you tomorrow."

The door to the flower shop closed.

Jiang Yixia stood behind the counter, her head bowed as she organized the ledgers.

Jiang Silu walked over and leaned against the counter, watching her.

"Mom, do you really like the house or not?" Jiang Silu asked.

Jiang Yixia looked up at her daughter. After a few seconds of silence, she nodded. "I like it."

"Then why didn't you just tell Dad?"

Jiang Yixia sighed, put down her pen, and leaned back in her chair. "That's a house your dad bought," she said quietly. "It's not mine."

"What's the difference?" Jiang Silu said with a frown. "If he buys it, it's yours."

Jiang Yixia looked at her daughter but didn't reply.

"Silu, you don't understand," she said quietly.

Jiang Silu looked at her mother's face, noticed her ears were slightly red, and suddenly smiled. "Mom, your ears are red."

Jiang Yixia reached up and touched her ears. They were burning.

She shot her daughter a look, her face blushing. "Go on, get out of here. Stop talking nonsense."

Jiang Silu laughed and started pulling Wen Wan toward the door. "Sister Wen Wan, let's go. My mom's getting shy."

As Jiang Silu pulled her away, Wen Wan glanced back at Jiang Yixia and said with a smile, "We'll head out then. You should get some rest soon, too."

"Okay. Be careful on your way," Jiang Yixia said with a nod.

The two of them left the flower shop and walked along the old streets of Yangcheng.

"Sister Wen Wan, do you think my mom and dad will get back together?" Jiang Silu asked.

Wen Wan thought for a moment before answering quietly, "I think so."

"Why?"

"Because the way your mom looks at your dad has changed," Wen Wan said earnestly. "When your dad came to the shop today, even though your mom didn't say much, the way she looked at him... it wasn't a look of dislike."

Jiang Silu turned to look at Wen Wan and smiled. "Sister Wen Wan, you're so observant. I hope one day our whole family can be together, happy and loving—Grandpa, Grandma, Uncle, everyone..."