Chapter 113: Secret

Chapter 113: Chapter 113: Secret

"Because I wasn’t good enough."

Jiang Fan’s voice was tinged with bitterness as he thought back on those days.

"You and your male pride."

Jun Yue muttered.

Jiang Fan opened his mouth to speak, but all that came out was a long sigh.

After a long while, the sound of Jun Yue’s soft snores came from behind him.

She slept soundly, more peacefully than she had in the more than ten years they had been apart.

His gaze drifted to the bright moon outside the window, and his mind wandered, traveling back through time to several years ago.

...

The next morning, Jiang Fan groggily opened his eyes as sunlight streamed onto his face.

He reached out a hand, but the woman from last night was already gone.

It was like a beautiful dream that left no trace.

"Rise and shine! The sun’s been up for ages. Grandma just made you breakfast."

While Jiang Fan was still in a daze, Jun Yue pushed the door open and came in, an apron tied around her waist.

"Huh? Breakfast?"

"You guys go ahead. I’ll skip. I’m not in the habit of eating breakfast."

"I’m going to sleep a little longer."

Jiang Fan reveled in this rare moment of stolen leisure.

He pulled the blanket over his head and lay back down.

"No breakfast? Not a chance. That’s terrible for your stomach."

Jun Yue sat on the edge of the bed and pulled back his blanket.

"You guys go ahead, I’m not eating."

Jiang Fan rolled over and pulled the blanket back over himself.

"I’ll tell you a secret if you get up and have breakfast. How about it?"

Jun Yue leaned down and gently nuzzled her cheek against Jiang Fan’s forehead.

"A secret?"

Jiang Fan peeked out from under the blanket to look at her.

"Yep."

A sly smile appeared on Jun Yue’s face.

"Alright, alright, I’m up."

Jiang Fan threw off the covers and leaped out of bed.

"Ew! Your feet are as stinky as ever! Don’t shake the blanket!"

Jun Yue pinched her nose and immediately ran out.

Jiang Fan rubbed his nose, embarrassed.

He didn’t pay it much mind, though. After a long stretch, he threw on some clothes and left the room.

The sunlight was especially warm today.

Basking in it made you feel wonderfully lazy.

A few children were scattered around the courtyard, playing games as they basked in the sun.

"Hurry up and come eat breakfast."

Grandma, the director, beckoned to Jiang Fan with a kind smile.

"Not yet! Go brush your teeth and wash your face first!"

Li Qian’Er hopped in front of Jiang Fan and pointed toward the bathroom.

"I already got everything ready for you. It’s all new."

Li Qian’Er said, pushing him along.

"Look at you, quick on the draw."

Jiang Fan gave her a flick on the forehead.

"Ow!"

Li Qian’Er yelped, clutching her forehead as her eyes welled up with tears while she stared at him.

HAHAHAHAHA.

Seeing her like this, Jiang Fan let out a hearty laugh.

"Grandma, look at him!"

Li Qian’Er put her hands on her hips, stomped her foot, and tattled.

"Alright, alright. I’ll scold him later."

"Now, come eat."

Grandma, the director, beamed, her smile stretching from ear to ear. She’d never had children of her own and had poured her life into running the orphanage, sending countless children out into the world.

But these few were the ones who came back to bring her joy in her old age.

She truly treated them as her own children.

After brushing his teeth and washing his face, Jiang Fan sat on the stone stool in the middle of the courtyard.

"Grandma made these meat buns for you this morning. She said they’re your favorite."

Jun Yue handed one over.

The billowing steam carried a delicious aroma that made his mouth water.

A single bite released a burst of savory, overflowing juice.

"So good, so good."

Jiang Fan devoured two in one go before pausing. He turned to Sun Yanzi. "Did you sleep well last night?"

Sun Yanzi, who was taking small sips of her plain congee, was taken aback when the conversation suddenly shifted to her.

"I slept well, thanks. I’m not a picky sleeper."

"It’s just that I have to go to work in a bit."

Jiang Fan quickly took out his phone and glanced at the time.

Friday, 10:30 AM.

"I thought it was the weekend..."

"I already called you in for the morning. You just need to go in this afternoon."

Sun Yanzi said in a soft, gentle voice. Combined with her elegant table manners, she had the air of a well-bred lady.

"Oh, thank goodness! You scared me to death."

"If I just skipped work, I’d get reamed out."

Just thinking of Li Muwan’s icy expression gave Jiang Fan a headache.

"Is your boss very fierce?"

Jun Yue asked curiously.

"Her chest is okay, I guess. Not particularly big."

Jiang Fan answered with a straight face.

"Huh?"

Jun Yue blinked, stunned for a half-second. Then she smacked him on the back of the head. "Getting fresh with me now, are we?"

Jiang Fan ducked his head, rubbing the spot.

"I was just trying to liven things up."

"She’s actually not bad when she’s not being fierce. Just a little cold and aloof."

The moment Jun Yue glared, Jiang Fan spilled everything.

"Hmph. Spineless!"

Li Qian’Er threw him a contemptuous look.

"I call that discretion being the better part of valor!"

"Still got something to say, do you?"

He wouldn’t dare lay a hand on Jun Yue, but he figured dealing with Snot Girl was well within his abilities.

Jiang Fan made a pincer with his index and middle fingers, giving her a dangerous look.

"Grandma!!"

Li Qian’Er immediately grabbed Grandma’s hand, whining playfully.

"Go on, now. Stop bullying Little Qian’Er."

Grandma said, patting Jiang Fan’s arm lightly.

Beaming, Li Qian’Er made a face at Jiang Fan.

But Jiang Fan ignored her completely, finishing the congee in his bowl in a few quick gulps.

"Eat more. Look, you’ve gotten so thin."

As Grandma spoke, she placed two more big meat buns in Jiang Fan’s bowl.

Her face was full of loving concern.

Jiang Fan grinned. ’Old folks were all the same. No matter how much weight you put on, they always thought you came back thinner.’

In reality, he hadn’t lost any weight at all; he’d actually gained a few pounds.

Still, he didn’t want to disappoint Grandma, so he quickly finished the two buns and stood up.

"I’m really full, I can’t eat another bite. I’m going to walk it off."

He knew that as long as he stayed at the table, Grandma would keep piling on more food.

In Grandma’s mind, not leaving the table meant you could still eat—you were just too polite to ask for more.

Li Qian’Er and Jun Yue exchanged a look and, following his example, quickly finished their food and stood up too.

Only Sun Yanzi looked at them with wide-eyed, adorable confusion.

"Here, dear, Grandma will get you some more."

"Try this kind, it’s delicious too."

With a loving smile, Grandma picked up Sun Yanzi’s bowl and promptly added two vegetable buns.

"No, no, no, Grandma, I can’t eat anymore."

But it was as if Grandma hadn’t heard a word.

Sun Yanzi looked utterly helpless.

Seeing the three of them by the side, stifling their laughter, she shot a fierce glare at Jiang Fan.