Chapter 38: Home Is Still the Best

Recently, everyone had been busy, and Zhou Lichuan hadn’t returned to the old house for quite some time. According to Shen Mushi, his surgery was already scheduled, and the arrangements at the company had been properly settled.

Her son was now grown, no longer in need of parental care, and had even found someone he wished to start a family with. It seemed the days ahead would be bright and peaceful. Shen Xiaonan, at last, felt a weight lift from her shoulders.

As soon as she stepped into the living room, she heard Zhou Jiayan raising her voice, quarreling with Jiang Zao over fruit—apparently because there was a wormhole in her apple.

“You deliberately gave me the rotten apple! You’re up to no good, trying to upset my stomach,” Zhou Jiayan accused loudly.

Jiang Zao, standing behind the sofa, shot back without hesitation, “You’re not a kindergartener—eating something a little dirty won’t give you a stomachache. There are so many apples, but you just had to pick the one with a wormhole. Instead of swapping it, you try to snatch mine. Who’s the childish one here?”

Zhou Lichuan sat on the sofa, tea in hand, smiling as he listened to their bickering, with not the faintest intention of mediating.

Zhou Jiayan grew even angrier at Jiang Zao’s words. “What do you mean, snatching yours? It was mine to begin with! I brought it for my brother! You wouldn’t get your own and insisted on taking his—who’s childish now?”

Jiang Zao dodged the balled-up tissue Zhou Jiayan threw and teased, “Zhou Lichuan likes me, so he gave me his apple—not you, so there!”

Unable to win the argument, Zhou Jiayan resorted to pelting her with tissue balls. “How can you be like this!”

Shen Xiaonan stood at the corner of the hall, watching the two girls of similar age squabble, and was reminded, inexplicably, of her own carefree and joyful days before marriage.

A wealthy young lady, in her youth, is always so bright and unrestrained.

Jiang Zao, laughing as she dodged, caught sight of Shen Xiaonan at the doorway and immediately stopped, respectfully greeting her.

“Aunt Shen, you’re here! Sorry, we got a bit carried away and didn’t notice you. Please, come in and sit down.”

Seeing Jiang Zao’s rosy, cheerful face, Shen Xiaonan couldn’t help but be infected by her spirit and smiled as well.

“I just arrived myself. Seeing the two of you having such a good time, I didn’t want to interrupt. Jiayan, are you getting used to living here? If you need anything, just tell your aunt—I’ll see to it for you.”

Zhou Jiayan quickly ran over and took Shen Xiaonan’s other arm. “You don’t need to worry, Aunt. I’m perfectly comfortable here. It’s spacious, the air is fresh—I love it!”

Shen Xiaonan nodded with a smile. “That’s good. I specifically asked the housekeeper to prepare the room on the west side for you. It’s the brightest and most open. In winter, you can open the windows for some fresh air, and the sunlight is warm enough that you won’t feel cold.”

Zhou Jiayan looked surprised. “So it was you who arranged my room, Aunt? No wonder it’s so comfortable! The decorations are all to my liking, and the pale yellow sheets were clearly chosen with care. Thank you for being so thoughtful!”

Honestly, if only Jiang Zao had told her it wasn’t her doing, she wouldn’t have spent all that time unjustly blaming her.

Zhou Lichuan set down his teacup and stood, smiling at Shen Xiaonan.

Seeing her son’s inconvenient movements, Shen Xiaonan felt a pang of pain in her heart and quickly sat down, inquiring, “Yesterday, Shen Mushi came home to get something from your father, and I took the chance to ask about your health. Lichuan, when do you plan to have the surgery? While your condition is still stable, why not do it soon so you can recover faster?”

Jiang Zao poured tea for Shen Xiaonan but didn’t dare to join the conversation.

Zhou Lichuan was quite set in his ways and rarely listened to others’ advice. If Shen Xiaonan could persuade him, that would be something.

He sighed quietly. “Mom, I know what I’m doing. Don’t worry about it.”

Seeing Jiang Zao and Zhou Jiayan nearby, Shen Xiaonan realized it wasn’t the right time for a lecture, so she changed the subject.

“I’ve already bought Zaozao’s paintings—one of the seaside, one of the desert. Two landscapes, just right for the house.”

Zhou Jiayan pursed her lips at some thought but said nothing.

Jiang Zao was flustered by the attention. “Those were just two doodles from school—my brushwork was childish, hardly worthy of display. You’re too kind, Aunt.”

Shen Xiaonan smiled as she accepted the tea Jiang Zao served and took a sip. “To create such work in school shows amazing talent. Just a few days ago, a friend who knows art came to visit your uncle and praised both pieces highly.”

Jiang Zao’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment. “You honor me too much. Brother Shen even spoke up for me in front of the exhibition manager—I hardly deserve such kindness.”

Standing behind Shen Xiaonan, arms folded, Zhou Jiayan gave a silent, disdainful snort. It was the first time she’d seen Jiang Zao act so bashful and affected, and yet her aunt seemed to love this well-behaved routine.

Happily, Shen Xiaonan drew Jiang Zao to sit beside her. “If you weren’t talented, I couldn’t support you even if I wanted to. Being exhibited at a show proves your strength; you just haven’t met the right patron yet.”

Jiang Zao lowered her head and smiled. “Aunt, your praise makes me shy.”

Shen Xiaonan quickly asked, “Have you kept up with your painting lately? Don’t neglect your talent because of Lichuan. Someone as gifted as you shouldn’t waste a single day. I know painting can get dull—if you’re bored, come down to the garden or go out for a walk with someone. Don’t stay cooped up at home all the time.”

Zhou Lichuan quickly answered for her, “Mom, Zaozao isn’t very strong. It’s almost winter, so it’s better for her to stay in and recover. Let her paint at home; no need to go out much.”

Shen Xiaonan was indignant. “So you’re stuck at home because you can’t move easily, but Zaozao is in the prime of her youth and has to stay with you all day? Even prisoners get to go out for a walk. You’re being far too strict with her.”

Jiang Zao took Shen Xiaonan’s hand. “Aunt, my stomach’s not been great lately, and with winter coming my throat’s acting up again. Lichuan still has to go to the office every day, which is a hassle, so if I stay home, he has less to worry about.”

Her words made Shen Xiaonan’s eyes crinkle with delight as she praised Jiang Zao for being so thoughtful.

Watching this family’s warmth and closeness from the side, Zhou Jiayan felt a bit uncomfortable.

She had never grown up with her parents around, had never known such harmony and familial bliss. Her parents’ marriage was all but over in name, only a certificate away from dissolution.

They couldn’t stand each other—one in Jingzhou, the other always in Australia. If not for the interests tied to their marriage, they would have parted ways long ago.

By comparison, Zhou Lichuan truly was more fortunate than she.