Hearing the sound of their return, Aunt Song stopped talking and looked over with Luo Yuqi.
Only when their eyes met did Shen Jianxi realize his eyes were blue, like the mysterious sea, drawing one in before they noticed. What's more, these eyes, amidst their mystery, held a clarity that made them even more captivating.
Upon seeing Shen Jianxi, Aunt Song's face broke into a surprised smile. She stood up and walked to Shen Jianxi's side, taking her hand and pulling her to sit on the sofa.
"This must be Xiao Xi, you've grown so big," she said, appraising her.
Yet, her gaze was not at all unpleasant.
"Hello, Aunt Song," she said, smiling sweetly, clearly the kind of child elders would adore.
Indeed, seeing her so well-behaved and sweet, Song Ning's smile widened. "Don't call me Aunt Song, call me Godmother!"
"Godmother," she said obediently.
Hearing the word "Godmother," Song Ning was overjoyed. She immediately took off the jade bracelet she had worn for decades and was about to place it on Shen Jianxi.
Shen Jianxi quickly stopped her, "Godmother, this is too precious, I can't accept it."
The jade, judging by its quality, was top-tier. After seeing her for the first time in over ten years, she certainly couldn't accept it.
As she tried to refuse, Shen Mama, sitting nearby, lifted her cup and suddenly said, "Accept it."
Shen Jianxi paused, and in that instant, the jade bracelet was slipped onto her wrist.
The jade bracelet made her wrist appear even more fair and slender.
"This..." She looked troubled, unsure of what these two mothers were up to.
Shen Mama and Song Ning exchanged a knowing smile; only they understood its meaning.
Amidst this intense tug-of-war, Luo Yuqi, who was sitting beside them, remained very quiet, staring intently at the tabletop before him.
Satisfied, Song Ning finally remembered she had a son. She patted Luo Yuqi's back and said, "Say hello to your Sister Jianxi! You child, why don't you greet people!"
Luo Yuqi looked up, his beautiful eyes meeting Shen Jianxi's. "Hello, Sister."
"...Hello, Brother Yuqi."
Honestly, she found this greeting rather awkward.
Yet, the two mothers didn't seem to mind, instead showing beaming smiles.
Her purpose here achieved, Song Ning stood up. "Then Wanyu, I'll be leaving now. My flight is at noon, so I won't be staying for lunch."
Her best friend of many years was about to leave after such a short reunion, and Shen Mama's eyes instantly welled up. "I'll see you out."
Although transportation was very developed now, the two had their own lives over the years and could never meet. They could only talk on the phone occasionally.
Shen Mama rose to escort Song Ning out, leaving only Shen Jianxi, Shen Papa, and Luo Yuqi in the living room, a silence hanging between the three.
Shen Jianxi looked up at Shen Papa, who happened to be looking at her too. In the instant their eyes met, Shen Papa made a funny face. She couldn't help but let out a laugh.
Her laughter attracted Luo Yuqi's attention. He looked up, a look of confusion in his eyes.
Shen Jianxi abruptly stood up. "Let me show you to the room you'll be staying in! Daddy, where is Brother Yuqi's room?"
Her intention was merely to break the tension, but upon asking the question, Shen Papa's expression turned melancholic, with a hint of suppressed anger.
"Your mother said it's opposite your bedroom."
As he said this, the resentment emanating from Shen Papa was almost palpable.
Shen Jianxi: ...
The jade bracelet on her wrist suddenly felt hot.
She seemed to understand what consensus these two mothers had reached.
"...Haha," Shen Jianxi gave a dry laugh. Seeing Shen Papa become even more dejected, she quickly turned to Luo Yuqi and said, "Then Brother Yuqi, come with me, I'll take you."
Luo Yuqi stood up, politely greeted Shen Papa, and then quietly followed Shen Jianxi upstairs. Shen Papa was now close to tears and clutching a handkerchief.
Her bedroom was on the third floor. Shen Jianxi chatted with Luo Yuqi about the household on the way. Luo Yuqi listened quietly, responding with "Okay," "Mm," and "Thank you" when he needed to.
By the time they reached the bedroom, Shen Jianxi had already heard these words countless times.
She placed the room key on the table and prepared to leave, as she really didn't want to hear any more repetitive talk.
But this time, Luo Yuqi actually called out to her.
Shen Jianxi turned back. "What is it?"
Luo Yuqi flashed a faint smile, his eyes instantly seeming to brim with starlight. His already delicate features became even more lively and alluring. "Please take care of me, Sister."
Shen Jianxi hadn't expected him to stop her just for this. She was momentarily stunned, then smiled, "Alright, I'll be counting on you!"
After saying this, she turned and returned to her own room, closing the door under Luo Yuqi's gaze.
Downstairs.
Shen Papa, not seeing them come down, became restless, feeling time drag agonizingly.
After a while, he simply stood up and paced back and forth in the room.
When Shen Mama returned, she saw him in this anxious state.
"Old Shen, what are you doing?"
Hearing Shen Mama call him, Shen Papa quickly walked over. "Wife, our precious girl and that kid have been upstairs for almost three minutes and haven't come down. Do you think that kid might be bullying our daughter!"
The more he thought about it, the more plausible it seemed. Their precious girl was so delicate and kind; even if she were bullied, she would surely endure it and not say a word, crying secretly under the covers in the middle of the night.
Just the thought of that scene made Shen Papa's heart ache terribly. He couldn't help but prepare to go upstairs, but Shen Mama stopped him.
Although Shen Mama also doted on her daughter, Shen Papa's ability to twist facts still shocked her.
"What nonsense are you talking about? Yuqi is such a well-behaved child. Your daughter used to bully him when he was little."
Whether it was shaving Xiao Yuqi's head or making him play the role of the mother during make-believe games, or drawing his face like a cat,
Shen Mama remembered countless similar incidents. Every time she had to discipline her daughter, Shen Papa would intervene.
Despite this, Shen Papa remained uneasy. "But..."
"No buts. Shen Ting, I'm warning you, if you interfere with these two children developing their relationship, you can sleep in the guest room!"
With that, Shen Mama went upstairs directly, ignoring Shen Papa's wronged expression.
Scolded and warned, Shen Papa became obedient. Although he still felt worried and anxious, he didn't make any further moves.
Hearing the sound of a door closing on the second floor, he obediently went upstairs to appease her. Since he forgot to close the door, soon faint sounds of "Wife, I was wrong," and "Can I not kneel on the remote control today?" and various other pleas for mercy could be heard from downstairs.