She had seen people try to pass off fakes for Yueyue’s position over the years, and most had been identified by Uncle Man. But why had he tacitly allowed this woman to stay by his side this time? Their atmosphere was indescribably harmonious.
Uncle Man couldn’t be swayed. If he were, Yueyue would surely be bullied to death. This woman looked like trouble, and she had to tell Yueyue!
Fan Nianzhi stopped just as she turned around. Yueyue was still asleep. Going up now would disturb her slumber. Besides, Yueyue never paid much attention when she spoke to her about such things and probably wouldn't care this time either.
Since she lived nearby, she would observe more closely in the future. She couldn't let this woman seize any opportunity. Without alerting anyone, she left.
Ten days later, the palace was adorned in red. The doors were open, and all the servants were bustling about, some even exaggeratedly wiping sweat from their brows.
“Hurry, hurry! Are all the items prepared? Bring them out first!”
“Hang this a bit higher, don’t make it crooked…”
“Oh dear~ you’re walking too slowly! You almost made me drop the things in my hand!”
Yao Qianya walked out with a beaming smile, looking at the festive scene before her. Aman had always been so thoughtful, arranging everything according to her wishes.
“You shouldn’t be out here. Let them handle the work, so you don’t catch a chill.” Normanis emerged with a mink shawl and draped it over Yao Qianya’s shoulders, a hint of worry in his eyes.
Yao Qianya smiled happily, tilting her head to look at the man carefully tying a ribbon for her. “The sense of happiness is higher when I participate myself. I haven’t done much, just wandered around. It’s fine.”
Normanis wouldn’t refuse anything that made her happy, so he had no choice but to accompany her.
“Are you done with your work?”
These days, he still went out early and returned late, making him hard to see.
Normanis took her hand and said dotingly, “No matter how busy I am, I have to accompany you for these two days.”
Yao Qianya lowered her head and chuckled softly. When she looked up again, she saw someone not far away and softly called out, “Jian You.”
Normanis followed her gaze and saw the little girl. A smile involuntarily appeared on his face; it was obvious she was returning from the shooting range.
Jian You was indeed returning from there, but she hadn’t been playing; she had been studying. When she returned, she saw everyone busy and only then remembered what day it was. She hadn’t expected them to celebrate it too.
“Sir, Madam.”
Jian You involuntarily changed her direction and softly greeted them.
Seeing Jian You’s softened expression, Yao Qianya no longer cared about her address.
“How did Old Jian return?”
She had asked Jian You a few days ago when she would go back for the New Year, but Jian You’s reply had been both speechless and inexplicably heart-wrenching.
She had said, “I didn’t even realize it until you mentioned it. It doesn’t matter whether I celebrate or not.”
In her eyes, it was no different from any other day. Was it genuine indifference, or… was there no one she cared for in her heart?
However, she knew Jian You did have people, but the latter was more likely. Since she remembered nothing, there was naturally no one she cared for. If she were at home, it wouldn’t be like this. Her family would also be very happy.
So she asked if Old Jian had returned. He hadn’t. She treated this place as her home.
Jian You expressionlessly picked up her phone. The old man had only replied: “You can celebrate the New Year with the organization. I have something to do.”
“He didn’t return.”
Normanis, however, keenly noticed that she wasn’t telling the truth, but he could guess. Old Jian had lived for so many years and was long accustomed to the ways of the world. Therefore, celebrating festivals or not was of no consequence. If he had something to do, he wouldn’t avoid this day.
This must be the sorrow of having no one to rely on. Fortunately, he still had his wife and daughter by his side; he was already very content.
Normanis smiled at the girl opposite him, “Today, you will celebrate with us. It’s all the same.”
Aman was truly as she had imagined. She genuinely liked this child Jian You, even regarding her as family. Therefore, on this special festival, she truly couldn’t be absent. It was only because of Old Jian’s involvement that they hadn’t been too presumptuous.
In fact, even though Jian You usually dined with them, on this particular festival, she should be treated differently from outsiders. Only family members participated.
Yao Qianya and her husband didn’t concern themselves with such formalities. This day was about reunion and joy. Being with loved ones was the most important thing.
Even if Duoduo wasn’t here, they would always leave a portion for her, allowing her to feel the atmosphere and find her way home.
Jian You was about to refuse, but looking at the couple, she inexplicably nodded. She couldn’t help but feel annoyed. She was becoming less and less in control lately, especially finding it difficult to stay away from these two.
Seeing her agree, Yao Qianya’s smile grew even happier. She then turned to her husband, “Aman, have we picked up Baroque?”
Normanis raised an eyebrow. “Do you think we could possibly forget it today?” Besides, its injuries had completely healed.
“Heh heh~”
Yao Qianya couldn’t help but let out a joyous laugh. If only Duoduo were here, there would be no regrets.
…
At the same time,
At the old residence of the Huan family, Luo Qinlan was sitting on the living room sofa, making a phone call.
“Beep, beep, beep…”
The call rang again and again, but no one answered. When it was finally hung up, there was still no answer.
The disappointment on Luo Qinlan’s face was evident. She had used the landline specifically, fearing he wouldn’t answer if he saw her number. Yet, he ignored it completely. Did he not care about his grandmother?
Luo Qinlan called again and again, unwilling to give up. Finally, after countless calls, the other end was no longer a busy signal. She immediately said:
“Mo Han, today… it’s… do you want to come back and celebrate?”
As soon as she finished speaking, Luo Qinlan feared Huan Mo Han would hang up immediately, so she quickly added:
“The children miss you! Come and see them.”
This was probably the most correct choice Luo Qinlan had made. As long as the children were involved, Mo Han wouldn’t completely cut ties with them. She knew that parents’ love for their children ran deep.
She had overheard servants gossiping that Mo Han was not close to the children at all, that he never came to see them, and even when he did, he had no expression, implying that Han Yu and the others were not favored.
Upon hearing this, she had immediately dismissed the servants and publicly warned them.
Others might not know, but she understood Mo Han’s deep-seated emotions. It was just… he was too tormented, so he couldn’t show even a hint of joy. But his love for the children was undeniable.
Even if it meant sacrificing his life, he wouldn’t hesitate for a moment.