Sun Wanyun’s expression was stiff. “What are you doing here?”

Jiang Shi stood his ground. “Am I not allowed to come?”

Sun Wanyun met his gaze for a couple of seconds before setting down the flowers she was holding. After the initial, fleeting shock of seeing him, her expression returned to its usual indifference. “Since you’re here, come in.”

She looked at Zhang Chi, who was standing beside him. “Did you arrive yesterday? Where did you stay last night?”

Jiang Shi spread his hands. “I thought that was obvious.”

Sun Wanyun’s brow furrowed slowly. “If you’ve come back, you should stay at home. What is this, staying at someone else’s house?”

Jiang Shi, holding the gift bag, started walking inside, his voice lazy. “Ms. Sun, that wouldn’t be proper. I’m an outsider, after all.”

Sun Wanyun stood behind him in silence for a long moment but ultimately said nothing more.

Today was Old Madam Song’s birthday, so Song Bo hadn’t gone to the office. He was sitting in the living room, reading the newspaper.

Song Bo’s father had made his fortune in coal mining in his early years; it was only in his son’s generation that the family business had shifted to investment and trade. Going back three generations, the Songs were unequivocally farmers. Even with money, Song Bo still carried traces of that original DNA.

He had a dark complexion and plain features. Even expensive, custom-tailored suits looked odd on him. Song Jian’an’s appearance could only be blamed on Song Bo’s overpowering genes.

At first, Song Bo had genuinely adored the beautiful, doll-like child that was Jiang Shi.

As a child, Jiang Shi had been very well-behaved. He would sweetly call out “Mama” and “Papa” like any parent’s dream child, would listen obediently, and would eagerly await his return home.

But he was also hopelessly dull. No matter how many tutors were hired, his grades hovered stubbornly in the middle range. All the special talents his parents signed him up for came to nothing, and he was even a complete failure at business.

It was a matter of aptitude, so Song Bo didn’t blame him; he simply stopped paying attention to him.

Song Bo was a pragmatist who valued profit, but he wasn’t entirely heartless. At the time, he had thought that if Jiang Shi truly didn’t want to go back to his biological family, he could afford to raise both children.

But in the end, Jiang Shi had left without a second thought.

Seeing him again after more than a month, Song Bo couldn’t help but feel a sense of dislocation. Jiang Shi smiled and greeted him, “Mr. Song.”

Song Bo’s hand tightened on the newspaper.

He stared at Jiang Shi for a long moment before finally letting out a soft sigh. “Why didn’t you say you were coming back?”

“It wouldn’t have made a difference whether I said anything or not. I didn’t come for you.”

Jiang Shi’s gaze drifted upstairs. Song Bo knew who he was looking for. “Your grandmother just arrived from the villa a couple of days ago. She should be awake by now. She was talking about you constantly.”

Jiang Shi carried his gift and went upstairs.

The maids cleaning the house showed looks of surprise when they saw him. Some reflexively opened their mouths to greet him, but then remembered his now-awkward status and silently closed them again.

Jiang Shi ignored their stares and went to the room at the far end of the second floor.

Old Madam Song liked quiet, so she always stayed in this room when she visited the villa.

When he knocked, the old woman was eating breakfast. She had lived a hard life in her youth and had never learned to enjoy luxury in her old age. Her breakfast was a simple steamed bun and congee.

The moment she saw Jiang Shi, tears instantly welled up in her eyes. “Oh, my dear grandson! Come here, let Grandma have a look at you.”

Jiang Shi obediently walked over and knelt by her feet. “Grandma…”

The old woman reached out to touch his face. “You silly boy, why didn’t you tell Grandma when something so big happened? By the time I found out, you were already gone. That black-hearted Song Bo… even if you’re not his biological son, there were still more than ten years of affection between you. How could he just let you leave?”

The clothes she wore were made of fine material, but her hands were covered in rough calluses. They felt a little scratchy against Jiang Shi’s face, but he didn’t pull away, instead leaning closer. “I have my own family. Why would I stay?”

The old woman wiped her tears with her sleeve. “I heard your birth mother is in Lin City. How is it? Are you getting used to it there? Is anyone bullying you? I’ve been so worried these past days, I haven’t been able to eat or sleep well.”

She cupped his face, looking at him from side to side. “Oh… my dear grandson looks thinner. I’ve already given Song Bo a piece of my mind. If you don’t like it there, just come back. If he won’t raise you, Grandma will.”

A sour feeling rose in Jiang Shi’s heart. He lowered his eyes, hiding his emotions. “I’m doing well. My mother is good to me, and I’ve made many new friends in Lin City. I’m much happier there than I was in the Song family.”

Seeing the worried look on his grandmother’s face, Jiang Shi picked up the bag he had set aside and handed it to her. “Look, this is my gift for you.”

He had put a lot of thought into the gift: a pure silver brooch. He had asked around and found an old Miao artisan to craft it by hand.

His grandmother was older and preferred simple, elegant clothes. She didn’t like to wear overly expensive or flashy jewelry. This simple, antique-style silver brooch would go perfectly with her outfits.

Jiang Shi pinned the brooch on for her and straightened the silver hair at her temples. “It’s beautiful.”

He stayed with his grandmother while she finished her breakfast, then took her to the back garden to enjoy the sun.

The guests were concentrated in the front hall, so the back was quiet. Jiang Shi supported the old woman as they walked a short distance, and was surprised to see Song Jian’an in the pavilion.

Seeing them, Song Jian’an stood up and greeted them. “Grandma. Jiang Shi.”

When Song Jian’an was first brought into the family, he had visited the old woman at the villa once. He hadn’t seen her again until Song Bo brought her back from the villa two days ago.

The moment she saw him, the old woman’s hand tightened on Jiang Shi’s, and her face fell.

Jiang Shi patted the back of her hand reassuringly and greeted Song Jian’an. “What are you doing here?”

“It’s too noisy in the front,” Song Jian’an answered honestly. “I’m here doing my homework.”

Jiang Shi: “…”

All he did was study.

Song Jian’an sensed that his biological grandmother didn’t seem to like him very much. He had the sense to put his papers away. “I’ll go to the other side to study. You two take your time.”

“Wait,” Jiang Shi called out to him. “Join us.”

Even on a clear day, a hazy smog hung over Jiang City. Unlike the endless mountains of Lin City, here the buildings stretched on and on.

The roses in the back garden, transplanted from elsewhere, drooped their heads despite the meticulous care. The three of them walked among the flowers in silence.

People have feelings. Jiang Shi knew that because his grandmother liked him, she, in turn, didn’t much like Song Jian’an. Even though it wasn’t his fault, he was the one who had taken Jiang Shi’s place.

Jiang Shi clumsily tried to praise him. “Grandma, did you know? Song Jian’an’s grades are amazing. Back in Lin City, he could get second place in the entire school. He was afraid I wouldn’t fit in at the new school, so he sent me a ton of study materials…”

He wasn’t actually that close to Song Jian’an, so his praise was limited to a few dry sentences.

The old woman understood his intention. She looked between the two boys and her heart softened. “I’m old and foolish. You are both good children. The mistakes of adults have nothing to do with you.”

Tired from walking, she found a place to sit and took off the pair of bracelets she was wearing.

“These bracelets… they were given to me by my mother-in-law when I married your grandfather. Times were hard back then, and this jade isn’t of the best quality. It wasn’t expensive, but the meaning behind it is different.”

“By rights, I should have passed them down to Sun Wanyun, but I know full well why she married Song Bo. She doesn’t care for these bracelets, and she looks down on them…”

The old woman bent over, coughing twice. “This old woman doesn’t know how many years she has left. After this birthday, who knows when I’ll see you again. I might as well give them to you today.”

She took Jiang Shi’s and Song Jian’an’s hands and placed a bracelet in each of their palms. “In the future, when you meet a girl you like, give this bracelet to her.”

“They’re not valuable, just a token of my affection. One for each of you. If you’re ever bullied or unhappy, come find Grandma. As long as I’m alive, I can stand up for you.”

Jiang Shi held the bracelet in his hand, silent for a long time.

The old woman didn’t have much energy and needed a nap after lunch.

Jiang Shi ate lunch with her and then saw her to her room to rest.

Downstairs, more and more guests were arriving. Song Bo and Sun Wanyun were busy entertaining people. Upstairs, it was just him and Song Jian’an.

Jiang Shi wrapped the bracelet carefully and put it in the innermost pocket of his backpack. He said goodbye to Song Jian’an. “I’m leaving.”

Song Jian’an was stunned for a second. “You’re not staying for dinner?”

“No. I’ve seen Grandma and given her my gift. With my current status, staying would only cause trouble for everyone.”

Although he had spoken bravely before coming, Jiang Shi had no real grudge against the Song family. There was no need to give outsiders something to gossip about on his grandmother’s birthday.

The sun was bright outside. Jiang Shi avoided the bustling front hall and slipped out through the back door.

He had bought a ticket for that evening, so he had the whole afternoon to kill. He decided to go to the mall.

Jiang Shi took out his phone to message Zhang Chi. Just as he sent the message, he looked up and saw Huo Ji standing by the side of the road.

Huo Ji had dyed his black hair a wine-red color. His skin was still pale, his eyes long and narrow, making him look as if he were full of endless affection when he looked at someone.

He curved his lips into a smile and patted the car next to him. “Where are you going? I’ll give you a ride.”

Jiang Shi turned and walked away. Before he had taken two steps, Huo Ji grabbed his hand. “Jiang Shi, are you going to give me no face at all?”

Jiang Shi turned to look at him. “Who are you? Why should I give you face?”

“Jiang Shi.” Huo Ji squeezed his arm, the smile fading from his eyes, though he maintained an elegant expression. “I thought we were at least friends.”

Jiang Shi shook his hand off. “But no one treats their friends the way you do. Huo Ji, I am a person, not a pet you can summon and dismiss at will.”

Huo Ji’s expression turned ugly. “I admit, what they said before was wrong. I’ve already taught them a lesson.”

“Taught them a lesson?” Jiang Shi said. “Huo Ji, do you dare say you didn’t think the same way? I genuinely considered you a friend. And you? What did you think of me?”

Huo Ji was silent.

Jiang Shi pulled his hand free, gave him one last look, and turned to leave.

Seeing him walk away, Huo Ji took two large steps to catch up, reaching out to grab him again. But before his fingers could even touch the corner of Jiang Shi’s shirt, a powerful force suddenly gripped the back of his neck and yanked him backward.

Huo Ji whipped his head around and met the newcomer’s eyes. His usual elegant facade finally shattered as he bit out two words through clenched teeth, his voice dark and menacing.

“Cheng. Ye.”

Cheng Ye released his grip. “He said not to get close to him. Didn’t you hear?”

Jiang Shi was also stunned. “Wait, Cheng Ye, what are you doing here?”

Cheng Ye said, “I did what you said. I went back to class.”

He paused. “Today is Saturday.”

Jiang Shi: “…”

Is ‘Saturday’ the reason you’ve shown up in Jiang City after traveling thousands of miles from Lin City?