"Jinghuai, you can’t do this, you need to notify your wife even for a quick trip out." The speaker was Jiang Jinghuai’s third elder brother, seated nearby and listening intently to their conversation.
As soon as those words ca out, everyone exchanged teasing glances and looked at the married couple.
Jiang Jiali said, "I bet Yanyan will have new siblings soon."
The eldest aunt comnted as well, "Exactly, Binyi, you’ve been complaining all day that the house feels too quiet without children. Now that we have Yanyan, while Jinghuai is ho, they can give us another little one. You won’t even have ti to complain then."
Tian Sangsang, hearing everyone’s remarks, couldn’t help but feel flustered. Even if she had lived two lifetis, her heart still raced uncontrollably, and she didn’t dare lift her head.
Jiang Jinghuai saw his wife’s flushed face, glanced at the crowd, and let out a helpless laugh and sigh. "Everyone, please spare our Sangsang, she’s a little shy."
With his words, the atmosphere lightened, and everyone laughed knowingly before shifting to another topic. It had to be said, the young couple’s relationship was quite enviable.
**
After dinner, the won gathered to relax in the courtyard. The main courtyard was designed quite thoughtfully, with flowers, greenery, a delicate stone table, and comfortable wicker chairs. The children, however, were off playing elsewhere and not with the group.
Tian Sangsang wanted to stay with the younger won like Jiang Jiali, but Ye Binyi called her over instead, saying coolly, "Sangsang, co with . I’ll introduce you to so people."
Ye Binyi’s tone was calm, her profile soft, yet she carried an innate authority that couldn’t be ignored. Tian Sangsang, eager to win her mother-in-law’s favor, didn’t dare be lax and politely replied, "Alright, Mom."
She followed Ye Binyi to another part of the courtyard.
The won of Ye Binyi’s generation gathered around a table, chatting about their careers and families. From the mont Ye Binyi sat down, she no longer paid any attention to Tian Sangsang, leaving her unsure of what to do—sitting felt wrong, standing felt awkward—and so she stood there feeling out of place.
Most of the won were family mbers, whom Tian Sangsang had actually t earlier.
"Binyi, you look much better these days. When are you heading back to school?"
"I’ve taken a week off, so I’ll go back in a few days."
"I rember the Hua Family’s youngest son attends your school, doesn’t he? That boy is quite the troublemaker, not at all like his sister Hua Jun."
Ye Binyi’s graceful face showed a flicker of disdain. "You an Hua Zifeng? He’s definitely a handful—lazy and undisciplined. He enrolled in my history class but has never attended. He’s only in school because his family pulled strings; there’s no way he’d pass exams on his own."
After finishing this remark, she seed to just notice her daughter-in-law nearby and said, "Sangsang, why are you standing there? Find yourself a seat. Look at you, standing there just because I didn’t tell you otherwise."
Tian Sangsang froze for a mont; her legs were starting to numb. She spotted an empty chair nearby and was about to sit down. Just then, the second aunt’s voice called out, "I asked Aunt Liu to prepare so flower tea—why hasn’t it been brought out yet? Sangsang, since you’re already standing, could you go check for ?"
The eldest aunt chid in, "I didn’t want flower tea, I asked for green tea. Why hasn’t that arrived either?"
The aunt said, "We’ve been talking about this for ages and I’m thirsty. I’d like so water."
Tian Sangsang listened to the comnts and pondered silently. Were they asking her to fetch the drinks? Helping elders as a junior was proper etiquette, but being tasked with such errands imdiately upon arrival felt bitter—like they were treating her as a servant. What’s more, the shift in tone from the aunties was startling; they hadn’t treated her like this earlier. Why the sudden change?
She stood there dumbly, looking toward Ye Binyi for guidance. However, Ye Binyi, sitting gracefully in her chair, didn’t even glance in her direction. Her commanding tone mirrored the others: "Sangsang, can you go to the kitchen and fetch a cup of milk from Aunt Liu? While you’re at it, bring the drinks your aunties requested as well—they shouldn’t have to get up. You’re alright with that, aren’t you?"
Tian Sangsang dared not protest and nodded woodenly. "Alright, please wait a mont."
One cup of flower tea, one cup of green tea, one cup of warm water, and one cup of milk. She ntally noted the orders and headed to the kitchen. The drinks were already prepped, but Aunt Liu was nowhere to be seen.
Carrying them on a tray seed difficult, so Tian Sangsang grabbed one cup at a ti. The drinks were piping hot, scalding her hands. She set the first few on the round table and returned to retrieve the rest.
She placed the milk in front of Ye Binyi, addressing her warmly, "Mom, here’s the milk you requested." The cup lacked a handle, and her palms, now red from the heat, burned with pain. Gritting her teeth, she held her hands at her sides to hide the discomfort.
The second aunt laughed, "Binyi, you really found yourself a wonderful daughter-in-law—Sangsang is so hardworking."
"Indeed." Ye Binyi’s gaze was unreadable as she stared at the steaming milk. "She even prepared breakfast for the family before dawn this morning. Her cooking is excellent. Truly diligent. Ah, speaking of milk, I suddenly feel like eating osmanthus cake."
The second aunt teased, "That’s so typical of you, pairing milk with osmanthus cake—it’s your favorite combination."
The aunt looked at the eldest aunt, "A-Hui, why don’t you ask Aunt Liu to bring so osmanthus cake out?"
The eldest aunt replied, "Unfortunately, we’re out of osmanthus cake. There are other pastries on the table, though. Binyi, would you like those instead?"
The second aunt interjected, "Co on, you know Binyi—a strict diet ans only osmanthus cake will do."
The eldest aunt sighed, "I totally forgot."
"It’s fine," Ye Binyi smiled gently. "I have a wonderful daughter-in-law, and you all can’t compare—Sangsang is extrely capable. Sangsang, since Jinghuai took you out for a stroll in the morning, you must know your way around the area now, right? Could you go to Zhenwei House and buy so osmanthus cake, and oh, sesa cake as well? Make sure it’s from Zhenwei House—it’s the only place I like. You’re okay with that, right?"
Tian Sangsang forced a smile. "Sure, Mom, how many pieces would you like?"
"Four of each will do," Ye Binyi said. "Also, pick up two cakes from there—they’re delicious. Let’s share them with Yanyan and his cousins."
Tian Sangsang nodded reluctantly and turned to leave.
The eldest aunt called out, "Sangsang, Zhenwei House is at the intersection on West City Road. Do you know where that is?"
She didn’t know—but she had to figure it out. Tian Sangsang smiled faintly, "Yes, Auntie, I know. It’s at the West City Road intersection."
Once she left, the eldest aunt’s expression finally changed. "Binyi, what are you doing? I think Sangsang’s a good girl; why put her through all this trouble?"
Ye Binyi shrugged indifferently, "Young people need discipline. She’s from the countryside—she’s bound to be a little immature. This will teach her to be more grounded."
The second aunt balked, "That’s a harsh lesson—don’t push her too much. It’s so far to West City Road."
The aunt said, "Whatever you do, make sure Jinghuai doesn’t find out. A peaceful family is a happy family, and if he catches wind of this, he’ll be stuck between a rock and a hard place."
Deep down, they understood Ye Binyi’s feelings. After all, if anyone’s son suddenly brought ho a wife, it’s natural for the mother to feel annoyed. They figured she was just venting her frustration and wouldn’t drag this out for too long. Ye Binyi had many admirable qualities—but her penchant for maintaining an air of superiority was undeniable.
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