Solitary Toss of Tenderness

Wherever this heart finds peace, that is my homeland

In the early afternoon, around three o’clock, accompanied by the warm sun and a gentle breeze, Lu Zizheng and Jiang Huaixi returned to Linzhou.

As the car entered the sprawling estate of the Jiang family, from a distance, Lu Zizheng could see two women standing at the entrance of the main mansion. One had silver-white hair, while the other possessed a graceful demeanor. They were gazing in the direction of the approaching car with anticipation, evidently Mother Jiang and Grandmother Jiang.

The car had just pulled up to the entrance and hadn’t yet come to a complete stop when Jiang Huaixi hurriedly descended the steps and positioned herself by the car.

Jiang Huaixi opened the car door and alighted first. Upon spotting Mother Jiang and Grandmother Jiang, she quirked her lips into a faint smile and greeted, “Mom, Grandma…” She then turned around, bent over to shield Lu Zizheng’s head with her hand, and assisted her in getting out of the car.

As Lu Zizheng stepped out of the car, she noticed Mother Jiang and Grandmother Jiang both fixedly staring at her and Jiang Huaixi. Involuntarily, her cheeks flushed slightly, and she felt a bit nervous and awkward. She softly extended her greetings, “Hello, Auntie. Hello, Grandma.”

To their surprise, Mother Jiang and Grandmother Jiang showed no signs of unfamiliarity or awkwardness. With gentle voices and warm smiles, they narrowed their eyes slightly and, one on each side, took hold of the hands of Jiang Huaixi and Lu Zizheng, leading them toward the house.

Grandmother Jiang looked at Lu Zizheng and Jiang Huaixi affectionately, teasing, “Is Zizheng considering changing how she addresses us?”

Standing between Grandmother Jiang and Jiang Huaixi, Lu Zizheng’s face instantly flushed, the color rising to her neck, and she stuttered, struggling to respond.

Recognizing the situation, Mother Jiang stepped in to help ease the tension. “Mom, your words are making Zizheng shy,” she said, then turned to Lu Zizheng with a smile, gently inquiring, “Zizheng, I didn’t prepare a separate room for you. Would you mind sharing a room with Huaixi from now on? Huaixi’s bed is quite large, and the two of you sharing it shouldn’t be a problem at all. If you’re comfortable with the idea, there’s plenty of space for both of you.”

Lu Zizheng could clearly discern the playful tone in Mother Jiang’s words. She lowered her head in embarrassment, her lips pressed together as she struggled to formulate a response.

Jiang Huaixi arched an eyebrow, watching Mother Jiang and Grandmother Jiang teasing Lu Zizheng in good humor, while also observing Lu Zizheng’s nervous, awkward, and shy demeanor. She let out a light, amused laugh, released Mother Jiang’s hand, took a step forward, and stood in front of Lu Zizheng. Turning around, she locked eyes with Lu Zizheng and spoke with genuine warmth, “Zizheng, welcome home.”

Lu Zizheng stared blankly at Jiang Huaixi. When she heard the word “home,” her footsteps involuntarily faltered briefly.

Once, anywhere her mother was, that was her home. But with her mother gone, she felt like a rootless plant, lacking a place to belong. She had once despaired, thinking that the concept of “home” was beyond her grasp.

Sensing the atmosphere, both Grandmother Jiang and Mother Jiang looked at Lu Zizheng with even more tenderness in their gaze. Without need for words, they both tightened their hold on Lu Zizheng’s hand and guided her inside, saying in a gentle tone, “Zizheng, welcome home.”

Lu Zizheng looked at Jiang Huaixi, whose lips held a soft smile. Then, she turned her head slightly, casting her gaze at the affectionate figures of Mother Jiang and Grandmother Jiang. Gradually, her throat tightened, and her eyes reddened. For the first time in front of them, she wasn’t burdened by nervousness or unease. A heartfelt smile emerged as she replied, “Thank you, Auntie, Grandma, Huaixi. I’ve come back.”

Lu Zizheng and Jiang Huaixi entered the house and took a brief respite in the living room with Grandmother Jiang and Mother Jiang. They decided to pay a visit to the Xu family first to see Xu Baihan and Jiang Wang.

Grandmother Jiang and Mother Jiang helped prepare the gifts that Jiang Huaixi had purchased earlier based on a phone call she had made. They handed the gifts to Jiang Huaixi and Lu Zizheng, then escorted them to the door while reminding them to return home for dinner. They mentioned that when Father Jiang, Jiang Huaichuan, and Qiao Xin heard about their return, they would come back early for dinner, creating an opportunity for a family reunion.

Jiang Huaixi and Lu Zizheng naturally nodded in agreement.

Upon arriving at the Xu residence, Xu Baihan had already dispatched someone to welcome them at the door. Following the servant’s lead, Jiang Huaixi and Lu Zizheng ascended to the second floor. As they emerged from the staircase area, they caught sight of Xu Baihan seated by the tea table in the living room, smiling at them.

The moment Lu Zizheng laid eyes on Xu Baihan’s unharmed and smiling countenance, her previously suspended heart finally found reprieve. Hastening her steps, she practically jogged over and flung herself onto Xu Baihan’s legs. “Sis, you’re alright, that’s wonderful. You scared me to death…”

Xu Baihan lowered her head, lifting a falling strand of her delicate hair before gently smiling as she caressed Lu Zizheng’s head to soothe her. “Yes, I was wrong. It won’t happen again, alright?”

Jiang Huaixi took a seat on the nearby sofa, watching them with a faint smile.

However, an abrupt and discordant female voice suddenly pierced through the warm atmosphere, disrupting the scene. “Miss Lu, that’s my seat. Please refrain from occupying it without permission.”

Lu Zizheng was taken aback, hurriedly lifting her head to follow the sound, only to find Jiang Wang sitting in a wheelchair. Her expression was enigmatic, revealing no emotions, as she slowly propelled herself toward them.

Lu Zizheng swiftly stood up, briefly looking at Jiang Wang before turning her head. Her gaze held a mixture of worry as she shifted her attention to Xu Baihan. Her words seemed to falter before they could be spoken.

Clearly, Jiang Huaixi saw Jiang Wang in the wheelchair and displayed some surprise and concern. Unable to suppress her brow from furrowing, she questioned Jiang Wang, “Weren’t the injuries said to be not serious?”

Jiang Wang’s gaze turned toward Xu Baihan, and a fleeting touch of resignation seemed to pass across her face.

Xu Baihan smiled, taking over the conversation and explaining, “It’s alright, Huaixi, no need to worry. The doctor suggested she minimize her movement temporarily, but she can’t stand lying still. She started using a cane to get around, so I suggested that she either temporarily use this wheelchair or remain in bed without moving around.”

Jiang Huaixi couldn’t help but curl her lips slightly in a smile, her gaze tinged with playful mockery as she looked at Jiang Wang. The typically strong-willed and resolute Jiang Wang seemed to have a day of obedient compliance.

Jiang Wang’s gaze remained tranquil and unruffled as she responded, “I also wanted to personally experience the pain Baihan has endured for years, being confined to a wheelchair.”

Xu Baihan gazed into Jiang Wang’s eyes, and in an instant, her expression grew even softer and more gentle.

Lu Zizheng settled down beside Jiang Huaixi and couldn’t resist a soft chuckle. She whispered to Jiang Huaixi, “Is everyone in the Jiang family so adept at speaking?”

However, Jiang Huaixi responded with a question, “So, are you praising me?”

Lu Zizheng blinked, emitted a soft hum, declining to indulge Jiang Huaixi and leaving her question unanswered.

Squinting slightly, Jiang Huaixi looked at Lu Zizheng with a faint smile, unbothered by the lack of response. She changed the subject and posed a serious question to Xu Baihan and Jiang Wang, “Earlier, you mentioned that uncle and aunt already know about your situation. How is everything now?”

Jiang Wang turned her head slightly to glance at Xu Baihan, a hint of a smile tugging at her lips. She spoke softly, “Uncle and aunt have accepted us, everything’s fine.”

Lu Zizheng and Jiang Huaixi looked somewhat surprised. Seeing Xu Baihan’s somewhat melancholic expression on the side, they instinctively felt that things weren’t as simple as Jiang Wang had described.

As expected, Xu Baihan bit her lip and added, “While Mom and Dad did say they accepted us, they’ve made a few excessively demanding requests.”

On the evening when Xu Baihan candidly discussed the situation with her parents, Xu Baitao was tasked with conveying the entire story to their parents. He highlighted the facts and, with some embellishments, depicted Xu Baihan’s deep and unwavering affection for Jiang Wang. He emphasized that it was only Jiang Wang, and no one else, who could make Xu Baihan feel this way. Xu Baitao pled with their parents to consider and understand more, supporting Xu Baihan and Jiang Wang. His intervention proved to be a significant aid.

That night, both Father Xu and Mother Xu stayed awake until dawn, as if they had aged ten years in a mere moment.

The following morning, right after breakfast, Father Xu drove to the hospital. He sent away Xu Baihan, who was feeding Jiang Wang at the time, and engaged in a serious negotiation with Jiang Wang.

Initially, he had anticipated that dealing with Jiang Wang, based on the description provided by Xu Baitao about her personality and the fact that it seemed his daughter loved Jiang Wang more than Jiang Wang loved her, would be an arduous battle. Thus, he mentally prepared himself and was determined to fight a challenging fight for his daughter’s sake. However, to his surprise, when he presented several demands, Jiang Wang agreed to all of them without much hesitation.

The first point was the most fundamental requirement. He requested that Jiang Wang persuade Xu Baihan to go to the United States for leg treatment and, furthermore, accompany her there. Naturally, Jiang Wang agreed without any objection.

The second point entailed his request that Jiang Wang and Xu Baihan, after being together, live in the Xu household to facilitate joint care for Xu Baihan. Jiang Wang didn’t hesitate at all and also agreed.

The third point involved his request that after returning to the Xu residence, Jiang Wang personally explain her relationship with Xu Baihan to her father and obtain his approval. This particular demand made Jiang Wang furrow her brows, expressing her unwillingness to agree.

Father Xu, aware of Jiang Wang’s resentment towards his elder brother, decided to compromise. He explained, “I’m not asking you to forgive your father. It’s just that, from now on at home, we shouldn’t be at odds. At the very least, we shouldn’t let our family, or Baihan, feel ashamed in front of me or undeservedly bear criticism. Is this request unreasonable?”

Jiang Wang clenched her lips, pondering for a while, and finally, for the sake of Xu Baihan, nodded.

And so, the fourth point became his final request. He asked that after accompanying Xu Baihan to recover from her leg injury, Jiang Wang should quit her medical job and join the Xu family’s company, working alongside Xu Baitao to manage the company. Furthermore, when the time was right, he asked Jiang Wang to have a child with Xu Baihan.

He explained, “I only have two children, Baihan and Baitao, both equally precious to me. Baihan has grown close to Baitao now, but he hasn’t yet started a family, and his character is still undecided. I need to leave a way out for Baihan as well. Even after a hundred years with her mother and me, I want to ensure her lifelong happiness. Baihan is too tender-hearted for business, and I can’t bear to force her. Her mother and I hope that the partner she finds is someone who can support us and ensure her a worry-free life. We both hope you won’t let us down.”

“As for having a child, I understand Baihan’s nature. She has always been fond of children since she was young, and she loves them dearly. Moreover, she’s so fond of you. Sooner or later, she will find it hard to resist wanting to have a child with you. However, you also know that over these past ten years, she has tormented herself for you. Her body can’t withstand it anymore. I don’t want Baihan to have regrets, but I’m even more afraid of her getting hurt. So, all I can do is put my hope in you.”

Jiang Wang looked steadily at Father Xu for a moment, then calmly said, “Uncle, I promise you, I will prove to you and Aunt that I can do it. Please rest assured. I see the kindness you’ve shown Baihan, and I’m genuinely happy for her.”

Father Xu’s expression softened considerably at her words, revealing a touch of approval and reassurance. It seemed that his impression of her wasn’t solely based on his daughter’s unwavering affection.

Hearing the somewhat melancholic tone in Xu Baihan’s words, Jiang Wang’s usually reserved demeanor took on a rare warmth as she comforted, “It’s not excessive. Baihan, you don’t have to hold onto any grievances about this. I’m not feeling wronged.” Her gaze met Xu Baihan’s, and the tenderness that flowed between them was something Jiang Huaixi hadn’t witnessed in all the years they had known each other.

Xu Baihan had given her heart a home, and now Father Xu was requesting that she provide Xu Baihan with a dependable home. This was exactly what she wanted for Xu Baihan. So, despite any discrepancies that might arise, she and Father Xu seemed to be on the same page. She was willing to make a few compromises for the sake of Xu Baihan.

Leaning against Jiang Huaixi, Lu Zizheng shared a smile with her and softly remarked, “I suddenly feel like they’re shining brightly, and we’re shining even brighter.”