Her aunt was like her own mother. It was the best news she had received in years.
From a young age, Jiang Leyi had always been happy with the way her Dad and Aunt were together, protecting her and taking care of her.
Although she had never called her Aunt “Mom,” she had long since considered her a second mother in her heart.
To outsiders, Jiang Leyi’s family situation was strange, but she didn’t care. She only knew that under her Dad and Aunt’s care, her childhood had always been happy—nothing different.
But as she grew older, she began to worry that her Aunt might fall for someone else and leave the family.
Jiang Leyi had thought countless times about taking the initiative to tell her Aunt that maybe she should just get together with her Dad. But such a forbidden idea, even if she brought it up, would never come true.
Even if her Aunt agreed, her Dad never would. In his heart, both she and her Aunt held the most important positions. In fact, from her Dad’s perspective, if her Aunt stayed with him, it would be wasting her whole life.
But now, everything was different.
Dad had become younger. Although the gender was different, the current Dad was much more relaxed than before—no longer burdened by heavy responsibilities, no longer caring about others’ opinions, free to live the life he wanted.
Jiang Leyi was also grateful that heaven had given her Dad another chance at youth. This way, she could finally live for herself instead of sacrificing everything for the family.
So when she heard that her Dad and Aunt were together—and that Dad had admitted it himself—the overwhelming joy made her unable to control her voice, letting out a happy cry.
This strange behavior completely caught the attention of Shen Ruxue beside her.
At school, Shen Ruxue always stayed by Jiang Leyi’s side unless forced apart. She never got tired of spending time with her “daughter.”
For Shen Ruxue, she truly longed to make up for all the lost time. But now the only person she could make it up to was her daughter. If she could find a legitimate reason to stay with Jiang Leyi and her younger sister, she would be even more clingy.
Shen Ruxue watched her daughter Jiang Leyi’s ecstatic expression, and curiosity ignited in her heart like a thousand ants crawling, desperate to know what had happened.
“Le Yi, what’s wrong? What’s got you so happy?”
Her voice was full of concern and curiosity, but Jiang Leyi was completely immersed in her own joy, unable to pay attention to her best friend’s question. Her entire focus was on the phone call, wanting to ask every detail she didn’t know.
Jiang Leyi clutched her phone, an uncontrollable smile spreading across her face, and spoke a string of words into the receiver, excitement almost spilling out.
But the next topic was somewhat private.
Although she usually told her best friend Shen Ruxue almost everything, this was about Dad—the most private family matter.
She liked Shen Ruxue, but on this matter, she had to keep it secret. It wasn’t that she wanted to hide anything from Shen Ruxue, but at this moment, she had to treat her as an outsider.
She simply gestured to Shen Ruxue, signaling her not to follow, then found a secluded place to continue the call. After confirming no one could hear her, Jiang Leyi finally released her emotions.
“Really? That’s awesome! I’m so happy!”
Her laughter was as clear as a silver bell; just hearing it made others unconsciously cheerful.
Even though her daughter’s happiness was a great thing, being excluded made Shen Ruxue feel like she had fallen into an ice cave.
She could only stare helplessly in the direction her daughter had gone, trying to catch any clues from that brief performance. But Jiang Leyi had spoken too vaguely; she hadn’t understood a thing.
While Jiang Leyi was on the phone, Shen Ruxue could only stand awkwardly, occasionally glancing toward where she had disappeared, waiting silently like an abandoned child, her eyes full of expectation.
She didn’t dare approach. Since her daughter clearly wanted to take the call alone, getting closer would only cause resentment.
She could only guess in her heart what kind of good news could make her daughter so excited. Various possibilities circled in her mind, but there was no answer—only a huge question mark.
‘Would she really be happy for us?’
***
Jiang Lai took a deep breath, trying to calm her inner anxiety and unease, her fingers unconsciously stroking the edge of the phone.
Her gaze wandered, occasionally shifting to her Sister-in-law sitting beside her. Ever since she started the call, her heart had been racing—thumping hard as if it might burst out of her chest.
When she confirmed that her daughter would bless her and be happy for this relationship, the hands that had been trembling slightly finally steadied.
The voice on the other end was full of vitality and energy, instantly dispelling the gloom from her heart.
“When did you two get together? Am I the first to know? How far have things gone?”
Her daughter’s questions came like rapid fire, leaving Jiang Lai momentarily stunned. But the suspended heart finally landed, and the tense nerves relaxed.
Her eyes grew slightly moist, and the corners of her lips rose involuntarily, revealing a relieved smile. Yet she couldn’t help asking tentatively, “Are you really okay with this?”
Jiang Leyi seemed to have anticipated the question and quickly replied, “Of course I’m okay with it! Aunt has always been good to me, like a second mother. All these years, she’s grown up with me, cared for me, taken care of me—I’ve long considered her one of the most important people in our family.
If you two are together, our family becomes more complete, and we’ll never be separated. I’m overjoyed—why would I ever want to break you apart?
Honestly, I’ve thought about it for a long time: how can our family become a true family? I never imagined it would actually come true now!”
Jiang Lai had kept the call on speaker, so both of them could hear every word clearly.
When she heard “a true family,” Jiang Lai looked up and met Chi Yingyu’s eyes.
Chi Yingyu’s eyes shimmered with tears. She said nothing, only gave a soft smile.
That was enough.
When the call ended, Jiang Leyi still felt unsatisfied. There were too many details she hadn’t asked about, but some things couldn’t be explained over the phone. She thought she might find an opportunity to go back.
After hanging up, Jiang Leyi walked back.
Shen Ruxue eagerly stepped forward and asked softly, “Le Yi, what exactly happened?”
Her tone carried a hint of pleading.
But Jiang Leyi only gave a mysterious smile and didn’t answer directly.
“It’s huge news. I can’t really talk about the details. But just know it’s something good. Come on, let’s go get some dessert—my treat today!”
She didn’t actually want to hide it from Shen Ruxue, but this matter couldn’t be revealed. To avoid further questioning, she simply grabbed Shen Ruxue’s hand and headed toward their usual dessert shop, trying to change the subject.
Shen Ruxue let herself be pulled along, but her mind was completely elsewhere.
Being so obviously excluded made her mood heavier, like a huge stone pressing down on her chest, stifling and painful.
Along the way, she remained silent, her lowered eyes flickering with complex emotions.
Even though they were best friends, she was still an outsider.
‘Outsider’—those two words were like a sharp thorn, stabbing deep into her heart.
At that moment, her heart seemed to clench, and even breathing became difficult.
Her eyes uncontrollably reddened, her lips trembling slightly. She wanted to say something, but the sudden pain blocked her throat.
But no matter how painful it was, she couldn’t show it.
She couldn’t let her own distress disturb her daughter’s happiness.
Yet inside, a storm was raging.
She even wanted to tell her daughter her true identity.
But if she did… what would happen to herself?