Chapter 260 (2/2): Sulking in Silence

After they got home, Chi Yingyu went into the kitchen.

She tied on an apron, opened the refrigerator, and rummaged for ingredients.

When her fingertips touched the cold vegetables, she barely managed to suppress the surging bitterness in her heart.

Jiang Lai followed, wanting to help, but Chi Yingyu gently pushed her away.

“You go keep Le Yi company. I’ll be done soon. You must be tired from the train—let me handle these things.”

Jiang Lai watched her busy back, wanted to say something, but eventually retreated to the living room.

Le Yi reached out and pulled her to sit beside her.

Actually, from the very beginning, Le Yi had noticed the diamond ring on her father’s ring finger.

It was impossible not to see it.

It was too flashy, too glaring—her gaze was drawn to it instantly.

Jiang Leyi glanced at her little aunt busy in the kitchen, then looked at her unwise father beside her.

Right now, Little Aunt seemed the same as usual on the surface, but her eyes had lost their sparkle.

She was really upset.

You see, when Little Aunt went to pick up Dad, she looked so happy, so full of joy.

But now that overflowing happiness was gone.

All because of this ring on Dad’s finger.

After coming back from Mom’s place, a ring appeared on his ring finger.

It was obviously a gift from Mom.

Even though deep down she had already started referring to Shen Ruxue—her former best friend—as “Mom,”

she wouldn’t say that title out loud for now.

Because she was on Little Aunt’s side.

“Dad, why didn’t you take off the ring on your ring finger before coming back?”

Jiang Lai’s fingertip paused.

She looked down at her daughter’s upturned face.

Those eyes were so clear, as if they could see right through a person.

Jiang Leyi’s voice was extremely soft:

“Dad… did you forget, or… do you not want Little Aunt anymore?”

“If you don’t want Little Aunt, if you want to split up with her and let what happened before happen again, then I’m going to go with Little Aunt!”

Jiang Lai’s heart felt as if her daughter’s words had squeezed it tightly.

The surface of the ring suddenly felt scorching hot.

“How could Dad not want Little Aunt? Dad has never thought about separating from Little Aunt.”

But those words carried little weight in Le Yi’s ears.

She shook Jiang Lai’s hand, her eyes full of a serious, grown-up look.

“Then you need to make your move.”

“Some things you only think about in your heart—how could Little Aunt see them?”

“Little Aunt is sulking. As for what to do, Dad, you decide for yourself.”

Jiang Lai opened her mouth, but couldn’t find the right words.

In the end, she just nodded.

“Okay.”

While Jiang Lai was talking with her daughter, the kitchen was filled with the “dong dong” sound of chopping.

The rhythm was faster than usual, as if deliberately hiding something.

Jiang Lai glanced toward the kitchen.

She just happened to see Chi Yingyu raise her hand and wipe the corner of her eye.

The movement was so fast that it looked like she was just rubbing her eyes.

But Jiang Lai saw it clearly.

Her hand hanging by her side instantly clenched into a fist.

This state was anything but safe. It was easy to get hurt.

Jiang Lai’s heart suddenly tightened, even her breathing faltered for half a beat.

She stood up abruptly and walked quickly toward the kitchen.

The earlier sound of “dong dong” chopping was still ringing out.

But now, every strike sounded like it was hitting her heart.

She was terrified that the next second she’d hear Chi Yingyu cry out in pain.

When she reached the kitchen doorway, she just happened to see Chi Yingyu’s hand gripping the kitchen knife pause.

Her fingertips trembled slightly.

The blade was only a few millimeters above the cutting board, but she didn’t dare to bring it down.

Probably sensing the gaze behind her.

Chi Yingyu quickly turned sideways, hiding the reddened corner of her eye where Jiang Lai couldn’t see.

She tried to keep her voice steady.

“Why did you come over? Is Le Yi alone in the living room?”

“I… I came to help.”

Jiang Lai didn’t call out her pretense.

She only quickly walked over to the sink.

She secretly glanced at Chi Yingyu and saw her raise the knife again, but she was just staring blankly at the cutting board.

The blade hung in midair for a long time without moving.

Jiang Lai couldn’t hold back anymore.

She gently reached out and pressed on Chi Yingyu’s wrist.

Her voice was extremely soft.

“Yingyu, stop chopping for now. Take a break.”

Chi Yingyu’s body stiffened.

She tried to pull her hand back, but Jiang Lai held it a bit tighter.

She lowered her head, her long hair falling forward to cover her face.

Her voice was muffled.

“It’s fine. I’ll be done soon. Le Yi is waiting to eat.”

“But I’m worried about you like this.”

There was a barely perceptible tremor in Jiang Lai’s voice.

“What if you cut yourself? Compared to eating, I’m more afraid of you getting hurt.”

These words seemed to hit Chi Yingyu’s weak spot.

She loosened her grip on the knife.

Finally, she set it down on the counter.

As if all her strength had drained away.

“Fine… but don’t tire yourself out. Let’s just make something simple today.”

“Sure.”

During dinner, the atmosphere still had an indescribable heaviness.

Chi Yingyu peeled shrimp and put them one by one into Le Yi’s bowl.

She also picked a piece of greens for Jiang Lai.

Her tone was the same as usual.

“Eat more. You didn’t eat well on the trip, did you?”

But she hardly touched the food in her own bowl.

Every now and then, she’d unconsciously trace the rim of her bowl.

Her gaze always avoided Jiang Lai’s hand.

Even though Jiang Lai had already taken off the ring,

in Chi Yingyu’s eyes, that ring would forever remain on Jiang Lai’s finger.

After dinner, Jiang Lai watched Chi Yingyu busily clearing the dishes and offered to help.

But Chi Yingyu refused flatly.

“I can handle this. Go rest.”

Her voice was very soft.

So soft it seemed a gust of wind could blow it away.

But the deliberate distance she created felt like an invisible wall wedged between them.

Jiang Lai stepped back helplessly.

Watching Chi Yingyu’s figure moving under the kitchen light, her heart was full of guilt and pity.

After Chi Yingyu finished cleaning up, she quickly walked to the living room.

She began tidying the scattered throw pillows on the sofa.

Her eyes kept avoiding Jiang Lai.

Jiang Lai tried to find a topic to break the suffocating silence.

But no matter what she said, Chi Yingyu only responded faintly.

Then continued her task without giving Jiang Lai another look.

Jiang Lai followed her around the living room.

She wanted to talk about her two days with Shen Ruxue.

She also wanted to explain the story behind the ring.

But Chi Yingyu always skillfully dodged her gaze.

Or brushed her off with brief replies.

Watching her so resistant, Jiang Lai felt a heavy stone pressing on her heart.

Just then, Jiang Leyi came out of her room.

Seeing this somewhat awkward scene, she said understandingly:

“Dad, Little Aunt, I’m a little sleepy. I’m going to bed now.”

Jiang Lai and Chi Yingyu both looked at her and forced a smile.

“Okay, sweetie. Good night. Sweet dreams.”

After Jiang Leyi went back to her room,

Jiang Lai felt the opportunity had come.

She mustered her courage and walked up to Chi Yingyu, speaking softly:

“Yingyu, I’m sorry.”

But Chi Yingyu acted as if she hadn’t heard.

She turned and walked to the balcony, picked up the watering can, and began watering the plants.

Jiang Lai followed and stood behind her.

After a moment’s hesitation, she gently placed her hand on Chi Yingyu’s shoulder.

Just as she was about to say something else,

Chi Yingyu’s body stiffened slightly, then she slowly set down the watering can.

Then she pulled away.

Clearly, she didn’t want to hear about any of it.

She only said one thing:

“I’m going to wash up.”

Jiang Lai wanted to do something more.

But Chi Yingyu turned around and dashed straight into the bathroom to brush her teeth and wash her face, ready for bed.

Leaving Jiang Lai alone on the balcony.

What should she do to make Chi Yingyu stop being angry?

The cold tiles pressed against the soles of her feet.

Chi Yingyu turned on the faucet.

Cold water gushed into the sink.

Splashing droplets landed on the back of her hand, but they couldn’t wash away the clogged feeling in her heart.

She stared at her reflection in the mirror.

Her eyes were reddened, the tip of her nose still tinged with unshed bitterness.

When Jiang Lai’s hand had touched her shoulder just now, she had almost lost control of her tears.

Only by turning away and escaping could she preserve the last bit of pretended calm.

She squeezed out toothpaste and shoved the toothbrush into her mouth.

The minty sting sobered her up a bit.

But the image from the train station kept replaying in her mind.

The diamond ring on Jiang Lai’s ring finger glinted.

When she reached out to take her hand, that light stabbed into her eyes like a needle.

And her heart ached along with it.

She remembered how Jiang Lai used to hang her sister’s old ring around her neck, unwilling to take it off even when she slept.

Back then, she had comforted herself:

‘That’s in the past.’

But now, a new diamond ring had appeared.

Brighter, more blinding than the old one.

And more of an announcement.

Declaring that her sister would always hold an irreplaceable place in Jiang Lai’s heart.

Her own heart was unbalanced again.

Now this silent sulking felt more like rage at her own inadequacy.

Why couldn’t she have moved faster?

If she had, then the ring on Jiang Lai’s finger would be hers.

The sound of running water masked her vigorous brushing.

Foam trickled down the corner of her mouth.

But she didn’t have the heart to wipe it away.