Chapter 41: A Family Straight Out of Heaven

Qiao Yaxin shot him a look full of disdain.

“I want a soft, sweet, considerate little girl to keep me company. Can you compare to that?”

Shi Hengjun laughed helplessly.

“This morning you said I was the one you loved most. Now you’ve already changed your mind.”

“Stop talking nonsense and hurry to the kitchen to prepare the food! Shu Shu likes spicy dishes. Spicy chicken, spicy rabbit head—put everything on the menu. Add extra chili peppers.”

As she spoke, she pushed him to his feet.

Shi Hengjun stood up cooperatively and bowed.

“As you command, my Queen.”

Qiao Yaxin smiled so widely that her eyes curved into crescents as she picked up her phone and sent a message to Shi Zhiyu, who was far away in the United States.

【I’ve already invited Shu Shu over to the house. With me keeping her company, you can relax.】

【Finish your studies and come back soon. Otherwise, if the little girl gets sad or lonely and someone else takes advantage of the opportunity, you’ll never get a wife in this lifetime.】

The moment she finished sending the message, the little dog Yuanyuan came running over, wagging its tail and circling around her feet.

Seeing Yuanyuan, Qiao Yaxin looked surprised and glanced toward the entrance.

Old Madam Shi slowly walked in with the support of her cane.

Qiao Yaxin hurried forward to help her.

“Mom, why did you suddenly come over?”

Old Madam Shi looked around the room.

“I heard you’re inviting Shu Shu over today, so I specifically came to see her. Where is she? Why haven’t I seen her yet?”

“Don’t worry, Mom. The driver has already gone to Jiang University to pick her up. She’ll be here very soon.”

Only then did Old Madam Shi relax.

“That’s good. It’s only been a little over ten days since I last saw her, but I’ve been thinking about that child every day.”

“In the future, invite her over for meals more often.”

“I’d like that too,” Qiao Yaxin replied.

“But Xiao Yu is still abroad. If we invite her too often, I’m afraid she’ll feel restrained and uncomfortable.”

“We need to let her slowly get used to our family first. That way everyone can get along naturally later.”

Old Madam Shi nodded approvingly.

“You’ve thought this through well.”

“Next month is my birthday banquet. You must invite Shu Shu to come.”

Qiao Yaxin smiled.

“Don’t worry. By the time your birthday arrives, Xiao Yu might even have returned.”

“He could accompany Shu Shu to the banquet himself.”

5:00 PM

The car stopped in front of the Shi family villa.

The moment Tang Shu pushed open the car door and stepped out, a fluffy white figure came sprinting toward her.

It leaped straight into her arms.

The soft little dog’s paws rested against her waist while its tail wagged so fast it looked ready to fly off.

Tang Shu bent down and gently stroked Yuanyuan’s fluffy fur.

Her eyes softened.

“Yuanyuan, long time no see.”

Yuanyuan happily circled around her nonstop.

Its little tongue licked her palm while it rubbed repeatedly against her legs.

The dog was clearly overjoyed to see someone familiar and didn’t want to leave Tang Shu’s side for even a second.

Standing at the doorway, Qiao Yaxin watched the entire scene.

She couldn’t help secretly laughing to herself.

As expected of the dog my son raised himself.

Just like its owner, it has good taste.

It recognized its future mistress at a glance and is especially affectionate toward Shu Shu.

She quickly walked over and naturally took Tang Shu’s hand.

“Shu Shu, you’ve finally arrived. We’ve been looking forward to seeing you for so long.”

As she spoke, she led her into the living room.

Old Madam Shi had been sitting on the sofa waiting for quite some time.

The moment she saw Tang Shu enter, she immediately stood up with the support of her cane.

Her expression was kind and gentle as she beckoned warmly.

“Shu Shu, come over quickly and sit beside Grandma.”

“Grandma has been thinking about you every day these past ten days.”

Tang Shu obediently walked over and greeted her sweetly.

“Hello, Grandma.”

She sat beside the elderly woman and chatted with Old Madam Shi and Qiao Yaxin.

Before she knew it, it was already eight o’clock in the evening.

Tang Shu was lying in the bedroom Shi Zhiyu used to stay in.

The room looked exactly as it had the last time she visited.

Pink everywhere.

Lying on her back on the bed, a faint smile unconsciously appeared on her lips.

The atmosphere within the Shi family was simply too wonderful.

The parents loved each other deeply.

Grandma was kind and affectionate.

Everyone in the family was genuinely good-hearted.

She couldn’t help comparing it to her own family.

If not for her greedy and mean-spirited eldest uncle’s family…

If not for the endless disputes among relatives…

Her own home should have been just as warm.

At the thought, the smile in her eyes slowly faded and was replaced by a trace of loneliness.

She sighed softly.

The thing people feared most was comparison.

Once compared, all that remained was helplessness.

After calming her emotions, she picked up her phone.

She saw that Shi Zhiyu had already sent a long string of messages in their pinned chat.

First, he had asked whether she had arrived safely at the Shi residence.

Then he had shared bits of his daily life.

Tang Shu tapped the screen.

Shu Shu Has Candy: 【I’ve arrived already~ Today was another day of Uncle and Auntie stuffing me with food.】

【It’s such a pity you’re not here. I never expected Uncle’s cooking skills to be so amazing. Every dish was something I love. It feels so wonderful being here.】

Less than two seconds after she sent the message, a voice call came through.

Tang Shu immediately answered.

Even her voice carried unconscious happiness.

“Hello, Brother.”

Shi Zhiyu immediately caught the joy hidden in her tone.

His voice softened.

“I can tell you’re having a good time.”

“It’s good that you arrived safely.”

After a brief pause, he spoke slowly.

“I can cook too.”

Tang Shu froze.

She blinked, completely confused.

“Huh?”

“When I return to China, I’ll cook for you every day.”

Tang Shu’s heart trembled violently.

For a moment, she was completely stunned.

She had always thought that someone like Shi Zhiyu—

The crown prince of the Shi family, born into one of the country’s top wealthy families and doted on since childhood—

Would never touch household chores.

She assumed he had never dealt with ordinary domestic matters.

Yet he could actually cook.

A gentle and considerate mother.

A dependable, family-oriented father.

A grandmother who adored him wholeheartedly.

And on top of that, Shi Zhiyu—gentle, devoted, and even willing to cook.

What kind of heavenly family was this?

Who could possibly be fortunate enough to completely become part of such a warm family?

Who could marry a man like him?

Tang Shu felt overwhelming envy.

A faint sourness rose in her heart.

For a moment, she forgot to speak.

Several seconds of silence passed on the other end.

Then Shi Zhiyu spoke softly.

“Hello, Shu Shu. Are you listening?”

“Why aren’t you saying anything?”

Tang Shu finally snapped out of her thoughts.

Quickly suppressing the emotions in her heart, she coughed awkwardly and praised him sincerely.

“I’m listening, I’m listening!”

“Brother, you’re amazing.”

“Guys who can cook really earn a lot of bonus points.”

“The girl who marries you in the future will definitely be incredibly happy.”

A low chuckle came through the receiver.

“Wouldn’t that be you?”

Tang Shu’s fingers tightened around her phone.

A wave of bitterness silently rose in her heart.

No.

It isn’t me.

They were only pretending.

She had only borrowed this warmth for a short period of time.

She wasn’t the person who would ultimately remain by his side.

Forcing a smile, she let out an awkward laugh to hide the disappointment in her heart.

“Haha, really?”

“Then I guess I’ve been pretty happy these days.”

At that moment, a crisp knock sounded at the door, breaking the brief silence in the room.

Holding her phone, Tang Shu got up and walked to the door.

She gently pulled it open.

Qiao Yaxin stood outside carrying a beautifully arranged plate of sliced fruit.

“Shu Shu, Auntie brought you some fruit for after dinner.”

Tang Shu quickly stepped aside to let her in.

“Thank you for the trouble, Auntie. Please come in.”

Qiao Yaxin entered the room and placed the fruit platter on the small bedside table.

Then she casually sat down on the edge of the bed and chatted with her.

“You don’t have anything planned for tomorrow, right?”

“Auntie wants to take you to the flower fields outside the city.”

“The flowers are in full bloom right now, and the scenery is especially beautiful for photos.”

“It’ll be a good chance for you to relax and improve your mood.”

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