Chapter 105: I Want to Eat the Food You Made.

Yao Shulan was lost in the past, unable to escape its grip. She had no interest in hearing the words Jiang Xiaoxiao spoke. The disappointment and tangled emotions rising within her nearly overwhelmed her completely. In the end, she turned abruptly, climbed into her private car, and ordered the driver to take her away.

Jiang Xiaoxiao remained standing where she was, her fingers clenched so tightly they ached. "Jiang CiYou, I will never let you go."

At that moment, the acquitted Yin Ruyun stepped out of the courtroom. She spotted Jiang Xiaoxiao and stood watching from a distance, her expression deeply complex. She had never imagined her daughter would file an appeal. She had always believed Jiang Xiaoxiao wanted her to remain imprisoned for the rest of her life.

Jiang Xiaoxiao, in turn, saw Yin Ruyun and walked straight toward her. "Xiaoxiao, Mom finally gets to see you again."

Yin Ruyun stepped forward, reaching out as if to clasp Jiang Xiaoxiao's hand. These past years in prison, her daughter had never once visited. Yet the furious Jiang Xiaoxiao slapped her hand away. "Mom? Who are you to call yourself that? I appealed to have you released, but that does not make you my mother. If you had not swapped my life with Jiang CiYou all those years ago, would my life be so chaotic now?"

Jiang Xiaoxiao regarded Yin Ruyun with open disgust. "Stay away from me in the future. Go find your real daughter, Jiang CiYou. She is your daughter—let her take care of you in your old age and accompany you to the end."

With that, Jiang Xiaoxiao turned and walked away.

Yin Ruyun stood frozen in place. The fierce noon sun scorched the pavement like flames licking at skin. Not far off, Yao Shulan sat inside her car, witnessing the scene. The disappointment and heartache toward Jiang Xiaoxiao deepened further.

Yin Ruyun emerged from the courthouse and gazed at the bustling street lined with cars and people, feeling momentarily dazed. Just as she decided to seek out a nearby bus stop, a sleek red Mercedes sedan glided to a halt beside her. The window lowered slowly, revealing a strikingly beautiful and elegant face. "Madam Yin, allow me to drive you home."

Yin Ruyun recognized her instantly. She had seen the child's photograph. Finally, she climbed into the car. The vehicle pulled smoothly into the flow of city traffic.

"I am Jiang CiYou," the driver said calmly.

Yin Ruyun's expression remained complex. "I recognize you. I saw your photograph." When she entered prison, she had smuggled two photos inside—one of Jiang Xiaoxiao, the other of Jiang CiYou. Facing Jiang CiYou, she felt a flicker of nervousness. Yet Jiang CiYou remained composed. While driving, she asked, "Do you have a place to stay?"

"I used to live in Jinxiu Homeland," Yin Ruyun replied.

Jiang CiYou drove straight there. The community was an old, demolished residential area with a good location near the city center. Twenty minutes later, they arrived. The car was parked casually inside the grounds.

Yin Ruyun stepped out. "Miss Jiang, thank you for the ride home. Please, come up for a cup of tea before you leave."

Jiang CiYou addressed her as Madam Yin, clearly unwilling to accept her as mother. Yin Ruyun did not feel disappointed; she had never deserved that title. Jiang CiYou did not refuse. They lived on the ground floor of the high-rise. Yin Ruyun found the key in the entrance shoe cabinet, unlocked the door, and stepped inside.

A faint, dusty mist greeted them. Yin Ruyun quickly drew back the curtains and opened every window. "No one has lived here for three years, so there is dust everywhere. Please don't mind, Miss Jiang."

Jiang CiYou surveyed the grimy room and suggested, "I will call a cleaning service."

"No need. The house is small; I will clean it myself later." Then, after a pause, she added, "Make me a meal. I want to eat food you have cooked."

Jiang CiYou's sudden request left Yin Ruyun stunned. She stood motionless in the living room for a long moment, tears threatening to spill. Quickly turning away, she said, "Very well. There's a vegetable supermarket in the community. I'll go buy some."

She hurried out without another word.

Jiang CiYou dialed a number and hired two cleaners. Once the call ended, she toured the small apartment. Although the space was modest, every room contained what it should. The arrangement felt warm and inviting. Even though dust covered the living room, the sofa and furniture had been thoughtfully chosen. Everything was stored in perfect order, and the pots and pans in the kitchen stood neatly arranged. Jiang CiYou sensed the owner had loved life deeply.

The living room opened onto a small balcony. A string of delicate wind chimes hung there; a gentle breeze would set them tinkling. Beyond the balcony lay a tiny courtyard now choked with wild grass, yet vegetable trellises had been erected, lending the space an elegant touch. One could easily picture how verdant and fruitful it had been three years earlier.

Jiang CiYou returned inside and opened another door. This must be Jiang Xiaoxiao's room. The room had been kept meticulously clean. The bed linens and curtains were soft pink, and the furniture carried a higher quality than anything seen elsewhere. There was even an exquisite wardrobe. Inside hung an entire cabinet of beautiful clothes. Although few were high-end brands, every piece remained spotless and unwrinkled. Jiang CiYou could imagine how carefully Yin Ruyun had arranged them before her imprisonment. What a pity that after Jiang Xiaoxiao returned to her family, she never came back to visit.

When Yin Ruyun returned, the cleaners had already begun their work. Jiang CiYou sat on the sofa in the living room, watching television. Yin Ruyun moved quickly into the kitchen to wash vegetables and begin cooking. Jiang CiYou rose and approached. "May I help? I don't cook, but I can do some small tasks."

Yin Ruyun smiled. "No need. I am quite skilled in the kitchen. This space is too small for two people. Go watch television in the living room."

Jiang CiYou made no protest. She truly preferred to stay out of the kitchen. Soon the cleaners finished, and the entire apartment gleamed as if brand new. The windows sparkled without a speck of dust. Sunlight poured in at noon, filling the room with bright warmth.

Meanwhile, Yin Ruyun's meal was nearly ready. She ladled the final pot of chicken soup onto the table and called Jiang CiYou to eat. "Miss Jiang, please come have a meal."

Jiang CiYou got up and joined her. In just an hour, Yin Ruyun had prepared an entire table of dishes—braised pork, shrimp stir-fried with green onions, steamed mandarin fish, spicy braised pork knuckle, tender braised beef, scrambled eggs with green onions, shiitake mushrooms and vegetables, and a pot of slow-cooked old hen soup. Eight dishes in all, arranged across the small dining table, their rich colors, aromas, and flavors irresistibly appealing.