Chapter 131: Sister, Come Pick Me Up [Bonus Chapter]

Jiang Ciyou did not go to the Green Shade Villa. Instead, she returned to Jinxiu Garden. Even though she knew Yin Ruyun was not her biological mother, for some reason, Jiang Ciyou felt very fond of the place. At the very least, in that humble room, on that small bed, she was able to fall asleep.

It was already late. Yin Ruyun had gone to bed but still heard the sound of the door opening. She was pleasantly surprised to see Jiang Ciyou.

"I'm sorry, I woke you up."

Yin Ruyun laughed, "No, no, I wasn't asleep yet. Are you hungry? I happen to have some food here; I can make you a midnight snack."

Jiang Ciyou suddenly noticed that the dining table was full of dishes, almost none of which had been touched. They were all the dishes she had praised after tasting Yin Ruyun's cooking last time. A complex wave of emotion washed over her.

"Did you save these specifically for me? How did you know I was coming today?"

Yin Ruyun quickly used a smile to cover her tracks. "Not at all, it's just a coincidence. Many things were on sale at the market today, so I bought and cooked too much. You should try these braised pork ribs..."

But these dishes clearly hadn't been touched at all. Jiang Ciyou wondered if she cooked and waited for her every single day. Originally, Jiang Ciyou had intended to find an opportunity to tell her about the paternity test results, but suddenly, she found she couldn't bring herself to say it. Jiang Ciyou took a bite of the braised ribs and decided to hold off. After dinner, she went to her room to sleep.

For several days, Jiang Ciyou stayed at Jinxiu Garden, until Saturday evening, when she received a phone call.

"Sister, I've come to visit you. Could you pick me up at the airport?"

Jiang Ciyou was shocked. "Yibai?"

She rushed to the airport and saw Yibai emerging from the terminal, dressed in white sportswear, carrying a backpack, and sporting a head of golden hair. He was looking around expectantly. When he spotted Jiang Ciyou, his face instantly lit up with a bright smile, revealing a cute dimple on his left cheek. He jogged over toward her.

"Sister..." His voice was sweet, but not cloying; it sounded very natural and warmed one's heart.

"Get in the car first."

Yibai climbed into Jiang Ciyou’s car. As they drove onto the elevated highway, Yibai, curious about everything, leaned his head out the window. "Things have really changed in the country. I wanted to buy a cup of instant noodles at a convenience store in the airport just now, but they wouldn't accept cash."

Seeing his earnest expression, Jiang Ciyou chuckled. "How long has it been since you were last in the country?"

"I grew up abroad and have lived in many countries. I've been drifting around, never settling anywhere. I only come back for the holidays to see my grandparents, and I never stay long."

Jiang Ciyou looked at Yibai with a touch of sympathy. "It’s not easy for someone so young." She asked, "So, did you come here specifically to see me?"

Yibai smiled, his demeanor open and candid. "Actually, I've run away from home."

"What do you mean?"

"My grandfather won't let me continue my studies in France. He’s already transferred me to a school back here and is forcing me to go home, but I don't want them to dictate my life, so I ran away." He looked at her pleadingly. "Sister, I don't have any friends here, and you were the only one I could think of. Could you let me stay with you for a few days?"

Jiang Ciyou turned to look at Yibai. He wore an expression of sincerity and vulnerability. "Of course, staying here is no problem, but you still need to resolve things with your family. Constantly running away isn't wise."

"Don't worry about that, I plan to go back in a month. By the way, Sister, do you know of any cheap rentals? Preferably near the city center, because I plan to find a part-time job at a bar tomorrow." Yibai scratched his head. "I don't have much money on me, so I can only afford a cheap place."

Jiang Ciyou said calmly, "Don't worry about that; I'll arrange a hotel for you."

Yibai shook his head repeatedly, refusing righteously. "That won't do, Sister. How could I use your money? I know you're generous, but a gentleman does not accept handouts."

His refusal left Jiang Ciyou in a bind. He wouldn't stay in a hotel, yet he needed something cheap, near the city center, and only for a month—a nearly impossible combination. In the end, she brought him back to Jinxiu Garden, hoping to ask around the old neighborhood the next day to see if there were any vacancies.

Yin Ruyun was surprised to see Jiang Ciyou bring home a young man, but Yibai was enthusiastic and introduced himself. Knowing he was a friend Jiang Ciyou had met abroad, Yin Ruyun welcomed him warmly.

After eating Yin Ruyun's home-cooked meal, Yibai almost burst into tears. "In France, I ate nothing but dry baguettes and avocados every day. I had forgotten that such delicious food existed in this world." He finished five large bowls of rice.

Yin Ruyun was heartbroken, sighing, "That wasn't studying abroad; that was exile."

After dinner, it was already quite late. Jiang Ciyou said, "I'll take you to a nearby guesthouse for the night, and tomorrow I'll help you find a place to rent."

Yibai hesitated, stammering for a long time before finally speaking. "Sister, I don't have my ID card. My family confiscated it. I only managed to return this time by buying a fake identity on the black market, and since that was very expensive, I’ve spent all my money." He looked at her pitifully. "Actually, I'm penniless."

Yin Ruyun, having just finished washing the dishes, heard this and felt an immediate surge of sympathy. "Why don't you just stay here for the time being? I'll clean out the room on the east side for you."

There were only three rooms in the apartment: one for Yin Ruyun, one for Jiang Ciyou, and one for Jiang Xiaoxiao. Jiang Ciyou was surprised. "That's Jiang Xiaoxiao's room."

A flash of sadness crossed Yin Ruyun's eyes. "She doesn't acknowledge me, and she won't be coming back." With that, she went into the room to tidy up.

Seeing their complex expressions, Yibai asked sheepishly, "Sister, who is Jiang Xiaoxiao? Am I causing you trouble? Or I could just sleep on the floor in the living room."

Jiang Ciyou replied, "It's no trouble. Just stay there." It was perhaps for the best that Yin Ruyun cleared out the room; it would prevent her from holding onto unrealistic hopes. Jiang Xiaoxiao was desperate to sever all ties with her past; she would never step foot in that room again.

The room was quickly cleared, and Yibai settled into Jinxiu Garden. A week passed. During this time, Yibai found a part-time job as a resident singer at a lounge bar. He even managed to get an advance on his wages and insisted on paying Yin Ruyun a month's rent at market rates. Although she tried to refuse, she eventually accepted due to his persistence.

That evening, Jiang Ciyou returned from the television station. Yin Ruyun was busy in the kitchen, and Yibai was in the bathroom showering. His phone, left on the living room sofa, began to buzz incessantly.