Shen Wenxin walked into the building only to find that Jin Hanshuang hadn't gone upstairs.
She was just standing in the lobby waiting for her.
They exchanged a glance, and Jin Hanshuang walked up with a smile, linking arms with her as they went to wait for the elevator together.
Jin Hanshuang said, "Did you see Yunshu?"
Shen Wenxin responded with a calm "Mm."
And that was the end of that.
The topic of Lu Yunshu was dropped there.
Jin Hanshuang asked, "How was your time with friends tonight?"
Shen Wenxin said, "It was quite fun. By the way, Miaomiao is getting married."
Jin Hanshuang: "Really? When?"
Shen Wenxin: "Early next year. She said she'll send you an invitation too, so we can go together."
Jin Hanshuang smiled: "Great, I'll definitely go. Did you drive back by yourself just now?"
"Mm."
"You didn't drink, did you?"
"No, I wouldn't dare drive myself back if I had."
"Good girl~"
Jin Hanshuang patted her head with satisfaction.
They continued chatting like this as they got into the elevator and went home, just like before.
After getting home, they changed into pajamas, washed up, and it was almost time for bed.
As Shen Wenxin was about to enter her room, Jin Hanshuang suddenly called out to her.
"What do you want for breakfast tomorrow?"
Jin Hanshuang asked her.
Shen Wenxin stood at the door, and memories of every night she had spent living with Jin Hanshuang flooded her mind.
Back then, Jin Hanshuang would also ask her what she wanted for breakfast the next morning, just like now.
Nothing had changed.
Shen Wenxin smiled and said, "It's so cold, you should sleep a bit longer."
Jin Hanshuang said seriously, "No, you still need to have breakfast. It's healthy."
She added, "And you can't go to work on an empty stomach."
Shen Wenxin replied, "Then I'll have an egg-filled youtiao."
Jin Hanshuang asked, "Do you want porridge?"
Shen Wenxin answered, "Yes."
Jin Hanshuang nodded, "Alright, President Shen, go to sleep now. You can have breakfast when you wake up."
Shen Wenxin couldn't help but laugh, finding it amusing for some reason.
"Good night, mom."
"Good night, baby~"
Shen Wenxin went back to her room and closed the door.
A seemingly ordinary conversation quietly untied a knot in her heart.
Nothing had changed.
No one would be taken away, and no one would be left behind.
She was still herself, and Jin Hanshuang was still Jin Hanshuang. They were still family, and even with the addition of Lu Yunshu, this relationship would not change.
Shen Wenxin went back to bed and had a good night's sleep.
......
Shen Wenxin had not yet agreed to Jin Hanshuang and Lu Yunshu being together, but she did not stop them from meeting either.
The three of them lived their days peacefully.
Time passed, and it was already the end of November.
As night fell, Jin Hanshuang and Lu Yunshu went out for dinner.
It was another restaurant recommended by Le You.
A small lakeside restaurant.
They went up to the second floor.
There weren't many people at this time, and the second floor was warm yet cool, with the corner by the window being especially quiet.
Outside the window, there was a lake, its surface not yet frozen.
The brilliant lights reflected on the lake, swaying with the ripples, like countless stars in the sky looking into a mirror.
Further away, the neon lights shone, and tall buildings stood.
It was bustling, beautiful, and quiet.
In this beautiful setting, Jin Hanshuang gave a gift to the lovely Lu little puppy.
"A four-month anniversary gift, open it and see~"
Lu Yunshu opened the small black box.
Inside lay a small piece of rosewood, with a black string attached.
On the glossy, satin-like surface of the plaque, a single number was simply engraved: 1.
"ä¸ï¼"
"Yes, it's number one."
Without needing further explanation from Jin Hanshuang, Lu Yunshu immediately understood and smiled slightly, "Is it the love token from sister?"
Jin Hanshuang's eyes curved as she smiled beautifully, "My Yunshu is so smart~"
Lu Yunshu laughed and asked, "Is there only number one? What about numbers two, three, four, five, and six?"
Jin Hanshuang replied, "What can we do? There's only one token, so they'll have to share the love token with number one."
Lu Yunshu said, "Alright, I'll discuss it with numbers two, three, four, five, and six."
Jin Hanshuang said, "You all need to get along well and not fight, okay?"
Lu Yunshu smiled and agreed, leaning in to give Jin Hanshuang a kiss.
"Number one likes it very much."
Jin Hanshuang gave a kiss on the cheek, "I'm glad you like it."
Lu Yunshu immediately attached it to her car keychain, full of joy.
Years of secret admiration, dreams come true.
She was now Jin Hanshuang's unwavering first choice.
The dishes were all served.
Jin Hanshuang picked up her chopsticks and served some food to Lu Yunshu, "Our Yunshu has worked hard, eat more."
"It's almost the end of the year, you all will be getting busier."
Lu Yunshu nodded, "Once the busy period is over, I'll be able to see Hanshuang."
Jin Hanshuang said, "You can see me anytime."
She put down her chopsticks and gently caressed Lu Yunshu's face, "When you miss me, you can video call me."
Lu Yunshu held her hand, her cheek lightly rubbing against her palm, her beautiful eyes behind the glasses filled with affection.
"I still prefer meeting in person. Video calls can only let me see you, but I can't hug you. It's not the same."
"So when can Hanshuang live with me?"
The topic changed very suddenly, but it was very typical of Lu Yunshu.
The little puppy just loved her sister so much and wanted to be with her all the time.
"Are you in a hurry?"
"Yes, very much so."
Jin Hanshuang gently tucked her long hair behind her ear.
"Soon."
A month passed, and Shen Wenxin's acceptance of her and Lu Yunshu grew stronger.
She frequently accepted Lu Yunshu's invitations and gifts, so Shen Wenxin must have known what this meant.
One day, her stepmother and Lu Yunshu would be together; it was just a matter of when.
"When Wenxin has time, I'll tell her everything."
Jin Hanshuang rested her chin on her hand and threw a flirtatious glance at Lu Yunshu.
"Including the fact that we've been together for a while."
Lu Yunshu was taken aback and asked, "You'll tell her yourself?"
Jin Hanshuang nodded, "Yes, I'll tell her myself."
Lu Yunshu couldn't help but worry, "You don't need me to be there?"
Jin Hanshuang smiled, "It's better if you're not there for now. Wenxin will definitely come to you afterward."
Lu Yunshu nodded, agreeing.
Then, with a serious expression, she asked, "What if she gets angry with you?"
"She won't," Jin Hanshuang patted her hand, "I've lived with Wenxin for so many years. Trust me."
Lu Yunshu held her hand back, her brows slightly furrowed.
After a long pause, she reluctantly agreed, "Alright... If anything happens, remember to call me."
"Okay~ Now, let's eat."
Jin Hanshuang served Lu Yunshu a bowl of soup.
Then she continued to serve her more food, all of her favorites.
Finally, she placed an unpeeled shrimp on her plate.
"I want to eat it, but I don't want to peel it. Yunshu, can you peel it for me?"
Jin Hanshuang gave Lu Yunshu a kiss with a smile.
"Love you~"
It was as if she placed a star in Lu Yunshu's eyes. With a gentle kiss, the light in Lu Yunshu's eyes became very bright and charming.
Lu Yunshu chuckled softly, already rolling up the sleeves of her white shirt.
Rolling up her sleeves, she began to peel the shrimp.
Her long, slender fingers peeled the shrimp slowly, her charming and beautiful eyes smiling at her girlfriend, "Sister is being playful."
Her sister smiled and said, "Yes."
Lu Yunshu couldn't help herself and quickly leaned in to kiss her on the lips.
"I like it so much."
So, whenever Jin Hanshuang wanted to eat shrimp but didn't want to peel it herself, she would kiss Lu Yunshu, and the little puppy would be even more willing to peel the shrimp for her sister.
Jin Hanshuang ate the shrimp and suddenly started laughing, thinking of something.
Lu Yunshu was puzzled.
"What's wrong?"
Jin Hanshuang laughed and said, "I suddenly thought of a pun with a homophone."
"What pun?"
"Little puppy peels shrimp, sister kisses little puppy."
"What?"
"Peck peck, kiss kiss."
Lu Yunshu couldn't help but laugh after realizing it.
The two of them laughed for a while over this seemingly nonsensical pun.
It wasn't particularly funny, but seeing her laugh beside her made it even more enjoyable.
......
At the end of the year, Lu Yunshu was very busy, and Shen Wenxin was also very busy.
Shen Wenxin was busy until after New Year's Day before she had some free time.
She had a good sleep at home.
The next day, she woke up feeling refreshed.
Seeing Shen Wenxin full of energy, Jin Hanshuang felt relieved.
Every time she saw her daughter so busy, she couldn't help but feel a bit heartbroken.
As parents, who wouldn't want their children to rest well and take it easy?
At noon, Jin Hanshuang personally cooked Shen Wenxin's favorite dishes and made soup, ensuring she ate to her heart's content.
After eating and drinking to their heart's content, they cleaned up the table.
Jin Hanshuang put the pots and pans into the dishwasher and leisurely started it.
Then, she washed some grapes, put them in a bowl, and walked towards the big plush dog in the living room.
The big dog plushie was placed in a corner, with a carpet underneath and surrounded by cushions, making it very comfortable.
Shen Wenxin saw her sit down next to the big plush dog and waved her over.
She followed and sat down.
Jin Hanshuang made room for her.
The warmth from the floor heating under the carpet, the soft and comfortable plush toy behind her, eating grapes while browsing her phone-it was a rare moment of leisure.
"Wenxin, I have something to tell you," Jin Hanshuang suddenly said.
Shen Wenxin had a sudden realization and guessed what she was going to say, "Is it about Lu Yunshu?"
Jin Hanshuang replied, "Oh, our Wenxin is so smart~"
Shen Wenxin calmly smiled, "Go ahead."
Jin Hanshuang didn't beat around the bush, "I'm with her."
Shen Wenxin paused for a moment while eating grapes, then continued eating without much change in expression, "Oh."
Given Jin Hanshuang's tolerant attitude towards Lu Yunshu, it was only a matter of time.
Her stepmother even said that Lu Yunshu was cute.
Could she say someone was cute if she wasn't interested in them?
Now that day had finally come, and the worry in her heart could finally rest.
Jin Hanshuang observed her and smiled, "So calm?"
Shen Wenxin nodded, her face calm, "Yes, I feel like nothing you say now would surprise me."
Jin Hanshuang said, "What if I told you we've been together since last summer?"
Shen Wenxin suddenly froze, her face expressionless.
The grape fell from her lips.
Jin Hanshuang quickly caught it and placed it back in her hand.
Shen Wenxin held the grape: "..."
After a moment-
"Except for this."