Chapter 128: One Should Not Speak Lightly of Waiting

"Yunqing, what's wrong?" Sister Cai, who had just returned from a phone call, gently nudged He Yunqing.

"I just got word that some reporters are heading this way. We should leave to avoid any unnecessary trouble." As Sister Cai spoke, she glanced at Jiang Yao, who was standing nearby.

He Yunqing had no choice but to rise. He gave Jiang Yao a meaningful look and a nod before turning to leave.

Watching the man’s retreating figure, Jiang Yao felt as though she had inexplicably lost something.

"He Yunqing."

The man turned back.

Jiang Yao forced a smile, though her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. "I'll wait for you to come back."

Perhaps, for two people destined to have no future together, one should not speak of waiting so lightly. Yet, Jiang Yao wanted to wait for him—she wanted to wait for him so very much.

He Yunqing turned away, his back to her. He raised his hand in a brief wave, then strode off, walking further and further away.

During this New Year’s holiday, both Cheng Yanchi and He Yunqing were abroad and did not return. Ye Yiyi was so busy rushing between promotional events that she didn't even have time to catch her breath, let alone celebrate the holiday.

There are merits to being busy, and merits to being idle. Following the broadcast of her latest drama, Ye Yiyi had become a rising star in the industry and could no longer afford to spend her days doing nothing as she once had.

Jiang Yao was alone again—all by herself.

Since the morning, small snowflakes had been fluttering down from the sky. Jiang Yao bundled herself up tightly before stepping out, intending to go to the supermarket to buy ingredients for a small hotpot at home.

Just as she exited her building, a flashy red sports car pulled up sharply in front of her.

Jiang Yao instinctively took a step back.

The car door opened, and Jin Nana tossed her long hair, tilting her chin at Jiang Yao. "Where are you heading?"

Perhaps the clothes of the wealthy were exceptionally warm; Jin Nana wasn't wearing much, yet even in the depths of winter, her graceful figure remained striking—a sharp contrast to the bulky down jacket Jiang Yao wore.

Jiang Yao raised a hand and pointed toward the supermarket.

"Didn't we agree that you'd come to my place for a meal today?" Jin Nana patted her sports car. "I specifically took out the new car my dad bought me to 'kidnap' you."

Jiang Yao remembered the invitation, but she hadn't taken it seriously. After all, what was the status of the Jin family compared to her own? Why would they invite an outsider during such an important holiday? She had merely dismissed it as a joke.

She hadn't expected Jin Nana to actually come for her.

Seeing Jiang Yao standing there in a daze, Jin Nana urged her, "Why are you just standing there? Get in the car, it's freezing out here."

Jiang Yao hesitated. "Then let me go buy something to bring over." It wouldn't be proper to arrive at someone’s home empty-handed for the first time.

"No need, no need," Jin Nana pushed her into the car. "Is there anything we don't have at home? Just behave yourself and come home with me; that way, I can consider my mission accomplished."

Jiang Yao laughed helplessly. This Jin Nana—she was truly showing off her wealth at every turn. And the most remarkable part was that she was completely unintentional about it.

Arriving at the Jin residence once more, Jiang Yao still felt a bit constrained.

The butler, who had been waiting at the door, bowed to the two women. "Miss, Madam has gone to the beauty salon and hasn't returned yet. The Master is in the kitchen; he has been waiting for you both for quite a while."

Jin Nana waved her hand and pulled Jiang Yao inside, introducing her as they walked. "Jiang Yao, you have quite the influence. Usually, our New Year's is very lively. Besides relatives, many of my parents' friends come to visit and celebrate. But my father said he invited you this year, and for fear that you might feel uncomfortable, he turned everyone else away."

Jiang Yao was flattered. By what right did she deserve such special treatment?

"But I have to thank you," Jin Nana continued, seeming to grow closer to Jiang Yao. "I hate those relatives; they are all sycophants and flatterers. If the Jin family ever fell, you'd see if they still came around."

Jiang Yao agreed with that sentiment; the world was full of people who fawned over the powerful and trampled on the weak.

"Why did Uncle Jin invite me?"

Jin Nana thought for a moment. "I'm puzzled too. My mother and I both asked him. He said he saw that you were about my age, knew you had no family and were spending the New Year alone, and felt you were pitiful."

"The funniest part is my mother," Jin Nana said with a laugh. "She even thought my father had taken a fancy to you. Hahaha, isn't that hilarious?"

*Heh, heh...*

Jiang Yao couldn't laugh.

"Hilarious, truly hilarious," she said, pulling at the corners of her mouth awkwardly.

"But that's impossible. My father cares about my mother more than anyone else in the world. Don't let his authoritative demeanor outside fool you; at home, he is completely wrapped around my mother's finger."

As they talked, they reached the kitchen. The Jin family’s kitchen was the kind of space most people couldn't afford to buy in a lifetime. Several people were busy working inside, filling the room with the warm, lively scent of home cooking.

"My dad said since it's a small group today, we should cook fewer dishes to avoid waste. But don't worry, the ingredients are the freshest, flown in from overseas." Jin Nana introduced the scene to Jiang Yao, then called out, "Dad!"

Old Master Jin, who was stir-frying, turned around. "Oh, you're here? Take Miss Jiang to the living room first."

Jiang Yao stared at the scene, dumbfounded.

"Don't be surprised," Jin Nana said with a happy expression. "My dad loves fussing in the kitchen. I heard he was like this back when we were poor, and he’s still like this now. And my mom just loves eating the food he makes."

Jiang Yao suddenly felt a pang of envy for Jin Nana—not for the Jin family's wealth, but for her complete family and parents who loved her.

"Let's go, it's too smoky here. Let's head over there."

Jiang Yao shook her head. "It's fine. I'll see if I can help. I know how to cook a bit, too." She started rolling up her sleeves.

Jin Nana clicked her tongue but didn't force her. "Why are you just like my dad, rushing to cook? Go ahead, do as you please, but I'm not staying here with you."

"Uncle Jin, is there anything I can help with?"

Old Master Jin, who was busy, looked up and frowned when he saw Jiang Yao. "Nana, how could you let her come in here?"

"It's alright, I'm quite good at cooking." Jiang Yao blinked playfully. "Should I scale this fish now?"

"You know how to scale a fish?"

Jiang Yao nodded. "Yes, I learned from my mother when I was little."

She put on an apron, picked up a knife, and with a few swift, practiced motions, cleaned the live fish.

Old Master Jin watched her busy figure, his mind wandering.

"Uncle Jin? Uncle Jin?"

The old man snapped back to reality. "Ah?"

Jiang Yao pointed at the pot. "The food, the food..."

Old Master Jin realized what was happening and turned back to the stove. "The way you scale that fish... it reminds me of someone."