Wen Tingxue came out of the kitchen with a bowl of clear soup noodles and saw Yu Xiuxiu and Wen Zhong'en talking by the wall.
Curiously, she asked, "Mom, Dad, what are you talking about? Come and eat quickly, I made it~"
The moment Yu Xiuxiu turned, her smiling face lit up with affection and doting.
"So it's Yi Yi who made it, no wonder it smells so good."
Approaching, Yu Xiuxiu pinched her daughter's pert little nose and said with concern,
"Don't wake up so early from now on. If you want to cook, you can do it on the weekend, and Mom and Dad will accompany you."
"Yes, yes, yes."
Wen Zhong'en, having been busy for so many days, finally saw his daughter and had a lot he wanted to say.
However, he was clumsy with words and could only echo his wife.
But his eyes shone as he gazed at his daughter, as if she were a treasure in the world.
Wen Tingxue recalled the scenes when her grandmother and aunt forced her to cook, and a cold smile touched her heart.
So, the difference between being loved and not being loved was so obvious.
The thought flashed by, and Wen Tingxue tilted her small face up and explained crisply.
"I saw Uncle Yu's ID card last night. Today is his birthday, and Uncle helped a lot with my admission.
"These days, Uncle and Aunt have also taken good care of me, so I wanted to make a longevity noodle for Uncle to express my gratitude."
Wen Tingxue pointed to the bowl of noodles on the table.
She had no money to buy a gift.
There was no time to prepare anything else at the last minute.
The only thing she could offer was longevity noodles.
She had made them countless times, and even her picky cousin loved them dearly.
Uncle would probably like them too, right?
Yu Xiuxiu and Wen Zhong'en hugged their daughter simultaneously, their eyes moist.
To be honest, they didn't want their daughter to be too sensible. They hoped she could live more freely and unrestrainedly.
But... they would take it slowly.
They believed that under the nourishment of love, their daughter would gradually grow into a better version of herself.
The Yu family.
Wen Zhong'en and Yu Xiuxiu, holding their daughter's homemade breakfast, knocked on the Yu family's door.
Auntie Yu was startled for a moment, then smiled, "Yi Yi is so thoughtful. I was actually planning to make longevity noodles this morning too."
Mr. and Mrs. Yu were busy with their careers, so the only meal they could have at home was breakfast.
Other than that, nothing was certain.
Therefore, no matter whose birthday it was, they always ate longevity noodles in the morning.
Wen Tingxue's eyes lit up.
Actually, according to their customs, longevity noodles were usually eaten at noon or in the evening.
But she had no time to make them at noon or in the evening.
The only reason she could eat at home last night was because their parents had taken leave for them.
However, taking consecutive leave was not appropriate.
Moreover, Uncle Yu might not have time in the evening either.
So, she had planned for the morning, and by chance, it turned out to be perfect.
Auntie Yu stepped aside, letting the three of them in.
"Oh, this noodle smells so good. Did Ms. Yu make it? You have such great cooking skills. I think it looks wonderful."
As she walked by, Auntie Yu couldn't help but comment.
Yu Xiuxiu said with half pride and half concern, "It wasn't me, it was Yi Yi who made it."
"Ah?!"
Auntie Yu was shocked.
Just then, Yu Wenli came downstairs. Seeing the breakfast in their hands, he paused slightly, and then a look of pity filled his heart.
Even in her situation, she still had the heart to celebrate his father's birthday.
What a silly child.
With all that, how early must she have woken up.
Yu Wenli walked to Wen Tingxue's side and playfully ruffled her head, chiding her.
"Little silly," he said.
Wen Tingxue whispered in protest, "I'm not silly."
She was willing.
Yu Wenli chuckled lightly, the light falling on his face, making the teardrop mole under his eye look even more captivating.
A little bit bewitching.
"Mm, not silly."
He reached out and hooked his finger under the little girl's chin, his voice seductively low, "Then, on my birthday, will Yi Yi make me a bowl of noodles too?"
Wen Tingxue felt like his fingertips were on fire, making her skin burn.
She paused for a second, then blinked and asked, "When is Brother Yu's birthday?"
"October twenty-seventh, it's still a while away," he said casually.
"Oh."
Wen Tingxue seriously calculated.
That should be Brother Yu's eighteenth birthday, his coming-of-age ceremony. She certainly couldn't just give him a bowl of noodles.
Fortunately, there was still plenty of time to prepare.
Yu Wenli found her dazed expression incredibly cute and intentionally wanted to tease her.
So, he leaned in deliberately and said, "Make it more exquisite than Dad's, or I won't acknowledge you."
His hot breath sprayed on her left ear, tickling and making her feel warm from her skin to her core, burning all the way to her heart.
Wen Tingxue was afraid he would hear her chaotic heartbeat, so she weakly pushed him with her small hand and pouted, "You're so childish."
The little girl's ear tips were red, her voice soft, and the drawn-out ending carried a hint of a pout.
She was simply irresistible.
Like a harmless little white rabbit.
Yu Wenli couldn't help but let his gaze linger on her rosy lips, his eyes deepening.
After a moment, his voice became husky as he said,
"Let's go, time to eat."
...
At the dinner table.
Yu Wen took a bite and his eyes narrowed with pleasure.
Even the usually picky Yu Wenli raised an eyebrow.
Wen Jin Yan blinked curiously, "Yi Yi, how did you make it? It's not often that you can satisfy these two men with your noodles."
And the plating was so beautiful, with 'Happy Birthday' carved out of carrots arranged in a line.
On top were three steamed eggs carved into a family of three, and below was a perfectly heart-shaped fried egg.
Ingenious and impeccable craftsmanship.
His future daughter-in-law was truly skillful and resourceful.
His son had definitely struck gold!
Wen Tingxue smiled shyly, "It's Aunt Fang's soup base from last night that's good. Sea cucumber stewed with duck soup, it's light and nutritious."
"Happy birthday, Uncle Yu. May you always be happy and successful in all your endeavors."
She wasn't good at saying such things, so her face turned bright red.
Yu Wen quickly gave her a thumbs-up. "This is the best birthday gift I've ever received. For Yi Yi's blessings, I will definitely finish this bowl of noodles today!"
In the past, when Auntie made longevity noodles, they only ate a symbolic portion.
After all, it was a good omen.
But the noodles made by Yi Yi were smooth and refreshing, with a light yet savory broth.
It was clearly made with great care.
Yu Wen couldn't help but sigh, "It's good to have a daughter."
Yu Wenli: "..."
-
After breakfast, Wen Tingxue came out of the house with her schoolbag on her back.
When she looked up, the Yu family's car and Tan Yu Fan's car were both parked at the entrance.
Wen Zhong'en was bewildered, and Yu Xiuxiu felt a knot of anxiety in her heart.
Wen Tingxue paused for a few seconds, then decisively walked towards Tan Yu Fan's car.
Yu Xiuxiu wanted to stop her but noticed Yu Wenli's expression out of the corner of her eye. He looked calm, as if not surprised.
The next moment, her daughter's soft voice drifted over:
"Brother Yu Fan, thank you for picking me up these past few days. From now on, I'll be going to school with Brother Yu, so you don't have to anymore."
Tan Yu Fan looked up and regarded her seriously for two seconds, then smiled and nodded.
"Okay."
He could tell she was truly happy, not the forced happiness she had shown a few days ago.
Wen Tingxue smiled brightly, turned, and walked towards the Yu family's car, towards Yu Wenli.
She knew what her choice represented, but why should Yu Yahe stop her from getting close to Yu Wenli?
Even if she threw a thousand obstacles and schemed in countless ways, she would face them.
Retreating or evading was out of the question.
She had let go of Yu Wenli once, and there would not be a second time.
[Author's Note]: Two chapters of transition, causing trouble tomorrow~