——

That evening, Father Yan and Mother Yan were leading the three children back from the shopping center to the villa when they ran into Father Wen, who had just come home from work. His eyes crinkled at the corners when he saw the three little ones. “Little Ningning is back.”

“She is — arrived today.” Father Yan smiled in return.

“Come over to our place and sit for a while. Zhilu came back not long ago for a wedding, too — let’s all have dinner together.” Father Wen extended a warm invitation.

Mother Yan was surprised. “Zhilu is back? We haven’t seen him around these past few days.”

Zhilu hadn’t really come home in years — he’d been building his life abroad. Honestly, she missed him a little. After all, she’d watched him grow up.

Father Wen’s voice carried a smile. “He’s been busy. Every day it’s either a video conference or a dinner out. Not that you’d have seen him — I’ve barely managed a few words with him myself.”

“Don’t just stand out here. Call Little Ningning and her husband over, and let’s all come to my place for dinner. Our two families haven’t had a proper gathering since Little Ningning got married.”

Father Yan and Mother Yan didn’t decline. They sent a message to Yan Yunning and, with the three children in tow, followed the warm-spirited Father Wen over to his home.

Mother Wen, upon seeing Yan Yunning’s three children, was utterly delighted. She sighed. “Zhilu and Little Ningning grew up together, and Little Ningning already has children — yet our Zhilu still doesn’t have a girlfriend.”

Mother Yan smiled. “These things can’t be rushed.”

“There’s nothing I can do about it — he’s twenty-six already, and he’s never been in a single relationship. I ask him if there’s anyone he likes, and he doesn’t say a word.”

Mother Yan sighed softly and said with gentle humor, “Don’t fret. When he meets someone he likes, it’s not as though he doesn’t know how to pursue her.”

“I suppose.” Mother Wen cradled Xuan Youyi in her arms with great fondness. “Xiaoyun, Jiaojiao looks so much like Little Ningning did as a little girl — seeing this child takes me right back.”

“Little Ningning was much more mischievous as a child than Jiaojiao.”

“Come to think of it, Little Ningning used to always drag Zhilu along on her little adventures. Whatever Little Ningning told Zhilu to do, Zhilu would just do it without question. And in the blink of an eye, they’re both grown up.”

“Madam — Madam Yan — dinner is ready.” A household helper came over with a smile.

“Understood.” Mother Wen rose, Xuan Youyi still in her arms, and ushered Mother Yan through to the dining room.

They had barely taken their seats when Yan Yunning and Xuan Yanyu arrived. After exchanging polite greetings, the two of them found their places and sat down.

Father Wen glanced at the helper standing nearby. “Go and call Zhilu down for dinner.”

The helper replied honestly, “Mr. Wen, Young Master Zhilu is occupied this evening — he won’t be coming home tonight and is having dinner out. He asked that you and Madam not wait for him.”

“This child.” Father Wen waved his hand to signal he understood.

After a while, seeing that Father Yan and Mother Yan were deep in lively conversation, Yan Yunning and Xuan Yanyu made an excuse and took the three children out of the villa.

The sky outside hadn’t fully darkened yet. Along the path paved with blue-grey stones, Xuan Yanyu carried Yan Yunning in a front-facing embrace — her arms looped around his neck as they walked slowly ahead — while the three little ones trailed behind, hand in hand.

On either side of the stone path, the shrubs were in full bloom with red roses, their vivid petals heavy with dew, swaying gently in the breeze. Above, a seven-coloured rainbow had risen at the edge of the sky. The leisurely evening wind swept across them — cool and pleasant.

Yan Yunning was murmuring something to Xuan Yanyu, who looked back at her with utter tenderness as he replied.

“Brother!” The little ball of fluff finally asked the question he’d been sitting on for a while. “Did Dad and Mom forget about us?”

Xuan Yunsheng glanced at him and said simply, “They didn’t.”

The little one was clearly unconvinced. “They didn’t? Then why is Dad just walking ahead holding Mom and not turning around to check on us?”

The small girl kicked a pebble at her feet and said in her soft, sticky voice, “Mommy is sick. Daddy wants to walk fast so he can get home and give Mommy her medicine.”

“No, that’s not it.” The little ball of fluff pointed back toward the villa, now growing more distant behind them. “Dad is going the wrong way — we’re getting further and further from Grandma’s house!”

Xuan Yunsheng looked at his younger brother and sister with quiet exasperation. “Dad and Mom just want to go for a walk. Even when Mom isn’t sick — if she doesn’t want to walk, doesn’t Dad carry her or give her a piggyback anyway?”

The little ball of fluff knitted his small brows together. “But this time is different. Dad and Mom forgot about us.”

“……” Xuan Yunsheng had no further response. “Mom can still see us.”

On hearing they hadn’t been forgotten, the little ball let out a small “oh.”

“Little Ningning?” At the sound of a man’s voice from farther down the path, all three children looked up.

“Elder Brother Wen, Zhilu.” Yan Yunning’s voice was still a little husky. She unwrapped her arms from Xuan Yanyu’s neck, and the man, understanding, set her gently down on the ground.

“Mr. Xuan, I’ve heard so much about you.” Wen Zhiyan extended his hand with composed ease.

Xuan Yanyu reached out and shook it briefly, his gaze passing with casual indifference over Wen Zhilu, who stood beside Wen Zhiyan.

Wen Zhilu glanced at him with equal detachment.

Wen Zhiyan extended a warm invitation. “Since we’ve run into each other, why don’t we get together? Besides, Zhilu is going back abroad tomorrow — and who knows when this little rascal will agree to come home again.”

Yan Yunning looked over at Wen Zhilu. He met her gaze, then spoke with words that contradicted what he felt inside. “I still have things to take care of. You all enjoy yourselves.”

He had once said that after she married someone else, they would be strangers from that point on. Then strangers they would be — for her sake, and for his.

There was no way to go back to how they used to be as friends. There simply wasn’t…

Whether others could remain friends with someone they once loved, he didn’t know. He couldn’t. It wasn’t in him to do it…

Perhaps one day he would stop loving her. When that day came, if she was willing, they might be able to return to what they once were.

What a shame — twenty years of knowing each other, and it couldn’t hold a candle to the few short weeks she had spent getting to know that man.

A shame that he had met her at all…

She was too difficult to forget…

Far too difficult to forget…

Yan Yunning pressed her lips together softly and looked away.

Wen Zhiyan was puzzled. “What could you possibly have to do?”

Wen Zhilu slipped one hand into the pocket of his suit jacket and walked ahead with long, unhurried strides. As he passed Yan Yunning, he smiled and raised a hand in a casual wave behind him. “Brother, I’m going back to pack. Take care, everyone.”

Wen Zhiyan frowned slightly and shot Yan Yunning a suspicious look. “The little shadow — he’s changed his ways?”

Ever since they were small, hadn’t he always liked trailing after Little Ningning? So he’s finally grown up enough to know to keep a proper distance?

Yan Yunning smiled but said nothing.

Wen Zhilu walked over to where the three little ones were standing and stopped. He ruffled Xuan Youyi’s hair. “Jiaojiao.”

“Uncle.” The small girl tilted her head up, her bright eyes reflecting his face.

Wen Zhilu gave a small nod, then turned and left.

Wen Zhiyan glanced at the time. “Mr. Xuan, Little Ningning — come, let’s spend some time together. Besides, Zhilu is leaving tomorrow — and who knows when this rascal will come home again.”

“Elder Brother Wen, we just had dinner at your place.” Yan Yunning smiled. “We’ll find a time to get together another day.”

Wen Zhiyan didn’t press. “Fair enough. You two carry on with your walk. I’ll head off.”

Yan Yunning waved. “Alright, goodbye, Elder Brother Wen.”

Once Wen Zhiyan and Wen Zhilu had walked away, Xuan Yanyu opened both arms with a notably cheerful air. “Come on — up you get.”

Yan Yunning climbed onto him like a little koala, arms looped around his neck, and gave a light hum. “You’re very pleased with yourself, aren’t you?”

“Is it that obvious?” The man lifted his head and pressed a fleeting kiss to her forehead.

Yan Yunning nodded. “Very obvious!”

“You’re imagining things.” Xuan Yanyu held her close and strolled on at an easy pace.