Chapter 12: The Gentle Glow Seemed to Add Warmth to This...

The Mid-Autumn Festival fell on a workday, granting everyone a single day off.

Through the fence, the courtyard’s plants and shrubs were meticulously trimmed. A small osmanthus tree stood in the corner of the yard, its golden blossoms clustering densely across the emerald canopy.

A gentle breeze swept through the early morning, causing the low-hanging branches to sway slightly. A few rice-sized osmanthus flowers easily detached from their stems, drifting downward with gravity into the water vat below. Small ripples spread across the surface, soaking the petals and leaving them floating atop the water.

The doorbell rang crisply, its sound traveling along the iron railings into the air.

Soon after, the door to the main hall opened.

Zhang Sao, wearing an apron around her waist, emerged from inside the house. “Miss Xu, you’re here so early.”

Zhang Sao had been hired by the Wei family as a nanny after Lin Qingshuang became pregnant. After Wei Linxuan was born, she stayed on due to her excellent care.

Xu Wu responded nonchalantly.

As the gate opened, Xu Wu stepped over the threshold in her high heels and asked gently, “Is everyone home today?”

Zhang Sao glanced at the gifts Xu Wu brought but said nothing, preparing to take them.

Xu Wu didn’t hand them over, smiling softly. “It’s fine, I’ll bring them in myself.”

Zhang Sao didn’t press further, walking ahead to answer Xu Wu’s earlier question. “Everyone’s here except for Wei Ming, who accompanied his wife back to her family for the Mid-Autumn Festival. Mr. Wei is on a business trip, Mrs. Wei is practicing yoga, and Wei Linxuan hasn’t woken up yet.”

“Mm.”

Upon reaching the doorway, Xu Wu inadvertently paused, gazing toward the corner of the wall.

From this angle, the view was more direct than before, allowing her to see the entire osmanthus tree clearly.

The branches grew luxuriantly around the trunk.

So osmanthus trees could indeed bloom so profusely in the north.

“Miss Xu, when did you plant this osmanthus tree?”

Zhang Sao fetched slippers for Xu Wu and noticed her staring at the osmanthus tree in the corner. Since coming to the Wei household, she had become familiar with every flower, plant, and person.

“It’s been a long time—probably dating back to my senior year of high school,” Xu Wu replied.

“I’ve always lived here. I don’t know about other parts of the north, but it’s rare to see osmanthus trees around here.”

“Miss Xu is originally from Jiangcheng, right? My daughter works there, and I’ve visited her. During this season, the streets are filled with the scent of osmanthus.” Zhang Sao was a native of the area, having grown up here.

“At that time, I also wanted to buy a few saplings to plant back in my hometown, but my daughter said the north isn’t like the south—it’s too cold, and they wouldn’t bloom as much.”

“Mm, I grew up in Jiangcheng. Every autumn, our neighborhood courtyard would be filled with countless osmanthus flowers, incredibly fragrant,” Xu Wu lowered her gaze, speaking softly.

“When I came to Linjing, I thought the same way. But someone bought me a sapling and told me it would surely survive, grow, and bloom here—it would be fragrant too.”

She recalled those words he had spoken to her, repeating them verbatim.

By then, she had been in Linjing for over a year, unable to return home for a long time. It was autumn, and she missed the osmanthus tree back home even more. That tree had been planted during a community tree-planting event when she and her father had planted it together—it was meant to grow alongside her.

Later, she left Jiangcheng and never had the chance to return. She didn’t know how that tree was faring now.

At the time, Zhou Jinye had sensed her emotional distress. After hearing her out, the young man always knew how to touch her heart.

Within two days, he had someone procure an osmanthus sapling and gave it to her, urging her to plant it here. He told her it would accompany her as she grew.

Initially, she didn’t believe the sapling would survive or bloom here.

“Who was that person?”

Xu Wu didn’t respond, silently gazing at the osmanthus tree, which had grown significantly taller. She took a few photos.

Just as she prepared to send them to him, her movements halted.

Since their reunion, Xu Wu had avoided bringing up the past, often encountering resistance whenever she spoke to him. His sarcasm had surfaced more than once or twice.

It was her fault, and she endured it as best she could, though her patience was gradually wearing thin.

For now, she hadn’t accepted his unprovoked sarcasm from the previous night.

Afterward, she exited the chat screen and posted a status update on her social media.

“What are you talking about out there?” A clear, cool voice called from inside.

“Oh, Miss Xu’s osmanthus tree in the front yard,” Zhang Sao replied, glancing at the woman nearby. “My daughter brought me some dried osmanthus this time—I’ll let you try some later.”

Xu Wu found it hard to refuse, nodding gently. “Thank you.”

“Linxuan should be awake by now—I’ll go check.”

Xu Wu changed her shoes and placed the gifts she had brought onto the coffee table.

Lin Qingshuang watched as Xu Wu set down the gifts and withdrew her slender hands, guilt flickering in her eyes.

She picked up a glass and poured Xu Wu a cup of warm water. “Your birthday is in two months, isn’t it? How do you plan to celebrate?”

Lin Qingshuang rarely asked her such questions.

“That period will likely be busy with work,” Xu Wu held the glass, but despite the warmth of her palms, she couldn’t feel the temperature through the glass. “I haven’t made any plans.”

“Mm, work is important,” Lin Qingshuang took a sip of water. “What do you think of that person you added at the wedding?”

Recently, that person had been sending her good morning and good night messages. Xu Wu had only politely responded a few times.

“He’s okay.”

Lin Qingshuang: “I get along well with his mother. Both his parents are in real estate, and I’ve also heard about his company—it’s quite reputable in the industry. They live comfortably.”

Her introduction made Xu Wu quickly understand her intentions.

She clarified directly: “I don’t have any plans to date right now.”

“It’s fine,” Lin Qingshuang patted her hand comfortingly. “You can try making friends first.”

With no outsiders present, she rarely acted this warmly toward her. The sudden affectionate gesture caused Xu Wu’s hand to tremble instinctively.

During her most vulnerable moments after losing her father, she had yearned for such comforting gestures from Lin Qingshuang.

But as time passed, Lin Qingshuang had little time to be by her side. Later, with Wei Linxuan’s arrival, Xu Wu’s expectations had gradually faded.

The two rarely spent time alone together. These brief exchanges exhausted their shared topics, and silence spread throughout the room.

“Sister!” Wei Linxuan ran toward her. “You’re here.”

She crouched down, buttoning the topmost undone button on his shirt and responding softly, “Mm.”

Compared to her interactions with Lin Qingshuang, her actions toward Wei Linxuan felt more natural.

________________________________________

Zhou Jinye lounged on the sofa, the social media interface still open on his phone.

He had set a note for Xu Wu, and whenever he idly checked her social media, he saw her latest post—

A short text accompanied by images.

The osmanthus flowers had truly bloomed. [Three pictures of osmanthus]

At this moment, Zhou Jinye wasn’t sure what emotion he should feel. Should he be relieved that she still remembered his words from the past, or frustrated that she had posted on social media instead of replying to his message?

“What’s all this nonsense in today’s newspaper?!” His grandfather sitting opposite threw the newspaper to the ground, seemingly furious at someone. “He just returns to the country, and it’s already in the newspaper?!”

Zhou Min finished setting the dishes on the dining table and picked up the newspaper. “What’s got you so worked up? What’s in it this time?”

His grandfather was accustomed to reading financial newspapers daily, each issue covering the latest financial news and figures.

She flipped through the contents, understanding immediately. Her expression mirrored her grandfather’s—disgust.

The content in newspapers was usually published a few days after the events occurred.

“That Qin fellow—has he contacted you?!” Her grandfather’s glasses quivered with indignation.

Zhou Jinye stood behind Zhou Min, knowing who was being referred to. A chill flickered beneath his shadowed lashes. “No, I severed ties with him long ago.”

“Enough, enough,” Zhou Min tossed the newspaper into the trash, suppressing her anger. “It’s the Mid-Autumn Festival—a day for family reunions. Seeing this makes me sick. Come, let’s eat!”

“Big Brother, look at my test scores this time.” At this moment, Lin Xiaoxuan came over with her exam paper, breaking the tense atmosphere.

Zhou Jinye picked it up—70 points, neither more nor less. “You passed this time—that’s not bad.”

“Of course! I’m no longer at the bottom of the class. Wei Linxuan has been helping me,” Lin Xiaoxuan rubbed her hands expectantly. “Can you reward me with candy like Wei Linxuan’s sister does?”

“So that’s why I see you taking my phone every day,” Zhou Min lightly tapped her head. “You should eat less candy—you’ve been having toothaches lately. Be careful not to get cavities.”

Lin Xiaoxuan pouted defiantly, looking precocious despite her age. “Never mind that. I did so well—I deserve a reward.”

“Alright,” Zhou Min lifted her up. “I went to the seafood market early this morning and bought plenty of hairy crabs—they’re ready. Want some?”

“Yay!” Hearing about the feast, Lin Xiaoxuan forgot her earlier request to Zhou Jinye.

“By the way, Jinye,” Zhou Min turned to him. “There’s still a bag of fresh hairy crabs. Do you want to take them home?”

Zhou Jinye, living alone, found the hassle of cracking shells tiresome and wasn’t inclined to bother with so many.

Just as he was about to decline, he suddenly remembered that Xu Wu enjoyed eating hairy crabs.

Hairy crabs were rich in meat and nutritious roe. “Alright, give me the tools to crack the shells as well.”

________________________________________

Around 5 p.m., after spending time with Wei Linxuan, Xu Wu returned to her apartment with the two bottles of osmanthus Zhang Sao had given her.

The Wei family ate relatively light meals, so Xu Wu hadn’t eaten much. Feeling a bit hungry, she planned to cook herself a bowl of noodles at home.

As the elevator doors opened, she saw Pudding leaping toward the bowl in the man’s hands. The man raised the bowl high.

Seeing her step out of the elevator, Pudding joyfully ran over. The man leaning against the door finally raised his head.

He held the bowl up to chest level, allowing her to see the large bowl of cleaned hairy crabs inside.

Zhou Jinye straightened up from where he had been waiting by the door for some time.

Pudding jumped back and forth at her feet, reaching her waist. Xu Wu petted him.

A familiar shadow loomed over her, its scent wafting into her nose.

Zhou Jinye approached, stopping in front of her. He handed her the bowl of hairy crabs. “This is for you.”

Xu Wu was momentarily stunned, looking at him in confusion.

“For the other night, thank you,” he said, gazing into her eyes. “And for yesterday—this is both gratitude and an apology.”

A large bowl of hairy crabs overflowed, worth at least 200 yuan.

“These aren’t necessary,” Xu Wu calculated recent expenses. “They’re quite valuable—you should take them back.”

“Valuable?” Zhou Jinye looked at her, guessing she was once again trying to settle accounts to maintain distance.

Slowly… slowly…

“If you really insist, consider it repayment for the maintenance fee, the incident the other night, and the dog food last night. Altogether, it’s roughly equivalent, isn’t it?”

Hearing about the dog food, Xu Wu began to explain: “That doesn’t count—I found Pudding, so I should have bought it.”

“If you calculate it that way, it becomes impossible to settle.” Zhou Jinye smirked at her reasoning. “After all, I’ve been raising Pudding these past few years.”

Xu Wu lowered her head to look at Pudding by her feet, while he tilted his dark little head toward her, handing over the hairy crabs.

“You can think of it as me being lazy. Whenever you eat, make sure to prepare portions for me and Pudding as well.”

“Then I’ll make a special dish. Do you want some?”

________________________________________

Under the bright incandescent light sat a large bowl brimming with hairy crabs.

Each piece was carefully arranged on an iron plate, the shells meticulously peeled.

She stored half in the fridge for later use.

She prepared crab roe noodles and set aside an entire crab for Pudding.

...

Large chunks of golden crab meat adorned the noodles. She simply made two cups of osmanthus latte.

Xu Wu loved spicy food, so after finishing Zhou Jinye’s portion, she added a few spoonfuls of chili sauce. Though he wasn’t picky, he couldn’t handle much spice.

Xu Wu served their portions to Zhou Jinye and Pudding.

Zhou Jinye glanced at the crab roe noodles and accepted them.

As she turned away, he watched her. She wore a pink apron tied loosely around her waist, her voice carrying a gentle warmth. “Happy Mid-Autumn Festival.”

Behind the two doors in the corridor, the warm crab roe noodles were devoured, and the fragrant osmanthus latte was sipped. The subtle scent of osmanthus lingered.

Outside the window, the full moon hung high in the night sky, and its gentle glow seemed to add warmth to this otherwise solitary night.

Xu Wu replied below: [Okay]