Chapter 2

Let me do it

Indeed

After finishing her bath, Wen Ge felt restless and unable to sit still. She picked up her teacup, intending to pretend to go downstairs to fetch water. Just as she reached the landing between the first and second floors, she saw a beam of headlights shining brightly like daylight against the backdrop of a dark night filled with swirling snow.

When Jiang Junyu was young, he was sent to the military camp and did not grow up by his parents' side, which gave him a certain degree of empathy towards Wenge. Moreover, at such a young age, being all alone and experiencing hardships was indeed somewhat pitiable, prompting him to feel a bit more affection.

The three individuals were engaged in conversation, the nature of which was unclear, and their expressions did not appear relaxed. Consequently, they stood outside the eaves, seemingly oblivious to the heavy snowfall all around them

However, despite all the calculations and considerations, I never expected that Jiang Junyu would come all the way here.

Jiang Junyu has already opened the door and walked out. The subsequent words were heard by Wen Ge as a vague murmur that could not form coherent sentences, and in the end, all that could be heard was the sound of their footsteps gradually fading away. Then, the room fell silent in an instant

He carried her out from the cage-like room of his aunt's house, wrapping her in his overcoat, her features seemingly frozen, cold, distant, and indifferent

Why persist? She does not know. In fact, she is more aware that changing her surname to "Wen" is the first step to integrating into this family

On the third night after arriving in City A, the long-anticipated heavy snow finally arrived gracefully.

In the next moment, he turned around, lowered his head, and swiftly opened the car door. Just as he was about to bend down and sit inside the car, for some reason, his movement paused.

Therefore, she did not expect that Old Master Wen would smile at her, let her sit down on the sofa, and even hand her a tin box filled with candies, gently ruffling her hair.

Compared to the dark and dreary days spent at her aunt's house, the Wen family has truly shown exceptional kindness to her, an adopted daughter from outside the family. She has a private room, complete with furniture, an independent bathroom, and a balcony of moderate size. Not to mention the expenses for food and clothing, which have never been stingy.

Wen Ge looked at Wen Jing without saying a word

She was taken aback and maintained a posture akin to that of a gecko, clinging tightly to the floor-to-ceiling glass as she gazed at him from a distance

As Jiang Junyu ascended the stairs holding a glass of milk, Wen Ge was sitting upright in front of the dressing table, drying her half-wet hair. The thirteen-year-old girl displayed a stubborn and earnest gaze when she focused intently on a task.

Before Wen Ge could guess who was in the car, she saw Jiang Junyu walking out with Wen Jing.

She will arrange everything she needs to do and will take the initiative to help with household chores, even if they are not significant tasks. This thoughtfulness and warmth are truly invaluable

I just went to call, but there is no one in the room. However, it is not a big deal, it's just that Shao Yuan has returned. He asked me to remind him some time ago

Just before the New Year, I had a holiday. Originally, I intended to go with Wen Jing to visit our comrade. ... However, I ended up discovering ...

Wen Ge originally intended to help, but was sent by Jiang Junyu to organize her own wardrobe. In the past two days, Jiang Junyu has been going out with Aunt Xin to purchase New Year goods, and took her along, buying her quite a few clothes

Randomly, without pausing

However, she is not really of such a character; she is playful and lively, possessing the innocence and dreams of a thirteen-year-old girl. Yet all of this has been neatly buried deep within her heart after the painful loss of loved ones and the experiences of the coldness and warmth of human relationships, akin to the events in a tragic story.

Lost in thought, Wen Ge heard Jiang Junyu calling her several times. When she looked up, she saw outside the window under the dim yellow light of the streetlamp, the white snow was falling like countless feathers, fluttering down.

After a few questions, Old Master Wen's smile faded slightly, and his expression became serious: "After the New Year, you should stay here. I heard from Shaoyuan that you are not even allowed to leave the house at your aunt's place?"

That gaze, just as it was in the beginning, is distant and tranquil

Listening to the song ... ? ... Struggling to recall every scene from just now, he saw himself ... ? Then the corners of his mouth slightly curled up, after all. ... ... Is he smiling?

Not long after, he nodded slightly, extended a hand that was trapped in his pocket, and waved it, as if he was about to leave

I recalled that person whose gaze was as distant and tranquil as the faraway mountains, and I momentarily lost my focus

When Wen Ge was led to the bedroom door by Wen Jing, she couldn't help but ask, "Does great-grandfather not like me?"

Wen Jing lowered his head and glanced at her, then asked in response as he pushed the door open: "Why don't I like you?"

Wen Ge nodded slightly.

He stood sideways, tall and slender, slightly taller than Wen Jing, with his hands in the pockets of his coat, exuding a lazy demeanor. Through a thick layer of glass, Wen Ge could not clearly see the expression on his profile.

She does not have experience in taking care of children, fortunately, Wen Ge does not require her to worry too much

Wen Ge obediently responded and was about to take a shower. A knock sounded at the door, and Aunt Xin's voice came through: "Jun Yu, where is Wen Jing?"

As the conversation shifted, he asked Wen Jing: "Aren't you planning to change this child's name? Are you going to let her take the surname Wen instead of our Wen family's surname?"

Every subtle detail is remembered by Wenge

The relationship between the two comrades and the Wen Jing couple is very close, and they are especially fond of their only daughter, who has been raised by her grandmother since childhood, often speaking of her with great affection.

... ...

She was somewhat taken aback, politely expressed her gratitude, and then looked at him with a hint of shyness

Jiang Junyu got up to open the door: "Hey, he is not in the room?"

Wen Jing glanced at Wen Ge, fell silent for a moment, and then said: "My original intention in adopting her did not include changing her surname."

In fact, Jiang Junyu had asked her whether she was willing to change her surname to "Wen," but it was her own decision not to.

Jiang Junyu undoubtedly cares deeply for Wen Ge. She has been married to Wen Jing for many years, and due to the nature of their professions, they have never planned to have children. Later, when a comrade fell in battle, she learned that this child was suddenly left without support, which made her pay more attention to him.

After being carried into the car by him, Wen Ge was pressed against his leg as he carefully examined her body for any signs of abuse. With a slight frown and her lips pressed together, his gaze meticulously scanned the exposed skin inch by inch.

It was he who brought her from darkness into light

... ...

... ...

There is also another person accompanying us

Wen Ge stood at the bathroom door holding her clothes, staring blankly at her elongated shadow cast by the light

The eyebrows, eyes, contours, and the sound of songs are all vividly etched in my heart

She is beginning to understand the situation

Is he back?

She could not help but press against the glass to look at him

Wen Ge blinked her eyes

To celebrate the New Year and bring some cheer, colorful glass lanterns were hung at the entrance. That person stood beside one of the lanterns, dressed in a black coat; if it were not for the ever-changing lights of the glass lantern, they might have blended into the deep night.

Wen Jing led her to the study

However, it turned out that Wen Ge was in the awkward period of transitioning from elementary school to middle school. Since Wen Ge's household registration was not here, in addition to the miscellaneous school fees, there was also a fee for attending as a non-local student, which was a significant expense for their family. Therefore, her aunt decided unilaterally to prevent Wen Ge from attending school. Fearing that she might run out to report the situation or spread rumors, they locked her in the small room, only bringing her meals during mealtime.

She is very clear about her current situation—she is all alone in this world

Under the heavy sky, the old gentleman stood with his hands behind his back in front of a lush green potted plant by the window, his posture upright, and even his silhouette exuded a formidable presence

Old Master Wen sighed, gently patted her shoulder, and comforted her: "It’s nothing to worry about. After the New Year, I will have Shaoyuan arrange a good school for you. You are still so young; how could we not let you go to school"

Jiang Junyu was making the bed for her. Although there was heating in the room, the blanket was still somewhat thin. Concerned that she might catch a chill, Jiang Junyu specifically went to get a thicker quilt to cover her.

Hearing the song, Wen Ge felt a bit surprised and leaned over to the window to take a look

Hearing the sound of footsteps, only then did he turn around. There was not a trace of expression on his face; from a distance, his gaze was complex and profound, leaving one somewhat at a loss to comprehend.

Jiang Junyu prepared pajamas and sleep pants for her. Seeing that she was still standing by the window, he finally spoke up to remind her: "Wen Ge, it's getting late, hurry up and take a shower and rest"

Only that hand kept pressing against her head, resting right by his neck.

Although she had been adopted by the Wen couple for a short time, from the snippets of conversation she overheard about this old gentleman, Wen Ge knew that he did not like her... In fact, he even harbored a sense of aversion towards her awkward presence.

I could only perceive that his skin was very fair, as the glass-like light fell upon him, casting delicate glimmers on his brow, profile, and the corners of his lips. It was not entirely clear, yet it was so vivid.

A sedan was slowly approaching not far away, its headlights shining with a brilliance that seemed capable of penetrating everything. As it drew closer, one could see that a thin layer of snow had already settled on its body. As it turned a corner, the light leapt over the eaves and gradually drove out of Wenge's sight

Wen Ge's maternal uncle did not have a close relationship with her family. Later, they managed to get in touch, as there was a young child in the family who was currently in the sixth grade, and now they were expecting another child. Additionally, the economic situation of her uncle's family was quite poor, which led to a consistently evasive attitude. The final change in their relationship was also due to a certain amount of compensation money.

Then he suddenly lifted his head, his gaze precisely... ... landing on the spot where she was.

She answered whatever he asked

She placed the milk beside her and took the towel from her hand to help her dry off

She walked to the window and looked outside, where the taillights of the car parked below began to glow bright red, accompanied by the sound of the engine starting, resembling a beast lying in wait in the darkness

The atmosphere, which had solidified in this way, remained tense for a moment, and only then did Old Master Wen begin to smile, instructing her to return to her room and rest well, without saying anything further

In her imagination, Old Master Wen should be a stern, aloof, and serious old man who rarely smiles. However, in reality, Old Master Wen's true image is worlds apart from her imagination