Yun Qi had a strange sensation that Yun Jinnian was like an old lady who had lived through countless vicissitudes, seen the fickleness of human relationships, and had long since developed a heart of stone, unflappable by the mundane world.
Like now, she should be nestling in Mrs. Han’s arms, choking back tears, sharing her grievances.
Instead of treating it like some inconsequential matter, smiling gently and softly.
But that smile did not reach her eyes.
Her eyes remained cool.
Yun Qi was certain, Yun Jinnian was even more indifferent and unfeeling than Mrs. Han.
Feeling Yun Qi’s gaze, Yun Jinnian turned to look at her father, Yun Qi.
She just calmly met his eyes, seeing the inquiry and confusion in them, Yun Jinnian gave him a light smile, then lifted the curtain of the carriage to look outside.
She liked snow, yet also despised it.
Beautiful memories began with snow and also ended with snow.
Mrs. Han gently embraced Yun Jinnian, "Jinnian, it’s cold outside, lower the curtain!"
Yun Jinnian agreed, pulling the curtain down.
Mrs. Han immediately regretted it.
She should have talked with Yun Jinnian about the snow, or let her keep watching while bundling her up, or joined her to watch the snow together.
"Do you like snow, Jinnian?"
"Then when we get back, how about I accompany you to make a snowman?"
Yun Jinnian replied, suddenly remembering the year Yun Qi had made a snowman with her.
How old was she at that time?
Three years old, or four? She couldn’t remember!
The carriage clopped along, but it moved slowly as the snow fell heavier and the sky darkened further.
Yun Qi did not speak a word the whole way.
Because he realized that neither mother nor daughter wanted to talk to him.
Mrs. Han was using him, he knew that.
But Yun Jinnian seemed outright indifferent, not calling out to him, nor initiating conversation, occasionally when their eyes met, Yun Jinnian would just tenderly, softly, and gently smile.
Mrs. Han glanced at Yun Qi, her silent question apparent, "?"
"We won’t make it back to the Yun Family before dark. How about we stay at my residence outside the city for now? Tomorrow morning we can send someone to clean up the house, and then we’ll return. These few days, let’s accompany Jinnian to buy some things she needs!"
Mrs. Han initially wanted to refuse, but considering that Yun Jinnian indeed didn’t have many possessions, "Alright!"
The carriage clopped forward and was stopped when entering the city.
The coachman handed over a bag of silver, and upon inquiring and learning it was the Yun Family’s second master, the gatekeeper cheerfully let them into the city.
Yun Jinnian wanted to lift the carriage curtain to see if the Capital City was as bustling as when she left.
In the end, she did nothing, sitting still and securely.
The carriage stopped.
Yun Jinnian then knew, they had arrived.
Yun Qi was the first to alight from the carriage, followed by Mrs. Han who held Yun Jinnian’s hand as she disembarked. Looking at Yun Qi’s offered hand, Yun Jinnian hesitated for a moment before placing her little hand in Yun Qi’s large one.
Yun Qi’s large hand was warm, unlike hers, ice-cold.
No matter how much she wrapped it up, it wouldn’t warm up.
In the valley, there was a warm stove, but at Yingci’an, Mrs. Yuan didn’t think of it, and she didn’t mention it.
Even if she did, it wouldn’t have made a difference, as there wouldn’t be one.
After alighting from the carriage and standing firm, Yun Jinnian bowed in thanks, "Thank you, Father!"
Yun Qi watched, his heart filled with a complexity of emotions.
Many people wish for obedient and understanding children, but when a child truly is, like Yun Jinnian, Yun Qi then understood, that it was not a pleasant feeling.
After helping Mrs. Han down from the carriage, she firmly shook off his hand.
Leading Yun Jinnian with her head held high, she walked toward the inside of the estate, not looking like it was her first visit, but more like the lady of the house returning home after just a few days away.
Yun Qi watched, his eyes inexplicably welling up with tears...