Lauren Shaw couldn't be bothered to bicker with her, but Yana Quinn clearly wasn't ready to let her go. Seeing Lauren Shaw living so well now, jealousy had rooted itself deep in Yana Quinn's heart, driving her nearly mad.

"Back then, I thought you were head over heels for him. Who would've guessed you could just let go like that?"

Lauren Shaw sneered. "A two-timing man is just like garbage. When it's time to toss it, you toss it. If you like picking up trash and pretending it’s treasure, be my guest. I don't want it."

How ridiculous. If she can't move on, what's that got to do with her? If Yana Quinn's miserable, does she expect her to be miserable too? Lunatic!

"You’re really lucky to have met Yancy Shaw. If it weren’t for him, do you think you could have moved on so easily?"

Lauren Shaw's gaze grew sharp. "Aren’t you a little too free? Rather than clinging to someone else’s past, you’d better figure out how to stop him from getting married. If you love him so much, go and fight for him yourself."

To throw your life away over a man — she honestly didn’t know what to say to that.

Yuan Ran came over, carrying a stack of carefully chosen gifts. "Young Madam, all the presents are ready. Let me know if we need anything else."

Hearing the voice, Yana Quinn turned around and stared blankly at Yuan Ran.

Lauren Shaw nodded. "That’s all, let’s go."

"Wait." Yana Quinn fixed her gaze on Yuan Ran, suspicion in her voice. "Have we met somewhere before?"

Yuan Ran’s face was cold. He didn’t reply, just lifted the gifts, ready to leave, but Yana Quinn blocked his path.

"I remember now. Back when I was abroad, you were the one who bought my ticket back to Ancheng!"

Back then, her parents had tried to force her into marrying that old man, but it was Yuan Ran who had gotten her home.

Lauren Shaw paused, finally understanding what Yana Quinn meant.

Yancy Shaw had told her before — he was the one who had arranged for Yana Quinn to return to Ancheng.

Yuan Ran ignored her and headed for the elevator.

A chill ran down Yana Quinn’s spine. Suddenly it all made sense. She murmured to Lauren Shaw, "So even my return was part of his scheme. Yancy Shaw really went all out for you, didn’t he?"

Her words dripped with mockery, and her laugh was bitterly self-deprecating.

Lauren Shaw looked at her calmly. For some reason, in that moment, she felt sorry for Yana Quinn. But helpless as she was, she had brought it all upon herself.

If she hadn’t kept stirring up trouble, maybe things wouldn’t have turned out like this.

"You really dare to stay by the side of a man who plots every step? Aren’t you afraid he’ll someday turn all those schemes on you?" Yana Quinn looked at her, resentment almost overflowing.

Lauren Shaw answered without hesitation, "Even if he does scheme against me one day, that’s my business. At least I don’t go around plotting against innocent people like you. Those who do evil bring about their own downfall — you ought to understand that by now."

Her words went just far enough; Yana Quinn understood — it was a warning.

As Lauren Shaw walked further and further away, Yana Quinn’s nose stung. She crouched in a corner, face buried in her hands, and sobbed.

In the mall, a woman in a baseball cap suddenly broke down and cried in a corner. Passersby glanced over but nobody approached.

Just after the Little New Year[1], Ancheng was blanketed by a heavy snow.

As New Year's Eve approached, every shop—big and small—hung red lanterns and pasted Spring Festival couplets on their doors. Still, these days the festive spirit was nothing like when they were kids; every year it seemed a bit more faded.

On the 26th of the twelfth lunar month, Lauren Shaw and Yancy Shaw paid a visit to the Shaw family. Yancy Shaw carried gifts of all shapes and sizes.

As soon as they walked in, Owen Shaw looked at him, putting on the stern airs of a proper elder. "Ah, you didn’t have to bring so much. Just come, that’s enough."

Yancy Shaw merely glanced at him, but there was laughter in Owen Shaw’s eyes. Lauren Shaw teased, "Uncle, you’re all talk, but you never help carry anything."

Owen Shaw shrugged shamelessly. "The gifts are for your dad, not for me — why should I be the one lugging them around?"

Lauren Shaw shot him a look.

Hearing the commotion, Mother Li hurried over to take the things from Yancy Shaw, beaming. "Why so many gifts? You shouldn't have."

Lauren Shaw replied sweetly, "Yancheng said it’s nearly New Year’s. You can’t come home empty-handed."

"No need to be so courteous next time — we’re all family here," Mother Li waved them inside. "Come, sit!"

With the holiday approaching, most of the household helpers had gone back to their hometowns, leaving only Aunt Sunny busying herself in the kitchen.

Hearing voices, Grandma shuffled out with her cane, face creased in smiles. "Shengsheng, Yancheng, you’re back! Come, sit!"

Lauren Shaw walked up to her, circling around to check her out, "Grandma, are your legs all better?"

Last time, she'd still been in a wheelchair—now she could walk on her own.

Grandma let out a hearty laugh, setting her cane aside. She even took a few lively steps, twisting for Lauren Shaw to see, "All better! Soon, I’ll be able to go out and dance with the others in the square."

On the side, Owen Shaw piped up, "Your grandmother says there’s a grandpa at the square dances — apparently very handsome — who always teaches her new steps!"

Grandma smacked him on the back. "Nonsense!"

Owen Shaw winced, sucking in a breath, "See that? She’s still tough as ever!"

The whole room burst out laughing.

As lunchtime approached, Nina Shaw and Xavier Quinn arrived.

The moment they walked in, Nina Shaw shivered. "Ancheng is freezing!"

Xavier Quinn instantly took her hands, breathing warmth over them, then rubbed them and tucked them in his own pockets.

Everyone in the room watched the display in unison.

Nina Shaw's ears turned slightly red. She pulled her hands back and tried to sound calm, "I'm not cold anymore."

Owen Shaw laughed and said sincerely, "Xavi Quinn really knows how to pamper his wife now."

Grandma chimed in, "You say that, but you pamper women too — only difference is, you’re still single."

Owen Shaw: "…"

Could she be any more savage? Truly his own mother.

Lauren Shaw stifled a snicker, then asked, "Uncle, why didn’t Sister Shuyun come back with you?"

Owen Shaw explained, "She’s abroad — won’t be back until after the holiday."

Lauren Shaw didn't press further.

After lunch, Father Li gathered them all for a game of mahjong. With four men around the table, the atmosphere felt a little... off.

All big shots from the business world, now sitting down to play mahjong — somehow, it made everyone seem more down to earth.

Lauren Shaw grinned and snapped a photo of the scene on her phone.

Owen Shaw teased, "You guys be careful, playing mahjong with your father-in-law — you might lose everything, even your underwear."

While drawing tiles, Xavier Quinn joined in, "Uncle, your day will come too."

Owen Shaw immediately shut his mouth. Frankly, he was afraid that day might really come.

"Mahjong!" declared Yancy Shaw, grabbing a win while the banter went on.

Laughter and chatter circled the mahjong table.

Aside from their busy professional lives and unique identities, they were just ordinary people at home.

Lauren Shaw and Nina Shaw sat with Grandma, keeping her company in conversation while Mother Li chimed in occasionally.

It was a warm, genuine scene.

Grandma turned to Nina Shaw, her wrinkled face brimming with kindness. "Ningning, have you been well at the Qiao house?"