Sarah Chase looked strikingly young for her age; at fifty, she could easily pass for someone in her forties. Compared to the gentle and reserved Ye Jing, she was like a vibrant rose—flushed lips and soft makeup, her elegant hair in waves, a long dress paired with a short mink coat, smiling radiantly, stylish and generous.
“Everyone here, my dears? This must be Cecilia?”
Sarah Chase glanced over the group of children and came forward with open arms, pulling two girls to her sides. “And this is Yaoyao?”
The two, held by her arms, were swept up by Sarah Chase’s infectious smile and couldn’t help but smile in return. “Yes, Auntie, I’m Cecilia.”
Mia Moore was still a little shy, while Cecilia, usually the more reserved one, seemed more lively today—she simply nodded.
“Come, come, it’s cold outside. Let’s go in to the room quickly.”
The two men trailing behind just shrugged, fully aware of their side roles in this little play.
Inside the house, the staff were busy preparing dinner, and Sarah Chase ushered the two girls to sit on the sofa.
She looked at Cecilia, her face full of both concern and relief, then at Mia Moore, her expression turning bright and cheerful.
“Oh, Auntie’s finally seeing you both. I’ve missed you so much, it was nearly impossible to date abroad with you all on my mind every day!”
Sarah Chase was as frank as ever, her personality open and sunny; a few years overseas had only made her more carefree.
“Hey, that brat—” She glanced back at Charles Chase, who was heading to the dining room, raising her brows, “Since coming home, he’s done two good things: found his sister and brought me such a beautiful daughter-in-law.”
“Auntie, it’s Cecilia who should thank… big brother. He’s taken care of me so much.”
Cecilia nudged the nervous Mia Moore beside her. “Yaoyao and I brought you some gifts. I hope you’ll like them.”
Mia Moore snapped out of her nerves, picked up a painting from the sofa, and shyly handed it over. “Auntie, I painted this myself—a rose garden. It reminded me of you: beautiful and radiant.”
Sarah Chase beamed as she accepted the painting, her delight clear as she unfurled it and showered it with praise.
“Wow, Yaoyao, this is the most beautiful painting Auntie has ever seen! Little Zhang, hang my daughter-in-law’s painting in my room, quick!”
She repeatedly called Mia Moore her ‘daughter-in-law,’ leaving the girl blushing from ear to ear.
Charles Chase came over and sat on the armrest next to his mother. “Mom, I haven’t even proposed to Yaoyao yet, and you’ve already claimed her.”
Sarah Chase shot him a look of mock disgust. “Tsk, you’re so slow, always dilly-dallying. Don’t keep me waiting for a daughter-in-law.”
Everyone laughed at Sarah Chase’s candid words. Cecilia also handed over her gift. “Auntie, thank you. If it weren’t for you… My mother also… Anyway, I’m very grateful to you and big brother.”
“Good girl, come here.” Sarah Chase’s eyes turned misty as she took Cecilia’s gift. Warm-hearted by nature, she couldn’t help but feel for the hardships Cecilia had endured growing up.
“Auntie, don’t be sad, we’re all doing great now.” Sensing what Sarah Chase was thinking, Cecilia quickly offered comfort.
She nudged Mia Moore forward and took Fu Zhiyie’s seat herself. “Today’s your day to meet your daughter-in-law, you should be happy!”
“Yes, yes!” Sarah Chase grasped Mia Moore’s hand, her concern genuine.
Mia Moore’s palms sweated as she fumbled with her little crib sheet. “Ah, Auntie, I…”
She tried to pull her hand away, but couldn’t. Charles Chase slid in behind her and staged a rescue, freeing Mia Moore’s hand from his mother’s grasp. “Mom, she’s my wife, you can’t just keep her to yourself.”
After a bit more laughter, everyone headed to the dining table. The meal was clearly made with care—some of the dishes even cooked by Sarah Chase herself.
Knowing Cecilia had just given birth, Sarah Chase pointedly glanced at Charles Chase, “You’d better hurry up, you brat.”
At the table, the two men faded into the background, leaving the stage to the three women.
Fu Zhiyie focused on serving his wife—picking food for her, peeling her shrimp, filling her soup bowl. He responded politely only when directly addressed.
As for Mia Moore, Sarah Chase was nothing short of delighted. As the meal went on, Mia Moore relaxed, gradually returning to her usual lively, charming self, which meshed perfectly with Sarah Chase’s personality.
After dinner, Sarah Chase escorted everyone to the door, reluctant to say goodbye.
“Yaoyao, come back to dinner with Yuxiu tomorrow. Auntie will make your favorite dishes.”
“Alright, Auntie. I’ll be back to freeload tomorrow, and maybe learn a couple of recipes from you.”
“No, no, you don’t need to learn. From now on, let Charles Chase do the cooking. Girls deserve to be doted on, otherwise, what are men for?”
Sarah Chase bossily ordered her son around, knocking his standing even lower.
She had the housekeeper bring out the gifts. For Mia Moore, a lavish ruby jewelry set with a red envelope so full it nearly burst at the seams. Everyone knew the children weren’t short on money, but this was tradition—the red symbolizes luck and joy.
Cecilia and her baby were also given gifts and red envelopes. “Cecilia, in a few days Auntie’s going to visit your baby and your mother, you know.”
“Auntie, really, it’s us who should come visit you.” Originally, her mother and baby were meant to come today, but meeting the mother-in-law took priority, so they arranged to visit another day.
After a bit more exchanging of goodbyes, Sarah Chase finally, and reluctantly, let the children leave. Although her years abroad had been happy, she’d seldom felt warmth like this.
Charles Chase saw Mia Moore home, while Cecilia and Fu Zhiyie headed back too.
As they drove toward the old estate, Cecilia felt content, resting her head as she gazed out at the night. “Zhiyie, Auntie is really wonderful.”
“Mm, very warm-hearted.”
“I’m so grateful to her. If it weren’t for her…” She left the rest unsaid, but Fu Zhiyie knew. “Auntie and my mom both met the same person, but made different choices, so their lives went down such different paths.”
“Baby…” The car pulled over to the roadside, Fu Zhiyie switched on the interior light and turned to her.
He unbuckled her seatbelt, his tall figure leaning close, eyes deep with affection and resolve. “That’s all in the past. From now on, your mom will have a good life. We’ll take care of her—let her enjoy her old age in peace.”
Knowing he stopped to comfort her, Cecilia felt warm inside, meeting his gaze with shining eyes.
“I know. Thank you, darling.”
Fu Zhiyie kissed her lips gently. “Never thank me.”
Cecilia looked at his domineering face and smiled, leaning in to kiss him back. In a whisper, she said, “I love you, darling.”
Her sweet voice stirred Fu Zhiyie’s hidden passion; he instantly cupped her chin, deepening the kiss.
The shadows of phoenix trees flickered across the car’s window, and the soft yellow from the streetlamp bathed the night in gentle warmth.