Rebirth: My Childhood Sweetheart Came into My Arms

She felt that Jing's mother's words were directed at her, but she had no evidence. Just as she was about to say something to change the subject, Jing's mother continued, "Arou, I know you're very career-oriented and put all your energy into your work. I was like that before I had Xiaojing, but what are women striving for? Isn't it all for their children? Now that the children are grown up, in a few years they'll be the ones holding up half the sky. You should relax a bit and pay attention to things outside of work..."

As she spoke, Jing's mother took out her phone and opened the app she usually used to read novels. "I'm a housewife, so I use this to pass the time when I'm bored. It's quite interesting. You can try it too."

"This is……"

"There are many novels on it, covering all kinds of genres, but I like BL the most."

"BL?" Shen Murou frowned, feeling as if she had entered another dimension.

"You don't know what BL (Boys' Love) is?" Jing's mother looked surprised. "Arou, you're two years younger than me. You need to keep up with the times, otherwise how will you integrate into the children's lives?"

Shen Murou looked embarrassed.

This time, Jing's mother didn't use any subtle hints; she directly pointed at her and called her "outdated."

"Come on, I'll teach you how to use this software. You can download it when you get home..."

When the topic turned to things she was interested in, Jing's mother's displeasure vanished, and she even recommended several BL (Boys' Love) novels that she liked.

Shen Murou: "Sister Fang, I really don't have time to read novels usually..."

Jing's mother: "Time is like water in a sponge; you can always squeeze some out. It's not that you don't have time, you just don't want to look at it."

Shen Murou: "..."

After chatting for a while, more guests came to visit. Not wanting to take up Shen Murou's time, Jing's mother told her to go ahead and attend to her business.

For the rest of the time, although Shen Murou was outwardly chatting with the guests, her eyes kept glancing at Jing Ran.

She knew that Jing's mother said those things to her because she didn't want her to view Jing Ran and Bei Yao with prejudice. However, the speaker may not have meant anything by it, but the listener took it to heart. Given that she was already somewhat concerned about the relationship between Jiang Chengyu and He Ziyu, Shen Murou easily took it personally and began to speculate.

Not far away, Bei Yao was feeding Jing Ran bite by bite of a small cake. Jing Ran didn't shy away from it, with a bright smile on her face. While chewing, she reached out and poked Bei Yao's waist. The two were playfully teasing each other and having a great time.

Shen Murou was so engrossed in watching that she only belatedly snapped out of her reverie when she heard Jiang Chengyu's voice beside her.

"Mom, has the business development manager you said you'd introduce me to arrived yet?"

"He... seems to be stuck in traffic. I'll let you know when he gets there."

"Thanks."

Jiang Chengyu politely thanked her and was about to turn around when Shen Murou called out to him.

"Cheng Yu..."

"Um?"

"Have Ayu and the others arrived? Should you and Ruoruo say hello to them?"

"It's already been done."

Jiang Chengyu spoke in a flat tone, with an air of official business.

Shen Murou pursed her lips, her feelings somewhat complicated.

Although Jiang Chengyu promised her that he would get along well with Han Zhiruo, and he did so, his face remained calm and expressionless from the beginning of the banquet until now, without the slightest smile.

Upon seeing Jingran, this contrast became even more pronounced.

She didn't know when it started, but she and Jiang Chengyu had fallen to the point where they had nothing to say to each other. Whether at home or outside, they were as indifferent as strangers, and they could only exchange a few words normally when discussing business.

This is not how a normal mother and child should behave.

"Is there anything else? If not, I'll go keep Han Zhiruo company."

"etc……"

Jiang Chengyu stopped and looked at Shen Murou, waiting for her to continue.

Shen Murou hesitated for a moment and said, "Mom misunderstood you and Ayu before, thinking you were just messing around under the guise of running a studio. I was wrong, and I apologize to you here."

Jiang Chengyu was slightly taken aback. "Why bring this up all of a sudden?"

Shen Murou smiled and said, "It's nothing, I just heard from your Uncle Han that Ruoruo has also joined your studio, and that you're all working very hard..."

"It's only right to work hard," Jiang Chengyu interrupted her. "As a son of the Jiang family, if I don't work hard, am I just going to wait to be laughed at by others?"

"..." Shen Murou was speechless for a moment upon hearing this.

She used to say this to Jiang Chengyu often, but now that Jiang Chengyu was using it to mock herself, it made her feel a little uncomfortable.

"Han Zhiruo is still waiting for me, I'll go over first."

"Um……"

Watching Jiang Chengyu's departing figure, Shen Murou sighed almost imperceptibly.

She had always lived in her own world and didn't think there was anything wrong with how she got along with Jiang Chengyu. Even when they argued fiercely, she would comfort herself with the idea that "blood is thicker than water" and think that her child would understand her good intentions when he grew up.

It wasn't until he saw Jingran today, and saw how he interacted with his parents, that Shen Murou suddenly realized how far apart he and Jiang Chengyu had become.

……

"She's inside. Do you want to go in by yourself, or should I come with you?"

Han Zhiruo led Jiang Nanqiao to the entrance of the lounge in the venue and asked her gently.

Just like the rumors suggest, Lin Yan prefers to be alone. She was probably invited to the banquet with the producer. While everyone else was busy socializing, she was alone in the lounge reading the newspaper and drinking coffee.

Jiang Nanqiao peeked into the lounge and instinctively grabbed Han Zhiruo's arm.

"Why don't you come with me..."

It was the first time Jiang Nanqiao had been so close to her idol that her heart was pounding and her voice was trembling.

"Don't be nervous, I heard Lin Yan is very easy to talk to," Han Zhiruo comforted her.

Jiang Nanqiao swallowed hard, took out a small mirror from her pocket and tidied her hair, still feeling a little uneasy.

"Ruoruo, do I look okay like this? Not ugly, right?"

Han Zhiruo: "You're not going on a blind date..."

It wasn't a blind date, but I was even more nervous than one!

After confirming that the makeup was perfect, Han Zhiruo pulled Jiang Nanqiao into the lounge.

Lin Yan was looking down at a magazine when she heard the sound, so she looked up and her gaze fell on the two of them.

"Hello, Sister Lin Yan. I am Han Zhiruo from the Han Group. This is my friend Jiang Nanqiao, who is also your fan."

Han Zhiruo introduced herself in a natural and generous manner, showing none of the excitement one would expect from an ordinary person meeting a celebrity.

Having grown up in a prominent family, she had seen too many influential people, which made her appear more mature and composed than her peers in many ways.

Lin Yan put down the magazine, stood up, and extended her right hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you all."

Jiang Nanqiao stood there, staring intently at Lin Yan, her eyes fixed on her neat short hair and motorcycle outfit.

While others wore high-slit cheongsams or long gowns to banquets, Lin Yan went against the grain. Ironically, this aloof and ascetic style suited her exceptionally well, and paired with her newly dyed cool blue hair, she was incredibly cool.

"Qiaoqiao?" Han Zhiruo gently touched her arm when she saw her standing there motionless.

Jiang Nanqiao snapped out of her daze, walked up to Lin Yan in a daze, and took her hand.

Lin Yan's hands were cold, just like her appearance; Jiang Nanqiao only touched them once before letting go.

Immediately afterwards, I was overwhelmed with intense ecstasy.

With Han Zhiruo's help, Jiang Nanqiao successfully got Lin Yan's autograph and even took a photo with her. Even after leaving the lounge, she was still dizzy and wondered if she was dreaming.

"Lin Yan is so cool! Not only is she beautiful, but she can also ride a motorcycle. Her performance in 'Little Gentleness' is practically a natural fit for her..."

"Oh right, I think she was also a top student, a recognized academic star and school beauty back in school..."

Jiang Nanqiao was excited and kept talking non-stop like a chant, until the two returned to the venue. Only then did she belatedly stop her rambling and turn to Han Zhiruo to ask, "Was I too talkative?"

Han Zhiruo: "No."

Jiang Nanqiao: "I know you're not a fan of Lin Yan, and listening to me talk about those things must be boring for you. How about we talk about something else?"

Han Zhiruo: "It's okay, say whatever you want. I'm willing to listen to whatever you say."

After saying that, Jiang Nanqiao was stunned for a moment, and then her face inexplicably turned red. This small detail was noticed by Han Zhiruo.

……

"Xiao Jing, you can't eat anymore, do you hear me...?"

"Let's eat the last piece!"

Jingran stared intently at the cake in Beiyao's hand, almost drooling from the corner of her mouth.

I have to say, dieting is so painful.

Under Bei Yao's supervision, he almost completely avoided all high-calorie foods and could only eat bland, healthy meals every day.

Before coming to the banquet tonight, he had already decided that he must make up for what he had missed during this period. Who knew that his mother was so prescient, having Bei Yao keep a close eye on him in advance, which made him feel restricted and unable to enjoy himself to the fullest.

"You just said it was the last piece."

"This really is the last time... Oh dear!"

Before he could finish speaking, Bei Yao stuffed the cake into his mouth right in front of him.

Jingran was on the verge of tears and was about to throw herself at Bei Yao when she suddenly heard Jiang Nanqiao's voice.

"So you two were flirting here?"

Bei Yao wiped his mouth and asked, "Where are A Yu and the president?"

"They seem to be meeting some important guests," Jiang Nanqiao said, taking out her phone to show the two of them her phone's screen saver. "Look who this is!"

Jingran leaned closer for a look. "Who are you with? They look kind of familiar."

"It's Lin Yan! Don't you know Lin Yan? She's the one who acted in 'Little Gentle'! She's also at the banquet. Ruoruo just took me to get her autograph and a photo..."

"I know Lin Yan, that short-haired mature woman, I quite like her." Unexpectedly, Bei Yao found common ground with her on this topic.

The two started chatting immediately.

Bei Yao: "Actually, I think her coolest feature is her short hair."

Jiang Nanqiao: "That's right! Short-haired girls are super cool!"

While the two were engrossed in their conversation and oblivious to everything else, Jingran quietly slipped away to the dessert area, while Han Zhiruo opened WeChat and silently made an appointment with her personal hairstylist.