CHAPTER 413: 398 BROKEN MIRROR REJOINED

Listening to his mother’s words of accusation, Jiang Jinghuai couldn’t defend Tian Sangsang. He knew very well that she truly was a career-driven woman, and when she was busy, she could forget about home.

"Then why isn’t my dad at home either?" Jiang Jinghuai’s deep eyes carried a hint of helplessness. "Mom, did you two have another fight?"

Ye Binyi nodded, seemingly unwilling to elaborate.

Seeing his mother’s pale cheeks, Jiang Jinghuai gently wrapped his arm around her shoulder and softly said, "Mom, don’t worry. I’ll make sure they come back. We’ll all gather together and have a good meal."

"Harmony brings prosperity. How long has it been since we had a proper family meal? If you can get them back, that would be wonderful. I’ll cook lunch myself." Ye Binyi’s eyes reddened. Her words were sincere, but the harmony she spoke of excluded Tian Sangsang.

Deep down, she never hoped for Tian Sangsang to come back. She just wished Tian would have the sense to stay away this time.

In the past, returning home had always been an uplifting experience, but these days life felt increasingly wearisome. Jiang Jinghuai, burdened with complex emotions, walked onto West City Road. Amidst the bustling crowd, he stood opposite Yipin Xiangju and saw his wife, wearing an elegant, dazzling smile as she attended to a woman guest.

She looked stunning today, dressed in a snowy-white frilled blouse, a brown fishtail skirt, and white high-heeled shoes, which added an air of maturity and charm. Every gesture and glance exuded allure and elegance.

An unfamiliar feeling surged within him. It seemed he could no longer understand her, no matter how hard he tried.

At this moment, they appeared to be people from entirely different worlds, strangers who had never met.

She played her role charmingly; he lingered silently.

Separated—like two unacquainted souls.

He silently hoped for her to glance outside, accidentally noticing him. Yet, as one guest left, another arrived, and she didn’t have a single chance to look at the street outside.

He didn’t know how long he stood there, but when the last guest finally left, Jiang Jinghuai stretched his numb legs and entered the shop.

Just as Tian Sangsang was about to enjoy a moment of rest, the sound of his footsteps startled her nerves. She pulled out a smile. "Welcome—"

Due to the incident with Wenxiu, things had become rather strained between them. In fact, before he left last time, they hadn’t even had a proper conversation.

Tian Sangsang had been thinking about how to broach the subject. But no matter how she framed it, it would only end in failure. She was unable to explain and had no intention of defending herself—she knew full well she had used him that time. Whatever the reason might have been, she’d approached him with calculation, selfishly hoping to get Wenxiu to leave as soon and as far away as possible.

Now, seeing him return, she felt a rush of excitement but dared not show it too overtly.

He looked thinner, yet his face retained its resolute and cool demeanor, radiating an inexplicable sense of loneliness as well.

"You’re back."

"Mm."

She led him to a small private room and poured him a cup of tea, her tone soft: "I thought you’d come back in the evening."

Jiang Jinghuai’s dark eyes flashed. "I came back early."

Tian Sangsang opened her mouth to say something, but before she could, a woman’s voice came from outside: "Sangsang!"

"Wait here for me. There’s a guest." Tian Sangsang helplessly walked outside and greeted with a smile, "Auntie Li, welcome! Feel free to look around. Is there anything specific you need this time?"

Jiang Jinghuai sipped at the tea gloomily, one mouthful after another, until the tea was finished. Like waking from a dream, he suddenly came to his senses.

He had been listening to the light chatter outside, but he couldn’t quite make out a single complete sentence.

After some time, Tian Sangsang lifted the curtain and came back inside.

"Come home," he said as he looked at her. He didn’t want to sound harsh or issue a command. Somewhere along the way, he had started speaking gently to her, a deliberate choice on his part. He wanted to spoil her, to indulge her.

Tian Sangsang bit her lip. "You mean now?"

He responded with a deep, steady "Mm."

She shook her head lightly. "I’m afraid I can’t."

"Why not?"

"The shop hasn’t closed yet. I usually go home in the afternoon."

"You could find someone to help manage the shop. There’s no need to keep yourself so busy."

"I’m bored at home; I need something to keep myself occupied."

Jiang Jinghuai stood up, his gaze intense. "During the days I was away, did you not return home for lunch even once, Sangsang?"

Tian Sangsang forced a smile. "The shop’s been busy—there’s too much work to do."

His dark eyes deepened. "Do you not like eating at home, or do you just not want to face my mom?"

It wasn’t about not liking home-cooked meals. Her eyes welled up, and she shook her head. "It’s not that."

Her pitiful appearance struck a chord deep within him. Jiang Jinghuai stepped forward, took her hand, and stared at her for a moment before sighing in quiet resignation. "Just for me, come home for lunch today. My mom said she’ll cook personally."

Upon hearing those words, her eyes, nose, and heart all felt an unbearable sting. Tian Sangsang was genuinely impressed with herself for not breaking down into tears. Flashing a true smile, she replied, "Alright!" She would close the shop early—just this once, for him.

"Don’t furrow your eyebrows anymore." She reached out to gently smooth his strong, dark brow, her voice tender.

Such a simple movement, paired with the warmth in her tone, softened Jiang Jinghuai’s heart completely. His body burned with emotion as he pressed her against the wall and leaned down to kiss her. Tian Sangsang tried to push him away, mumbling breathlessly against his lips, "I haven’t brushed my teeth."

He caressed her clean, beautiful face. "It doesn’t matter. It’s sweet."

They shared a smile, two hearts slowly drawing closer.

Afterward, Tian Sangsang and Jiang Jinghuai went looking for Jiang’s father. They originally thought he was at their uncle’s house, but it turned out he was at City Hall. Finding him took a fair bit of time. When the three of them finally returned home, Ye Binyi had just finished cooking and was arranging everything on the table.

Ye Binyi’s face turned cold at the sight of the unwanted presence of Tian Sangsang. Although she was unhappy, she put on a brave front for the sake of maintaining the atmosphere.

Tian Sangsang naturally started helping her set the dishes.

At the dinner table, Meng Shuyan lifted his head and said playfully, "I wish we could all eat together every day."

As those innocent words left his lips, the four adults were momentarily lost in thought.

Jiang Jinghuai felt guilty for not being able to spend every day with his child.

Tian Sangsang regretted neglecting her son at noon lately, avoiding lunches at home due to her mother-in-law.

Ye Binyi’s heart ached—because of that other woman, even her grandson had been left in such a pitiful state.

Jiang’s father reflected on his decision to skip family dinners the past few days.

"Yanyan, eat more." Ye Binyi served him food with a doting smile. "Apart from your dad, from now on the rest of us will eat with you every day."

Meng Shuyan finally smiled, his dark eyes sparkling with joy.

Tian Sangsang couldn’t help herself—despite being at the dinner table, she reached out to pat her son’s little head. Her touch was soon followed by the others. Meng Shuyan relished the moment as all four adults dotingly patted his head.

Tian Sangsang picked up a beautifully prepared chunk of pork belly for her son. She also took a piece for herself and began chewing thoughtfully.

She had always loved pork belly, and today was no exception—the sight of it had immediately rekindled her appetite. Stir-fried with peppers, the meat was irresistibly fragrant.

After just one bite, Tian Sangsang was overcome with nausea. Her stomach churned violently, threatening to expel everything she’d eaten. Panic set in—she had no idea what was happening. Glancing at them all, she couldn’t bear the thought of ruining the good atmosphere by vomiting right there at the table. Fighting the urge, she tried desperately to suppress the reaction. Ultimately, she couldn’t hold it back. Clutching her mouth, she stood up abruptly and rushed to the bathroom, where she bent over and retched uncontrollably.

Her world spun as she emptied the contents of her stomach, leaving her throat raw with pain.