The sky was shrouded in thick clouds, neither black nor white, stretching endlessly in a dull gray that carried a suffocating weight. Just a glance at it stirred an innate discomfort.
Ye Shuang stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, his gaze piercing through the towering buildings, lingering on the gradually darkening sky.
"It's going to rain, isn't it?" Ye Shuang murmured. No sooner had the words left his lips than the sound of raindrops pattering against the window ledge reached his ears. Scattered droplets streaked down the glass, tracing delicate lines before the pattering grew louder, intensifying into a downpour.
Turning away from the window, Ye Shuang saw the young girl kneeling beside the sofa, playing with a small cat teaser to entertain Yīwàn.
"Yuyou," Ye Shuang called.
"Hmm?" The girl turned her head, pausing her movements. Seizing the opportunity, Yīwàn pounced, accidentally nipping her finger instead.
Bai Yuyou watched this unfold, then gently stroked Yīwān with her other hand. The cat immediately released its grip and even tenderly licked her finger in apology.
"We’re going to Chen Qin’s place today. It’s time to leave," Ye Shuang said. Today was the day they had agreed to meet with Aunt Xian, and according to the messages from Chen Qin, she had already arrived.
If not for something Chen’s Mother had said, Aunt Xian would have come straight over.
"Ye Shuang… it’s raining."
"It’s fine. We’ll take the elevator to the garage and drive. We won’t get wet."
"Okay."
Leading the girl along, Ye Shuang took the elevator down to the basement level. Bai Yuyou had no idea what awaited her. After fastening her own seatbelt, she instinctively reached over to help Ye Shuang with his.
"No need. Just sit tight."
"Okay."
As Ye Shuang drove out of the garage, the world outside was instantly swallowed by the rain, the view obscured by a blurry, waterlogged haze.
Flicking on the windshield wipers, he set off toward the Chen residence.
"Yuyou, if I find any leads about your birth parents…" Ye Shuang hesitated, deciding it was best to prepare her in advance. "Would you want to reunite with them?"
Bai Yuyou’s beautiful eyes flickered toward him before she suddenly spoke, her voice soft but firm.
"Ye Shuang… are you abandoning me?"
The words shattered Ye Shuang’s composure in an instant. A bitter smile tugged at his lips. "Silly girl, how could I ever abandon you?"
"I won’t go anywhere. I only want Ye Shuang." Having said her piece, Bai Yuyou lowered her head and fell silent.
The response was exactly what Ye Shuang had expected, yet he wasn’t sure whether to feel relieved or sorrowful.
Raindrops drummed against the car windows, mirroring the tangled mess of emotions in his heart—dense, chaotic, impossible to unravel.
The drive felt interminable, as if they were slogging through mud. It seemed like an eternity before they finally arrived at the Chen household.
Parking in the garage, Ye Shuang had barely opened the car door when Chen Qin, dressed in a simple long dress, came into view, followed by the golden retriever Xian Dan bounding toward them.
"You didn’t have to rush in this heavy rain," Chen Qin chided, her worry evident. Driving in such conditions was risky, and she had been anxious about their safety.
"Where are Uncle and Aunt Chen?" Ye Shuang smiled faintly before asking.
"They’re here."
As Chen Qin spoke, four figures approached from a distance—Chen’s Father and Mother, accompanied by a middle-aged couple. Their attire was understated, but their faces were unmistakable, the kind often seen on television.
"Shuang-zi," the middle-aged woman greeted warmly. "Look at you, all grown up and so handsome."
"Aunt Xian, Uncle Zhou," Ye Shuang replied politely. These two were none other than Xu Huixian and Zhou Feng—Bai Yuyou’s potential birth parents.
But their attention was immediately seized by the girl stepping out of the passenger seat. The moment Bai Yuyou appeared, the couple rushed forward.
"Rou-mei!"
Zhou’s Mother threw her arms around Bai Yuyou, tears streaming down her face, while Zhou’s Father stood frozen, his eyes red-rimmed as he stared at the girl.
"The DNA results came back. She’s definitely Aunt Xian’s daughter," Chen Qin whispered to Ye Shuang, her bangs brushing against his cheek, tickling him slightly.
"So it’s true." Ye Shuang watched the scene unfold, marveling at how small the world really was.
"Aunt Xian’s daughter was named Zhou Yurou… Yuyou and Yurou actually sound quite similar," Chen Qin remarked.
But Ye Shuang wasn’t listening. His focus was fixed ahead—Bai Yuyou, after a moment of shock, suddenly shoved Zhou’s Mother away and darted behind Ye Shuang, hiding against his back.
The girl clung to him, her fingers gripping his clothes tightly, her beautiful face etched with something akin to fear.
"Rou-mei," Zhou’s Mother called out, but Bai Yuyou only recoiled further.
Pressed against his back, Ye Shuang could feel her trembling.
"Come here," he said gently, pulling Bai Yuyou to his side. He clasped her icy fingers and murmured soothingly, "Don’t be scared. I’m here. I’m right here…"
But Bai Yuyou only wrapped her arms around his neck like a koala, refusing to let go.
Left with no choice, Ye Shuang held her with one arm and addressed Zhou’s parents. "Aunt Xian, Uncle Zhou, let’s go inside first."
Only then did the couple snap out of their daze. Chen’s Mother chimed in, "Yes, come in. Dinner’s ready. We’ll talk after eating."
They all filed into the house and settled around the dining table.
Bai Yuyou still refused to release Ye Shuang, leaving her slender frame perched on his lap, her face buried against him, motionless.
The sight drew curious glances from everyone present, especially the elders, who eyed Ye Shuang with unspoken questions as the girl sat in his lap.
"Yuyou has been through a lot, so… she’s very attached to me," Ye Shuang explained awkwardly, stroking her back while addressing the older generation.
Chen Qin remained the calmest of them all. After all, if they slept together at night, this was nothing in comparison.
"Aunt Xian," Ye Shuang spoke up.
"Yes, go on."
"So Yuyou is your biological daughter, beyond any doubt?"
"Yes. Here’s the DNA report. We canceled all our plans and flew to the mainland as soon as we got the results." Zhou’s Mother glanced at Bai Yuyou, but the girl gave no reaction.
Ye Shuang skimmed the report and exhaled slowly before patting Bai Yuyou’s back. "Yuyou, why aren’t you listening? Get down for now…"
"Be good," he whispered in her ear. "Or no more sleeping together."
Bai Yuyou seemed to remember her promise to obey. After a brief hesitation, she finally turned around.
Her gem-like eyes, glistening with unshed tears, locked onto the couple before her.