Chapter 480| Chapter 481| Chapter 482
Chapter 480: Differences
“It feels really good,” Yi Yi explained, her small face brightening. “Like I’m flying. Yi Yi likes it a lot!”
Sheng Wanyan stared at her, an intuitive theory forming in her mind as her eyes dropped to the string of beads clutched in her daughter’s tiny fingers. She couldn’t be certain whether this strange sensitivity was a blessing or a curse for the little girl; all she truly wanted was for Yi Yi to lead a safe, peaceful life.
“Does every single object make you feel exactly the same level of comfort?” she asked quietly.
Yi Yi shook her little head. Some things made her feel incredibly warm and weightless, while others only gave her a faint, passing spark.
“This one is the absolute best,” she said, tapping the dirty necklace.
Hearing that, Sheng Wanyan felt her suspicions strengthen. “Yi Yi, answer Mom honestly. Does your body hurt anywhere? Do you feel sick?”
The little girl shook her head eagerly. She wasn’t sick at all; on the contrary, she felt completely recharged, as if a burst of energy had flooded her veins. “No! Yi Yi feels really good. I feel strong and happy!”
A massive weight lifted from Sheng Wanyan’s chest. Her absolute deepest terror was that Yi Yi was harboring some hidden, dangerous ailment.
“That’s good. That’s a relief,” she murmured, breathing a long sigh of text-based calm. If her daughter truly possessed a unique spiritual constitution, it would undoubtedly bring great advantages—but it could easily invite terrible danger if exposed.
“Don’t be frightened, sweetheart. Everyone’s body is built a little differently,” Sheng Wanyan reassured her, smoothing down her hair. “The world is vast, and it’s full of unique people and extraordinary things. So you never have to be scared. Mom will always protect you.”
The lingering anxiety in Yi Yi’s heart completely melted away, and she threw her arms tightly around Sheng Wanyan’s neck. She had been secretly terrified of that strange, floating sensation all afternoon. But she had faithfully remembered her mother’s rule: if anything ever felt strange, she had to tell her mother immediately and never keep secrets about her health. The moment she had crossed the threshold of the house, her only goal had been to find her mom.
“Yi Yi, what we just talked about is a very important secret between just you and me. You must never mention it to anyone else,” Sheng Wanyan said, her voice dropping to a serious whisper.
“A secret between just me and Mommy?” Yi Yi’s eyes sparked with instant toddler delight. The idea of harboring a private bond with her mother was thrilling.
“That’s right. It’s a special little secret for just the two of us. No one else can know.”
“What about Daddy?”
“Not even Daddy. True secrets can never be shared with a third person. Not a single word.”
Yi Yi nodded with immense gravity, her heart dancing with joy. Daddy is going to be so jealous of our secret, she thought gleefully. Her father was always hoarding her mother’s attention anyway, constantly scooping her mother up in the middle of the night so he could sleep with his arms wrapped around his sweet, soft wife, leaving Yi Yi to wake up alone.
“Okay! Yi Yi won’t say a word!” the little girl promised, firmly clapping her tiny hands over her mouth.
Sheng Wanyan smiled, though a layer of fierce caution settled deep into her mind. This matter had to be guarded at all costs. Furthermore, she would have to strictly limit Yi Yi’s contact with ancient relics from now on. If a malicious outsider ever discovered her daughter’s unique gift, it would undoubtedly invite disaster.
For the first time in her life, a thread of genuine panic rippled through her. She gently took the gray necklace from her daughter’s hands, determined to clean it and test her theory. She needed to confirm if the child truly possessed a natural affinity for genuine artifacts—specifically, whether touching a true antique triggered that wave of inner vitality. If it was true, she had to discover if prolonged exposure would eventually drain or harm Yi Yi’s physical health. As a mother, she had to anticipate every possible danger so she wouldn’t be caught defenseless if a crisis ever arose.
Sheng Wanyan carried the necklace into the attached washroom. Ordinary tap water wouldn’t be pure enough to cleanse a relic of this nature, so she reached into her hidden dimensional space and drew a basin of pure, sparkling spiritual spring water. She placed the string of beads into the liquid to soak.
After roughly ten minutes, the thick crust of dirt and grime dissolved entirely, revealing the artifact’s true form. It was an exquisite necklace crafted from flawless emerald jade beads. Each sphere was a deep, translucent green, entirely free of internal fractures or inclusions, and radiating a dense, icy chill.
Even though Sheng Wanyan had handled countless high-end treasures across her lifetimes, she was thoroughly stunned by the absolute perfection of the piece. She quietly stored the priceless emeralds away inside her dimensional space, then headed back downstairs to inspect the items Grandpa Gu had brought home.
Thanks to her years of studying metaphysics and appraising historical items alongside her grandfather in her previous life, she could spot a counterfeit in the blink of an eye. She carefully looked over the pile on the table. Some pieces were ancient artifacts from bygone dynasties, while others were relatively recent fabrications, but every single item Grandpa Gu had purchased was a genuine, high-value piece.
It was exactly as she feared: the intensity of the comfort Yi Yi experienced directly correlated to the historical and material value of the artifact. The finer the piece, the stronger her reaction. While she was relieved that her daughter wasn’t suffering from a physical illness, a lingering sense of dread remained. Parents are naturally hyper-vigilant; even the slightest anomaly in their child’s life can make them feel as though they are walking on a tightrope.
Gu Tingxiao’s intense gaze tracked her as she entered the room, and Sheng Wanyan offered him a subtle, reassuring nod to signal that everything was under control.
“Look at all these wonderful pieces Yi Yi and I bought today!” Grandpa Gu boasted happily, gesturing to the table. “The little darling even handpicked gifts for the rest of you.”
The entire household knew how deeply the old general revered historical relics. Normally, whenever he spent an afternoon scouring the markets, he would return with only one or two choice items, shielding them protectively in his arms and refusing to let anyone else touch them. No one had expected him to bring home over a dozen high-quality pieces in a single day, let alone let a toddler dictate his purchases. The family was thoroughly amazed by how completely the old man doted on Yi Yi.
Yi Yi scampered over to the table, eagerly pulling out the specific items she had selected for Grandma Gu and Mother Gu: a vibrant ruby ring and a pair of intricate jadeite earrings. The two elders didn’t care in the slightest whether the jewelry was authentic or simple glass; their hearts overflowed with pure joy simply because the child had been so thoughtful.
“Our precious girl is so filial!” Grandma Gu cooed.
“These earrings are absolutely stunning. Great-Grandmother cherishes them,” she added, immediately clipping them on.
Mother Gu slid the ring onto her finger, her face glowing. “It’s beautiful. Our little darling has impeccable taste.”
Eldest Sister-in-law Gu immediately chimed in with a warm smile. “Mom, that ruby sets off your skin perfectly. It makes your hands look incredibly elegant.”
Mother Gu burst into a happy, musical laugh.
“And look at Great-Grandmother,” Eldest Sister-in-law continued, turning to Grandma Gu. “Those jadeite earrings make you look so distinguished, like a highly cultured scholar.”
Grandma Gu’s laughter rang out across the room, her heart bursting with happiness. “Hahaha! I think you’re absolutely right!” She turned left and right in front of the mirror, admiring the gift. The monetary value didn’t matter; she was going to treasure this token of her great-granddaughter’s love for the rest of her days.
Yi Yi hadn’t forgotten the men in the family either. She presented a beautifully carved jade pendant to Gu’s father, and a sleek bracelet of polished black stone beads to her father, Gu Tingxiao. The two stoic men accepted the gifts with deep pride, Father Gu’s roaring laughter booming so loudly it practically startled the nesting birds in the courtyard trees outside.
The entire residence was filled with vibrant holiday warmth. After dinner, Yi Yi happily gathered her new handmade toys and carried them out to share with her older brothers and sisters in the backyard.
The three children soon began playing a lively game of cuju on the lawn. Watching them run around, Sheng Wanyan felt a fleeting urge to gently remind Yi Yi that the traditional game was historically played by deflecting the leather ball with one’s head and shoulders, not by kicking it like a modern soccer ball. But catching sight of her daughter’s perfectly round, sweet little head, she wisely swallowed the comment.
“Watch closely, little sister! Let me show you how to do a proper head-strike!” Gu Jinfang announced, puffing out his chest like a proud older brother. He had played the game frequently during his childhood and was eager to show off his skills.
“Okay!” Yi Yi chirped, her eyes wide with toddler awe.
Beside her, Gu Jingjing quickly took Yi Yi’s hand and pulled her back a safe distance, ensuring her little sister wouldn’t accidentally get struck by the flying ball.
Chapter 481: The Sheng Family Arrives in the Capital
Yi Yi watched her brother juggle the ball a few times before sending it high into the air, leaping up to drive it forward with his head. Her toddler curiosity was instantly ignited, and she tried to mimic Gu Jinfang’s impressive head-strike.
Unfortunately, she completely overestimated her own abilities. Layered in thick, bulky winter clothes, simply trying to kick the ball was a clumsy struggle, let alone trying to launch herself for a header.
In a split second, her balance gave out, and she tumbled face-first into the snow pile, her legs kicking helplessly toward the sky.
Gu Jinfang and Gu Jingjing scrambled over and quickly hauled her out of the snow. Her face was completely covered in white powder, yet she just sat there, smiling foolishly. Watching from the porch, Sheng Wanyan pinched the bridge of her nose. She simply couldn’t bear the secondhand embarrassment and wanted nothing more than to pretend this silly little girl wasn’t hers.
Late that night, while Sheng Wanyan was lying in bed trying to drift off to sleep, Gu Tingxiao quietly rolled over and asked about the day’s events.
“Wife, what exactly is going on with Yi Yi?”
Sheng Wanyan knew there was no hiding it from him. When it came to her and their daughter, this man had the instincts of a hound; he could sniff out the slightest abnormality instantly. With a soft sigh, she decided to fill him in on Yi Yi’s situation. As her father, Gu Tingxiao had every right to know. In truth, there were many situations where he was far better equipped to protect their daughter than she was—a reality she had learned to accept.
“I’m not necessarily worried about her being unique,” Sheng Wanyan confessed, her voice laced with exhaustion. “I’m terrified for her health. Besides, Yi Yi is still so young. It would be incredibly easy for her to accidentally let something slip in public, and then she’ll be targeted by people with dangerous motives.”
Gu Tingxiao’s brows knit together in a deep frown. He turned his head, staring at the little girl sleeping peacefully in her crib, a wave of paternal worry washing over him.
“Don’t worry, wife,” he said, drawing a anxious Sheng Wanyan tightly into his arms and rubbing her back to help her relax. “We must keep this strictly between us. Moving forward, we need to monitor her condition very closely. She mentioned that she doesn’t feel any pain or discomfort, so it should be harmless. But we can’t make assumptions about the future; we need to verify it just to be absolutely certain.”
Gu Tingxiao’s mind was already tracing through a list of precautions. They had to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that this strange affinity carried no hidden dangers before they could truly rest easy.
“But how on earth do we verify something like this?” Sheng Wanyan asked, her voice tight with rising emotion. “We can’t just let her handle those artifacts again. Tingxiao, I just want her to grow up healthy and safe. I refuse to let her be placed in any kind of danger.” She was fiercely unyielding when it came to her daughter’s well-being.
“Wife, breathe. Calm down first,” Gu Tingxiao soothed, kissing her forehead. “Many children possess heightened sensitivities in certain areas. An innate intuition isn’t automatically a curse. This kind of thing happens, and we shouldn’t let panic dictate our thoughts. Even if she does happen to say something odd in public, who is going to take the rambling of a two-year-old child seriously? The absolute priority right now is simply determining whether this gift places any physical strain on her body.”
His calm, steady logic slowly quieted the storm in Sheng Wanyan’s chest. She leaned against him, her gaze drifting back to the crib. “And how do we confirm that?”
“I’ll find a way to handle the test safely. Don’t carry all this pressure on your own shoulders.”
Sheng Wanyan nodded, thoroughly comforted by his reassurance, and slowly drifted off to sleep.
Gu Tingxiao watched his sleeping wife and daughter, suppressing the heavy worry in his chest. His child was extraordinary, which meant he had to be doubly prepared to shield her from anyone who might try to exploit her. He would ensure that any threat was neutralized before it could even form, nipping any malicious intent right in the bud. He stayed awake the entire night, keeping a silent, watchful vigil over Yi Yi’s crib, his thoughts running deep until the dawn broke.
Sheng Wanyan had no idea how her husband planned to handle the evaluation, but she trusted his judgment implicitly, knowing he would never do anything to harm their little girl.
A few days later, Gu Tingxiao took Yi Yi out for the afternoon. Sheng Wanyan vaguely guessed what he was up to, but she kept her composure completely flawless in front of the rest of the household, spending the afternoon peacefully making kimchi alongside Eldest Sister-in-law Gu and Grandma Gu.
“Make sure you take these jars of kimchi with you to the courtyard near Peking University,” Mother Gu instructed warmly.
“I will, Mom,” Sheng Wanyan replied with a smile. She genuinely loved fermented foods, so she wasn’t about to decline the elders’ kindness.
“University begins in a week,” Grandma Gu noted. “Have you gathered all your school supplies?”
“Everything is perfectly prepared, Grandma. Please don’t worry.”
“Good. If you ever find yourself struggling with the curriculum or if managing everything becomes too overwhelming, you must tell us immediately.”
Sheng Wanyan understood the deep affection underlying Grandma Gu’s words. “Don’t worry, Grandma. I definitely won’t stand on ceremony when the time comes. I just hope you won’t find me too much of a nuisance.”
“Listen to this child…” Grandma Gu teased with a chuckle, though her radiant smile made it clear to anyone in the room that she was in a fantastic mood.
Later that afternoon, Gu Tingxiao returned with Yi Yi. The little girl had a magnificent, joyful smile plastered across her face, and her small hands were clutching a couple of ancient trinkets.
Sheng Wanyan immediately shot Gu Tingxiao a sharp glare. This man actually went ahead and used our daughter for an experiment!
The moment they returned to the privacy of their bedroom, Gu Tingxiao eagerly shared his findings. “Wife, she’s completely fine. I monitored her incredibly closely. Every time she handled a genuine piece, she actually grew more animated and full of energy. There isn’t a single trace of physical strain. If anything, it seems to act as a natural tonic for her vitality.”
Sheng Wanyan deliberately ignored him for a moment, though a profound wave of relief washed over her heart. “You actually went through with it,” she muttered huffily. “Using your own daughter as a test subject.”
“No, no, it was a necessary verification,” Gu Tingxiao said quickly, lowering his posture and offering an apologetic smile before her temper could genuinely flare.
Sheng Wanyan knew his intentions were pure; she had simply been terrified of an adverse reaction. Realistically, short of this direct observation, they had no other way to understand the nature of Yi Yi’s gift.
“As long as she’s safe, I can finally put my mind at rest,” she sighed.
“She’s perfectly fine,” Gu Tingxiao repeated, wrapping his arms around her. “Even if the sky comes crashing down, you have me. I will always protect you and our daughter.”
Still entirely focused on Yi Yi’s long-term well-being, Sheng Wanyan missed the deeper meaning behind his words. She had absolutely no inkling that Gu Tingxiao had already noticed her own unique traits long ago. In his mind, it was only natural for a beautiful little fairy to give birth to an equally magical little fairy. He was actually quite thrilled; both his wife and daughter possessed extraordinary talents, and his daughter had just unlocked an infallible way to build her own fortune in the future.
The fundamental difference between a mother’s and a father’s perspective was clear: Sheng Wanyan’s immediate instinct was to protect her child from vulnerability and danger, while Gu Tingxiao viewed the unique gift as a powerful asset that would guarantee her independence.
Thanks to his successful evaluation, Sheng Wanyan’s anxieties finally evaporated. And just in time, too—because the Sheng family had officially arrived in the Capital.
The moment Mother Gu learned that her daughter-in-law’s parents were arriving, she immediately dispatched Gu Tingxiao alongside the family drivers in two military vehicles to retrieve them from the station.
She had been frantically busy preparing a grand welcome feast to honor their arrival. She was so overwhelmingly enthusiastic that Sheng Wanyan had to step in to gently temper her excitement.
“Mom, take a deep breath,” Sheng Wanyan laughed. “Let me escort them to their new courtyard to drop off their luggage and get settled first. We will absolutely come over for dinner tomorrow evening.”
“Yes, yes, of course! You’re entirely right,” Mother Gu agreed, smacking her forehead. “Take your parents to inspect the new property first so they can rest from the journey.” She hadn’t seen her old friend, Mother Sheng, in ages, and she was simply bursting with anticipation.
Chapter 482: I’ve Got Someone
“Yan’er, remember to invite your parents to come over for dinner tomorrow.”
“I will, Mom.”
Sheng Wanyan and Gu Tingxiao set off to the station together, having dropped Yi Yi off at the main house so she could play with her cousins. With everyone heading back to school in a few days, this would be their last chance to play together before they were restricted to weekends.
“Wife, it’s freezing outside. Wait in the car,” Gu Tingxiao said.
“Alright, I’ll wait here.”
Sheng Wanyan nodded, content to stay warm in the passenger seat, happily munching on a roasted sweet potato Gu Tingxiao had bought for her.
Gu Tingxiao was a tall, imposing man, and the moment the Sheng family filed out of the station, they spotted him towering over the crowd.
Sheng Wanze and his parents were loaded down with luggage, while Pan Yue took charge of guiding the two elderly grandparents and little Hu Zi through the throngs of people.
“Grandma, Mom, Dad, look—Tingxiao is over there!”
With his own height advantage, Sheng Wanze caught sight of Gu Tingxiao standing near the exit and quickly led his family over.
“Xiao Gu!”
Mother Sheng let out a breath of relief when she saw him. Traveling such a long distance with heavy bags had left her utterly exhausted.
“Grandma, Dad, Mom,” Gu Tingxiao greeted them warmly. “Let me take those bags. Get in the car and warm up first.” He took the heavy luggage from Sheng’s parents and began loading it into the trunk.
“Wonderful, thank you.” Sheng Wanze nodded. “There’s a second car right behind us for the rest of the bags.” He packed the remaining luggage into the backup vehicle, helping Grandpa Sheng, his wife, and his son inside.
Sheng Wanze then hopped into the passenger seat of the second car, striking up a friendly conversation with the guard at the wheel. As fellow military men, the two hit it off immediately.
In the lead car, Sheng’s parents were overjoyed to see Sheng Wanyan waiting for them.
“Yan’er!”
“Mom, Dad, Grandma!” Sheng Wanyan beamed. “Where’s Grandpa?”
“He’s in the car behind us,” Mother Sheng replied.
Sheng Wanyan nodded and immediately began explaining the layout of the properties she had secured for them.
“You managed to buy two?” Mother Sheng asked, surprised.
“Yes. One is right by Peking University. Even if Sister-in-law rides a bicycle to Tsinghua University from there, it will only take her about ten minutes.”
Pan Yue had ultimately chosen to study management at Tsinghua University, deciding to step away from dancing. By the time she graduated, she would be thirty years old—an age where a professional dancer’s career on stage naturally winds down. She planned to transition behind the scenes to manage art troupes instead.
“The other property is in the south of the city,” Sheng Wanyan continued. “There’s a supply and marketing cooperative nearby, as well as primary, middle, and high schools. It will be incredibly convenient for Hu Zi when he’s older. The boundary wall of that property has been freshly painted, but the house itself is a bit older and will need a proper renovation later. The previous tenants were local villagers who took excellent care of the place, and I’ve already arranged for the basic furniture.”
Sheng’s parents weren’t picky about the condition; having a roof over their heads in the capital was a miracle in itself. They truly hadn’t expected their daughter to organize everything so meticulously.
“This is wonderful, Yan’er. Just being able to buy property here is enough,” Mother Sheng said softly. “Hu Zi is still small. In a few years, your father and I will save up enough money to fully renovate the courtyard in the south of the city.”
Until Sheng Wanyan had finalized the purchases and sent a letter home, the Sheng family hadn’t seriously discussed buying a home in the capital. Pan Yue had originally assumed they would have to rent a place, never imagining her parents-in-law had already quietly taken care of it.
Owning a home in the Capital meant they could finally put down deep roots, and it solved the future problem of Hu Zi’s schooling. The news had caught the rest of the family completely off guard. Even Pan Yue, whose own maiden family was based in the Capital, hadn’t possessed the sheer audacity to just buy property outright. It required a massive amount of capital.
Furthermore, with the country only recently reopening, a lingering anxiety hung over the public. Many feared the political climate might abruptly shift back to the old days, making people deeply cautious about anything resembling capitalistic behavior. In this transitional era, private commerce and self-employment were still looked down upon by the old guard, having been suppressed for so many years.
Securing two full properties completely redefined Pan Yue’s perception of her parents-in-law’s capabilities.
“By the way, do these universities have nurseries on campus?” Mother Sheng asked. “Your sister-in-law mentioned that since Hu Zi is three now, she wants to enroll him. He’s an absolute terror at home, sprinting around every room, and his grandparents simply don’t have the energy to keep up with him.”
Hu Zi was a naturally boisterous boy, and at his current age, he was a bundle of endless energy. Grandpa and Grandma Sheng found it impossible to keep tabs on him.
“Yes, Tsinghua has an excellent nursery,” Sheng Wanyan reassured her.
“That’s perfect. His mother can drop him off and pick him up right on her way to and from classes.”
Sheng Wanyan nodded. As his parents, Sheng Wanze and Pan Yue had the final say over Hu Zi’s routine, and she had no intention of interfering.
“And what about Yi Yi?” Mother Sheng pressed. “Are you planning to send her to a nursery as well?”
The moment the question was asked, Grandma Sheng pricked up her ears. She had been privately hoping that since she and Grandpa Sheng would have plenty of free time, they could look after Yi Yi for Sheng Wanyan. Yi Yi was sweet, gentle, and didn’t run wild, making her an absolute joy to be around.
However, the elderly couple had been hesitant to suggest it, worried their grandson’s wife might feel slighted. After all, they hadn’t personally raised their great-grandson, who was sent to daycare, so stepping in to raise their great-granddaughter instead might cause friction.
Grandpa and Grandma Sheng kept Pan Yue’s constant kindness close to their hearts. They lived with the younger generation not because they were a burden, but because their children loved them and wanted them to enjoy the warmth of a full household rather than languishing in loneliness. Pan Yue had always handled family dynamics flawlessly, leaving no room for complaint.
“We actually plan to send Yi Yi to a professional dance mentor,” Sheng Wanyan explained. “We’ll let her try it out for a few days to see how she adjusts. If she dislikes it, we’ll enroll her in a nursery. She agreed to the arrangement herself.”
Sheng Wanyan had deliberately avoided asking Grandma Sheng to babysit. In truth, Yi Yi was becoming a bit of a handful. Ever since they returned to the Capital and she began spending time around Grandpa Gu, the constant exposure to a lively, bustling environment had brought out a wilder side to her. The Gu family genes were incredibly potent; even a child as naturally gentle as Yi Yi couldn’t help but develop a bit of a rebellious streak under their influence.
“Learning dance is an excellent path,” Father Sheng chimed in excitedly. “Young girls should absolutely develop an artistic flair.”
Mother Sheng shot him a cool, warning look, and Father Sheng immediately silenced himself.
“Have you forgotten that Yi Yi is only two and a half?” Mother Sheng chided gently, turning back to her daughter. “Pushing her into rigorous dance training at such a tender age sounds like an awful lot of suffering for a child.”
Mother Sheng simply doted on her granddaughter, but Sheng Wanyan knew exactly how to soothe her mother’s worries, and Mother Sheng always valued her opinion.
“She genuinely wants to go, Mom. Besides, it won’t be a strict academic curriculum,” Sheng Wanyan explained. “It’s mostly just gentle physical exercise and movement. Once she’s a bit older, if she still holds a passion for it, we can look into proper training.”
Hearing this, Mother Sheng’s anxieties finally eased. A little physical exercise certainly wouldn’t hurt. “As long as you have a plan.” Though she worried, she trusted her daughter implicitly; in her eyes, Yan’er was the sharpest mind in the family. She privately smiled, imagining that her granddaughter might grow up to join a prestigious state art troupe and secure a coveted government position.
The vehicles soon pulled up to the courtyard near Peking University, and Sheng Wanyan pointed out how close it was to her own property. “Living this close means we can easily look after one another.”
Mother Sheng was thoroughly delighted. Seeing the custom furniture neatly arranged and the kitchen fully stocked with pots, pans, and utensils brought a wave of emotion over her. It proved that a daughter’s thoughtfulness truly surpassed a son’s; if Sheng Wanze had been left to manage the logistics, they would likely be walking into a completely empty shell.
“Did the money we leave cover everything?” Mother Sheng asked quietly, pulling her daughter aside to ensure she hadn’t spent her own funds.
Sheng Wanyan smiled reassuringly. “It covered it perfectly—down to the very last cent.”
