Chapter 67: The Gift (2)

After passing through the large black iron gate via fingerprint recognition, Jian Yiling dashed into the courtyard. Once she reached the entrance of the villa, she carefully placed the paper bag down at the door and hurried back to the car.

"What did you leave behind, sweetheart?" Grandma Jian asked, noticing from the car that Jian Yiling hadn't even stepped inside.

"Birthday gift," Jian Yiling replied succinctly.

Grandma Jian pondered for a moment, then realized that tomorrow was her eldest grandson, Jian Yuncheng's birthday. With all the recent events, she figured that Shu Xian and Wen Nuan had likely forgotten about it. To her surprise, Yiling had remembered.

"What made you think to give your big brother a birthday gift?" Grandma Jian smiled, her gaze softening with warmth. A sense of comfort washed over her; it was a good sign that her granddaughter was actively thinking about giving gifts, indicating that she wasn't as troubled as before.

"She said she wanted to give him something," Jian Yiling said, her voice quiet.

It wasn't the current Jian Yiling who had expressed the desire to give a gift. It was the Jian Yiling from before the accident, the one who had sought advice online from strangers about what to gift her big brother for his birthday: 

"My brother's birthday is coming up. What should I get him to show I care? P.S. He probably has everything he needs."

Although many netizens offered suggestions, most were impractical for her. Jian Yiling struggled with many of the proposed ideas. Ultimately, she decided to take one user's advice and knit a scarf for her brother. Though she had no experience in knitting, she convinced herself that it couldn't be that difficult to learn.

Her last message to the user read: 

"Whatever! He has to accept it, no matter how it looks! If he dares to complain, I won't let him into the house! ╭(╯^╰)╮"

Grandma Jian gently patted Jian Yiling on the head. "My dear Yiling, I'm so happy you can let go of your worries. All I want is for you to be cheerful. As for the unhappy things, let's just leave them behind!"

Jian Yiling nodded in agreement, comforted by her grandmother's words.

At dinner time, the family gathered around the table at Jian Mansion. Mo Shiyun brought the school assignments to Jian Yunnao, who had been unable to attend school. She also took the opportunity to tutor him on the recent learning materials. After their study session, she naturally stayed on to join the family for dinner.

Just then, Aunt An returned from outside, carrying a paper bag. "Sir, Madam, I found a bag at the door while taking out the trash. I'm not sure who left it there," she reported.

Since the bag was placed at the entrance of the home, it was clear that it had to be from someone within the family. After all, there was still a large iron gate outside that prevented outsiders from entering.

"Who could it belong to?" Warmth's face appeared noticeably haggard, and she lifted her head, momentarily dazed by Aunt An's words.

"There's a card inside the bag, but it doesn't have a name, just the words 'Happy Birthday.' It seems to be a gift for the eldest young master," Aunt An explained, showing them the birthday card that she had placed on top of the bag.

"Bring it here," Jian Yuncheng said, reaching out to take the bag from Aunt An.

Opening it, he found a beautifully handcrafted pure black sweater and an intricately embroidered scarf inside. Just then, Mo Sa came out from the kitchen, catching sight of what Jian Yuncheng was holding. Assuming it was a gift prepared by her daughter, she playfully scolded Mo Shiyun, "Shiyun, why didn't you hand the gift to the eldest young master yourself? What if someone overlooks it by leaving it at the door?"

Mo Shiyun paused, momentarily stunned. This gift was not hers. Although her mother had previously suggested that she prepare something for Jian Yuncheng, the gift she had prepared was still in her room, and she had intended to give it to him the following day.