When Qi Er got up to change clothes, Yun Jiao quietly asked You Er, "Did it upset you when Mother asked you to deliberately lose to your brother just now?"

You Er shook his head, "It’s okay. I also want Brother to be happy." He said softly, "Brother won’t be Mother’s son in the future. He’s so pitiful, I’m willing to give way to him."

Yun Jiao gave her son a firm kiss on the face, "You Er is truly considerate."

"However, Mother isn’t asking you to let Brother have everything his way. You’ve grown up together like real brothers. You should care for and help each other, rather than making one-sided sacrifices and compromises."

You Er nodded, "I understand."

"Brother often gives way to me; of course, I should also give way to him."

Qi Er returned, and the children continued playing cards.

Jiang Youzhi inexplicably watched Qi Er in a daze. After a while, he suddenly tugged at Yun Jiao’s sleeve, and the two of them left hand in hand.

When they returned to the room, Jiang Youzhi hugged Yun Jiao tightly, remaining still and silent, just hugging her and resting his head on her shoulder.

Yun Jiao didn’t know what was wrong with him, but she sensed that he was feeling a bit down.

She could only gently pat his back over and over, offering him comfort.

Seeing Qi Er today also touched a part of Jiang Youzhi’s heart.

In his memories, Mrs. Chen treated him just like Yun Jiao treated Qi Er, not her biological child, but indistinguishable from one.

But ever since he learned in his teens that he wasn’t Mrs. Chen’s biological son, there was an invisible gap between them, just like with Qi Er.

Yet, at the same time, he felt even more respect and gratitude towards Mrs. Chen.

He thought that perhaps Qi Er’s current feelings were similar to what he felt back then.

Suddenly realizing that the mother he always considered his own isn’t really his, such feelings of loss, pain, fear, and helplessness have no place to be expressed.

In that instant just now, he seemed to return to his childhood self, feeling lost and lonely in a vast world.

Hugging Yun Jiao made his heart feel grounded, and he was no longer that lonely child without support.

Jiang Youzhi leaned on Yun Jiao’s shoulder for a long time before slowly letting her go.

He gazed at Yun Jiao under the lamplight for a long while, and Yun Jiao gently gazed back at him.

Their eyes were filled with tender affection, and Jiang Youzhi’s gaze fell on her lips, then he gently leaned in.

He slowly caressed her lips, softly saying, "Jiao Jiao, you’ll never know how much I love you."

He had never said such words to her before.

The education he received growing up never taught him to express his emotions.

He would often hear Yun Jiao say to the children, "Mama loves you so much."

"Sister-in-law loves Ruru the most."

And then the children would say, "I love Mama too." "Ruru loves Sister-in-law the most, she’s number one."

The word "love" increasingly felt beautiful to him.

He could feel his love for Yun Jiao growing deeper each day, becoming inseparable from his very being.

Yun Jiao nestled in his embrace, "No, I know."

She had known for a long time, which is why, when she was trapped in Da Jin, she firmly believed that Jiang Youzhi would come for her.

She opened her eyes, her eyelashes gently fluttering, brushing against his nose, "I love you too." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Jiang Youzhi’s heart seemed to be filled in an instant.

Overflowing with happiness, he felt like crying.

He bent down to pick her up, gazing into her eyes as he moved toward the bed.

For a long while, from the curtains came the low murmur of a man, "How about this...?"