In those same years, another fate quietly unraveled and rewrote itself—this time within their home.
His mother, Gu Wenxin, was finally cured of the illness that had long weakened her spirit and her body. Not overnight. Not with a dramatic miracle. But with time, patience, and careful hands guiding the process from the shadows.
One morning, her fingers no longer trembled as she lifted a brush.
On another, she wandered into the kitchen, "just to watch"—and ended up seasoning the stew better than anyone else.
By month's end, she strolled across the courtyard, upright, elegant, hair tied in the old style, eyes bright.
The air changed.
And so did the people in it.
---
Xiao Zhan - The Husband
Xiao Zhan, the husband, smiled more now. He said less—but lingered longer. Watched her breathe at night. Held her hand too long for a man of his temperament.
> "You came back to me," he said softly.
> "I was never gone," she replied. "Just… misplaced."
---
Xiao Diao- The Eldest son
Xiao Diao, the calm first son, brought fruit every morning and lingered near her side longer than he ever allowed himself before. When she hummed, he froze.
And that night, he hummed it back—just to remember the sound.
---
Xiao Li - The Second son
Xiao Li, rough and restless, didn't know what to do with the joy. So he hammered it into paths, carved it into wood, and tried—futilely—to build a music box that didn't even play.
> "You're not subtle," she teased.
> "Don't need to be," he said. "You're alive. That's enough."
---
Xiao Yan - The Third Son
Xiao Yan, proud and stubborn, softened. He let her lecture him. Let her braid his hair once. Let her call him "Yan'er" without flinching.
One day, in a patch of late sunlight, she smiled at him across a cup of tea.
> "You write a lot of letters these days."
Xiao Yan visibly stunned
> "Yan'er," she said lightly, "you've been writing letters often. It doesn't take a genius to guess who they're for."
Xiao Yan blinked. "Mother…"
She chuckled.
> "Don't play shy. I may be recovering, but I'm still your mother. So… Nalan Yanran. You're still in touch?"
He scratched his head, smirking faintly.
> "She asks about your health. It'd be rude not to reply."
> "Rude, is it? Then it'd be downright disrespectful if I, her future mother-in-law, didn't meet her."
Xiao Yan coughed. "Mother—"
> "I want to meet her," Gu Wenxin said firmly, though her tone remained warm. Then added with a twinkle in her eye:
"I need to see for myself whether this girl is worthy of being my daughter-in-law."
Xiao Yan's ears turned red.
> "...I'll tell her, Mother."
That evening, as the sun dipped below the walls and the sky burned orange, he sat beside her on the wooden bench, head resting on her shoulder—the way he hadn't since childhood.
> "I missed this," he murmured.
She stroked his hair without a word.
He never suspected Xiao Ranyu's part in it.
Not yet.
But every so often, he would glance at his youngest brother—sipping tea, scribbling quietly in that ever-present notebook—and wonder:
> "...When did he stop being the baby of the family?"
Xiao Ranyu's Notebook
Operation: Cure Mom – Side Observations
Xiao Yan smiles more.
Xiao Yan sits by the fire more often.
Xiao Yan let her braid his hair again (briefly).
Emotional resonance: Unexpectedly high.
Note: Mom made lotus soup again.
Mission Accomplished.
---
Xiao Ranyu — The Youngest
He never said he cured her. Never took credit. Never wanted it.
He simply watched—from the edge of the room, from the doorway, from behind his teacup. Notebook in hand, eyes sharp, heart full.
She never asked. But one morning, she handed him a plate of spirit-nut cakes, still warm from the pan.
> "They help with focus," she said, like it was nothing. "Good for clever boys who read too much and sleep too little."
He blinked. Then smiled.
> "Thanks, Mother."
Operation: Cure Mom
> Status: Successful
Side Effects: 50% increase in maternal nagging. 2x hugs.
Acceptable losses.
---
And the House Changed
The halls echoed with footste
ps.
The kitchen smelled of soup and herbs again.
There were arguments. Teasing. Laughter.
The family had always been strong.
But now—
Now, they were whole again.