Back inside, Shi Nian freshened up, changed into simple clothing, and picked up her bag.
She had planned to visit her maternal family, and formal attire wasn't suitable for the visit.
Her uncle, Cheng Yuan, had called several times to remind her about the dinner that evening.
Descending the stairs, she instructed Wan Wan to prepare the car. By the time she reached the door, the chauffeur was already waiting.
"Good evening, Young Madam," he said, opening the door with a hint of excitement.
Shi Nian hadn't allowed the chauffeur to drive her during the past few months.
But today, she let him drive. The chauffeur silently hoped this change meant he could keep his well-paying position.
Without hesitation, Shi Nian stepped into the car.
As the car moved, she watched the scenery blur by—the mansion fading into the distance, malls and roads passing one after another.
Shi Nian didn't admire the city's view or the vibrant lives around her; she only felt excluded from everything around her.
She noticed a couple arguing by the walkway—the girl furiously tossing her bag at the boy before storming off.
Seeing them, Shi Nian recalled her memories of Si Yehan.
In previous lifetimes, they had been an enviable couple—he would always appear when she least expected.
People say fights are inseparable from relationships, but they had almost none between them.
Pulling herself from her memories, Shi Nian smiled bitterly and clenched her fist, closing her eyes as if she could suppress the emotions surging within. But how could she?
Just then, the chauffeur's voice broke through.
"Young Madam, we've arrived."
The Chengs lived on one of the most valuable lands in the capital. Nestled deep in the hillside, far from the city's noise, it took nearly two hours to get there.
Grandfather Cheng had chosen the place after retirement, though Cheng Yuan and his family visited often.
The Cheng family carried a rich cultural heritage. Her mother's family came from a long line of scholars, their lineage tracing back to imperial times.
Because of this heritage, her grandparents had strongly opposed the union with Shi Beicheng.
How could a daughter of scholars marry into a family of merchants that reeked of only vulgar things like money?
Their efforts to separate them failed, as fate had different plans. Cheng Yuemin met Shi Beicheng when she was eighteen, a sophomore in university.
Shi Beicheng was twenty-four, just starting his company while completing his master's degree.
Cheng Yuemin had fallen in love at first sight.
She pursued him, and though he eventually agreed, her parents still forbade even the thought of them dating.
Still, they continued in secret. And with the recklessness of youth, Yuemin got pregnant.
At that point, her parents had no choice but to accept them. The two became engaged, and when she was twenty-two and he was twenty-eight, they finally married.
Shi Nian had heard the story more than once—from her parents when they spoke of love, and from her grandparents when they lectured her on how a girl should be proper and modest.
Stepping out of the car, Shi Nian was startled to see the entire Cheng family waiting at the door to welcome her.
The warmth of their faces stirred something deep inside her.
For a fleeting moment, it felt like standing before her own family—the one she had missed in this lifetime.
Her chest tightened, and tears welled in her eyes.
Startled by the sudden rush of emotion, she wondered if these feelings belonged to the body she now inhabited… or if they were truly her own.
Shi Nian walked toward them.
"Grandma, Grandpa," she called, her voice thick with emotions she hadn't realized were there.
At the sound, Grandmother Cheng rushed forward and embraced her tightly.
"My precious Nian Nian, grandma's here," she said, gently leading her inside.
Cheng Yuan and his wife were there, along with their four children—all older than Shi Nian.
Shi Nian was the only granddaughter of the Chengs—the family's little treasure.
She allowed herself to be pulled along by her grandmother until they reached the dining room.
"Nian Nian, over here!" one of her cousins called, tugging her into a seat among them.
Throughout the meal, the family showed their affection in small ways—piling food onto her plate until it overflowed.
Shi Nian ate her fill, surrounded by the warm atmosphere.
After dinner, they moved to the living room, where Grandmother Cheng had the maids bring digestive tea.
Though Shi Nian appeared well, their concern for her could not be hidden.
Even after dinner, Grandmother Cheng still clasped Shi Nian's hands with hers, unwilling to let go.
"Nian Nian, my dearest girl," Grandmother Cheng said through tears. "We've been so worried, not being able to reach you."
"That's enough, Sanlang. Don't cry, or you'll only make Nian Nian more worried," Grandfather Cheng chided gently.
Shi Nian reached for her grandmother's hand and wiped her tears.
This family somehow made her feel the warmth of being cherished—even if she knew they weren't truly hers.
She couldn't stop herself from enjoying their affection.
"Grandma, Grandpa is right. I'm fine now. If you cry too much, I'll only worry about you," Shi Nian said softly.
"That's right," Grandfather Cheng said, quickly nodding.
He cleared his throat. "Nian Nian, I've heard from your uncle about Shi Wang and his schemes. No matter what happens, you have the Cheng family behind you. And your cousins as well. Don't hesitate to come to us for anything."
At his words, her eldest cousin immediately spoke up.
"Nian Nian, Dad told me about your deal with Shi Wang and the shareholders. If you need cooperation, come to me."
Hearing this, warmth again spread through Shi Nian's heart.
This family never doubted her, never questioned her choices—and still they stood firmly by her side.
From the depths of her being, she promised herself to treat them sincerely.
Shi Nian had indeed come to visit the Chengs due to Cheng Yuan's repeated invitations, but she had another purpose as well.
Thinking of it, she couldn't help but scold herself for her selfish thoughts.
Shi Nian had come for Grandmother Cheng's books.
These weren't ordinary books—they were medical texts passed down through generations of the Meng family.