Chapter 279: Just Friends

As a coastal city, Cangnan belongs to a subtropical monsoon climate; the four seasons here are distinct, and each season possesses its own unique charm and characteristics.

Especially in the depths of winter, it is neither as bone-chillingly cold as the north nor as damp and unbearable as the south; the temperature in Cangnan is significantly higher than in Hangzhou.

The average temperature is between 8-14℃.

Walking into the kitchen, Shen Yan took off his overcoat and rolled up his sleeves slightly; wearing only a cashmere sweater, he felt no chill at all.

Upon hearing that his future granddaughter-in-law had brought her a gift, Shen Nainai could no longer concern herself with cooking; she trotted over to the sofa to look through it.

It was a light gray wool scarf, long in style, which could be worn as a shawl or a scarf; after putting it on, Shen Nainai ran into the kitchen and asked Shen Yan, "Little Yan, look, does Grandma look alright wearing it like this?"

"That looks perfect; you look several years younger all of a sudden," Shen Yan said glibly.

"You child..." Shen Nainai was so happy that her mouth split open like a burst seam on a leather shoe.

Immediately, Shen Nainai's expression turned serious, and she asked, "What is going on between you and Youwei? She has been running over to our house constantly lately, either keeping me company or helping to clean up; even the hat on my head was a gift from her."

Shen Yan was slightly stunned; he had not expected such a thing to be happening.

So, Shen Nainai told him the whole story.

As soon as Yu Youwei returned, she ran to the Shen Family home, even bringing gifts; at the time, Shen Nainai was playing mahjong, and when she opened the door to see Yu Youwei, she greeted her with a smile: "Yo! Youwei is back! Truly, a girl changes eighteen times as she grows; you've become more and more beautiful."

Yu Youwei said sweetly, "Not at all, Grandma. How has your health been lately? I've come to visit you."

Shen Nainai said she was doing quite well.

After entering the house, the other mahjong players saw Yu Youwei carrying bags and realized she had come to visit Shen Nainai right after returning, so they couldn't help but tease: "Oh, Youwei, could it be that you've taken a liking to Little Yan and are here to curry favor with his grandmother?"

Other players chimed in.

Yu Youwei had never encountered such a situation; she was immediately flushed bright red, standing there with her head bowed, yet she made no move to refute it.

These old women were all sharp as tacks; having lived for so many years, how could they not see Yu Youwei's little intentions? They were all shocked.

What was going on?

Had Shen Yan really plucked this famous local beauty?

"Silence means consent."

"Yo! Youwei, are you really going to be Shen Nainai's granddaughter-in-law?"

"Aying, I am truly envious of you; Little Yan just started university and already brought back such a beautiful granddaughter-in-law for you."

The three players went back and forth, shaming Yu Youwei until her face looked like it could drip blood, while at the same time, she felt an unstoppable joy in her heart.

Someone even joked that perhaps Shen Nainai would be holding a great-grandson by next year.

At this, Yu Youwei could no longer sit still; she retorted with a red face, "Don't say that; Shen Yan and I are just friends."

The players became even more excited upon hearing this and continued their teasing with increased intensity; Shen Nainai was completely bewildered—wasn't her own grandson already seeing someone else? What was the situation with this girl?

Still confused, Shen Nainai did not ask on the spot, but instead helped Yu Youwei out of the predicament: "Youwei and Little Yan are just good friends; look at how you all are making things up. That's not right; if this spreads, it won't be good for the girl's reputation."

The three players grinned; they were just joking, and they wouldn't dare spread it around—the couple from the Yu Family were not people to be trifled with.

One was a middle school teacher, and the other was a deputy chief of the police station.

They were famous throughout the whole street, and no one could say when they might need to ask them for a favor; they were already trying to stay on their good side, so how could they possibly invite trouble for themselves?

Shen Nainai originally thought Yu Youwei was just acting on a whim, but who knew that over the next few days, Yu Youwei would come over from time to time to keep her company and do what chores she could, like washing dishes or mopping the floor; when Shen Nainai told Yu Youwei not to bother, Yu Youwei only said it was no trouble and that she could finish quickly.

After a while, Shen Nainai knew the girl's intentions, so she pulled Yu Youwei aside and asked, "Youwei, did something happen between you and Little Yan? Did he bully you or something?"

"Not at all, Shen Yan and I are doing just fine," Yu Youwei smiled as if nothing were the matter.

Unable to get an answer, Shen Nainai had to let it go, but she truly felt Yu Youwei's sincerity and couldn't help but have her favor for her grow significantly.

Thinking about it carefully, this girl had known her grandson since childhood; they were childhood sweethearts, knew each other inside and out, were next-door neighbors, and were quite compatible in every aspect.

They were simply a talented man and a beautiful woman, a match made in heaven.

It was a pity...

Her own grandson already had someone in his heart; otherwise, it would have been wonderful to have her as a granddaughter-in-law.

Now that Shen Yan was back, Shen Nainai couldn't wait to ask him for the reason.

Since Yu Youwei had not explicitly expressed these feelings, Shen Yan naturally wouldn't overcomplicate things, so he said, "Grandma, Youwei and I really are just good friends; you're overthinking it."

Hearing this, Shen Nainai finally dispelled the doubts in her heart.

That was what she thought; the two grew up together as childhood sweethearts, and after such a long time without any sparks, they must both regard each other as best friends.

Everything was just her worrying for nothing.

"Then what about Shanni? Why does Grandma feel like she has some kind of intention toward you?"

Thinking of the oatmeal in the tote bag, Shen Nainai was startled again.

Shen Yan found it amusing: "Your grandson isn't a heartthrob; she's a wealthy young lady with very high standards, alright? She only sent the oatmeal because she's grateful to you."

Shen Nainai nodded in understanding and didn't dwell on these matters any further.

Children and grandchildren have their own fortunes.

Young people have their own ideas; at her age, she shouldn't worry so much.

Just as the grandmother and grandson were chatting, the doorbell downstairs at the unit entrance suddenly rang.

Shen Nainai ran to answer it and only then learned that her grandson had ordered a treadmill and a massage chair.

One cost nine thousand, the other three thousand.

With a wave of his hand, over ten thousand was gone.

In the past, she would have certainly scolded her grandson for such extravagant behavior, but as for now...

She would just accept it happily.

Isn't money meant to be spent!

"Click!" Shen Nainai pressed the unlock button.

Before long, the delivery person carried the machines up to the third floor, followed by several neighbors who had come to watch the excitement, including the convenience store owner, Li Juan.

Everyone greeted Shen Yan enthusiastically when they saw him, asking why he had only just returned.

The other university students had long since gone on break.