Chapter 317

Song Family old residence.

Grandmother sat in the courtyard, propping her cheek with one hand, her brows heavy with worry, and she let out a soft sigh from time to time.

Song Huai approached at the sound of footsteps, seeing his mother's expression, he softened his steps and spoke gently: "Mom, why are you sitting here alone catching the breeze? Chubao and the others are chatting inside."

But we need to be consistent: If it's a nickname used habitually as a name, we keep pinyin. So we will output "Chubao". However, we need to check if it's a term of endearment meaning "little treasure". Could be generic. But given context, it's likely a nickname for a child. We'll romanize.

Grandmother lifted her eyes, her expression full of desolation, "Nothing, I just don't know what your father is up to."

Song Huai realized what was on his mother's mind—she was missing her husband, who lived far away in Y Guo, the esteemed Duke Lekele Peiweika.

Thus line: "Song Huai understood; his mother was missing her husband far in Y Guo, that esteemed Duke Lekele Peiweika."

His father was the foremost noble of Y Guo, a duke; his mother was the sole daughter of the Song Family, one of the four major domestic conglomerates, and had once led the Song Clan conglomerate, a woman admired by all in the business world.

We have glossary entries: Song Family and Song Clan. Use those.

Thus line: "His father was the foremost noble of Y Guo, Duke Peiweika; his mother was the sole daughter of the Song Family, one of the nation's four major conglomerates, who once led the Song Clan business group, a woman revered in the business world."

By rights, a wife follows her husband, so Mother should have settled in Y Guo with Father, and she and her children should have been born there.

In the Song Family, Mother was the only daughter of her generation, and all the family's affection was lavished upon her.

Back then, Mother headed the Song Clan conglomerate; even at a young age she had firmly established herself in the business world, serving as the pillar of the entire Song Family—she could never have abandoned everything to move to Y Guo.

As a duke, Father could not remain long-term in the country.

Thus they began a long-distance relationship, with Father usually coming to the country to see Mother.

Later Mother gave birth to a daughter, who, as a child, often said she wanted a little sister to play with.

But Mother ended up having three sons in a row—the eldest, the second, him, and the fourth—all boys.

To be frank, he and his brothers were unexpected arrivals. Still, Mother treated them wonderfully, often joking about it.

Later, when he grew up and became CEO Song Huai, Mother spent a few months at the company before feeling reassured enough to go to Y Guo to see Father—but Father was busy, working on collaborations with various countries.

So Mother simply went traveling to various countries.

A few days ago, Father said he would likely spend the New Year in Y Guo; Mother didn't say anything, but her longing showed in her soft sighs.

Song Huai sat beside his mother, gently pushing the teacup toward her, and said in a warm, low voice: "Dad said he'll come back after finishing his work this year; he always keeps his word, so you won't have to wait long."

Grandmother sighed, "What good will it do after the New Year? You won't be staying long anyway."

"You kids all have your own things to attend to; the New Year reunion lasts only a few days. Once the holiday ends, some leave, some get busy— in the end, this courtyard is left with just me."

All her life she held wealth and power, cherished by her family, respected by the world, never lacking in material comfort or affection.

But the time she could spend with her beloved was always all too brief.

When young, she thought the future was endless, that even mountains and seas could be leveled; only with age did she realize how rare and precious companionship truly is.

Grandmother gave a light smile, tinged with relief, her gaze drifting toward the courtyard beyond, as if she could see the girl whom the whole clan cherished like a treasure.

"Sometimes I'm actually grateful that Youbao always has A Jin by her side."

Song Huai paused slightly, then spoke softly: "Youbao has never lacked company. We uncles, and her brothers— who doesn't hold her dear to their hearts? Who doesn't protect her?"

"Loving and protecting her is not the same as being constantly by her side," Grandmother shook her head slowly, her voice clear: "You do love her, truly, but none of you have stayed with her all the time."

"Most of the time you put yourselves first, busy with your own lives and careers, your own circles— yet you always miss her in your hearts. Only when you really want to see her do you go for a glance, or when she comes to you, you meet briefly."

"Over the course of a year, the only times you all gather together are on major occasions and holidays."

"Who among you is truly with her day and night, never leaving her side? Even I, as her grandmother, couldn't count as one of those."

Song Huai opened his mouth to object, but didn't know how to begin.

Grandmother looked at her silent son and continued: "Even if someone visited her often and thought of her, when it comes to companionship, could anyone match A Jin's constancy?"

"Oh right, when I think about it, the only one who could compare to A Jin is little Xi— Mu Xi. Aside from her brothers, only Mu Xi has been with her since childhood; I can't think of anyone else."

Thus line 33: "Oh right, calculating, only Xiao Xi can compare to A Jin. Besides her brothers, only Xiao Xi has been with her since childhood; I can't think of anyone else." But we will use Mu Xi.

Let's hold.

He and Youbao have been childhood sweethearts; apart from the year they were separated two years ago, he has hardly ever left her side.

At first it was said that Youbao had left C Shi on her own, but no matter what, she always came back, and now they are still together just as before.

Song Huai thought that Jiang Liangjin must have cleared things up with Youbao— either it was a misunderstanding, or Jiang Liangjin was acting foolishly.

The likelier possibility is the former;

He and Youbao have been childhood sweethearts; except for the year they were apart two years ago, they have hardly ever been apart.

Although it was initially said that Youbao left C City on her own, she eventually came back, and the two remain together just as before.

Song Huai thought that Jiang Liangjin must have cleared things up with Youbao—either it was a misunderstanding or Jiang Liangjin was being foolish.

The former is the most likely; otherwise, given Youbao's personality, she would never bother with him.

Grandmother continued, 'We can give Youbao power, wealth, and endless affection, pave a smooth path for her, shield her from wind and rain, but we cannot give her day-to-day companionship.'

'But A Jin is different; that child has guarded our Youbao since childhood, with his eyes and heart only ever on her.'

Song Huai listened quietly, his mind suddenly clearing as he gazed at his mother's gentle profile; he nodded slightly, 'You're right—we can all see A Jin's feelings for Youbao.'

'He is cold toward outsiders, lavishing all his affection on Youbao, and in the future he can also give her a sense of security.'

Song Huai also didn't want to make things too difficult for Jiang Liangjin.

More importantly, Youbao is also close to Song Huai.

Grandmother lifted her teacup, took a sip of warm tea, the regret in her expression completely faded, leaving only a hint of expectation: 'In my life, I have spent little time with your father and much time apart, ultimately leaving some regrets.'

'I don't want Youbao to follow my old path; I don't want her to guard endless affection, standing on the heights, lacking only companionship.'

I feel at ease about A Jin; the Mu and Song families, the Jiang and Shen families are old family friends. I hope Youbao and he get along well—he is worthy of Youbao, and she deserves his wholehearted devotion.

The former is the most likely; otherwise, given Youbao's personality, she would never bother with him.

Grandmother continued, 'We can give Youbao power, wealth, and endless affection, pave a smooth path for her, shield her from wind and rain, but we cannot give her day-to-day companionship.'

Song Huai also didn't want to make things too difficult for Jiang Liangjin.

They all live in the same city, the ancestral lands of the four great families are also here, and from now on they will remain together.

Youbao's birthday is a fine day.

Grandmother gently set down her teacup, 'Some things should be decided early.'

Give the two children an official status, cutting off any ulterior motives from outsiders.

'It also lets us elders put our minds completely at ease.'

Song Huai gazed at the emotion in his mother's eyes, gave a light smile, reached out to smooth the shawl on her shoulders, and said, 'I'll follow your lead, Mom.'

Grandmother rose slowly, 'Come on, let's go inside.'

'All right.' Song Huai rose as well, came to her side, and gently supported her.

A gentle breeze swept across the courtyard, dispelling all the lingering melancholy.

Only abundant blessings for the girl's future remain, along with the family's deepest affection.

The years are long, love is fervent; I only wish that she be loved all her life, guarded all her life, fulfilled all her life, with no regrets thereafter.