Returning to Parents' Seventeen
Chapter 101 The Person Entering the Shop

Chapter 101: Chapter 101 The Person Entering the Shop

"..."

Shen Yubai, after finishing his sentence, turned to Xu Chuning, "What did you just say?"

Xu Chuning: "...Nothing."

She looked towards Shen Sinian: "If you want to take pictures, then take them."

She knew Shen Sinian wanted to capture some beautiful memories.

Shen Sinian: "Okay."

He shooed Shen Yubai to Xu Chuning’s side, "Both of you sit together."

Shen Yubai stood up, and Xu Chuning could not help but to scoot over, making room for him.

The two sat shoulder to shoulder, as if there was just enough space in between for a young Shen Sinian. Seeing the gap between them, Shen Sinian said with slight helplessness, "You two...maybe get a little closer?"

Xu Chuning glanced towards Shen Yubai and their eyes met.

After a few silent seconds, Xu Chuning moved a tiny bit closer towards Shen Yubai.

Shen Sinian couldn’t help but laugh, "Ningning, it’s still too far."

Xu Chuning: "This won’t work—"

Before she could finish saying ’take a picture’, Shen Yubai suddenly tilted his head, moving closer to her side. His warm breath fell upon her ear, scorching her skin, "How about this?"

Shen Sinian’s eyes brightened, "Good, now give me a pose."

Xu Chuning: "What pose?"

Shen Sinian: "How about a peace sign?"

Xu Chuning: "...So silly."

Shen Yubai thought so too.

Despite that, under Shen Sinian’s lens, they cooperated and made a peace sign, allowing Shen Sinian to take several couple photos.

After the couple photos, Shen Sinian handed the camera to Shen Yubai: "Take a few pictures of me with Ningning."

After taking pictures of Shen Sinian and Xu Chuning, Shen Sinian found a staff member to take a group photo of the three of them.

The staff member was confused, and their mind glitched for a few seconds upon seeing the girl sitting between the two guys, before snapping back to reality and taking the photo.

After retrieving the camera, Xu Chuning watched the hurried departure of the staff member and said in confusion, "Why did the staff member look at us so strangely?"

Shen Yubai lowered his gaze, looking at the distance between them and said distractedly, "Really?"

Xu Chuning couldn’t quite pinpoint the issue, slightly frowning, "Maybe I’m overthinking it."

Shen Yubai: "..."

After the photo session, it was time for Shen Sinian to head back to the company.

He reluctantly and cutely whined to Xu Chuning, "Ningning, wait for me to have a holiday, and I’ll come to your little shop."

Shen Sinian was currently undergoing intense training, but Min Jian was someone who understood the importance of work-life balance. He had previously told Shen Sinian and the other newcomers that they would have an assessment every half a month; if they passed, they would get a half-day off.

Xu Chuning chuckled softly, "Okay, I’ll wait for you. Train well."

Shen Sinian nodded, and then reminded Shen Yubai, "Remember to take Ningning home."

Shen Yubai ignored him.

He didn’t need Shen Sinian to remind him to escort Xu Chuning home.

Watching Shen Sinian enter the company’s main gate, disappearing from view, Shen Yubai turned and looked at the person next to him, staring intently towards the gate, "Shall we go back now?"

Xu Chuning hummed a response, "Let’s go."

The sun was scorching, and Shen Yubai didn’t want to wait at the bus stop anymore. He suggested taking a taxi.

Xu Chuning silently followed.

Sitting in the taxi, feeling the air conditioning inside the car, Xu Chuning inwardly exclaimed that a taxi was indeed much more comfortable than the bus—it wasn’t just a little bit better.

After a quiet moment, something suddenly crossed her mind. She turned her head to look at the person beside her, "When will you receive the documents?"

Shen Yubai: "He said today, probably in the evening. Once I get them, I will forward them to you."

He knew Xu Chuning was anxious.

Xu Chuning pursed her lips and softly said, "Thank you."

As she finished speaking, she cautioned him, "Let’s not tell my mom about this for now, okay?"

She could still bear the disappointment time after time, but You Shuzhen might not cope as well. Xu Chuning didn’t want her to suffer the blow of disappointment once again. She wanted to find the person and meet them first before telling You Shuzhen the news.

Shen Yubai replied calmly: "Don’t worry."

He would keep the secret.

Xu Chuning blinked lightly and added, "Thank you."

Shen Yubai: "..."

He was silent, turning his head to look at her, "How many times are you going to say thank you?"

Xu Chuning met his gaze, her lips slightly parted, and said earnestly, "For this matter, no matter how many times I say it, I feel it’s necessary."

She was truly grateful for Shen Yubai’s help in searching for the person.

Shen Yubai paused, wanting to say something, but ultimately changed it to, "No need, it’s just a small effort."

Xu Chuning was silent, fully aware that this was not a task accomplished with just a small effort. Shen Yubai must have spent a lot of energy, resources, and money.

All of this, she kept in her heart.

Silence accompanied them all the way to the small shop.

Getting out of the car and entering the shop, You Shuzhen was again watching TV.

Xu Chuning glanced at the TV unintentionally and caught a glimpse of some very familiar phrases. Before she could take a closer look, You Shuzhen, hearing the noises, quickly grabbed the remote and changed the channel.

"Back already?" After switching, she turned her smiling face towards the two of them.

Xu Chuning frowned slightly, pressing her doubts deep down inside, "Mom, why didn’t you take a break at noon?"

You Shuzhen: "There weren’t many customers today, so I wasn’t very tired."

She asked, "Is Sinian doing alright? Training must be tough, right?"

Xu Chuning: "Somewhat, but he says he likes it."

You Shuzhen shook her head helplessly, "Such a good child."

Xu Chuning raised her eyebrows, feeling a bit proud inside. Her son, of course, was good.

You Shuzhen spoke a few words with Xu Chuning, then chatted with Shen Yubai, "Xiao Shen, thank you for your help today."

Shen Yubai smiled lightly: "It’s my duty."

He looked at the two of them and said to Xu Chuning, "If there’s nothing else, I’ll head back first."

Xu Chuning hesitated for a moment before nodding, and before Shen Yubai walked out of the small shop, she added, "Message me on QQ if there’s anything."

Shen Yubai nodded slightly.

After he left, Xu Chuning turned her head, meeting You Shuzhen’s scrutinizing gaze.

Mother and daughter locked eyes briefly, and Xu Chuning took the initiative, "Mom, don’t overthink, I haven’t even graduated from high school yet."

You Shuzhen: "Mom hasn’t said anything yet."

"I know what you want to say," Xu Chuning said calmly, "but it’s not the case."

You Shuzhen: "Fine then."

She didn’t delve into the topic with Xu Chuning. After a moment of silence, You Shuzhen suddenly called out to Xu Chuning with solemnity, "Ningning."

Xu Chuning was about to sit down on the stool to complete her calligraphy practice for the day. Hearing You Shuzhen’s voice, she responded indistinctly, "What’s up?"

You Shuzhen: "Let’s go back to Pingning earlier this summer, shall we?"

Xu Chuning was taken aback, puzzled, "Is there something wrong on Grandma’s side?"

"It’s not that." Seeing her anxious look, You Shuzhen couldn’t help but laugh, "Though it’s somewhat related to your grandmother."

She continued, "Grandma is getting on in years, and your mom wants to go back earlier to spend more time with her. We’d like to stay with her for a longer period this year."

Business at the shop isn’t great during the summer anyway, so closing it wouldn’t result in a significant loss.

Xu Chuning suddenly understood, "Sure, I miss Grandma too."

You Shuzhen: "Alright, but we’ll have to see about the exact timing."

Xu Chuning agreed.

While mother and daughter were talking, someone suddenly walked into the shop, "Boss, do you have—"

Xu Chuning didn’t quite catch what was said next. The moment she saw the person entering the shop, she stood frozen in place.