Tang Li offered a warm smile and took out her phone. "If it’s convenient, should we exchange contact info? I have to take my grandparents home today, so I don’t really have time for a meal. How about we get together some other time?"

Wen Xiao smiled back. "Sure. Another time."

As she watched the two exchange contact information, a smile unconsciously spread across Old Mrs. Tang’s face. Her grandfather stood to the side, critically sizing up Wen Xiao for a long moment before a faint, shallow smile also appeared on his face.

Tang Li didn’t see this, but Tan You, who was watching from the side, saw everything clearly. ’I hate that my eyes see too much,’ Tan You sighed silently, ultimately deciding not to reveal what the old couple was thinking.

After they exchanged contact information, Tang Li pushed the suitcase with one hand and supported Old Mrs. Tang with the other. "Let’s head back. I took time off work to come get you, and after I drop you off, I still have to go check on things at the set."

Old Mrs. Tang said, "I told you we’d be fine on our own, but you just couldn’t help but worry..."

"Just drop us off and go tend to your work. Your grandpa and I aren’t children. We can go out and get familiar with the area ourselves."

Tang Li said, "I know, I know. You and Grandpa are more than capable. It’s just that I haven’t seen you in ages. I missed you, okay?"

Watching the trio’s figures recede into the distance, Wen Xiao looked down with a small smile, then turned and walked in the opposite direction.

With the arrival of the elderly couple from the Tang family, Tang Li’s quality of life skyrocketed. She was usually busy with work and relied on an hourly cleaning service; she had never had a full-time housekeeper to manage the home.

She used to come home from work to a cold kitchen. Tang Li hated eating takeout, so she would usually just whip up something simple for herself. But everything changed once the old couple arrived. In less than a week, she had gained five pounds.

After all, who could resist when her grandfather was such a master in the kitchen? On top of that, her grandmother was a social butterfly. One walk around the neighborhood was all it took for her to discover all the best local eateries.

As a result, Tang Li ate something different for every meal that week. She would even leave for the set after breakfast with a packed lunch in hand—always with generous portions. It was as if they were trying to fatten her up like a little piglet.

And when she came home at night, there was always a late-night supper waiting for her.

Tang Li had always been tall, and being too thin had given her a stern, unapproachable look. But now, having gained a few pounds, the sharpness in her features had softened, making her appear much gentler.

"This is unacceptable. I can’t keep eating like this," Tang Li said as she stepped off the scale, pinching the soft flesh at her waist. "Grandma, I’ve already gained five pounds."

"Only five pounds? You’re too skinny," her grandmother chuckled. "Girls look better with a little meat on their bones. It makes you seem more approachable."

Her grandfather chimed in, "Your grandma’s right. You were just too thin. Being too skinny can make a person look older."

"Besides, you look much better like this than you did before."

Tang Li was skeptical. "Really? Alright, fine. But I really can’t eat anymore. Grandpa, how about we skip the late-night suppers from now on?"

Her grandfather was easygoing about it. "That’s fine. I’ll just make you other things during the day. Late-night meals do make it easy to put on weight."

"Oh, right. I have the day off tomorrow. Weren’t we supposed to go apartment hunting?" Tang Li remembered the real reason she’d brought her grandparents here; she’d had to wait until her day off, after all.

Her grandmother said, "Your grandpa and I have been asking around the last few days, and we think that place, Mingren Gardens, is quite nice. It’s only a twenty-minute drive from your office, and it has everything nearby—hospitals, supermarkets, subway stations, you name it."

"There’s also a recreational plaza, the property management is good, and it’s full of young people."

Her grandfather added, "Your grandma and I made sure to ask. It’s an upscale community, and they have excellent privacy."

A warm feeling spread through Tang Li’s chest. "Alright, then let’s go take a look tomorrow?"

Her grandmother replied, "We definitely should. To be honest, your grandfather and I have already gone to see it several times. The grounds are lovely, and there’s even a dedicated dog park."

"Even better," Tang Li smiled. "If you both like the place, it must be great."

Her grandmother patted Tang Li’s shoulder. "Your grandpa and I know you’re not short on money, which is why we dared to look at such a nice building. In the past, we wouldn’t have even dreamed of it."

"Of course, if we’re going to buy something, we should buy something good. A house is a home, and once you have a home, you feel more secure in your heart, don’t you?"

"Of course. I’m so fortunate, much more than my mom." Tang Li leaned against her grandmother’s shoulder. "I have you and Grandpa looking out for me."

Her grandmother couldn’t help but sigh. "Your mother... she’s gone through her whole life in a daze. Her own family doesn’t give a whit about her, yet she’s still completely devoted to them. In short, she’s just a muddled person."

Tang Li clung to her grandmother like sticky rice. "Anyway, she’s doing fine now, and I don’t want to dwell on it. Grandma, why don’t you and Grandpa just stay here? I’m planning to put down roots here. If you’re too far away, I won’t get to see you."

Her grandmother answered without a moment’s hesitation. "Alright. We’ll just have to sort things out back home. We’ve lived in that house for so many years... I’d hate to get rid of it."

"Then let’s just keep it. We’ll still need to go back to visit family in the future," Tang Li said, settling the matter. "It’s not like we’ll never go back. I couldn’t bear to sell the old house either. I lived there for many years, too."

"Alright, we’ll leave it be. It’ll be a nice thing to hold onto," her grandmother said, glancing sideways at her grandfather. "I just wonder if your grandpa will be willing to part with all his chess buddies."

Her grandfather was perfectly nonchalant. "Of course I’m willing. I’m here to enjoy being looked after by my granddaughter. Besides, I recently made friends with an old timer who’s a fantastic cook. He used to run a private kitchen, so things are still interesting."

Tang Li arched an eyebrow. "Oh, is that so?"

Her grandmother said, "You bet. Your grandpa is a real foodie, and he’s got some skills of his own. When those two get together, of course they have plenty to talk about."

Her grandfather hmphed. "Just tell me what you thought of that beef noodle soup from the other night."

Tang Li’s mouth started to water. "Delicious! It was so good, I thought you made it, Grandpa."

Her grandfather said, "I had Old Wen make that whole pot of braised beef specially. Of course it was delicious! If you want more in the future, we can just ask him. It’s easy to ask now that we’re better acquainted."

Tang Li grew a little concerned. "Grandpa found a kindred spirit, but won’t Grandma get bored?"

Her grandfather snorted loudly. "Your grandma? Bored? Never! She’s an expert at finding her own entertainment!"

"One person invites her to go grocery shopping, another invites her for tea, and at night, she has a whole group she goes square dancing with. I don’t get it. I thought not many people lived in this complex. How does she manage to find so many friends?"

Her grandmother was completely unbothered. "The subway station is right outside the complex. Two stops away is an older neighborhood, so of course there are more people there. It’s so convenient to get around. The subway even runs late enough to get you home at eleven at night."

Tang Li couldn’t help but give them a thumbs-up. "You two really know how to live."