Speaking of which, it has indeed been a long time since the two of them met, at least a year. The last time they saw each other was when Jiang Lin turned one year old.

"How could that be?" Shen Qinglan laughed, "It’s just that I’m too lazy to come down from the mountains. Sometimes when I do, I go back to the Shen Family for a while, and then it’s time to return to the mountains."

"Are you saying you don’t think of me?" Shen Qinghe pretended to be displeased, "Look, you have time to return to the village, yet no time to come see me."

Knowing she wasn’t really angry, Shen Qinglan laughed, "Well, here I am now."

"Ah—"

Shen Qinghe looked at her and sighed gently, "I didn’t expect that in the blink of an eye, we’ve both become mothers."

Shen Qinglan smiled but didn’t respond.

Shen Qinghe seemed to fall into deep thought. After a while, she said, "Time really flies. Thinking back a few years, we used to play together. Back then, who would have thought we could live the lives we have now?"

Seeing Shen Qinglan still silent, she smiled again, "When it comes down to it, it’s Qinglan who is lucky. If not for you, Qingju and I wouldn’t know where we’d be."

It must be said, her marriage into the Jiang Family, and Shen Qinghe’s smooth years in the Li family, were all thanks to Shen Qinglan.

Shen Qinglan, hearing this, merely smiled, "These things were destined. They should be this way, and it has nothing to do with Qinglan."

"So why did you come alone this time?" Shen Qinghe asked, "Where are your husband and Wenxuan? Why didn’t they come with you?"

Shen Qinglan replied, "Axuan is asleep, and I left Yunfei to watch over him."

"I see!" Shen Qinghe nodded slightly, "How long will you stay this time when you come down from the mountain?" 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

"Barring any unexpected events, I shouldn’t go back too soon. However..." Shen Qinglan paused slightly, looking at her, "I might have to go on a long trip, perhaps for one or two years, or maybe three or four."

Upon hearing this, Shen Qinghe frowned, "Where will you go that would take so long?"

Shen Qinglan found an excuse, "Business matters, and I’ll take the opportunity to travel."

"I see!" Shen Qinghe nodded in sudden realization, but couldn’t help but add, "But three to four years is quite a long time."

Hearing this, Shen Qinglan smiled without speaking, while Shen Qinghe sighed looking at her, "You’re a decisive person, cousin, so I won’t say much. Just remember to be safe on your travels."

"I will!" Shen Qinglan nodded.

"Aren’t you going to inform Uncle and Aunt about this?" Shen Qinghe asked.

Shen Qinglan said, "I’ll make a trip to Lishui Village tomorrow."

"That’s good!" Shen Qinghe nodded, "I have some fresh food here that I want you to take back for the nephews to eat, and also for Wenxuan to try."

"Oh?" Shen Qinglan was immediately interested, "What food is it?"

Shen Qinghe chuckled, "You’re a mother now and still so interested in food."

She stood up and said, "It’s a type of pastry your brother-in-law brought back from elsewhere. It’s called rose cake. I’ve tasted it, and the flavor is quite nice. I was thinking to let your brother-in-law send it to the school tomorrow, so Qingping and Qing’an can take it back to the village, but since you’re going back, you can take it instead."

Shen Qinglan watched her go inside, and shortly after, came out carrying ten boxes of the stuff.

"So much?" Shen Qinglan stood up to take them, "Not saving some for the little nephews?"

"There’s plenty for them to eat till they’re tired of it." Shen Qinghe laughed, "Why don’t you try one first?"

Before the box was even opened, the scent of roses wafted in the air. Once opened, the aroma grew even stronger.

Upon this invitation, Shen Qinglan opened the top box, took one to taste, and couldn’t help but nod, "The texture is fragrant, sweet but not cloying, delicious!"

Even better than the rose cakes she had tasted in her previous life.