Chapter 9: Miracles Do Happen - The Crown Prince Finally Sent a Voice Message!

Shang Shixu looked at the line of text, stared at that round little emoji, and felt the irritation evaporate like mist.

He curved his mouth - without meaning to - and typed a single character.

Lie: [Mm.]

...

On the other side, the Jiang family home.

After sending the message, Jiang Wan shoved her phone into her pocket.

She picked up her chopsticks and ate cold dishes and fried chicken bought on the way home with her brother.

Her parents wouldn't close the restaurant until after ten. The siblings often made do like this.

Jiang Wan bit into a piece of fried chicken, spat out the bone, and asked casually: "You asked if I was dating. Now tell me - are you?"

Jiang Feng had his cheeks stuffed with shaobing and cold salad, puffed out like a chipmunk. "Not dating," he mumbled through the food.

After swallowing, he added:

"I want to get into the police academy. College entrance exam is this summer. Dating would be digging my own grave."

Jiang Wan's face filled with relief, her eyes crinkling with warmth.

"With that attitude, I'm not worried about you. You'll definitely get in!"

"Obviously!"

Jiang Feng raised his eyebrows with a cocky grin, every inch the bright-eyed, ambitious youth.

8 PM. Dinner finished.

True to her word, Jiang Wan played games with him for an hour.

9 PM sharp. He went to do his homework without being told.

Jiang Wan watched his dutiful back disappear into his room, a quiet warmth spreading through her chest.

The kid was growing up.

After her shower, Jiang Wan curled up on the living room sofa with her phone, waiting for her parents.

The living room light was dimmed to a warm amber. The TV played softly as background noise.

10:30 PM. The door lock clicked.

Jiang Wan sprang off the sofa and peered toward the entryway.

"Mom! Dad~"

Fang Ru paused mid-shoe-change and looked up toward the living room.

The moment she saw her daughter, the exhaustion melted from her face. Her eyes crinkled into deep smile lines.

"Oh my - you came back without saying a word!"

Fang Ru hurried over, scolding with her mouth but already reaching for her daughter's hand. "You should've told us. Your dad would've gone to pick you up."

Jiang Wan's eyes curved into crescents. "I wanted to surprise you two."

Jiang Baishan stepped past his wife and patted Jiang Wan's head. "Surprise, surprise."

"You eat yet? Dad can whip up a couple dishes for you."

Jiang Wan shook her head. "I'm good. Xiao Feng and I ate together."

Fang Ru let go of her hand. "Let me shower first. We'll talk after."

"Okay~"

In the living room, Jiang Wan and her dad sat on the sofa.

The TV volume dropped to a murmur. Warm amber light washed over father and daughter. The atmosphere was gentle and intimate.

After some small talk, Jiang Wan pulled out a bank card she'd prepared in advance and set it gently on the tea table.

"Dad, there's a hundred thousand in here. I've been saving up."

"The PIN is my birthday. Take it and pay off part of the debt."

The smile vanished from Jiang Baishan's face.

He stared at the card. His eyes flickered with complicated emotions: guilt, heartache, self-reproach...

"No need."

"This is money you earned. You keep it."

"The debt I owe, I'll pay myself. Don't worry about it."

Jiang Baishan had always carried the guilt.

Years ago, he'd trusted a friend's investment pitch and lost everything. The debt swallowed their once-comfortable life whole. The collapse meant his wife worked herself to the bone, and both children were forced to grow up too fast, carrying burdens that were never theirs to carry.

The thought of his daughter pinching pennies, juggling endless part-time jobs to help - it ate at him.

Jiang Wan saw the storm crossing her father's face and spoke gently:

"Dad, we're family. If you won't use my money, then you don't see me as your daughter."

Jiang Baishan rushed to correct her. "What are you saying? That's not what I mean!"

"Then take it." Jiang Wan nudged the card forward, her tone steady. "I can earn money now. We work together as a family and pay off the debt sooner. Then life can settle down. If you refuse out of guilt, it'll only make me feel worse."

Jiang Baishan couldn't find words. His eyes grew hot.

The room went still. Only the clock on the wall ticked.

He thought of his devoted wife, his sensible and accomplished children. Finally, he reached out and took the card. "Alright. Dad'll take it."

After a silence, he asked: "That much money - how did you save it?"

Of the hundred thousand, thirty thousand came from Gu Manning's commission. The remaining seventy thousand was accumulated bit by bit from every part-time job Jiang Wan had worked.

She deliberately hid the commission's existence, not wanting to worry them.

"Gaming companion work," she said. "Some clients are generous tippers. It adds up over time."

Jiang Baishan didn't press further. He reached out and gently smoothed the top of her head.

Half an hour later, Fang Ru finished showering. Mother and daughter chatted about everything - campus life, the younger brother's exam prep, the restaurant's operation.

Fang Ru told her not to overwork herself. The restaurant's revenue was climbing steadily, and the debt repayment was on track.

Jiang Wan agreed outwardly while privately planning: once this month's commission came through, she'd look for another steady side income.

Before sleep, she sent Shang Shixu her usual goodnight message.

Scene shift to Boston:

Shang Shixu read the goodnight and was about to set his phone down when a new message popped into the three-person group chat. The group consisted of childhood friends Di Wenjun, Pei Heyun, and himself.

Di Wenjun: [@ShangShixu @PeiHeyun You two are studying abroad. When are you coming back?]

Pei Heyun: [Four months left on the semester.]

Di Wenjun: [That long! Take some time to come visit.]

Pei Heyun: [I'm fine with it. Depends on Xu-ge's schedule.]

Di Wenjun: [Shang Shixu, say something.]

Seeing the word "come back," Shang Shixu's mind leapt unbidden to the "little toad" on the other end of his Facebook chat.

He clamped down on the thought immediately, unwilling to betray even to himself that he wanted to see her.

He replied to the group: [We'll see.]

Scene shift back to Zhijiang County, Haicheng. Saturday morning:

Jiang Feng was up early, out buying breakfast. He knocked on Jiang Wan's door, pestering her to get up.

Jiang Wan lazed in bed a few more minutes before dragging herself upright. Still half-asleep and groggy, she sent Shang Shixu a voice message good morning - her voice soft and lazy with sleep.

She set the phone down and went about her morning routine without a second thought.

Then a notification arrived. A one-second voice message from Shang Shixu.

Jiang Wan stared at her phone, stunned.

The ice prince - sending a voice message on his own initiative?

She tapped it open, practically holding her breath.