From Sidekick to Bigshot Chapter 1465(END):Extra: Sweater

1465 Side Story: Woolen Sweater

As the days passed in Beijing, the air began to turn crisp and cool.

The private garden belonging to Grandpa Jian was a vibrant display of rare flora, featuring an assortment of colors, shapes, and unique species. Some of these blossoms were exclusive to this very spot, all carefully tended to by his granddaughter and grandson.

Because of this, Grandpa Jian found himself the subject of intense envy among his circle of friends.

Recently, he took note that his grandchildren had begun sporting matching turtleneck sweaters with distinct designs.

“Wife, have you noticed our grandchildren wearing new knitwear lately?” Grandpa Jian inquired of Grandma Jian.

“Yes, our darling girl knitted them for everyone,” Grandma Jian responded, her calm demeanor suggesting she had been in the loop from the start.

“She knitted them herself?” Grandpa Jian repeated. He paused, pondering for a moment before asking, “If that’s the case, why haven't I received one?”

“Didn’t you explicitly tell her back then not to tire herself out with such tasks?”

“Hey! That was ages ago. Why are you still bringing up that old conversation?”

“Oh? So you’ve changed your stance now? You don’t worry about Yiling overextending herself anymore?”

“That is not what I’m implying. My point is, if she’s already crafting sweaters for her brothers, she could simply make one less for them and dedicate that time to me. After all, she has plenty of brothers, but I am her only grandfather,” he grumbled.

“Do not worry yourself. You need not be jealous of the boys. Yiling has already prepared a sweater for you,” Grandma Jian replied with a gentle smile.

“Wait, she already finished one? Where is it?” Grandpa Jian demanded, clearly clueless until this very moment.

“She handed it to me two months ago,” she answered.

“And why did you keep it from me? You were hiding it away!” Grandpa Jian exclaimed.

“Well, the weather wasn't nearly cold enough to warrant a sweater. There was no point in showing it to you if you couldn't wear it yet.”

“Even so, I could have admired it and felt joy knowing it was made by Yiling! It is freezing now, so bring me that sweater immediately!”

“Fine, fine. I will fetch it for you. You can even sleep with it at night if you want, you old man!”

“That is my business, not yours!” Grandpa Jian huffed in return.

Upon receiving the sweater from Grandma Jian, he was so invigorated that he refused to put it down. He truly intended to keep it close to his heart while he slept that night.

Shortly after, a thought struck him: “Old woman, is Yiling planning to knit sweaters for all those rowdy brats this time around?”

“And what of it?”

“I was just thinking about Yunnao...”

Grandma Jian understood his concern instantly. “Rest easy. She is knitting one for Yunnao as well. However, since she is making them one at a time, it will take a few more days before he gets his.”

Jian Yiling had chosen to knit the garments for her family based on their generation.

Naturally, her grandfather’s sweater had been prioritized first.

Since Jian Yunnao was the second youngest among the brothers, his turn would naturally fall toward the end of the rotation.

“That is good, truly good,” Grandpa Jian repeated, nodding in satisfaction.

As the temperatures plummeted, Jian Yunnao observed the changing style among his brothers. While the colors remained distinct, the cut of the sweaters clearly reflected the most fashionable trend of the season.

He was well aware that Yiling was the one behind these gifts.

The realization left Jian Yunnao feeling a bit melancholy. Although he assumed he had been excluded, a sense of lingering disappointment remained in his heart.

Just then, Zhang Yun returned from her shift. She served as a physician at the Beijing branch of Lahaisen Hospital.

She walked into the room carrying a paper bag, which she promptly set down in front of Jian Yunnao.

As his gaze fell upon the fabric visible inside the bag, Jian Yunnao stood paralyzed for a heartbeat.

His pulse raced as he reached out to open the package with trembling hands.

It was a sweater. A vibrant blue sweater.

This was the specific shade Jian Yiling had picked out for him.

Jian Yunnao pulled the garment out in silence and held it close, embracing it against his chest.

He felt the softness of the wool and the warmth that radiated from it.

Finally...

She had finally accepted him.

She had finally recognized him as her brother once more.

(THE END)