Sohow, Guo Jinfeng had heard the news that her daughter got into Beijing University. She had been keeping a close watch on the He Family’s affairs. Now that she knew her daughter was back from Beijing City, she’d snuck away from her husband to co see He Ziqing.
He Ziqing had been called out of the house by a neighbor, an older woman who used to be on good terms with Guo Jinfeng.
He Ziqing froze, stunned at the sudden sight of her mother.
They hadn’t seen each other in years, but Guo Jinfeng hadn’t changed a bit.
Guo Jinfeng’s eyes welled with tears as she looked at He Ziqing. She took a step forward to embrace her, but He Ziqing took two steps back, avoiding the hug.
Guo Jinfeng stopped in her tracks. "Ziqing," she called out, her voice choked with emotion, "It’s , your mother!"
Hearing the word "mother," the warmth in He Ziqing’s gaze slowly turned to ice.
"What are you doing here?"
Guo Jinfeng sniffled. "Ziqing, I heard you got into university. I’m so proud of you." As she spoke, she pulled out a few dozen yuan and tried to stuff the money into He Ziqing’s pocket, but He Ziqing moved away.
"I don’t want your money."
Guo Jinfeng’s hand, still holding the money, faltered. Her eyes rimd with red as she looked at He Ziqing. "Ziqing, are you still mad at ? I had no choice but to divorce your father back then. And even though I wasn’t by your side, I’ve always loved you and Tuanzi."
He Ziqing narrowed her eyes, a self-mocking smile on her lips. "I don’t bla you. You just chose the people you cared about most. Besides, you’re remarried now. You don’t need to worry about our affairs."
Fresh tears stread down Guo Jinfeng’s face as she surged forward and grabbed He Ziqing’s hand tightly.
"How can you say that? I’m your mother! No matter what, you two are always in my heart. How could I not worry? It’s just... I had no other choice..."
He Ziqing scoffed. "Your ’no choice’ was to give all our family’s money to your parents and abandon us, not caring if we lived or died. Since you’ve made your choice, and now you’re soone else’s wife and mother, you should just focus on living your life with them. Our affairs have nothing to do with you."
Guo Jinfeng shook her head. "How can you say that? You and Tuanzi are my own flesh and blood."
He Ziqing challenged her, "So what’s this all about, then? You heard I got into university, so you ca to give so money? Or are you just here to ’see’ ?"
Guo Jinfeng’s gaze flickered. She spoke slowly. "I heard your dad is working for the transport team now. He’s been single all these years... Maybe he still hasn’t gotten over —"
He Ziqing violently flung her hand away. "Are you insane? You think Dad didn’t remarry because of you? He did it for my brother and ! He didn’t want us living with a stepmother. You’re flattering yourself! Besides, you have a family, a husband. Do you really think it’s appropriate for you to be saying things like this?"
Guo Jinfeng shook her head frantically. "It’s not what you think! I may have remarried, but there are no feelings between and him. I only did it to get by—I had no other choice. As long as your dad is willing, I’ll go right back and divorce my husband. Ziqing, we’re both won. Surely you can understand where I’m coming from, right?"
He Ziqing was utterly floored by her mother’s mindset. She stared at Guo Jinfeng in disbelief.
"I’ll never understand you. And I won’t approve of you getting a divorce to co back. Dad wouldn’t agree, either. So just drop the idea."
He Ziqing turned and strode away.
Guo Jinfeng chased after her. "Ziqing! Ziqing, listen to —" Guo Jinfeng didn’t lower her voice, and her shouting alerted the people in the courtyard.
"Mom?" Xiao Nian ran out and saw Guo Jinfeng, calling out instinctively before freezing in place.
Guo Jinfeng paused when she saw He Ziniannian. It had been years, after all. Tuanzi was no longer the little boy she rembered; he was now nearly as tall as she was.
"Tuanzi."
Guo Jinfeng pulled Xiao Nian into an embrace, tears and snot instantly streaming down her face. She hugged him tightly, sobbing, "My boy, I’ve missed you so much! You’re so big now. Did you miss your mom?"
He Ziniannian’s entire body went rigid. His eyes darted back and forth, unsure of what to say.
"Let him go! Let go!" Mrs. He rushed over and yanked Guo Jinfeng off Xiao Nian.
Once free, He Ziniannian stumbled back two steps, looking at Guo Jinfeng with awkwardness.
Guo Jinfeng turned to see Mrs. He, and her body trembled. She cowered slightly and mumbled, "Mother."
Mrs. He’s eyes blazed. "Don’t you dare call that. I’m not your mother. What are you doing here?"
Guo Jinfeng mumbled, "I missed the children. I wanted to co and see them."
Mrs. He scoffed. "Who are you trying to fool? It’s been so long since the divorce, why the sudden urge to see the kids? Where were you these past few years? I bet you’re only here because you heard Ziqing got into university and He Nan has a steady job, aren’t you?"
This was Mrs. He, after all. Who couldn’t see right through Guo Jinfeng’s pathetic little sches?
Guo Jinfeng froze for a second, then dropped to her knees in front of Mrs. He.
Startled, Mrs. He stumbled back several steps and frowned down at her. "What do you think you’re doing?"
Guo Jinfeng broke down completely, tears streaming down her face. "Mother, I regret it! I should never have divorced He Nan! All these years, I’ve missed the children, I’ve missed He Nan, I’ve missed this family! Mother, please just let co back! He Nan never remarried. He must be waiting for ! Mother, please, grant us this wish!"
Mrs. He blinked, montarily stunned into silence.
It wasn’t until Guo Jinfeng started kowtowing on the ground that Mrs. He snapped out of it. "Mother, I’m begging you! Please let co back! The children need a mother!"
Mrs. He spat in Guo Jinfeng’s direction. "Pah! What kind of fantasy are you living in? My son He Nan finally managed to shake off a backstabbing thief like you, and now you want to co crawling back? Where were you all this ti? You got remarried, you served another man, and now that you have regrets, you think you can just co back? What do you take the He Family for, a junkyard that takes in unwanted trash?"
Mrs. He’s words were incredibly harsh. Not only did Guo Jinfeng’s face flush with sha, but even the children looked on awkwardly.
"So now you think our family is so great again? It’s too late. I’m telling you, once you walk out the He Family’s door, you can forget about ever setting foot in it again."
Seeing that Mrs. He was immovable, Guo Jinfeng had no choice but to turn her sights on He Ziniannian.
"Tuanzi, just let co back, all right? I could never let you two go. I really, truly regret it."
He Ziniannian glanced at his grandma, then forced a stiff smile. "Mom, I can’t make that decision. I’m just a kid. Please don’t ask ... I’m fine either way." With that, he bolted back into the house as if sothing were chasing him.
Guo Jinfeng stared at the closed door in disappointnt, her head hanging low.
Mrs. He sneered. "See that? Did you really think everyone would just wait around for you forever? The children are grown. Eventually, they’ll forget you completely. You didn’t care whether they lived or died back then, so don’t co trying to get close to them now."
"Mother—"
"Don’t call that! Get out of here, and don’t you ever set foot in this ho again!"
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