"Blood relatives need not stay in constant touch for the bond to remain intact. Conversely, if they’re not truly close, even the nearest kin need not keep in contact."
Although Fang Pingying didn’t fully articulate her thoughts, Mrs. Liu wasn’t dimwitted. She understood her implications, and her smile faltered slightly. Not wanting to cause a scene, she forced a smile and agreed with Fang Pingying.
Observing the situation, Zhou Yuni hurriedly stepped in to lighten the mood, gesturing outside and calling to the crowd, "Oh, Zhiyong and the others are waiting over there. Let’s head over."
Upon hearing this, Mrs. Liu promptly agreed and gathered Xiutao to head in that direction.
When Fang Pingying and her group unexpectedly appeared at their doorstep earlier, Xiutao was genuinely startled, unable to imdiately process many things.
By now, she’s had ti to react.
The discomfort for Xiutao stemd from Zhou Yuni, especially since Zhou Yuni had extorted her previously but had now returned with Fang Pingying. Watching Fang Pingying’s sowhat restrained warmth towards Zhou Yuni, Xiutao began to speculate about Zhou Yuni’s identity.
She suddenly stopped in her tracks and asked Zhou Yuni, "Hold on, who are you?"
"I am..." Zhou Yuni was aware of her actions and feared Xiutao might bring up past issues, her eyes darting as she sought a diversion.
Unable to co up with a quick solution, Zhou Yuni looked to Mrs. Liu for help. Sensing the plea, Mrs. Liu interjected, "Why don’t we save the conversation for later and go see Zhiyong first?"
With that, Mrs. Liu and Zhou Yuni urged to move along, knowing once Xiutao sees Luo Zhiyong, she’ll likely beco engrossed elsewhere.
But Fang Pingying wasn’t clueless. She could clearly see through the two’s antics to avoid answering Xiutao’s question. Thus, she halted everyone and thoroughly explained Zhou Yuni’s identity to Xiutao, "Aunt Xiutao, let introduce her to you. This is Zhiyong’s adoptive mother, my current mother-in-law, whom my father married after you left."
"You..." Xiutao’s face flushed with anger upon hearing this. She hadn’t expected Luo Dashan to wed such a woman afterward, and for Luo Zhiyong to be raised by soone like her.
Zhou Yuni, fearful of Xiutao speaking impulsively, quickly gripped Xiutao’s hand with an uneasy smile, saying, "Oh Xiutao, today not only Zhiyong but Dashan is here too. They wanted to check on how you’re doing. Even though they lived with all these years, they always worried about you."
After a brief pause, Zhou Yuni added, "Moreover, Xiutao, you must know, even without you around these years, Zhiyong turned out well because he listened and understood. I raised him since childhood, and now he’s accomplished, not bringing any sha to you."
Her remarks were both ant to guilt Xiutao and emphasize raising Luo Zhiyong, suggesting her years of hardship even if not rewarded, seeking gratitude from Xiutao and urging her not to speak out.
After Zhou Yuni spoke, Mrs. Liu imdiately chid in, "Yes, indeed, we truly owe you for raising Zhiyong so well. I heard he’s a notable leader in the military now."
"Yes, yes, he’s indeed accomplished. In our village, having such a high-ranking official is rare, though it wasn’t easy raising him," Zhou Yuni praised herself while flattering Xiutao, "But it’s not in vain that you endured to give birth to him. Though the favor of upbringing should be returned, the favor of birth shouldn’t be forgotten either."
"Indeed, indeed, Zhiyong’s mom is right, every favor should be repaid," Mrs. Liu eagerly grabbed Xiutao’s hand, "Xiutao, let’s go et Zhiyong now."
"I... don’t want to." Xiutao pulled away from Mrs. Liu’s hand, nervously glancing at Fang Pingying and explaining, "Miss Fang, don’t misunderstand. It’s not that I don’t care for my son all these years; on the contrary, since leaving Luojia Village I’ve been thinking of him constantly. I was simply too young then to think things through, always self-centered, leaving him behind for so many years. Therefore, now knowing he’s well is enough. I lack the face to see him."
Tears welled in Xiutao’s eyes, she held Fang Pingying’s hand, pleading earnestly, "Consider it a request from Aunt; I implore you to take good care of him, ensure his happiness and well-being. This child has had a hard ti these years."
"As for eting him, forget it. I truly lack the courage to face the father and son, and with my current circumstance, I don’t wish to inconvenience you. You should carry on as before..."
Before Xiutao could finish, Mrs. Liu interrupted, "Don’t speak foolishly, how can you refuse to et your son, whom you bore after ten months of pregnancy? Now that you’re at his doorstep, you can’t not see him."
Then Zhou Yuni chid in again, "Exactly, as the saying goes, no parent is unjust. Even if you erred back then, no child would hold a grudge."
Previously, Fang Pingying rely suspected an unspeakable secret between these two, but observing their tandem now confird privately they must’ve t.
Fang Pingying couldn’t fathom why people from different walks could unite, yet she believed that ultimately similar people gravitate towards each other—scoundrels find each other amidst life’s many turns.
Fang Pingying clearly understood Mrs. Liu’s motives, so her focus wasn’t on Mrs. Liu but on Zhou Yuni. Fang Pingying was keen on uncovering what Mrs. Liu promised her, leading her to strive to unite Xiutao and Zhiyong.
Nonetheless, although Zhou Yuni’s intentions weren’t pure, Xiutao didn’t seem wholly vile. Despite past heartlessness, guilt seed evident now.
Given Luo Zhiyong’s presence today, Fang Pingying felt it was fitting for mother and son to et. She suggested, "Aunt Xiutao, since we’re here, let’s et. Zhiyong always wanted to see you, as for past matters, let’s deal with them in due ti. After all, everyone has struggled."
"Well..." Moved by Fang Pingying’s words, Xiutao hesitated.
"Go on, go on," Mrs. Liu and Zhou Yuni urged in support.
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