He Zhilan and the others didn’t disturb Chen Ning and He Da, the newlyweds, didn’t ask them to lead the way but let them explore on their own. anwhile, He Zhilan took He Father, He Teng, and Little Tuanyuan to stroll around C Province, while Lin Chan took He Dongxue elsewhere, not following them.
"Zhilan, take us to the place where you found Ada back then." He Father suddenly said.
He Zhilan paused for a mont, nodded, and agreed, then directed He Teng, who was driving, to the place. The group headed to that intersection.
Over the years, C Province has been changing, but that intersection remains bustling as ever.
"I was eating at that restaurant back then, and Second Brother was here at this intersection. In front of him was a broken bowl, and his head was bowed. His hair was so long it covered his face..." He Zhilan choked up and couldn’t continue. She vividly rembers the emaciated He Da from that year and always feels a pang in her heart whenever she thinks of it.
At that ti, He Da was already suffering so much, yet in front of her, he still tried his best to push her away, to protect her, preferring to remain here as a beggar forever rather than let He Zhilan face any danger because of him.
"Is Mommy’s old ho over there?" Little Tuanyuan pointed to a mall not far away and asked.
"Yes." He Zhilan nodded, "When Mommy was as little as you, she lived there. Back then, it wasn’t a mall, but rows and rows of neatly arranged little Western-style houses."
"And later, Mommy got lost. Grandma and Grandpa must have been very sad, right?" Little Tuanyuan looked up at her mother. She knows that her maternal grandparents are still around, but she hasn’t t them yet. Or, perhaps, she has seen them but hasn’t beco acquainted with them yet.
He Zhilan’s expression stiffened slightly, and she didn’t speak, but she thought of her biological father, who is still imprisoned in that cage despite his old age.
He Zhilan wasn’t sure if it was because she beca a mother or because age has made her softer-hearted. Over the years, as Little Tuanyuan slowly grew and she watched her being playful beside her, He Zhilan often recalls her own childhood, inevitably thinking of those people who once made her life feel like a princess’s.
"Zhilan, when you go back, take Little Tuanyuan to see your biological dad." He Father paused, ultimately advising, his eyes slightly red, "Zhilan, do you know what I’m thinking while standing here? This is where your Second Brother suffered because I didn’t take good care of him. That’s why he had those nightmare-like years. Your Gu Family’s father loved you no less than I loved your Second Brother. Even though your Second Brother was missing, I still had you three siblings with . But I wasn’t happy during those years. Was there a day I wasn’t worried about and thinking of your Second Brother? But your Gu Family’s father and mother only had Gu En, who was so difficult. Actually, in the end, Gu En’s existence was because your parents missed you. In life, don’t let resentnt occupy the ti that you should be happy."
He Zhilan lowered her head and said nothing. She just raised her hand to pat Little Tuanyuan’s head. He Teng knew about the conflicts in He Zhilan’s heart and understood that being a mother to Little Tuanyuan wasn’t easy for her psychologically. So, he neither forced nor persuaded He Zhilan but simply wrapped her slightly cool hand in his palm and then placed it in his pocket.
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