The next day, when Qiu Hualan and Ye Qing got up to make breakfast, there was still no movement in the old house.
There was no need to even think about his father; since his mother was leaving, she must have given his mother a hard time last night.
"Mom, letâs eat by ourselves and just leave."
"Arenât we going to say something to your brother and sister-in-law?"
"Say what? We already mentioned yesterday that weâre leaving early today. Look at them, they didnât even bother to greet us. And look at the time. Letâs go."
Qiu Hualan still couldnât bring herself to leave without saying a word. After breakfast, they packed up, and before leaving, she went to the old house and said something to her son from outside the door.
The response was a lazy and uninterested "Hmm."
Qiu Hualan was taken aback, wondering if it was true that once you marry a wife, you forget your mother. Caught in the confusion, she realized that from the time her son became sensible till now, he was never really close to her.
Qiu Hualan quietly sat on the villageâs ox-drawn carriage with her daughter and started their long journey...
It was Qiu Hualanâs first time traveling far. Along the way, she was so nervous on the train that she barely spoke.
Ye Qing changed buses with her, and after two or three days, they finally arrived in S City.
In May and June, the weather in S City didnât seem much different from back home. Qiu Hualan was still wearing patched clothes.
Ye Qing, upon reaching their destination, directly called for a tricycle to bring Qiu Hualan home.
Ye Qing, upon arriving at the door, couldnât wait to rush in to see her son, disregarding her mother.
"Hua Hua, Hua Hua, mom is back."
The nanny was an honest one, at least she hadnât let the child get thin.
"Sister Ye is back. The kid has been so good in the past half month. Just eating a bit too much, the milk powder bag you gave wasnât enough for him, so I had no choice but to open two more bags from your home without asking you," the nanny explained as she handed the child to Ye Qing.
While Ye Qing spoke, she focused on checking her son. Half a month consuming three bags of milk powder was clearly a lie; she surely drank it herself. Seeing that her son had been taken care of reasonably well, Ye Qing decided to overlook it.
"Sister-in-law Liu, this is my mom. Talk to her for a bit; Iâll go inside to get your salary."
After checking the child, Ye Qing turned to see her mother standing at the door with a somewhat confused and shocked expression, knowing she had doubts.
But with someone there, it wasnât the best time for explanations.
"So youâre Sister Yeâs mom, come in and have a seat. You must be exhausted from the long train ride from the countryside. Iâll get you a glass of water," Nanny Liu said, knowing her nanny job was likely finished as the mother had arrived.
There was no resentment; she had earned quite a bit working for Ye Qing in recent months. A neighbor had mentioned another potential job opportunity recently, offering a slightly lower salary, and she had been hesitant, but now she wouldnât have to think twice.
"No need, no need, Iâm not thirsty," Qiu Hualan felt uncomfortable seeing the nanny dressed better than herself, making her feel inferior.
"Donât stand on ceremony, Sister-in-law. Your Ye Qing is something else, managing to have a son on her own, and now youâre here to help her," Nanny Liu remarked.
Qiu Hualan had a lot of questions. Her daughter was supposed to be studying, so how did she suddenly have such a big child? In front of outsiders, she didnât ask much, just nodded and smiled awkwardly.
Ye Qing went into her room to check; everything was in place including clothes, bedding, and savings.
Feeling reassured, she took out twenty yuan for the nanny.
After stating her intentions, she sent the nanny off.
Ye Qing, holding the child, walked up to Qiu Hualan, "Mom, look at your grandson. Isnât he adorable?"
"Ah Qing, where did this child come from? Also, werenât you supposed to be in school? Whatâs going on?"
"Mom, donât worry, listen to me." Ye Qing shut the door and brought Qiu Hualan into the inner room.
She recounted what had happened over the past two years in S City without hiding anything from her mother. Of course, she didnât mention enticing Mei Langchi, only that he took an interest in her.
Qiu Hualan was shocked to find that her daughter, who was supposed to be studying, had encountered that beast from the past.
Her own lifeâs misfortunes were enough; why did fate have to be so cruel, letting her daughter go through the same?
"Did that man trouble you? Did he bully you? Why is your life so hard? You finally got to college, hoping for a better life, only to be caught in his trap again. You canât even complete your studies. Whatâs to become of you now?"
"Mom, he didnât do anything to me, and itâs not like Iâm not studying. I just havenât been attending classes, I just go for the exams at the mid-terms and end of the terms, and I will graduate this summer." She only said this to keep Qiu Hualan from worrying, knowing Mei Langchi would ensure she got her diploma later on.
"That Li Liang, cowardly yet oppressive, I have something on him, so he doesnât dare harass me anymore. My job in the government was something he helped me secure. But the official position was arranged by Langchi. I now earn thirty-one yuan a month. But since Iâm working, thereâs no one to care for the child at home. You saw how inattentive the nanny was and how much money I had to spend, so I thought of asking you to come and help take care of the child."
"Why didnât you tell me about such a significant event and secretly had the child? If people knew, they would have drowned you in spittle."
"Mom, when I returned from home last New Year, I told people outside that I got married back home, and everyone believed it. Plus, Langchi said he would file a report in the army in a few months, and then we could get married."
"That man is a soldier, yet how could he do such a thing?"
"..." Ye Qing didnât speak much. She didnât judge Mei Langchi too harshly. Being with him wasnât about love.
In her heart, Han Yi was the best.
"Mom, you donât need to worry about these things, he sends me thirty yuan every month now. Just stay here and help me with the child. Itâs better here than going back home."
"Wouldnât your father be angry if I donât return?"
"Whatâs he going to do about it, youâre out of his reach. Mom, do you really want to go back to that rundown place?"
Qiu Hualan hesitated but said nothing.
"This house is ours. Langchi helped me pay for it back then. Iâve tidied up the west room. I have a job and can make money, so we two mothers can live well here."
"No... weâre not going back?"
"Whatâs there to go back for? Do you want to go back and get beaten by my father?"
"But if your brother and father see that Iâm not returning, wonât they come looking?"
"Donât worry, I wonât let him find us. Once Langchi arranges everything on his side, we will head to his military district. I didnât give them the specific address when I came."
"Isnât Hongmei also in S City? They probably know our address, right?"
"They donât know. Mom, stop bringing up their family in front of me. Iâm the most annoyed by Lin Wanâs family now." The mere mention of Lin Wan twisted Ye Qingâs heart, and she felt a strong urge to tear her apart.
Qiu Hualan sighed, saying nothing more. Her daughter had grown bitter after that incident, and her attempts to console her proved fruitless.
Looking at her daughterâs chubby, adorable grandson, Qiu Hualan felt less troubled and eagerly took the child into her arms.
Two years had passed without her daughter returning, and now she had a child.
After handing the child to Qiu Hualan, Ye Qing went to the kitchen to cook. Qiu Hualan glanced around the small courtyard, finding it quite nice.
It was similar to home but much cleaner.
Since Qiu Hualanâs arrival, Ye Qing hadnât been idle, and after eating, she went to Yang Erniâs clothing stall, buying two sets of good clothes for Qiu Hualan.
"Qing, these two outfits are too old, not suitable for you."
"Not for me, theyâre for my mom, who came with me this time."
Yang Erni immediately understood, "Here to help with the child, right?"
Ye Qing smiled, "Yes."
"Just the other day, Wanyi got some new designs, with some perfect for your mom," Yang Erni remarked.
Ye Qing glanced toward Lin Wanâs shop, noticing it was open with a young girl inside, about fifteen or sixteen years old.
"Theyâve increased production; more customers are visiting, so they hired someone just to look after the counter," Yang Erni said and quickly added, fearing Ye Qing might directly go to Lin Wanâs side, "They only cater to wholesale clients, with a minimum order of twenty pieces." Ye Qingâs eyes flickered but she said nothing, purchasing two sets of clothes from Yang Erni.
As she walked back home, her heart felt heavy. If Lin Wan could do this, so could she.
Watch out, Lin Wan, Iâll make sure you wonât stay smug for long.
While pondering on dealing with Lin Wan, Ye Qing arrived at her workplace, only to find an extra person in the office,