Chapter 973 - 1027: Honest with Each Other

"If you don’t want to talk about it, how can I bear to pressure you? Besides, when we first got together, we both agreed. You lost your husband, and my wife ran away with someone else. We both had second marriages, and the past was not to be held against us." Sheng Laosan’s expression was very gentle, a hint of satisfaction in his eyes and at the corners of his mouth, "You said you already had a child, and it was impossible to give me another because you were afraid that having a child would stop you from giving An’an all your attention. I said I already had two jars of alcohol, and I didn’t want any more."

Thinking of the past, and recalling her first conversation with Sheng Laosan, tears streamed down Shen Luhua’s face like rain.

At that time, her only focus was on raising Bao’er, and being with Sheng Laosan was something she had no choice in. She had put forward such an excessive demand, thinking he wouldn’t agree, but he agreed without even considering.

The luckiest thing she did in this lifetime was marrying Sheng Laosan. Although he was just an ordinary rural man, with bad legs, she never regretted it.

In fact, the more time passed, the more grateful she felt. Later, as the children grew up, she did think about having a child with Sheng Laosan, but he refused.

He said since neither daughter could eat well or dress well, it was not worth it.

At the time, she thought Sheng Ning was his biological daughter, figuring one was enough. In the General Union, many leaders only had one child. But she didn’t expect that even Ningning was not his child.

This honest man used his mountain-like fatherly love to raise the two children.

Shen Luhua’s tears fell fiercely, even more fiercely than when her sister died. Marrying Hai Yunfeng was such an honor and such glory, but it didn’t end well.

Although she married a straightforward rural man, she experienced a happiness she never knew before.

"I’m sorry, I’m old now, and I can’t give you a child." Her deepest regret was not being able to give Laosan a son.

"Don’t say such things, I already have two excellent daughters." Sheng Laosan used his sleeve to wipe her tears, seeing more fall, he was at a loss with urgency.

"Stop crying, Luhua, if you want to find An’an’s father, just go look for him! I... I..." Sheng Laosan opened his mouth several times but couldn’t bring himself to say the words. Finally, he gritted his teeth and said, "I... I promise I won’t stop you."

"You really won’t stop me? Then if I go, won’t you be pointed at like Su Yun back then?"

"As long as you’re happy, I don’t care what happens to me." Sheng Laosan lowered his head, tears welling up in his eyes.

Seeing him like this, Shen Luhua suddenly wiped her tears and, in a tone lighter than ever before, said, "Sheng Laosan, I have something to tell you."

"Go ahead!" Sheng Laosan clenched his fist tightly, knowing what Luhua was going to say to him.

After fifteen years of marriage, he had long seen her as his closest kin and favorite wife. Letting her go like this was like tearing his heart out alive!

"An’an isn’t my biological child; she’s my sister’s daughter." At this, a rare girlish shyness appeared on Shen Luhua’s face. "In this lifetime, besides you, I’ve never married anyone else."

"Rea... really..." Sheng Laosan cried tears of joy, "Then... then you won’t leave?"

"I won’t! We are husband and wife; we’re meant to be together for life."

"Yes! We are husband and wife; we are family."

This couple, who had lived together for fifteen years, finally understood each other’s hearts.

"In-law, in-law..." Xu Xianxiong’s loud voice came from outside, the sound barely arriving when his hand followed to push the door open. Seeing the pair inside, he was taken aback for a moment, "In-law, it’s broad daylight and you’re being intimate without locking the door, am I intruding?"

Shen Luhua gave Xu Xianxiong a fierce glare.

"No, no." Sheng Laosan stood up, "When did you come back? How are An’an and Ningning?"

"Good! They’re all very well. Ningning has bought many things for you both." Xu Xianxiong carried several bags in both hands and placed them on the ground inside the main room.

"Did Ningning have anything to say?"

"Before coming back, she arranged to call us at a calculated time. Isn’t that why I’m here to call you?"

"Ningning is calling? That’s great!" Sheng Laosan was overjoyed, "Luhua, Ningning will call soon!"

"Then let’s go! Quickly, to our village."

"Alright, alright!" The old couple had no time for more nostalgia, locked the door behind them, and followed Xu Xianxiong back to their village. Fortunately, the two villages weren’t far apart, and theirs was the only village among the ten miles and eight villages with a telephone installed.

When they arrived, Zhao Lanzi was already sitting at the small store entrance and warmly welcomed them from afar.

"How’s Qigang’s health? Is he okay?"

"He’s fine, he’s fine."

The two families warmly greeted each other, and Zhao Lanzi, with her keen eyes, noticed Shen Luhua’s red eyes and comforted her, "Mother-in-law, don’t worry. With Ningning looking after An’an, she’s very attentive."

"I’m relieved, really relieved." Originally, Shen Luhua treated Sheng Ning as her own daughter, and now knowing about Mayor Liu’s situation, she had no reason to worry.

The two families sat at the entrance, waiting for the call, and chatted about the happenings in the town.

"We heard on the way back that something happened with the mayor?"

"Oh yes! It was embezzlement, bribery crimes of a significant scale; he’ll be sentenced to life imprisonment."

Xu Yingshan, stocking supplies in the small store, joined the conversation after hearing this. "I heard someone came and shot off half of Mayor Liu’s foolish son’s hand."

"Must be some kind of comrade!"

"Comrade this ruthless?" Zhao Lanzi whispered.

Everyone directed their gaze at Sheng Laosan.

Sheng Laosan, not used to being the center of attention, scratched his head in embarrassment and said honestly, "This is nothing; we’ve encountered far more brutal things."

"Lao San, I never would have guessed." Xu Xianxiong gave a thumbs up, "No wonder the county office folks are so polite to you."

"The truly formidable one is Qigang; he’s the real hero."

"Of course! My son is indeed a hero."

As they were talking, the phone on the store’s counter rang. Xu Xianxiong and his wife looked at Sheng Laosan and his wife, "Lao San, you answer first; it must be Ningning calling."