A person suddenly appeared in the middle of the road. Wang Xiao slowed down, and upon seeing who it was, he looked back at the rear seat with a troubled expression, "Boss... I don't want to get involved in your family matters."
The car quickly stopped in front of Yuan Zijun. Yuan Zijun rushed forward without a word and motioned to open the car door.
Wang Xiao quickly got out of the car and opened the door for his boss. After the boss alighted, he got back into the car, "I'll go park." And made a swift exit.
Yuan Zijun, assured there were no other women in the car, finally felt at ease. She then glared at her son, "It's good you still have some conscience."
Her gaze fell upon Chu Rong's clothes, and Yuan Zijun asked with some curiosity, "These clothes are quite nice. Why haven't I seen you wear them before?"
Chu Rong reached out and fastened a button at his waist, making him appear even more tall and strong. However, his sharp, chiseled features gave him a cold, somewhat unapproachable demeanor.
"Mm," he replied indifferently.
Yuan Zijun was so exasperated she rolled her eyes. It was no wonder she doted on her daughter-in-law; expecting to enjoy filial piety with this block of ice was a pipe dream.
Never mind, she'd wait for her daughter-in-law, no, her daughter.
Yuan Zijun continued to stand by the roadside, looking expectantly. After a moment, seeing her son still standing beside her, she urged, "There are guests all over the courtyard, and you're not going to entertain them, what are you doing standing here?"
"Waiting for someone."
Yuan Zijun couldn't be bothered anymore. She told Chu Zhenhua to go inside and greet the guests, but she herself was still unwilling to go back.
...
As the car drove into the suburbs, the tall buildings gradually disappeared, replaced by greenery and flowers. Mi Mi and Tu Tu, delighted, had been leaning against the car window, gazing out.
Quan Jiu glanced at the time. It was almost twelve o'clock, and she felt a pang of anxiety. She asked the driver, "Master, how much longer until we arrive? I feel like time is getting tight."
The driver was clearly not a talkative person, merely replying, "Soon."
Quan Jiu could only watch the scenery outside to pass the time. However, she soon noticed something was amiss: this road was too familiar. It was nearly four kilometers long, and because it was a private road, there were no public buses. She had taken this very road on that stormy night she delivered food to Chu Rong.
And ever since that day, every time she passed this road, she would remember how disheveled she had been that night. Her dignity had shattered like glass shards that night.
Quan Jiu felt as if her pores were suddenly burning. Her expression tensed, and she urgently shouted, "Stop the car."
The two children, who had been looking out the window, were startled and immediately sat back beside their mother, clutching Quan Jiu's hand tightly.
The car did not stop; in fact, it accelerated.
Quan Jiu's brow furrowed tighter and tighter. After a moment, she demanded, "Who is your boss?"
The driver remained silent.
"Is his surname Chu?" Quan Jiu pressed further.
The driver still did not speak.
But silence implied consent.
A cold sweat broke out all over Quan Jiu. The car was moving fast, and she couldn't jump out. There was no need for threats; the only thing she could do was wait and see.
Mi Mi squeezed Quan Jiu's hand and looked up with silent worry. Tu Tu also looked at the driver ahead with a tense expression.
Quan Jiu forced down the panic in her heart, wrapping her arms around the two children, silently offering them strength.
But as the scenery around the car changed, and the familiar old mansion came into view, she still couldn't help but feel her entire body tense up.
Five years. Although she resented Chu Rong's heartlessness towards her, the Chu family had treated her like their own daughter and granddaughter, showering her with affection.
Quan Jiu opened her phone's calendar and, for a moment, didn't know how to feel. This was a leap year, and she had always remembered Grandpa Chu's birthday was in July. However, calculated by the leap year, August 13th was also Grandpa Chu's birthday.
She had no defenses, so she hadn't paid much attention.
Looking at the two adorable children, Quan Jiu smiled slightly, building a cold defense in her heart.
Her children, she would never allow anyone to take them away, not even you, Chu Rong.
...
The car soon arrived on the small road in front of the Chu family's old mansion. Quan Jiu saw Chu Rong and Chu Mama standing at the entrance, looking in her direction.
Her heart tightened. Even though she had prepared herself mentally, seeing them after five years still made her nervous and scared. Five years. She hadn't dared to contact them even once. It wasn't out of hatred, but out of fear that she wouldn't be able to let go, fear that she would cling too much to that familial bond.
Yuan Zijun, standing at the intersection, suddenly saw a Rolls-Royce approaching. Her face froze. "Isn't that the car you bought for Jiu'er?" she asked, though it was bought after Jiu'er had left.
But then she seemed to realize something, and Yuan Zijun's anger flared. She exclaimed, "You gave the car to that tramp?"
Chu Rong didn't reply. Instead, he adjusted his clothes and hair again, his gaze fixed resolutely ahead.
The car slowed down and finally stopped in front of them. Chu Rong walked over and opened the rear door.
Yuan Zijun's eyes were fixed on the car door, her jaw clenched. Just as she was about to unleash a furious reprimand, she saw a small, short leg emerge.
Then, a little girl, as delicate as a jade carving, stepped out of the car first. Her skin was exceptionally fair, and her hair was a warm, dark brown, shimmering softly in the sunlight, looking so soft one would want to touch it.
But what was even more captivating was the little girl's face, as beautiful as a doll's. Her large eyes blinked, and her long eyelashes fluttered like fans.
Yuan Zijun's heart immediately softened, and she forgot what she had intended to say. This child looked as beautiful as her daughter-in-law and was so endearing.
"Child..." she reflexively reached out to pick up the little girl, but before she could, another small, short leg emerged from the car.
A little boy, who resembled the little girl by seven parts but had a boyish demeanor, scrambled out of the car.
It turned out to be twins.
Yuan Zijun was so delighted that she felt an overwhelming affection for them. The two children were simply too beautiful. Although their features were similar, their dispositions were completely different. The girl looked quiet and well-behaved, while the boy appeared clever and active. They were truly a pair of adorable children.
Just these two children made Yuan Zijun develop a good impression of their mother. And upon realizing she had such thoughts, she felt a pang of regret.
Yuan Zijun looked at the car door with a complex expression.
A pair of legs, like tender lotus root segments, gracefully emerged from the car, followed by a beautiful figure peeking out.
Her exquisite beauty, with just a touch of makeup, was enough to stun the world.
Yuan Zijun stared for several seconds, then her eyes suddenly reddened, and tears began to fall like pearls.
She rushed forward and hugged Quan Jiu tightly, "My child, Mom has been waiting for you for so long. You're back, Mom knew you would definitely come back."
Quan Jiu's countless words finally turned into a choked sob. She gently embraced the elderly woman before her and, after a long pause, called out, "Mom."
No matter how heartless Chu Rong was, she couldn't bring herself to disown Chu Mama. Although their mother-son relationship had only lasted two years, the rare moments of happiness she had experienced were all thanks to Chu Mama, Chu Papa, and Grandpa Chu.
Chu Rong subtly curved his lips, crouched down, and scooped Mi Mi into his arms, "Let's go inside."
Quan Jiu, still caught in her emotions, suddenly frowned. The overwhelming sentiment vanished without a trace.