In the photograph, it was a joint picture of two people. One was a woman in her early twenties, holding a girl of about seven or eight years old in her arms.
Upon seeing the woman, Chen Fan's heart skipped a beat. He felt a sense of deep familiarity, yet she also seemed like a stranger.
"Uncle, who is this person?" Chen Fan couldn't help but ask Zhang Chongshan beside him.
Zhang Chongshan pointed at the little girl in the photo. "That seven or eight-year-old girl is your aunt. As for the one holding her, that's your mother."
Hearing Zhang Chongshan's words, Chen Fan was stunned. He looked at the woman in the photo with a complex expression.
Qin Shuran, standing nearby, was also taken aback and looked at the photograph.
"She… she is my mother?" Chen Fan clearly found it hard to believe.
For so many years, from childhood to adulthood, his impression of his mother existed only in his imagination. He had conjured countless images of his parents' photos in his mind, but none resembled the one in this picture.
"So, this is what my mother looks like." Unconsciously, Chen Fan had moved closer to the photograph, his gaze fixed on the woman in it.
Zhang Chongshan stepped forward and patted Chen Fan's shoulder. "Child, don't be sad. I believe that one day, mother and son will be reunited. You must have confidence in yourself."
Chen Fan simply nodded gently, his eyes still glued to the photograph.
For over twenty years, this was the first time he knew what his mother looked like. At this moment, Chen Fan didn't know how long he had waited.
Seeing Chen Fan's reaction, Qin Shuran gently held his hand.
Chen Fan knew Qin Shuran was worried about him. He smiled faintly and said, "Don't worry, I'm fine."
At this moment, Long Yinglan had finished preparing the meal.
"Let's go. Your aunt has prepared the food. You have no idea how long your aunt has been preparing for this meal," Zhang Chongshan said, patting Chen Fan's shoulder again.
"Okay." Chen Fan nodded, and the three of them went to the dining room.
As they all took their seats, Long Yinglan personally poured Chen Fan a glass of red wine. She also mentioned that she would have her driver take them away in the afternoon.
After taking a sip of wine, Long Yinglan looked at Qin Shuran. "Shuran, I heard about what happened the other day. I've already fired the security manager. If you need it, I can arrange for professional bodyguards to protect you."
Qin Shuran replied, "Thank you for your kindness, Auntie Long. With Chen Fan by my side, I'll be fine."
Long Yinglan nodded. "We are family now. If anything happens in the future, just call Auntie Long. Auntie Long will help you resolve it."
Upon hearing the word "family," a blush appeared on Qin Shuran's delicate face.
This was the first time she was dining with Chen Fan's family as his girlfriend, and she felt a bit nervous.
"These dishes were taught to me by your mother back then. But I still can't make them as delicious as your mother," Long Yinglan said, personally serving Chen Fan a generous portion of food.
Watching Chen Fan devour the food, Long Yinglan's face showed a look of relief. "If your mother were here, she would be very happy."
Chen Fan didn't speak, continuing to eat.
After lunch, Long Yinglan went to the study and returned with two boxes.
"Shuran, since it's your first time here, Auntie Long hasn't prepared much. I have something left by Xiao Fan's mother. She said this item was for her future daughter-in-law. Since you're here today, I'll give it to you. I hope you two will live happily ever after." As she spoke, Long Yinglan opened one of the boxes.
Inside the box was an ancient-looking thumb ring.
"Auntie Long, this belongs to Chen Fan's mother. You should keep it for Chen Fan," Qin Shuran said, not reaching out to take it.
"This is for the daughter-in-law. What would he want with it?" Long Yinglan said, pressing the wooden box into Qin Shuran's hand.
Qin Shuran's face flushed, filled with shyness.
After all, she and Chen Fan were not yet married, and being called "daughter-in-law" felt a bit strange.
However, at this moment, Chen Fan, seeing the thumb ring in the wooden box, was startled. "My mother had one of these thumb rings too?"
Long Yinglan looked at Chen Fan in confusion. "Have you seen any other thumb rings like this?"
Chen Fan didn't hide anything. "My grandmother gave me one before, but I lost it."
"Lost? Where did you lose it?" Long Yinglan's expression changed, and she asked hurriedly.
However, Long Yinglan quickly realized her tone was too agitated and softened it slightly. "I heard your mother say before that this was passed down from your father's family. Your grandmother would be very angry if she knew this was lost."
Chen Fan nodded, glancing at Qin Shuran, appearing somewhat embarrassed.
He then said, "A while ago, I went to the First Hospital to see Li Mengyao. She's my ex-girlfriend. I originally intended to give it to her, but then I encountered Xiao Ran, and we had a conflict. I was knocked unconscious at the time, and when I woke up, the thumb ring was gone."
Hearing this, Long Yinglan's eyebrows furrowed slightly. "Where exactly was it? I'll send someone to look for it for you."
"It was at the entrance of the First Hospital," Chen Fan replied.
"I'll keep an eye out for it. I'll contact you when it's found," Long Yinglan replied.
Chen Fan didn't care much about the ring. His only concern now was his mother. He couldn't help but ask, "Auntie, when can I go back to treat my mother?"
Long Yinglan sighed first, then explained, "I will arrange it as soon as possible. I need a sufficient reason for the family, otherwise, they won't let me near your mother."
After speaking, Long Yinglan handed another wooden box to Chen Fan. "This is something your mother left for you."
Chen Fan was taken aback and reached out to take the wooden box.
Inside was a photograph and a thick envelope.
"This is a letter your mother wrote to you, a total of eighteen letters. She originally planned to accompany you as you grew up in a different way, but to keep you from knowing what happened back then, these letters have been with me," Long Yinglan explained to Chen Fan.
He opened one of the letters and looked at the elegant handwriting and the address "Fanfan." It gave Chen Fan the illusion that his mother was right beside him.
Chen Fan tried hard to control his emotions, then closed the wooden box, taking out only the photograph and placing it in his wallet.
"Thank you, Auntie. Please keep these letters here. I will wake up my mother, and I will let her tell me what she wants to say to me in person." Chen Fan placed the wooden box on the table.
Long Yinglan nodded. "I will arrange it as soon as possible."
Taking a deep breath and controlling his emotions, Chen Fan checked the time. It was past noon, and they still had to go to the Jade Market.
He stood up with Qin Shuran, intending to leave.
Long Yinglan directly sent her driver to drive Chen Fan's car to take them away.
Watching Chen Fan and Qin Shuran leave, Long Yinglan glanced at Zhang Chongshan beside her. "Send someone to check the surveillance footage at the entrance of the First Hospital."