Lin Xinyan was married to Zong Jinghao, and she bore children for him. Zhuang Zijin was younger than Cheng Yuxiu, but she looked older in comparison. As fate would decree, Zhuang Zijin didn’t marry a good husband when she was young, and her life had been miserable. After coming back, she chose to embark on a path of darkness.
Cheng Yuxiu’s early life wasn’t easy, but after marrying Zong Qifeng, she at least had some security in life. Compared to Zhuang Zijin, she had it easier.
Her son eventually became successful and had his own family, so there were no regrets left for her. “Come in. They must have been waiting,” Cheng Yuxiu invited her in. She must be dying to see the kids.
Lin Xinyan chimed in, “Let’s go in, mom.”
Zhuang Zijin nodded. Instead of going with them, Cheng Yuxiu went out alone. She knew it must be hard for Zhuang Zijin to meet the children since she was a convict.
And for the first time, Zong Jinghao looked directly at Cheng Yuxiu. So she’s actually decent, huh? I guess the only thing she did wrong was marry my father at the wrong time. Then he looked away.
The first thing that greeted them after coming in was the living room, where the children were in. Cheng Yuxiu must have told them their grandmother would be coming today, so they had been waiting right there. Once Zhuang Zijin made her appearance, they darted toward her.
“I’ve missed you, grandma.” Her grandchildren hugged her legs and rubbed their faces against them.
Zhuang Zijin immediately teared up. She stared down at the children and patted their heads. “I’ve missed you too.”
Thanks to the Zongs’ meticulous care, the children seemed to have grown taller. Lin Xichen was growing to be a spitting image of his father. He’s a handsome little boy. On the other hand, Lin Ruixi looked like her mother.
Zhuang Zijin wanted to pick them up, but they had grown to be a bit too heavy for her.
Lin Xichen held her hand. “Come in, grandma.”
“Grandma, what took you so long?” Lin Ruixi grumbled. “Did you forget about us?”
Zhuang Zijin caressed Lin Ruixi’s face. “I didn’t, my dear girl. I’ve watched over you for as long as I could. You were only this big when you were born.” Zhuang Zijin gesticulated. “Just like a kitten, you see. Now you’re all grown up, and I can’t even hold you anymore.”
Lin Ruixi giggled and lingered around her grandmother. “Grandma keeps feeding me my favorite food, so I’ve been growing quickly.” She pinched her face.
Lin Ruixi’s face was perfectly smooth and chubby, her eyes big and bright. Oh, she looks so cute. They’ve been taken good care of.
She gazed at the children. “I’m happy knowing you kids are living well.”
Lin Ruixi leaned against her arms. “We have a big house here, grandma. Why don’t you stay with us too?”
Zhuang Zijin’s heart skipped a beat. If she hadn’t been overwhelmed by her hate, she would have been living with her grandchildren by now, watching over them as they grew up.
She didn’t regret her actions even when Lin Xinyan cried in front of her, but everything came undone after seeing her grandchildren.
She hugged Lin Ruixi tightly. If she could, she wanted to stay with them, but alas.
“Here, grandma.” Lin Xichen peeled a banana and handed it to Zhuang Zijin. He knew his grandmother loved bananas.
She took it from him and hugged him tightly. She wanted to cry, but she held her tears back, not wishing her grandchildren to see her break down.
Ever since they came in, Lin Xinyan never moved from the doorstep. Even though the sight before her was supposed to be heartwarming, it felt heavy and brooding.
Zong Jinghao hugged her. “It’ll get better.” He caressed her arm, consoling her.
Zhuang Zijin had been sentenced for accidental injury, and since it was the talk of the town back then, Zhuang Zijin had to be imprisoned, but it wouldn’t be for too long. She would be on parole and get released in a year or two.
Lin Xinyan knew that, but she still prayed for her health. She still wanted to spend many years with her mother.
She leaned against him tightly, hugging him. “I love you so much.” That was the first time she expressed her love in such a straightforward manner.
Zong Jinghao leaned down and kissed her forehead while she closed her eyes to feel his touch.
Zhuang Zijin saw what they were doing through the floor tiles’ reflection, and she smiled, feeling happy for her daughter.
Zong Jinghao was a mature, responsible, and successful man. He was also nice to Lin Xinyan; she didn’t have to worry about her happiness.
Zhuang Zijin spent a couple of hours with her grandchildren before Lin Xinyan came up to call her. If they didn’t hurry, the hospital would close for the day. “This is it for today.”
Lin Xichen looked at his mother. “Is grandma leaving again?”
Before Lin Xinyan could answer, Zhuang Zijin said, “I’m going to a place that’s far, far away, and I don’t think I can come back anytime soon. This is goodbye then, children.”
“Can’t you stay, grandma?” Lin Ruixi tugged on the hem of her shirt.
Zhuang Zijin looked down and cupped the young girl’s face before she kissed her forehead. “I’ll miss you, cupcake, but I have to go, just like how you have to go to school.”
Her grandmother’s message flew over Lin Ruixi’s head, but she didn’t want Zhuang Zijin to go. She was worried this might be the last time they met. The girl felt a special bond with her grandmother, for the woman had taken care of her when she was a baby.
“Be good, children. Don’t make your mother angry.” Zhuang Zijin gazed at her grandchildren.
Lin Xichen nodded. “We’ll take care of mommy, grandma. When I grow up, I’ll take care of you too.”
Zhuang Zijin smiled. Still as precocious as ever. Then she stood up. No matter how reluctant she was, leaving was necessary. If she stayed here for even a moment longer, it’d be that much harder to say goodbye. “Goodbye, children.”
Lin Ruixi stood before the sofa and saw her grandmother off. “Don’t forget to come back, grandma.”
“Of course.” Zhuang Zijin smiled.
Since there wasn’t anyone else at home, Lin Xinyan asked Zong Jinghao to stay back and look after the kids. “I can do this.”
Zong Jinghao handed her the car keys. “Call me if you need anything.”
“Sure.” She took the keys and went out with Zhuang Zijin.
After getting into the car, Zhuang Zijin stated, “I don’t want to go to the hospital.”
Lin Xinyan stopped halfway through buckling herself up. “No,” she refused. “You have to go. Don’t you see how sick you look? What if you’re down with something? It’s better if you get a checkup and get yourself treated.”
Zhuang Zijin held her daughter’s shoulders. “I’m glad you care about me this much, Xinyan.”
Lin Xinyan looked away to hide her tears from her mother, and she revved the car up. “If you really think so, then get yourself checked. I want you to stay with me for a long, long time.” She drove away, and Zhuang Zijin didn’t say anything further.
After stopping at the hospital, somebody walked toward Lin Xinyan’s car.
