Chapter 491 - 477: Zheng Changsheng Is Here

"Alright, I got it. I’ll go now."

Sun Jiaming nodded, then went to change his clothes. After giving Dingzi a shout, the two of them left.

Gu’er thought for a moment, then threw on a padded jacket and went over to Lin Shuying’s place.

"Hurry and get in! It’s so cold, what are you doing running over here? I was just saying that we were planning to head over to your place for a chat later."

Lin Shuying pulled Gu’er right into the house. They had originally planned to go to the Sun Family’s home for the Lantern Festival, but they stayed home to celebrate when Zhongshan’s girlfriend came to visit. As it happened, they had just finished their sweet rice balls, and Zhongshan had just walked back in the door after seeing her home.

"Auntie, I just got a phone call. It was from Zheng Changsheng—Uncle Zheng. He said he’s here in town."

Gu’er didn’t beat around the bush.

Lin Shuying was pouring Gu’er a cup of tea. When she heard this, the teacup slipped from her hand and fell to the floor.

"Zheng... Zheng Changsheng?"

She could hardly believe it. ’Zheng Changsheng... I could never forget him. He was the ray of sunshine during my darkest days. Back there, he was the one who always helped me. We haven’t been in touch for nearly two years, but I’ve always remembered him.’

Zheng Zhongshan and Zheng Xinghua also turned to look at Gu’er.

"Yes. I gave him my number when I left, but there’s been no word from him for almost two years. I honestly didn’t think he’d ever come. But then he called just now, saying he’s already at the train station."

Seeing her aunt’s reaction, Gu’er knew that she still had feelings for the man.

"Then... then what do we do? He doesn’t know his way around here at all! And the train station is so chaotic... How did he even get here? No, this won’t do. Maybe I should go pick him up."

Lin Shuying was clearly flustered, her words becoming a jumbled mess.

"I’ll go."

Zheng Zhongshan stood up.

"No need, Jia Ming already went to get him. I came over to ask what we should do about Uncle Zheng. Should we have him stay with us, or something else? If he’s thinking of settling down here, what arrangements should we make?"

Gu’er wanted to know what Lin Shuying was thinking.

"Well, of course, we should..."

Lin Shuying didn’t finish her sentence. Her face suddenly went pale.

’It wasn’t that she was completely without feelings for Zheng Changsheng. Especially after Qin Dali took a fancy to Li Hua, she would sometimes find herself thinking how wonderful it would be if Zheng Changsheng were here—if she, too, had a man she could rely on. She had wished countless times that Zheng Changsheng would come looking for her.’

’But now that he was really here, she was at a loss. A moment ago, when she heard Gu’er’s news, she had felt a jolt of joyful surprise along with the disbelief. Her heart had fluttered, wondering if this meant she might finally have someone to lean on. But then, she suddenly looked at her son and daughter, and her heart sank. Her son was getting married soon, and her daughter was grown up. If she were to get together with another man now, what would her future daughter-in-law think? Would she look down on her? What if, because of this, the girl refused to marry her son? Wouldn’t she be ruining her own child’s happiness?’

’And what about Xinghua? If I remarried, would people think I was a disreputable woman and look down on my daughter because of it? If Xinghua couldn’t find a good family to marry into, it would be all my fault.’

’These two children had suffered so much because of me. Life was finally getting a little better. I can’t ruin things for them for my own sake.’

And so, the words Lin Shuying had been about to say died on her lips.

"Maybe... maybe it’s better if I don’t see him," she stammered. "Gu’er, you all should treat him to a nice meal and arrange a place for him to stay. I have some money here. When the time comes, give it to him for me and tell him to go back home, find a good wife, and settle down."

Lin Shuying struggled to get the words out. By the time she finished, her eyes were red, and she was on the verge of tears.

Gu’er was taken aback. ’I could see how happy she was, so why would she say she won’t see him?’ Gu’er glanced at Zheng Zhongshan and Xinghua and instantly understood. Her aunt was worried about her children.

"Auntie, are you worried about Brother Zhongshan and Xinghua?"

Gu’er asked in a low voice. Zhongshan and Xinghua were stunned for a moment. ’Why would Mom be worried about us?’ they thought. Then, realization dawned on them both. Xinghua looked toward her older brother.

"Mom," Zheng Zhongshan said sincerely, "Uncle Changsheng is a good man. I remember back in the village, the others didn’t like me, and no one cared what happened to me. It was always Uncle Changsheng who helped us. There was that year I got sick... that *man* didn’t care about us at all. You carried me on your back to find the doctor, but on the way, you couldn’t carry me any further and I fell to the ground. You just held me and cried. It was Uncle Changsheng who carried me the rest of the way to the doctor’s, paid the fee for us, and even brought eggs from his own home for me to eat. Back then, I remember thinking how wonderful it would be if he were my father. Mom, you don’t need to worry about us. For Uncle Changsheng to come all this way, he must have been incredibly determined. Who would willingly leave their hometown otherwise? It proves that he truly holds you in his heart. If you and Uncle Changsheng really feel that way about each other, I would be very happy. As you get older, we can care for you, of course, but if you had a companion by your side, it would put our minds at ease."

Zheng Zhongshan spoke with sincerity. He wasn’t opposed to his mother remarrying. As long as it was to a good man—and that man being Zheng Changsheng—he was all for it. Just as he’d said, Zheng Changsheng was a kind person who had been good to them. The fact that he had come all this way proved his sincerity, and for that, Zheng Zhongshan was nothing but happy.

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Two Chapters combined into one update. I went out this morning and didn’t get back until it was almost night. I’m freezing to death.