Chapter 11 Meeting 1

With a "boom," Jiang's mother's tears finally broke free. She could no longer control herself and burst into tears on the phone. All her doubts, fears, and despair were completely overwhelmed by the ecstasy of regaining what she had lost and the heartbreak she felt at that moment.

"Ningning, my Ningning, it really is you, it really is you!" she cried, her words incoherent. "The 'Ning' character on the hand warmer was embroidered by Mommy, only Mommy and you know that. Mommy believes me, Mommy is coming right now, you wait for Mommy! Don't go anywhere, be a good girl and wait for Mommy."

Over the phone came the chaotic sound of Jiang's mother stumbling to her feet, knocking things over.

Jiang Yining gripped her burning-hot phone tightly, listening to her mother's agitated and chaotic background noise on the other end. Tears streamed down her face, but finally, the first genuine, tearful smile since her rebirth appeared on her face.

She looked up, her gaze passing through the small window of the attic, landing on the few pots of lemon mint bathed in the midday sun at the entrance of the flower shop. The emerald green leaves stretched out, emitting a crisp, slightly sour fragrance that lingered in the air.

In the end, Jiang's mother didn't dare tell her husband and son about "Ningning's rebirth." She knew all too well how shocking this was, and she was even more afraid that, out of protection, they would keep her trapped and completely cut off her only possibility of running to her daughter.

She only told Jiang's father that she had been feeling down lately and wanted to go to H City to relax and clear her head. She also mentioned that she could catch up with her old best friend from their hometown there.

"Why the sudden urge to return to H City?" Mr. Jiang put down his newspaper, his gaze behind his glasses scrutinizing and tinged with barely perceptible worry. "Is something the matter?"

H City was their former home, and also the place where their most precious daughter was buried. For them, this place is a landmark of eternal pain.

Jiang's mother's heart skipped a beat, but she tried her best to remain calm, even showing a hint of deliberate impatience: "What could be wrong? I'm just bored at home. The air is better over there, and I have familiar people to talk to. It's better than being with you two all day."

She avoided her husband's probing gaze and turned to pack her meager belongings. Her son, Jiang Yunting, arrived upon hearing the news, his brow furrowed.

"Mom, you don't necessarily have to go back to H City to relax. A large new resort has opened in S City. I heard the scenery is really beautiful, and there are themed events. It's quite lively. Shall I take you there to relax?"

Jiang's mother knew their worries, fearing that the familiar land would stir up her deep-seated sorrow. But she was resolute about her purpose for this trip, with unwavering determination: "No need, I'm not going anywhere, just to H City. I've already booked the plane tickets, first thing tomorrow morning. Don't try to persuade me."

Seeing their mother's unusually firm stance, Jiang's father and Jiang Yunting exchanged a worried look. Having failed to persuade her, they could only remain silent for the time being.

After Jiang's mother entered the bathroom, the sound of running water filled the air. Only then did Jiang's father lower his voice and express his doubts to his son: "Something's not right. Your mother's trip was too sudden. She usually doesn't even want to look at photos from her hometown."

Jiang Yunting's expression was grave: "Dad, I also find it strange. Could it be... that we've encountered some kind of swindler? Taking advantage of Mom..." He uttered the name with difficulty, "...a mental illness?"

“Whatever it is,” Mr. Jiang’s eyes sharpened, “we can’t let her go on this risk alone. Here’s what we’ll do: I’ll secretly follow her. You’re busy with work, and the child has just recovered from a fever, so stay home and watch over her. If anything goes wrong, I’ll contact you and your uncle immediately.” Mr. Jiang also has his brother’s family in H City, so they can keep an eye on things.

Although Jiang Yunting was worried about his father, he understood that this was the safest way, so he could only nod and say, "Dad, please take care of yourself and keep in touch at all times."

---

It was late at night. After confirming that her husband and son were fast asleep, Jiang's mother tiptoed to the balcony, closed the glass door, and eagerly dialed the new number she had saved.

In the flower shop's attic, Jiang Yining was engrossed in a palace intrigue drama on her phone, occasionally letting out a soft gasp. When she saw the word "Mom" appear on the screen, she answered almost instantly.

"Ningning? Still awake so late? Watching dramas again?" Jiang's mother's voice was filled with knowing laughter and doting, as if time had never passed.

"Mom, you know me too well," Jiang Yining's voice carried a long-lost girlish excitement. "You don't know, back then I was obsessed with that drama 'Desire and Sin,' and when I got to the part where the female lead was bullied by Consort De, you promised to buy me the DVD after my exams. And what happened? Where's the DVD? Humph, but now it's so much better. You can watch anything on your phone; these phones are practically sentient now." She shared her newfound discoveries with a sense of wonder, her tone as natural as if it were yesterday.

Hearing her daughter's familiar complaints and smugness, Jiang's mother's heart melted completely, and her scolding about staying up late vanished: "Yes, yes, Mom was busy back then. As soon as the senior year exams were over, I was busy with other things and forgot about your DVDs. But don't be so smug. You can't watch them too late now. Get some rest. Mom bought tickets for the earliest flight tomorrow, and we'll arrive in H City by noon!"

"Mom..." Jiang Yining's voice lowered, tinged with trepidation, "Dad... and Yunting... are they coming?"

"I didn't tell them." Jiang's mother lowered her voice, a hint of nervousness in her voice, "I was afraid they would make a big fuss and not let me go out if they found out. I'll explain to them when I see you and bring you back safely." She seemed to already see her husband and son's shocked and overjoyed expressions.

Jiang Yining also thought the plan was feasible, and her worries were relieved. She chatted with her mother about some trivial matters. Seeing that it was too late, she reluctantly urged, "Mom, go to sleep and get enough rest so you can see your incomparably cute baby daughter tomorrow."

"Okay, okay, okay," Jiang's mother replied repeatedly, hanging up the phone with a satisfied smile she hadn't seen in eight years. After thinking for a moment, she opened WeChat and sent a friend request.