He Yuxiang's face remained gloomy, his brows furrowed. "Once you've made up your mind, that's fine. I'm almost an adult, and I'll take good care of myself."

After saying that, he turned and left.

Chen Qing was also discouraged. She had gone from a place where she held real power to the capital to become a department head in a position that was neither high nor low. She felt like she was going to retire soon.

Because the Director of the Consumer Goods Industry Department is responsible for approving all kinds of materials, such as whether this is qualified, whether this does not comply with the regulations, and whether this needs to be innovated.

There are a lot of miscellaneous tasks.

Where is the innovation and reform?

Chen Qing was having a headache. The worst part was that, according to her intelligence, the Consumer Goods Industry Division was mostly staffed with people over forty. It wasn't that she thought being older was a bad thing, but the problem was that there was a lack of fresh blood. What was she going to do?!

She single-handedly took on the entire company? Ha!

Chen Qing is going to defy the imperial decree!

Forget it, she's been busy for so many years, what's wrong with her taking care of herself in her old age!

After lying in bed, Chen Qing tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep. She was reluctant to retire.

Chen Qingchou was transferred back to the capital with a single order. Although she was transferred to the central government, it did not meet her expectations.

After a groggy night, Chen woke up to find it was raining heavily. She quickly took out her rain boots and put them on to avoid getting splashed by bicycles as soon as she went out.

She was about to go to work when Mao Jianguo arrived.

Mao Jianguo asked Chen Qing, "Do I look a few years older?"

"Yes, he looks about twenty years older than me."

"That serious?!"

"Almost there, what's wrong?"

“Talia said she was going to Russia for half a month, but it’s been almost a month and she still hasn’t come back.”

Mao Jianguo has been so preoccupied lately that he can't eat or sleep, and he's been thinking about every day whether Talia and Mao Mao will stay in Russia.

Chen Qing was taken aback: "Have you tried to contact them?"

"I tried to contact you, but I couldn't reach you, so I came to you to see if you could think of a solution."

"Okay, I'll think of a way." Chen Qing has been to many countries and has some connections; hopefully, he can get in touch with them.

But the mother and son, whom the two were thinking of, had already boarded the train back to China.

Talia gazed out the window at the scenery of her homeland, bidding it a final farewell.

"Mom, I've brought you hot water." Mao Mao handed the hot water to her.

Talia took it, feeling a deep sadness in her heart. She couldn't quite understand her decision during her teenage years—why choose to stay in China? If she had returned to her hometown, she wouldn't have had those dark years, and she could have pursued more careers and pursued her interests more freely.

More importantly, she had family now, and she was no longer an outsider.

The train kept moving, and Talia didn't sleep much at night, just spacing out.

Seeing her mother's condition, Mao Mao was a little scared. "Mom, go to sleep for a while. I promise you, I will take you back to our hometown again within at least five years."

Talia suddenly said, "Momo, if it weren't for you, I would have stayed in Russia."

Mao Mao hesitated for a moment, then took the blame that wasn't his: "I know, but I don't want you to stay there. I want you to come back to China with me."

Hearing his words, Talia couldn't help but feel guilty again: "I'm sorry."

“It’s okay, I know what you’re thinking. You’re back in your world, so you’re comfortable. No one is looking at you strangely anymore, and you’re at ease. But I wouldn’t be used to it without you.”

Mao Mao knew what her mother was thinking and understood her hesitation and struggle.

As a wife and mother, she couldn't bear to leave China.

But as a Russian, she was more accustomed to the look of her homeland.

If his mother is determined to divorce and return to Russia, he will support her. But if she is conflicted and in pain and needs someone to hate, her own son is the most suitable candidate.

Seeing that her mother wasn't sleeping, Mao Mao quietly stayed with her.

As dawn broke, a commotion arose inside the carriage, and large swaths of sunlight streamed in. At the border between China and Russia, Mao Mao's gaze fell upon the guitar of a backpacker.

Seeing his gaze, the other person immediately handed him the guitar: "Try it."

Mao Mao took it, looked at her mother, and began to sing her original song "Hometown" with heartache.

His voice, clear, melancholic yet impactful, was highly recognizable, accompanied by a hazy melody. Layers of noise and guitar sounds in the private room created a sense of interweaving reality and illusion.

Talia looked at her child in astonishment, listening to his lyrics and tone. In an instant, it was as if she had fallen from a chaotic, upheaval world back to level ground, watching a flower of hope sprout from the soil.

She is perhaps lucky.

Even if she marries far away.

She also has a normal husband, an excellent, sensible, considerate, kind and wonderful son, and friends she can completely trust.

"Mao Mao..."

Talia rushed forward and hugged her child, sobbing uncontrollably.

Overwhelmed with emotion and heartache, she was unable to express her feelings in words.

Mao Mao gently patted his mother's back: "Mom, I've grown up now, and I'll really take good care of you."

"I know, I know..."

She always knew that she had a very, very good child.

The guitarist stared blankly at Mao Mao, exclaiming, "My God, is this heavenly music?! Friend, are you a singer? You sing so well!"

Talia wiped away her tears and quickly said, "Yes, he is. He has released an album."

The guitarist hugged Mao Mao tightly: "I love you."

Mao Mao: "..."

What enthusiastic people!

No wonder Xiaoyu and He Yuxiang weren't used to his enthusiasm when they were little; so this is what it feels like to be treated by an enthusiastic person.

"Thank you for your appreciation, but I've only released one song."

"You'll be famous, so please sign my guitar."

"ah……"

Mao Mao took the pen and carefully wrote down two neat characters—Mao Mao.

The guitarist was overjoyed and asked if he could sing his own songs.

The other passengers in the carriage also looked at Mao Mao expectantly.

Mao Mao was a little nervous. He had sung just now because he was moved by the moment, and now he didn't know if he could do it again.

Talia looked at him encouragingly: "Momo, you can do it."

Looking around the carriage filled with strangers, Mao Mao took a deep breath and said, "I'm not a good singer, please forgive me for taking up four minutes of your time."

He stood up and bowed.

Then he began to recall his music and slowly sang it out.

As more and more people filled the carriage, Mao Mao felt himself breaking through the barriers and happily sang out loud, singing Russian songs, Chinese songs, and songs in various languages.

Everyone was happy because of him, and Talia looked at her child with eyes full of love.

At this moment, Momo resembled a shimmering golden sprite, radiant and beautiful. (End of Chapter)