An elderly woman who was preparing vegetables in the kitchen heard the commotion in the yard and hurried out to check.
"Auntie!" Mother Ruan stepped forward and called out.
The old lady stood there stunned for a moment, then excitedly walked over and grabbed Ruan's mother's hand, "Mulan, you're finally back!"
The old lady warmly welcomed a group of people into the house, where they sat down and chatted.
The old lady looked at Mingzhuo with deep emotion, "Is this the little one you gave away back then? Good child, he's grown up so much."
She wiped away her tears, "It's all my fault. I couldn't be there to help you, which is why we've been separated for over ten years..."
Ruan's mother shook her head: "You also had a hard time back then, sometimes not knowing where your next meal would come from. How can you blame yourself?"
Mingzhuo sat to the side listening to the two chatting and gradually began to understand.
The old woman in front of her was not Ruan's mother's biological aunt, because Ruan's mother was adopted when she was a child.
More than fifty years ago, it was common for children to be given up for adoption in rural areas; it was not a novel thing.
However, Ruan's mother's situation was somewhat special. She was abandoned by the roadside and taken home by her adoptive parents.
The couple had physical disabilities and no children of their own, so they adopted Ruan and raised her as their own daughter.
However, before Ruan's mother could grow up, both of her husband and mother passed away one after the other, and Ruan's mother was taken to live with her aunt for a period of time.
Although they were not related by blood, Ruan's mother was very grateful to the old man. It was already a great kindness for him to give her food and shelter.
After all, my aunt's own family also has several mouths to feed, and they are also struggling to make ends meet.
Although she hasn't come back all these years, she regularly sends money to the old lady. It's not a lot, just a few thousand a month, but the old lady saves it all up and gradually built a house.
In the evening, the old lady's son, daughter-in-law, grandson, and granddaughter-in-law all returned, along with a child of seven or eight years old.
People in rural areas get married early, and this is a family with four generations living together.
The old lady was very happy and cooked a lot of dishes that evening, while Ruan's mother helped in the kitchen to tend the fire.
Brother Zhang watched with trepidation, and several times he wanted to take over the work from Mother Ruan's hands.
How could someone who earns a high salary sit idly by and drink tea while the old lady does all the work?
In the end, it was Ruan Mingying who came over and called him out.
After dinner, Ruan Mingying noticed that there were too many family members and not enough room for the old lady, so she booked a hotel in the county. Ruan's mother stayed behind to keep the old lady company.
——
Ruan Tiantian watched the car leave before stepping out from the corner.
She never expected Ruan Mingying to be so persistent; when she brought her fiancé home to visit her family, the other woman actually came along too.
She even shamelessly ruined the welcoming ceremony that the village chief had specially prepared for her fiancé.
Ruan Tiantian was so anxious that she wanted to bite her nails, but she put them down when she saw the manicure on her hands.
No, she can't stay passive like this forever, nor can she keep feeling guilty.
She hadn't done anything wrong, and the facts proved that her choice was right, didn't they?
——
Ruan's mother went back to her hometown this time to take the old lady for a full physical examination, so that she could feel at ease.
Although Mingzhuo could tell at a glance that the old lady was in good health and had another ten years or so to live, he didn't say anything.
Ruan Mingying can drive herself, so she rented another car in the county and the family drove the old lady to the city for a medical check-up early in the morning.
Even if you pay extra for a special channel, it's already evening by the time you get home after all the checks are done.
There were still outsiders in the house, and the old lady was quite happy. "Tiantian, you're here too! You've always asked about your sister Mingying. You two sisters should go and have a chat."
Mingzhuo glanced at Ruan Tiantian, who was wearing heavy makeup and had bright red lips that made her look sexy and flamboyant, which seemed out of place in the cramped farmhouse.
“Sister Mingying, I’d like to talk to you.” Ruan Tiantian stood up.
Ruan Mingying nodded, as she also had some questions that needed answering. "Let's go then."
It was hot outside, so Ruan Tiantian invited Ruan Mingying into her million-dollar luxury car and then stepped on the gas and drove off.
"Sister Mingying, shall I take you to eat in the county?" Ruan Tiantian said with a smile.
Ruan Mingying said calmly, "I'm not going to eat. Pull the car over and tell me what happened."
Ruan Tiantian had already prepared her words: "As you can see, I'm getting married—I'm pregnant, so I'm taking a leave of absence from school."
"Why did you take a break from school?" Ruan Mingying didn't quite understand. "Having a baby at this time isn't a wise choice either..."
Ruan Tiantian interrupted her: "Sister Mingying, this is a little life. Do you mean I should abort it?"
Ruan Mingying was speechless.
She looked out the car window at the dam. Ruanjia Village used to be a poor little mountain village. On the other side of the village were rolling forests, and on this side was a big river. Across the river were the dam and fertile fields.
The only way to get in and out of the village is through this dam.
When she was a child, she and her mother went back to the village. There was no car, so they had to walk. Unburied coffins could be seen everywhere on the dam, and she was always terrified.
Ruan Tiantian, however, was bold enough to run a long way to the dam to greet her and enthusiastically ask her about the world in the city.
She was actually having a very hard time, but the poor little girl from the mountain village longed for her.
She always remembered the other person saying with bright eyes that they loved reading because reading could help them leave the mountain village, leave the county, leave the province, and reach a wider world.
That's why, years later, when she received a text message from the other party seeking financial assistance, she agreed without hesitation.
This funding lasted for more than ten years, from junior high school to high school, and from high school to university.
After graduating from university, Ruan Tiantian said she received an offer from a top-tier university abroad and wanted to study abroad for a master's degree to broaden her horizons. However, her family did not allow it or understand it. Not only did they not provide financial support, but they also scolded her for being too ambitious and said they should have let her get married so they could get a dowry.
Ruan Tiantian cried and said that she just wanted to study, to become a female scientist, and to pursue further education. Was that wrong?
Upon seeing the acceptance letter, Ruan Mingying promptly transferred 200,000 yuan to her.
Ruan Mingying paused for a moment and then said, "So you plan to continue your studies after having the baby? That's good..."
“Sister Mingying!” Ruan Tiantian called out to her, then said, “I’m sorry, but I will not continue my studies.”
Ruan Mingying paused, then remained silent.
Ruan Tiantian twisted her fingers, "Sister Mingying, my husband is very good to me. He is very rich and loves children. We plan to have at least three children, so I will prioritize my family after marriage..."
With those words spoken, the weight that had been pressing on her heart was finally lifted.
Yes, why should we feel guilty?
When faced with better options, who would be foolish enough to choose the more difficult path?
Moreover, she never intended to take the difficult path from the very beginning.
It was all just Ruan Mingying's wishful thinking.
"Sister Mingying, I know I have let you down. I'm sorry. Here is 300,000 yuan. Thank you for your support over the years."
She confidently took out the money she had prepared and handed it to Ruan Mingying with a smile.
"By the way, Xuanxuan should be graduating from university soon, right? Has she found a job yet? Should I introduce her to my husband's company as a clerk?"
Ruan Mingying didn't look at the bag she was offered and shook her head, "No need."
She opened the car door and got out.
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