Outside the expansive Fu family villa, lush camphor trees lined both sides, releasing a delicate fragrance in the height of summer, accompanied by the incessant chirping of cicadas. Despite the sweltering heat outside (still in the thirties), stepping into this shady path instantly brought Fu Hange a refreshing coolness.
Xu's mother was already waiting at the villa entrance. When she saw her daughter slowly walking towards her, her eyes involuntarily welled up with tears. Her daughter, whom she hadn't seen for sixteen years, was finally standing alive before her, so dazzling and outstanding, so extraordinary.
She reached out her trembling hand and grasped Fu Hange's, slowly saying, "Hange..."
Fu Hange couldn't stand such sentimental and affected scenes; a chill ran down her spine. She held out her hand: "You wanted me to come back, and I did. You've seen me now. I'm busy. Can I leave now?"
Xu's mother was shocked, never expecting Fu Hange to be so distant from her, like a stranger, even colder than a stranger. A chill ran through her, and she asked painfully, "Yan Yan...why?"
Fu Hange did not directly reveal the reason, but smiled tactfully and awkwardly: "I have just taken over the Xu family. Although I don't have to go to the company on Saturdays, the whole burden is on my shoulders now. There are many things that I need to do personally, so I really don't have time to chat with you."
She deliberately used the word "you" to make their relationship sound even more distant and awkward.
Upon hearing this, Xu's mother felt as if her heart was being torn apart. She never imagined that her daughter would speak to her like this. What had she done wrong to make Fu Hange hate her so much?
Mustering her last bit of courage, she said, "Since you don't want to stay any longer, why don't you go and see our home?"
Home? What home does Fu Hange have? They abandoned her in America sixteen years ago. They were the ones who abandoned her first. Now they're pitifully begging her to come home. It's ridiculous.
Fu Hange followed her inside. The room was decorated in a lavish, retro style, with countless gardens and rooms. Xu Haicang's study was filled with all sorts of antiques, as well as many economics books. Fu Hange smiled bitterly. It seemed they were living a truly idyllic life. But could all of this really be built on family ties? She approached Xu's mother and asked coldly, "For this so-called wealth and glory, you sent me away just as your career was taking off. Are you afraid I'll steal the family fortune?"
Speechless at the question, Xu's mother stood there dumbfounded. Just as she was about to explain, Fu Hange chuckled and ran out of the Xu family villa without saying a word.
Xu's mother, holding back her tears, chased after him. After all, she was old and her body was not flexible. She accidentally fell to the ground, and blood gradually seeped out from her knee. She also twisted her waist due to the fall.
Fu Hange heard a gasp and turned to see Xu's mother kneeling on the ground. She hurried over to help her up, her expression worried: "How are you?"
Xu's mother slowly raised her tear-filled eyes to meet her gaze: "It's alright, that's how it is when you get old. Could you help me get a taxi before I leave?"
Without a word, Fu Hange carried her outside to hail a taxi. When Fu Hange first entered this narrow path, she found it a pleasure, but now she felt that she could never finish running this long road.
The streets outside the villa were bustling with people, but she couldn't hail a taxi no matter what she tried, unsure if it was fate or something else. Left with no other option, Fu Hange dialed Xu Yi's number. Seeing Xu's mother in so much pain that she couldn't straighten up, a wave of guilt washed over her.
Twenty minutes later, Xu Yi arrived. Fu Hange didn't have time to complain about his lateness. She carefully helped Xu's mother into the car, worried that she wouldn't have the strength to get in because of her injured knees and back. She let her sit in the car first and then helped her put her feet in, while she herself was extremely reluctant to sit in the passenger seat.
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