Chapter 135 Recognizing Relatives
At first, I met Zhang Haihua looking for Lin Qiaozhen at the supply and marketing cooperative. Later, I met Lin Qiaozhen several times when she went to visit Zhang Haihua's house, but without exception, she was turned away. I never expected that I would hear news of them again that they were getting married.
“What’s the use of being the default? Zhang Haihua will change her attitude once the marriage is over.”
Zheng Xiuhua sighed, "She said that Li Jianguo insisted on marrying her, so she wouldn't help with the arrangements, not even a banquet."
As Lu Mingyue listened, she felt anxious for Qiaozhen. Just as she was about to speak, Zheng Xiuhua smiled again: "However, Li Jianguo is quite open-minded. He said it doesn't matter. He has a dormitory at his workplace. He can just set up two tables in the company cafeteria, invite a few colleagues for a meal, and that will be considered a wedding."
"Hold it in the dorm?" Lu Mingyue was a little surprised. "That's too simple. Getting married is a big deal."
Zheng Xiuhua shrugged: "Who says otherwise? But Qiaozhen didn't have any objections. She said that as long as she could be with Li Jianguo, it didn't matter if things were simple. I saw her sewing a quilt yesterday, saying it was for the new house. She was all smiles."
As he spoke, the small bucket in his hand gradually filled up with clams and small sea snails.
Lu Mingyue looked at the seafood in the bucket, her mind filled with thoughts of Lin Qiaozhen.
“When they get married, let’s go and join in the fun, and give them some gifts,” Lu Mingyue said to Zheng Xiuhua.
Having lived in the family compound for so long, and with Lin Qiaozhen being a friend who had met there, I should at least lend a hand.
Zheng Xiuhua nodded with a smile: "Of course I have to go. Even if it's held in the dormitory, I have to let them know that everyone in the family compound is sending their blessings."
Lin Qiaozhen and Li Jianguo's wedding was scheduled for Saturday noon. The dormitory was cleaned up, with red paper cutouts of the character "囍" (double happiness) pasted on the wall, and candies and peanuts on the table. It was simple but lively.
Lu Mingyue and Zheng Xiuhua arrived early with the children, carrying handmade insoles and red pillowcases.
As soon as I entered, I saw an unfamiliar old lady sitting in the corner, wearing a dark blue cotton-padded jacket, clutching a handkerchief in her hand, looking around.
Zheng Xiuhua whispered in Lu Mingyue's ear, "That's Yu Shuxiang, Shen Baoqin's mother. I don't know why she came, she said she came to join in the fun."
Lu Mingyue nodded, not paying much attention, and turned to help Qiaozhen set out the bowls and chopsticks.
The wedding was simple yet warm. Li Jianguo's colleagues teased the newlyweds, urging them to drink a toast together. Lin Qiaozhen blushed and, encouraged by everyone, clinked glasses with Li Jianguo, her eyes full of smiles.
Yu Shuxiang sat in the corner, watching all this with a blank expression on her face, only sighing from time to time, as if she were feeling sorry for someone.
Just then, Lu Mingyue was thinking to herself: Qiaozhen has really had a tough time. Zhang Haihua didn't support her, and the wedding was so simple. Fortunately, Li Jianguo loves her.
Just as these words crossed her mind, she saw Yu Shuxiang suddenly stand up, drop her handkerchief to the ground, stare intently at Lin Qiaozhen, her lips trembling as if she had been startled by something.
Lu Mingyue was startled, thinking that she was not feeling well, and quickly went over: "Auntie, are you alright? Are you feeling unwell somewhere?"
Yu Shuxiang ignored her, her gaze still fixed on Qiaozhen, and her heart skipped a beat.
But Yu Shuxiang, as if grasping at a straw, asked again, "Do you know what her biological mother's name is? Isn't it Yu Shulan?"
Lu Mingyue was startled. Yu Shulan was Yu Shuxiang's twin sister, who had disappeared many years ago. This was not a secret in the family compound.
Just as she was about to speak, she saw Yu Shuxiang's tears fall, and she murmured, "No wonder, no wonder I felt so close to Qiaozhen when I first met her, it turns out she's my niece."
Before Lu Mingyue could react, Yu Shuxiang pushed through the crowd and walked a few steps to Lin Qiaozhen. Trembling, she pulled out a small box wrapped in blue cloth from her bosom.
When you open it, you'll find a faded floral handkerchief with a small orchid embroidered on the corner. The stitches are a bit crooked, but you can tell that it was embroidered with great care.
"Qiaozhen, look at this. Didn't you always carry the exact same handkerchief when you were little?"
Lin Qiaozhen was startled by her sudden action, looked down at the handkerchief, and her expression changed instantly.
She remembered that there was always a handkerchief under her pillow when she was a child. Her adoptive parents said that it was with her when she was a baby. Later, they accidentally lost it when they moved, and she was sad for a long time.
How did this handkerchief end up with you?
Yu Shuxiang held her hand, tears streaming down her face: "This was embroidered by your biological mother, Yu Shulan. I was there when she gave birth to you, and she said that no matter what happened in the future, you could find your family with this."
It turns out that before Yu Shulan disappeared, she was abducted by human traffickers. In her panic, she left her newborn daughter Qiaozhen at the Lin family's doorstep, leaving only that handkerchief behind.
Lin's parents took pity on the child and adopted her.
After Yu Shulan was abducted, it took several years before she was rescued. When they went to look for the child again, the family was no longer there.
Unable to bear the blow, Yu Shulan passed away not long after.
Lin Qiaozhen looked at the handkerchief, then at Yu Shuxiang's tear-streaked face, and was both surprised and delighted. Tears also streamed down her face: "You...you're telling the truth?"
Yu Shuxiang nodded vigorously and hugged her tightly: "It's true. I've been looking for you for so many years, and I've finally found you."
Lin Qiaozhen felt like she was walking on clouds until Yu Shuxiang clearly pointed out the exact location of the small mole on her body, and only then did she realize it was true.
The wedding venue fell silent instantly. Everyone was stunned, staring at this unexpected scene of family reunion, unsure of what to say.
Li Jianguo realized what was happening and quickly helped Yu Shuxiang up: "Auntie, don't get agitated, sit down and talk slowly."
Lu Mingyue and Zheng Xiuhua also came over to help calm the two down.
Yu Shuxiang held Qiaozhen's hand, looking at her again and again, constantly talking about the worries she had carried over the years.
Lin Qiaozhen leaned against her chest, feeling the warmth of family she hadn't experienced in a long time. Her face was full of tears, but she smiled exceptionally happily.
Since her adoptive parents passed away, she has been fed by many families, lived in dilapidated cave dwellings, and almost starved to death.
Fate is so wondrous; by a twist of fate, I met my family.
Lin Qiaozhen was still immersed in the shock and joy of recognizing her relatives when Yu Shuxiang held her hand tightly, tears streaming down her face.
People gathered around, chattering amongst themselves, and the wedding scene, which had been lively before, was now filled with a chaotic and wistful atmosphere.
Just then, a series of hurried footsteps came from outside the courtyard gate, and Shen Feng strode in.
He had just received news at the training ground that his mother was causing a scene at someone's wedding, and his heart tightened, fearing that something might go wrong, so he rushed over immediately.
Upon entering, they were greeted by the following scene: Yu Shuxiang was crying while hugging Lin Qiaozhen, surrounded by a large crowd, while Li Jianguo stood helplessly to the side. What should have been a lively wedding was now filled with an awkward and stagnant atmosphere.
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