Xu Changfeng greeted us with a smile: "Did you have a smooth journey? Your mother and I received a call yesterday saying you had arrived in Ganzhou. We didn't sleep well all night, just wanting to see you as soon as possible! So we came over as soon as we got off work today. Have you eaten yet? Are you settling in well? This place is dry, not as humid as our hometown. If there's anything you're not used to, or if you don't like the food here, just tell your uncle and your mother."
"Your mom has several signature dishes; she'll cook them all for you to try—"
Xu Changfeng was very enthusiastic, but his enthusiasm was tinged with some guilt.
Seeing that Xu Ningyan didn't speak, Wu Hongqin didn't respond either, so she had to say again, "I was originally going to bring your two younger siblings over, but they're still at school. Once you've finished your business here, we'll let you and your siblings meet!"
As she spoke, she tugged at Wu Hongqin's sleeve: "Didn't you keep talking about the child before you came? Why aren't you saying anything now that we've met?"
Turning around, she didn't forget to explain, "Your mother hasn't seen you in years, she's just too excited to say anything—"
In the corridor, of the four people, only Xu Changfeng kept talking nonstop, while the others remained silent.
The atmosphere suddenly became awkward, and even someone as smooth-talking and adept at mediating could not salvage the situation.
Later, his voice grew softer and softer, as if he didn't know what to say.
Because Gu Zhiyuan was standing by, he was annoyed that Xu Ningyan didn't give him any face, but he couldn't see any dissatisfaction on his face. Instead, he only showed guilt and helplessness.
Hearing the commotion, the people in the next room opened their door to see what was going on. Although they sensed something was off about the atmosphere between the four of them, they still asked warmly, "Comrade Gu, are you here to see you? Are you starting your talks today?"
Upon seeing Xu Changfeng's military uniform with four pockets, the person asking the question became somewhat intimidated.
Upon hearing this, several doors in the next room opened and people peeked out.
Wu Hongqin felt humiliated and said impatiently, "What, you see your elders and don't you have any manners? You just want us to stand at the door? Don't you know to invite us inside? You have absolutely no upbringing—"
Xu Ningyan laughed in anger, then sneered, "Of course, I don't even have a home, I don't even know who my parents are, so where would I get any upbringing?"
Wu Hongqin's face immediately darkened. "What do you mean by that?"
Xu Ningyan glared back without backing down: "What you mean is exactly what I mean!"
This looks like a fight is about to break out at the slightest disagreement.
Xu Changfeng sensed something was wrong, glared at Wu Hongqin, and forced an explanation: "Your mother always has a sharp tongue but a soft heart, don't take it to heart! But your mother is right, we're disturbing others' rest by standing at the door, why don't we go inside and talk?"
Gu Zhiyuan glanced at Xu Ningyan before saying, "That's a girl's room, it's not suitable for outsiders to go in, it's inconvenient. Let's talk in my room!" He then stepped aside from the doorway.
These words left Xu Changfeng and Wu Hongqin speechless, but they couldn't say anything in return.
Before Xu Changfeng could speak, Wu Hongqin strode into the house first.
The single rooms in the guesthouse are all pretty much the same: a bed, a table, two chairs, a cabinet, and that's it.
After Wu Hongqin went in, she ignored everything and sat down on a chair without asking any questions.
Xu Changfeng smiled apologetically and followed him inside to sit in another chair.
By the time Xu Ningyan and Gu Zhiyuan went inside, there was nowhere left to sit.
Xu Ningyan glanced at Gu Zhiyuan, sat down on the edge of the bed, and said impatiently, "What are you doing here?"
Wu Hongqin slammed her hand on the table: "Is this how you talk to your own mother? When you see me and your Uncle Xu, you can't even greet them properly, just calling them 'you' and 'me'? What kind of behavior is that?"
Xu Ningyan scoffed, "What kind of biological mother are you? The one who abandoned her ex-husband's only child on a mountain road to die in the dead of winter? Even stepmothers aren't as heartless as you! How dare you act so high and mighty in front of me? Acting like an elder?"
“I gave birth to you, that’s a huge favor! Without me, would you be where you are today? Without me, would you have lived this long? This is unfilial!” Wu Hongqin’s face turned bright red.
Xu Ningyan retorted sharply: "Did I ask you to give birth to me? You gave birth and then abandoned me on the roadside to die. I should have paid for this life long ago! Don't try to pin this on me! What have you done to support me? What business is it of yours how I'm still alive?"
Wu Hongqin became anxious: "Didn't we pay for your adoptive mother's job? And wasn't it all paid for by me for her ten yuan a month for living expenses? How come I didn't support you?"
Xu Ningyan looked coldly at Wu Hongqin: "What does that job have to do with me? I didn't take a single penny of benefit! And that ten yuan living allowance, how dare you say that? That's a stipend the army gives to the orphans of martyrs, ten yuan a month, okay? Did you have to pay for it? Let's not even talk about that ten yuan, I haven't seen a single penny. Even if I did see it, it's because the army and the country are supporting me! If I want to show filial piety, it's to the army and the country! What does it have to do with you?"
"How...how did you know?" Wu Hongqin's expression showed a hint of panic.
However, she quickly retorted, "Even if it's a stipend from the military, I still get a share, and it's all my responsibility. If I don't agree, you don't get any—"
Xu Ningyan chuckled and looked at Xu Changfeng teasingly: "Truly, even heroes can't resist the charms of a beautiful woman!"
Xu Changfeng's old face turned red instantly, and he didn't know what to say for a moment.
Striving to maintain the last shred of dignity, she said, "Xiaoyan, your mother and I were wrong about what happened in the past, and we hurt you! Now your mother and I know we were wrong and want to make it up to you! Don't keep dwelling on those unpleasant things from the past! People should look forward, shouldn't they?"
“Your mother and I came today, firstly to see you, and secondly to talk about our plans. I know you have grievances in your heart, and that's not your fault! We sincerely want to make it up to you. I've already submitted my transfer application to go back to my hometown. Then our family will be reunited. At my level, even if I transfer to a local area, I'll still be a county-level cadre. Putting aside everything else, I can still protect our family in Jingshan County.”
"We know about your relationship with Comrade Xiao Gu. Comrade Xiao Gu is from Beijing. Although you have established a relationship in Jingshan County, what if his family looks down on you because you are an orphan with no one to support you and doesn't agree to your marriage? I know you will definitely say that you are the daughter of a martyr and have a job in the county, so your conditions are already top-notch, right?"
"But you don't understand, girl. Even if a girl marries into a wealthy family, what will she do if her husband's family mistreats her without her family's support? But if they know you're the daughter of a county-level official, with us as your backers, they'll give you a generous dowry. You also have two younger siblings. If anything happens, won't they support you? Who would dare to look down on you?"
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