Chapter 96 Silent Concern
She immediately reached out and grabbed the old wooden stick she used for self-defense by the wall, and shouted with all her might.
"Who's there? Are you human or ghost? Don't move! Stop right there!"
The figure paused for a moment, then quickly took a few steps forward.
His face finally became clearer, and his voice came through.
"Don't be afraid, it's me! It's me, Zhou Shufen, don't be nervous, it's me... Guo Zhenyi!"
It was Guo Zhenyi?
What is he doing here?
The wooden stick in Zhou Shufen's hand drooped unconsciously.
She squinted, trying hard to make out the person in front of her.
Guo Zhenyi's figure gradually became clearer.
Her vigilance eased slightly.
"What are you doing here? It's so dark here, who would come here in the middle of the night?"
Guo Zhenyi actually wanted to ask her the same question.
But he didn't say it aloud, and just made up some excuse.
"I just got off work and was just stopping by to check if the doors and windows were closed properly. You know, this is a remote area, and I'm worried about people causing trouble."
Which one is on the way?
He knew it perfectly well.
He deliberately drove through most of the city to get here.
He just wanted to see how her shop was being renovated and whether she had encountered any difficulties.
He had always cared for her silently, but he never said it aloud.
"oh."
Zhou Shufen responded, her mind still hazy from the alcohol, making her reactions a little sluggish.
She nodded.
"Since you're going the same way, come in and sit for a while. It's cold outside, don't stand in the doorway in the wind."
She let the person into the house and casually tugged at the light cord hanging on the wall.
The room was suddenly brighter.
The two sat down on the old sofa next to the wall.
The air seemed to freeze.
Guo Zhenyi glanced at her discreetly and noticed that she was pale.
His mood was clearly extremely low.
He couldn't help but ask softly.
"What's wrong? Why are you here all alone so late at night? You look really upset. Did something happen?"
Zhou Shufen was trying to maintain her composure, but this concerned question gently punctured her facade.
She couldn't hold back any longer and completely broke down.
She turned her face away and quickly wiped away the tears that had seeped from the corner of her eyes.
"It's all this family drama... I'm so fed up. Why am I so unlucky to have given birth to these troublesome kids? The eldest is a good-for-nothing, just loafing around all day; the second is causing trouble outside and is drowning in debt; the youngest is still young, but he's as stubborn as a mule. The trouble just keeps piling up, I don't even have a chance to catch my breath..."
"This is not your fault."
Guo Zhenyi's voice was deep and steady, carrying a reassuring power.
Zhou Shufen looked down at the ground.
She unscrewed the cap of a beer bottle and handed another one to Guo Zhenyi.
"Here, have a drink."
Guo Zhenyi took the beer and gently touched the bottle.
Zhou Shufen took a big gulp herself first.
"Yes, I haven't done anything wrong. I've never wronged or harmed anyone in my life. But now? I have to clean up their messes. Just because I'm their mother, do I have to shoulder all that burden for them for the rest of my life? Someone tell me, what am I even doing this for?"
The more she thought about it, the more aggrieved she felt, and her eyes involuntarily welled up with tears.
“I understand. Some relatives, who seem like family, are actually here to collect debts.”
Guo Zhenyi's tone was full of helplessness and heartache.
Looking at her haggard face, his eyes revealed an undisguised pity.
"Some people are born with debts, and only after paying them off in this lifetime can they live in peace."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Shufen's eyes reddened even more.
"I can't think of anything else to do right now, so I guess I'll just have to live like this."
After venting all her pent-up anger, she actually felt a little better.
She finally stopped forcing herself to be strong, leaned back in her chair, and slowly closed her eyes.
Guo Zhenyi turned to look at her.
Zhou Shufen still had tear stains on her eyes, making her look particularly vulnerable.
His heart tightened, as if something was pressing heavily on his chest.
He wished he could take all the blame for her.
But he knew that some bitterness was something she had to swallow alone.
After she fell completely asleep, Guo Zhenyi gently carried her on his back.
He walked steadily, as if afraid that even a slight bump would disturb her dream.
The next morning, Zhou Shufen woke up with a throbbing headache.
She was in a daze for a while before her consciousness slowly returned.
She looked around; the room was furnished with familiar items, and everything exuded the comfort of home.
She was taken aback, and her brows furrowed. Wasn't it at the clothing store last night?
How come I'm sleeping at home out of the blue?
She walked out of the room.
Qin Guifang was in the living room and quickly came to greet her when she saw her come out.
"Mom, how are you? Are you feeling better? Does your head still hurt? Do you want to lie down for a while longer?"
She touched Zhou Shufen's forehead, her voice full of heartache.
Zhou Shufen nodded.
"It's nothing, I'm just a little tipsy. By the way, how did I get home? I don't remember coming back last night."
Qin Guifang's eyes lit up at the mention of this.
"Uncle Guo carried you back! It took him more than half an hour. He supported you the whole time he brought you inside, afraid you would bump into something. He carried you all the way to your bed and even covered you with a blanket. He was sweating profusely and out of breath from walking such a long way. He was really exhausted!"
Zhou Shufen blushed and quickly waved her hand.
"Okay, okay, I just wanted to ask how you answered, why are you going on and on?"
"Mom, what's there to be ashamed of?"
Qin Guifang smiled and took her hand, her tone becoming serious.
"We all know how Uncle Guo treats you. He never talks much to others, but every word he says to you is thoughtful. It's time for you to live for yourself for once. Seize the opportunity, don't wait until it's too late to regret it!"
Zhou Haiqing looked up when he heard this and interjected.
"That's right, Mom! Who can't see the relationship between you and Uncle Guo? You two have been supporting each other through thick and thin for so many years, more like a married couple than those couples who argue every day. If you don't hurry up, someone else will snatch him away!"
He didn't want his mother to live alone forever.
My mother is getting old, and she's actually quite lonely, which is heartbreaking.
Over the years, she has devoted herself to her family, but she has never lived a single day for herself.
I finally met a reliable blind date.
But she hesitated and kept saying that she was doing just fine on her own.
But he knew that she was just comforting herself.
"Why are you meddling in this? Stop talking nonsense!"
Zhou Shufen glared at him.
She didn't want to appear weak in front of her son, and she didn't want to be the subject of gossip.
Especially in such families, she prefers to maintain a strong and capable mother image.
"I'm not lying, I'm doing this all for your own good!"
Zhou Haiqing muttered to himself.
Other people's elderly have their spouses to keep them company, but what about my mother?
He endured a fever of 39 degrees Celsius without asking for help.
He's not a heartless person, but he's busy with work and his sister is married far away. Who can be by her side every day?
Zhou Shufen ignored him and looked around.
"Hey, where did Hai Rong go?"
A sense of unease crossed her mind.
At that time, Zhou Hairong gave a vague "hmm".
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