Chapter 1 Long Time No See
The day Song Zhiwei returned to Binhai, it snowed heavily.
Snowflakes quietly buried the airport signs, and a cold wind blew in.
She was wearing a long black trench coat and standing by the window in the waiting area.
"Zhiwei, have we landed?"
Can't get a taxi?
"It's okay, Mom will ask someone to pick you up."
As soon as she hung up the phone, she put her right hand into the pocket of her trench coat.
Having been away for five years, stepping back into this city again, I felt a little unfamiliar with it.
Ten minutes later, the phone rang again.
She struggled to pull her phone out of her pocket, and the caller ID displayed the words "Uncle".
In the end, she answered the call and put the phone to her ear.
"I'll be waiting for you at Exit 9."
Zhou Yuze's voice came through the receiver, a voice so familiar that it sent a shiver down her spine.
Song Zhiwei's nose suddenly stung, and her eyes welled up with tears.
She dragged her suitcase and walked quickly to Gate 8. She immediately saw a man standing next to the Bentley, dressed in a sharp suit, standing straight in the snow.
He was very tall and had a cool and aloof demeanor, making him stand out even when surrounded by people.
No matter where he is, Zhou Yuze is always an undeniable presence.
Song Zhiwei pursed her dry lips and said, "Uncle."
Zhou Yuze took the suitcase from her, his gaze lingering on her face for a moment: "You're only wearing this much?"
She subconsciously tugged at her trench coat collar and replied with her head down, "I left in a hurry and didn't check the weather."
She came back this time because her grandmother passed away, and she had to rush back to handle the funeral arrangements.
I booked the plane ticket in the middle of the night; the flight was at 4 a.m., and I only slept for less than two hours.
I only packed a few clothes and forgot to bring a thick coat.
"Get in the car."
He didn't ask any more questions and turned around to open the passenger door for her.
She hesitated for a second, but finally bent down and sat down.
The car was so warm it was almost stuffy, and the air conditioner kept blowing hot air from the vents.
Zhou Yuze kept an eye on her in the rearview mirror while he was steering the car.
He didn't say anything, but while waiting at a red light, he casually said, "There are hand warmers in the trunk in the back seat. Take them if you want."
"You're wearing such thin clothes, you'll be even colder after you get off the bus."
Song Zhiwei's fingers curled slightly.
She opened her mouth, but swallowed the words back.
She loosened her seatbelt and turned to reach for the storage compartment in the back.
With a "click," the lid popped open.
She reached out to touch it, but couldn't reach it, so she had to move her body to the side.
Just as her fingertips touched something deep inside the box, her head accidentally brushed against his shoulder.
The black suit jacket brushed against her hair, a few strands jolted by static electricity, and a faint woody scent wafted past her nose, carrying a cool sensation. Her breath hitched slightly.
"Haven't you received it yet?"
She abruptly pulled her hand back and moved closer to the car door.
"Got it."
With a "snap," the lid was slammed shut again, and she quickly withdrew her hand.
Zhou Yuce's gaze lingered on her face for a moment.
Five years have passed, and the little girl has indeed changed.
When she was little, she always chased after him, calling him "brother" over and over. Her family always corrected her, saying that he was her uncle.
She was only seven or eight years old at the time, and Zhou Yuze had just started college.
The two were nine years apart in age, but she insisted on calling him "brother".
"It's good that you got it."
Song Zhiwei didn't say anything more, but just looked out the window, watching the snowflakes flutter past the car window.
The coastal area was deserted, with heavy snow falling from the sky and a thick layer of snow on the ground.
The car was moving very slowly on the road, the tires were slipping, and it was very difficult to drive.
When they arrived at the entrance of the mourning hall, Xie Lingling was dressed in black with a white flower pinned to her chest. Her eyes were swollen, and it was clear that she had been crying for a long time.
She saw Song Zhiwei get out of the car, immediately went over and took her hand, stared at her for a few seconds, and whispered, "Why have you gotten so thin?"
"mom……"
As soon as Song Zhiwei opened her mouth, her voice trembled slightly, and her eyes instantly reddened.
Five years ago, when she left the Zhou family's old house with her suitcase, she made a vow with a cold face.
I will never come back in this lifetime.
At that time, she was filled with resentment.
But now, standing in the same old place, seeing Xie Lingling's still gentle face, my heart feels as if something is pressing down on it heavily.
"Sister-in-law."
Just then, a male voice came from inside.
Zhou Yuze got out of the driver's seat and greeted him respectfully.
Xie Lingling turned to look at him, a hint of gratitude flashing in her eyes.
"Thank you for your trouble, Yu Ce."
She paused, her tone filled with gratitude, "Zhiwei just got back, and I don't have anyone available to pick her up right away. Thank goodness you overheard my phone call and offered to help; otherwise, I really wouldn't know what to do."
Today is the seventh day after the old lady's death, and also the day of her official funeral.
The weather was gloomy, the wind howled, and snow fell heavily.
All the family's drivers were out picking up important relatives, so there were simply no extra cars or people to go to the airport to pick people up.
She was in a panic when Zhou Yuze happened to pass by and took on the task without saying a word.
"It's too cold and windy outside, you should go inside first."
Xie Lingling looked around and whispered to Song Zhiwei.
“Your brother and the others are waiting inside. They're worried that the old lady won't rest in peace, so they've been keeping watch over the mourning hall.”
Song Zhiwei nodded, her lips moved, but she didn't say anything.
Zhou Yu responded and, without lingering, turned and walked towards the mourning hall.
After he walked away, Xie Lingling took Song Zhiwei's arm.
It's less windy there, and there are fewer people.
She then lowered her voice and asked earnestly, "You haven't quit your job yet, have you?"
"not yet."
Song Zhiwei lowered her eyes.
She is a lawyer who graduated from a top law school abroad two years ago.
With excellent grades and outstanding internship performance, I successfully entered a renowned international law firm.
For two years, she worked tirelessly, pulling countless all-nighters, and finally gained a foothold in that highly competitive environment.
Didn't I tell you this already?
Xie Lingling sighed, her brow furrowing slightly.
"Quit your job and come home. Now that the old lady is gone, no one in the Zhou family can take care of you anymore. If you come back, Mom will have something to look forward to..."
Xie Lingling was remarried. In her youth, she married into the Zhou family, a wealthy family that everyone envied, thanks to her pretty face and gentle nature.
However, her family was weak and powerless, and she had no one to support her. When she first entered the family, she was constrained at every turn.
Her two stepchildren kept their distance from her.
Her mother-in-law treated her coldly, even criticizing what clothes she wore and what food she ate.
She could only endure it, try to please others, and carefully maintain a semblance of harmony.
Over the years, she has lived a life of frustration and exhaustion.
The only thing that kept her going was her biological daughter, Song Zhiwei.
She hoped her daughter would be successful and that she could fly far away.
But he also longed for her to come back, to return to his side.
Now that my mother-in-law has passed away, the atmosphere at home has finally eased a bit.
Her two stepchildren have also started their own families and careers, and no longer keep an eye on her.
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