"Oh?" Huang Meihua raised an eyebrow, a little puzzled. Although this was a foreign land, life here should be better than at home, and much more advanced. Why wouldn't she stay?
“Sister Huang, Hongmei is a very sentimental and homesick girl. I went back to her rural hometown with her and saw how much she missed the villagers. Otherwise, how could Zhang Shouyi have felt comfortable letting her go?”
"It's such a pity. My Carlos's love life has been so bumpy. He finally fell in love again, but it ended before it even started."
"Sister Huang, there's nothing we can do about it. Of course, many people are eyeing a good girl. Besides, children and grandchildren have their own blessings. Let nature take its course."
"Sigh! That's all we can do. I liked Hongmei the moment I saw her, and I really wanted to take her home. Carlos said she's also incredibly smart and capable."
"Yes, before I met you, Hongmei had already partnered with the Roy family and opened some kind of trading company."
“I know that. Carlos told me that it would be a real shame to miss out on such a wonderful girl.”
“There’s nothing I can do about that. I’ll show you Zhang Shouyi’s photo, and that will lessen your regret a lot.” Wang Xinyi said as she got off the bed and went to find the photo album.
This photo is of Zhang Xingguo and his family of three, taken while they were packing. I put it away myself; I originally wanted to give it to Hongmei, but I forgot. I'll bring it to Hongmei later.
Looking at the two people standing side by side behind the old man in the photo, Huang Meihua had nothing to complain about. They were a perfect match, a handsome man and a beautiful woman. Hongmei was a given, and Zhang Shouyi was truly a refined and precious young man.
The two looked very well-matched standing together. Although the girl seemed quite childish, they were very harmonious together.
Huang Meihua handed Wang Xinyi a photo, saying, "Carlos didn't lose unfairly; the two are such a perfect match."
Wang Xinyi thought to herself, "Zhang Shouyi is all show and no substance. He's just genuinely fond of Hongmei. Otherwise, I would have definitely encouraged Hongmei not to go back." But she couldn't say that out loud.
"Sister Huang, your life must be incredibly fulfilling, right?"
"It's alright. My husband has always been very good to me. Even though I wasn't able to give birth to a head of the McCann family back then, he didn't treat me badly, so I'm content."
"That's good. All those years of wandering outside haven't been in vain."
"Yes, my only regret is that I was not able to fulfill my filial duties to my parents. Fortunately, my elder brother had no interest in power and left early, thus protecting our family."
"Sister Huang, are you still in contact with your family?"
"Not much. After my brother passed away, we lost touch. But I'm relieved to know that my nephews are all doing well."
Wang Xinyi has no relatives left in the world, so she doesn't understand this feeling.
"Xinyi, will you still go back to China with Hongmei?"
"I want to go back; I never feel at home here."
"What about your husband? I know he owns a textile factory."
"I haven't thought that far ahead yet, but Brother Zhao said he'll be able to go back to China and open a textile factory, so we should be able to go back, right?"
"Hehe, not bad, returning to China is a trend. Our family also has this intention."
Oh dear! My Annie must be heartbroken. I don't even know how to explain it to her.
"Let's send the photos up now and let Hongmei talk to her."
"Okay, that's one way. Let's go!"
The two drove to the living room and saw Zhao Tiancheng sitting on the sofa reading a newspaper.
"Xinyi, what's wrong?"
"It's nothing, I'm just going upstairs to find Hongmei."
"Oh, whose photo is this?" Zhao Tiancheng asked, puzzled, when he saw his wife holding the photo.
“It’s Hongmei’s,” Wang Xinyi said, and went upstairs with Huang Meihua.
Before I even reached the study, I heard Anne's cheers.
Huang Meihua looked at Wang Xinyi and sighed, "What a pity, what a pity."
Zhang Hongmei came to open the door and, seeing the two people outside, quickly invited them in.
The three sat at a round table. "Hongmei, this is your photo. I don't know how it ended up with me. I always forget to return it to you. I took it out to look at it today and brought it over directly, just in case I forgot again."
Zhang Hongmei took the photo with a puzzled look and found it was a group photo of herself with Zhang Xingguo and Brother Zhang.
"Okay, I didn't notice."
"Hongmei, I heard from Xinyi that this is your husband and father-in-law?"
"Yes, this is a family photo."
"Hehe, I didn't expect you to get married at such a young age. Annie still wants you to be her mother!" Huang Meihua sighed after saying that.
Zhang Hongmei was startled, but seeing Wang Xinyi's expression, she knew Huang Meihua was telling the truth. After hesitating for a moment, she said, "Aunties, please sit down for a while. I'll go find the photo album for Annie to see."
After saying that, she went to the bedroom. Actually, she was going to retrieve the set of photos that Liu Jingzhang had taken at home from her personal space.
Carrying her to the study, Annie was already sitting next to her grandmother, obediently drinking water.
"Sister, would you like to show me the photos?"
Zhang Hongmei nodded hesitantly. Is it really okay to show this to a five-year-old child?
"Annie, would you like to see my sister's photos? They're all from my wedding."
"Okay, okay. Show it to me quickly."
Zhang Hongmei placed the photo album on the round table, and Annie eagerly opened it.
"Sister, you are so beautiful, and your house is beautiful too."
"Thank you. When you have the chance to go back, come visit my house."
"Okay, okay. Sister, who is this uncle? Why are there so many pictures of you and him?"
"Annie, this is my husband." Zhang Hongmei felt a great sense of relief as she said these words, knowing she had finally said them herself.
"Sister, husband?"
"Yes, just like your parents' relationship."
Annie suddenly put down the open photo album. "Sister, does that mean I can't have you as my mother?"
"Yes, my sister has a husband."
Anne lowered her head and didn't say anything, but tears fell down her face.
“Annie Baby, I can’t be your mother, but I’m still your sister!” Zhang Hongmei went over with heartache, hugged the little girl, and said softly.
"But I just want you to be my mom, so you won't leave me."
“Annie, you’re still too young. We have a saying: ‘All good things must come to an end.’ So even the closest of relationships, like parents and children, will eventually lead to them going their separate ways.”
Annie didn't look up. She just nestled in Zhang Hongmei's arms, still sobbing. The two elderly people watched from the side, unsure how to comfort the child.
“Annie, I won’t be leaving for at least the next two years. We can see each other often. You can come and stay here every week. And even if I leave one day, you can write to me.”
Anne just shook her head, her tears still flowing.
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