Aunt Wang had already pushed the cart in. Four eyes, one big and one small, stared at the group of people in the room, looking somewhat dumbfounded.
Xiao Bao's mouth turned down, probably because he was frightened.
Xu Ruantang hurried over, picked up Xiaobao, and smiled at Aunt Wang, saying, "Godmother, I'm fine."
Aunt Wang's gaze fell on the old lady sitting in the room. At this point, Xu Ruantang had no choice but to introduce: "Godmother, this is Chen Ji's grandmother, and also his brother and sister-in-law."
Aunt Wang stared blankly at the old lady, tears welling up in her eyes, her lips trembling slightly, and called out, "Sister Guiying! It's me, Xiuli, Wang Xiuli!"
The old lady had already stood up, her once robust body now appearing somewhat hunched, her eyes also glistening with tears. "Xiuli? Is it really Xiuli?"
Before anyone in the room could react, the two elderly people rushed towards each other and embraced tightly.
Aunt Wang cried especially hard, "Sister Guiying! Sister Guiying! I've finally seen you! Do you know? My son is gone, the son I raised so long, just gone like that! Waaaaah, Sister Guiying, why is my life so bitter! Why is God so cruel to me! I can't go on living! Waaaaah..."
Xu Ruantang was dumbfounded. Aunt Wang's sorrowful cries echoed throughout the room. The old lady hugged her and kept shedding tears. She had completely lost her previous dignified demeanor and was now just an ordinary old woman.
She patted Aunt Wang on the back, and the two of them burst into tears.
At this moment, although Xu Ruantang didn't know what their relationship was, she finally understood that Aunt Wang's strength all along was indeed a facade.
She lost her son and quickly left her hometown. She always had a smile on her face and soon made new friends.
Pretend that everything is over.
But when she met a familiar older woman, she released all the emotions she had been suppressing.
Because she had no one to confide in, she couldn't tell Xu Ruantang about her inner turmoil; the young man still needed her to support him.
They cried so hard that Xu Ruantang felt like she needed to pee, but she held it in and her throat was sore.
Although children can't speak, they can understand adults' emotions. Xiao Bao pouted, about to burst into tears, so Xu Ruantang quickly picked her up and took her to the yard.
She pointed to something at random, and the child's attention was diverted. He turned his head and began to look at the object in front of him seriously.
After the two elderly people had finished crying, they helped each other to sit down. Once the crying inside stopped, Xu Ruantang returned carrying Xiaobao.
Only then did everyone realize that years ago, when the old lady still lived in Dahe Village, she and Aunt Wang were neighbors who depended on each other for survival.
One lost her husband early, and the other had a husband who was away working. They both raised their children alone. Despite the significant age difference, they supported each other through the most difficult years.
Because no one can help them but each other.
It was only at this time that Xu Ruantang learned that Chen Ji not only had a grandmother, but also that his parents were still alive.
Even his father was a high-ranking military officer.
His grandfather was a founding general!
Xu Ruantang's mind was racing with a thousand thoughts. How could she have forgotten that Chen Ji was the male protagonist of a novel? The background and identity of the male protagonist in a novel are never that simple.
So why would someone from such a powerful family return to Dahe Village alone?
With so many people in the family, can't they help him raise a baby?
Xu Ruantang suddenly remembered that when Chen Ji wanted her to come and join the army, he said that he couldn't take care of Xiaobao by himself. Was that a lie he told her?
What is his purpose? Is it because he has always doubted himself that he wants to keep her by his side?
Why does he have a bad relationship with his family?
How many secrets does he still have?!
Xu Ruantang, who thought she knew people quite well, suddenly felt like she was standing in a fog, unable to see anything clearly. She realized that she was the one who was completely naked.
She felt a chill and then belatedly realized she was afraid.
She'd already offended a military officer, but now she'd discovered she'd messed with a powerful family. Was she doomed?!
Xu Ruantang was in a state of confusion and didn't pay much attention to what the two old men behind her were saying.
"Ruan Tang, Ruan Tang?"
Aunt Wang waved to her, and Xu Ruantang snapped out of her daze, forcing a smile as she asked, "Godmother, what's wrong?"
Aunt Wang exchanged a glance with the old lady, then turned and took her hand, comforting her, "Did Sister Guiying scare you just now? Don't be afraid, this old lady just likes to scare people. With your godmother here, she can't bully you!"
As he spoke, he glared at the old lady.
The old lady thought, "My goddaughter is such a good girl. It's a blessing for the Chen family to marry into our family. What else could she possibly complain about?"
It seems I need to have a good talk with Sister Xiuying tonight; I can't let my goddaughter suffer any losses.
The old lady was glared at, but she wasn't annoyed at all. Instead, she smiled and said, "Yes, yes, I'm an old woman, how could I bully the younger generation?"
As she spoke, the old lady sighed, took Xu Ruantang's other hand, patted it, and said, "My third grandson is a stubborn man. He finally got married at the age of twenty-eight. I'm so heartbroken for him!"
"Was Grandma's speech unpleasant? Good child, don't take it to heart."
Everyone thought she was strict and sharp-tongued, assuming she had come to intimidate her granddaughter-in-law. Only the old lady knew in her heart that she had come to see her granddaughter-in-law.
Chen Ji is the grandson she worries about and feels the most sorry for.
Moreover, having been here for so long, this third granddaughter-in-law has remained neither servile nor arrogant, and has not tried to curry favor with the grandmother despite knowing she is her grandmother.
Having seen so many sycophants, this girl is very pleasant to look at.
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
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