Luo Yan could sense that Xiao Xiu didn't want to be separated from her, but she only had one biological mother, and no one could replace her when she was exhausted. Therefore, Chen Yuanshan was willing to temporarily adopt Xiao Xiu, and Luo Yan had to support him.
"Uncle likes older brother, and Yanyan loves her mother."
There's no one better than a mother in the world, and no brother can compare to a mother. Luo Yan pushed Xiao Xiu to Chen Yuanshan without any burden.
Luo Yan said she loved her mother but not him. Xiao Xiu lowered her head in disappointment. Chen Yuanshan took Xiao Xiu's hand again, and Xiao Xiu did not dodge.
Luo Yan breathed a sigh of relief. She was quite sensible. It was worth it for me to save her.
It was still early, so Hua Li immediately made the decision to move.
Chen Yuanshan wanted to help, but Hua Li wouldn't allow it, so Chen Yuanshan said...
"Should I talk to Commander Sun and offer to drive your things around?"
He can drive, and he can take care of the child by himself in the car. It's also convenient for Hua Li to move things; he can just put them in the car and drive away with a tap on the gas. It's much better than Hua Li having to go through the hassle of using a tricycle to move things back and forth.
Hua Li was in poor health and had little strength, and was struggling with how to transport the goods over, so she was very grateful to hear this.
"Thank you, Comrade Chen. However, let's make it clear first, I have to treat you tonight."
Seeing Hua Li's insistence, Chen Yuanshan had no choice but to agree.
The two split up; Hua Li took Luo Yan and Xiao Xiu back to pack their things, while Chen Yuanshan went to borrow a car from Sun Bailing.
When I arrived at my doorstep, the door was locked.
Luo Shicheng's failure to return was exactly what Hua Li wanted.
When Hua Li lived here before her marriage, Luo Shicheng was stationed in the army and did not come back. He gave Hua Li fifty yuan a month for living expenses, and Hua Li had saved some money at that time.
But ever since the tragedy that struck on their wedding night, Luo Shicheng has never given Hua Li a single penny. From her pregnancy to childbirth and postpartum period, Hua Li survived entirely on her meager savings.
Later, when her savings ran out and she was constantly harassed by Liu Jingqiu, Hua Li started selling her dowry, and in the end, she had nothing left.
Therefore, she and Luo Shicheng actually had almost no property division in their divorce. Now that she's back, she's only taking her change of clothes and some personal belongings.
Before long, Hua Li packed out three bundles and two luggage rolls, which were all the belongings she and her daughter had.
After thinking it over, Hua Li realized that if she didn't pick the vegetables in the garden, Luo Shicheng wouldn't either, and it would be a waste for them to rot in the ground. So she took a basket to the backyard and picked some of the vegetables that she could.
Chen Yuanshan drove over, got out of the car and went into the house. Seeing the pitiful little thing, and half a basket of vegetables, he couldn't help but frown.
"What's wrong? Is there not enough room in the car?" Hua Li asked worriedly.
She wanted to move everything out in one go to avoid having to come back again, which would be too embarrassing if she ran into Luo Shicheng.
"No..." Chen Yuanshan walked over, picked up his things, and went out. He put everything into the trunk of the car in two trips.
Hua Li carried a half-basket of vegetables, with a savings book containing 2,600 yuan and 50 yuan in cash in her pocket, as she walked out of the small courtyard where she had lived for more than five years.
"Don't look back," Hua Li commanded herself. Since she had chosen to leave, she shouldn't be reluctant to part.
Sitting in the car, with Xiao Xiu on her left and Luo Yan on her right, Hua Li was unusually calm, but tears streamed down her face the moment Chen Yuanshan started the engine.
Hearing the sobbing, Luo Yan knew without looking that her mother was crying again. She held Hua Li's cold hand in her little hand, quietly supporting her.
As Luo Yan watched the blue gate recede into the distance outside the car window, her nose tingled with emotion.
It must be the original owner's reaction, since the original owner was born in the compound, so it's understandable that she was reluctant to leave.
Luo Shicheng followed Chen Yuanshan and Hua Li to a courtyard near the supply and marketing cooperative. He guessed that Hua Li was probably looking for a house to move out of.
However, renting a house is not so easy; it's impossible to decide after just one visit. So he returned to the army first, planning to have a proper talk with Hua Li when he got home that evening.
Luo Shicheng made a point of rushing home early, only to find the door locked tight.
A bad feeling rose in Luo Shicheng's heart. He took out his key, opened the door, and rushed into the house.
When the lights are turned on, the whole house is cold and deserted, without a trace of human presence.
When Luo Shicheng saw the two yuan on the table and the note that read 'Two nights' room fee,' he was struck dumb.
Hua Li really moved away!
Luo Shicheng walked as if in a dream to the gate of the small courtyard he had followed during the day.
The gate to the courtyard was locked, and Hua Li was not there.
Did Hua Li rent a house somewhere else?
While lost in thought, Luo Shicheng suddenly heard Luo Yan's voice.
"Brother, come with me tomorrow..."
Luo Yan wanted to suggest that Xiao Xiu accompany her to kindergarten tomorrow, because An Xiaotong is two years older than her, and she would need a helper to get the jade pendant back.
His mouth just wouldn't listen; he just couldn't say anything. When he said "Come with me tomorrow," it sounded like he'd drunk two kilograms of fake liquor.
Hua Li also felt more at ease having Xiao Xiu accompany Luo Yan on her first day of kindergarten, but unfortunately she didn't have the ability to send Xiao Xiu, whom she had taken in, to kindergarten as well.
Chen Yuanshan asked Luo Yan, "Does Yan Yan really want her brother to go to kindergarten with her?"
Luo Yan nodded emphatically.
Chen Yuanshan said to Hua Li, "I'll try my best. See you at the kindergarten gate tomorrow."
Listen to what they say, "try their best," and then they agree to meet at the kindergarten gate. Isn't that practically a guarantee of admission?
Luo Yan cheered, "Thank you, Daddy Chen!"
"You child, don't talk nonsense," Hua Li stopped Luo Yan.
Chen Yuanshan smiled and patted Hua Li's head.
“Xiao Xiu calls me Dad Chen. Xiao Xiu is Yan Yan’s brother. It’s not wrong for Yan Yan to call me Dad Chen.”
Luo Yan smiled and hugged the pretty Xiao Xiu. Xiao Xiu wanted to hug Luo Yan back, but Luo Yan ran to the front door with her short legs.
After escorting Hua Li to her doorstep, Chen Yuanshan gave her some instructions.
"Be careful and call me if anything happens."
Hua Li nodded and called to Luo Yan, "Say goodbye to your uncle and brother."
Luo Yan said in her childish voice, "Goodbye, Daddy Chen, see you tomorrow, brother."
Xiao Xiu was reluctant to leave and kept waving to Luo Yan.
"It's not like we'll never see each other again, why make it seem like we're facing death?" Luo Yan yawned and turned to walk into the room with Hua Li.
Hua Li closed the door and bolted it shut. Chen Yuanshan picked up Xiao Xiu and walked back.
Luo Shicheng, who had been hiding in the shadows, stepped out, his clenched fists bulging with veins.
After a long while, Luo Shicheng's rapid breathing returned to normal. He rushed over in a few steps, leaped over the wall like a nimble cat, and landed lightly in the courtyard.
After Hua Li and Luo Yan washed up and changed into their pajamas, they went into the master bedroom, turned on the light, walked to the window, closed it, locked it, and drew the curtains, completely unaware of the tall, dark figure in the yard.
Perhaps it was the exhaustion from moving, or perhaps it was leaving behind the environment that had caused her endless harm, but Hua Li slept exceptionally well that night and woke up refreshed in the morning.
Seeing that there was still time, Hua Li did not immediately wake Luo Yan up, but instead tiptoed out of bed and went to the kitchen.
The new rice we bought and the vegetables we brought over yesterday are enough to make some porridge, stir-fry some cucumber and eggs, and boil some bok choy. It's so much better than the days when we were starving.
Suddenly, a knock on the door interrupted Hua Li.
Hua Li walked to the gate and asked who it was.
"It's me..."
"Luo Shicheng! What are you doing here?" Hua Li's expression changed drastically.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
