RIRW – Chapter 167

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Zuo Dan replied to Chen Pingping two days later, saying she planned to visit their home over the weekend.

Chen Pingping was overjoyed when she heard the news. As soon as she got home, she told Chen Zhisen.

“They really agreed to come over for dinner?” Chen Zhisen was reading the newspaper in the house. Upon hearing the news, a smile appeared on his face—clearly, he was in a good mood.

“Yes, Fifth Uncle,” Chen Pingping responded happily as well. “She’s coming with her husband, and they even said they’re bringing their child along. You have no idea— their kid is super adorable.”

Chen Zhisen nodded with a smile. Huihui’s grandchild must indeed be adorable.

Knowing guests were coming, Chen Zhisen took it seriously and had the housekeeper prepare dishes to receive them.

At this time, things were still somewhat inconvenient domestically. Purchasing supplies required government allocation. Chen Zhisen received state supplies, but they were rationed daily. It was fine for normal use, but it would seem inadequate for entertaining guests. So he sent Xiao Qiu to contact some Chen family staff who had recently returned from abroad to bring back some beef. These were supplies brought from overseas, prepared to be released into the domestic market when needed.

After everything was arranged, Chen Zhisen thought for a moment, then called Chen Nianjiang into the study. “This weekend, take Sinan to see the new house and spend a day there.”

“…” Chen Nianjiang looked up. “Dad…”

Chen Zhisen looked at him with a relaxed expression. “The house has long been prepared. It will be your and Sinan’s home from now on. Your surname has also been changed back to your original surname, Wang. I don’t know what your full names were before, so your current names remain the same. If you want, you can change them anytime.”

Chen Nianjiang’s eyes turned red, and he nodded tightly. “Can I still call you Dad in the future?”

Chen Zhisen shook his head. “You can call me Uncle. I can still be like an elder to you. Nianjiang, you overthink things too much—it’s not good. Young people should be full of energy and have their own goals.”

Chen Nianjiang’s eyes were moist, his heart heavy. “I know, Sinan and I have never been outstanding. You don’t truly like us. You’ve only taken care of us because of the favor you owed our parents. But in my heart, I’ve always looked up to you as a father. Thank you, Dad. Thank you for raising Sinan and me.”

Chen Zhisen shook his head and sighed. “Nianjiang, in my heart, even if you’re not talented, you’ve worked hard. Don’t belittle yourself. I didn’t treat you and Sinan as my own children—that’s my own selfishness. I’m not a saint without desires. Even if you were more exceptional, it would be the same. The only thing I could give you was these twenty years of life and identity. Now, you’re grown up. It’s time to live your own lives.”

Chen Nianjiang lowered his head, not letting Chen Zhisen see the tears falling from his eyes. He didn’t want him to think he was weak or useless. This person—his greatest role model, the one he respected the most—was finally letting go of him. Just as he had said many years ago, “I can’t protect you for a lifetime. You’re Sinan’s older brother, so you must work harder. When you grow up, you’ll have to rely on yourselves.”

This man was the best person in the world—he raised him, yet remained the clearest-headed. No matter how well he did, he could never truly be acknowledged.

“Dad, I understand. I’ll take good care of Sinan. We’ve grown up—we’ll rely on ourselves now.”

Chen Zhisen nodded.

After Chen Nianjiang left, Chen Zhisen walked over to the table and lightly leaned on it, letting out a quiet sigh. His expression relaxed a bit.

On the weekend, Zuo Dan and Shen Yiming went out with little Shen Youyou bundled up like a small ball.

They brought Shen Youyou along to liven up the atmosphere and avoid awkwardness. After all, the child was quite well-behaved, and they weren’t worried he’d cause trouble.

Shen Youyou was actually very unwilling to go out. The outside world made him uncomfortable—he’d much rather stay home and eat roasted sweet potatoes with his great-grandmother. But his parents insisted on taking him out and had dressed him up early in the morning. They applied baby lotion, making him smell nice and clean. Then they wrapped him in a layer of blankets, warm and cozy. Since he didn’t feel uncomfortable on the way out, Shen Youyou’s mood improved. He opened his eyes wide with joy and curiously looked around.

“Look at this little guy,” Zuo Dan said with a smile. “Didn’t even like going out before, but now he’s all excited.”

Shen Yiming carried his son in one arm and gently pinched his chubby cheek.

“I wasn’t a very active kid when I was little. Not sure who he takes after.”

Zuo Dan immediately shot him a sidelong glance. Wasn’t that just a roundabout way of saying the kid took after her? “This is called being lively. Not like you, all serious and old-fashioned. I’ve been a likable child since I was little.”

Shen Yiming nodded in agreement. “I’ll give you that—otherwise, I wouldn’t have fallen for you.”

Zuo Dan pinched his cheek, stretching it out of shape. “Getting cocky, are you? If you’d said something like that when we were dating, I would’ve kicked you.”

Shen Youyou watched his dad’s face get stretched like that and burst into cheerful giggles.

The happy scene of the family of three drew a lot of attention from passersby.

When they arrived at the Chen residence, Chen Pingping was actually waiting for them outside. When she saw they had really come, her face lit up with a big smile.

“Classmate Zuo Dan! Classmate Shen Yiming! You’re finally here. If you’d come any later, I’d have frozen solid!” Chen Pingping ran over with a laugh. Then, spotting Shen Youyou, she said, “Hello, little handsome guy! Do you still remember me?”

Of course Shen Youyou remembered her. He remembered every pretty auntie. As soon as he saw Chen Pingping, he immediately reached out his arms for a hug.

After all, his parents were right beside him—no fear of being carried away.

Chen Pingping was instantly thrilled. “He’s so adorable!” she exclaimed, reaching out to pick him up.

Shen Yiming didn’t hand him over. “He’s wrapped in a thick quilt—it’s too heavy. You probably can’t carry him. Let’s go inside and unwrap him first.”

Chen Pingping quickly nodded. “Yes, yes, let’s go inside. It’s freezing outside, we can’t let the child get cold.”

Once inside, both Zuo Dan and Shen Yiming immediately felt the warmth. Since Beijing hadn’t started centralized heating yet, they usually had to heat their homes with stoves. But it seemed the Chen family was using some other heating system—there wasn’t even a trace of coal smell.

“My fifth uncle really hates the cold, so he installed a heating system. It’s very warm inside. Hurry and unwrap the child’s quilt, don’t let him get too stuffy.”

The two of them quickly unwrapped Shen Youyou on the sofa.

With no more restraints and a warm room, Shen Youyou got energized again. He climbed off the sofa and toddled toward Chen Pingping, arms out for a hug.

Zuo Dan held her forehead—she hadn’t realized her son could be so sycophantic.

Chen Pingping immediately scooped him up with a joyful laugh.

Meanwhile, Chen Zhisen, having been informed by the housekeeper, came down from upstairs. The moment he saw Zuo Dan and Shen Yiming sitting on the sofa, for a second, he felt as if he had traveled back in time to many years ago.

But he quickly pulled himself together and came down smiling.

“Welcome to our home.”

Shen Yiming and Zuo Dan stood up when they heard his voice. “Hello, Mr. Chen. Sorry to trouble you.”

Seeing them stand, Chen Zhisen quickly said, “No need to be so formal. Treat this as your own home. Please, sit.”

The two sat back down. After the housekeeper brought over tea and snacks, she asked when lunch should be served. Chen Zhisen checked the time. “We’ll eat at eleven,” he said, then added, “And bring some pastries suitable for children.”

The housekeeper hurried back to the kitchen.

Chen Zhisen looked at Zuo Dan and Shen Yiming. “I’ve been looking forward to your visit for a long time. You’re both friends with Pingping, you should come by more often. You don’t have other relatives in Beijing, so consider us your family.”

Chen Pingping chimed in, “Exactly. We don’t have many other relatives either—it’s usually quiet around here. You two should visit more often.”

Zuo Dan and Shen Yiming nodded with polite smiles, though they didn’t directly agree.

Just then, the housekeeper brought out a plate of cream cakes, and Shen Youyou’s eyes lit up. He stared at the little cakes.

Chen Zhisen chuckled. “Let the child have some.”

Shen Youyou looked at the cake, then at Chen Zhisen, and reached out. “Hug.”

He had noticed earlier—it was this grandpa-like man who had talked to someone and then snacks were brought out.

Chen Zhisen hadn’t expected the child to ask to be held. His legs weren’t in great condition, and most children were wary of him. So he hadn’t tried to hold the child earlier. But this little one didn’t seem afraid.

Seeing Shen Youyou’s bright eyes, he smiled and reached out. “Alright, let me try holding you.”

Chen Pingping quickly let go of the child—she knew Shen Youyou could walk.

He ran straight over and hugged Chen Zhisen’s leg.

Zuo Dan could hardly bear to watch.

But Chen Zhisen burst into joyful laughter and lifted the child onto his lap. He looked closely at him—this child resembled his father more, but also inherited some features from his mother. And his mother looked just like her grandmother. Chen Zhisen found the child’s face deeply endearing.

Seeing this scene, Zuo Dan and Shen Yiming both felt a little uneasy. Perhaps there really was something to the bond of blood—it could make complete strangers feel close.

With Shen Youyou around, the atmosphere lightened up noticeably. Everything became more natural and comfortable.

After eating a piece of cake, Shen Youyou had cream on his lips and gave Chen Zhisen a kiss. The old man froze for a second, surprised by the gesture.

Shen Yiming explained, “He really likes this cake, so that’s his way of thanking you.” At home, after he ate something, Zuo Dan would always kiss him—over time, he started believing that giving kisses meant more treats next time.

Chen Zhisen’s eyes crinkled with laughter. “What a clever little boy. I bet the elders in your family love him.”

Zuo Dan realized he was fishing for information about her mother, Li Hui. “Yes, everyone at home adores him.”

Chen Zhisen smiled. “I really like him too. Whenever you’re free, bring him over more often. There’s always someone here to watch him.” He handed another snack to Shen Youyou.

Shen Youyou clapped his hands in delight. “Grandpa is bad-bad!”

“Pfft—” Zuo Dan nearly spit out her tea. This little rascal!

Chen Zhisen looked stunned for a moment.

Shen Yiming stifled a laugh. “He thinks that means something good. ‘Bad-bad’ means awesome to him—it’s how he expresses happiness.”

Chen Pingping couldn’t stop laughing and clutched her stomach. Even Chen Zhisen chuckled. “Alright then—Grandpa is bad-bad.”

Seeing everyone laugh, Shen Youyou giggled even more happily.

Zuo Dan sighed to herself. Truly, “a child’s mischief is the parents’ fault.” Shen Youyou’s jokes were all because she and Shen Yiming messed around too much. She resolved to be more careful with their word choices in the future—she didn’t want to confuse the boy.

After a while of laughter, lunch was served at the Chen household.

Chen Zhisen had even arranged for someone to feed Shen Youyou, but to his surprise, the child could eat by himself. They gave him a high chair, and he ate quite properly.

For a moment, Chen Zhisen felt dazed—if only this were really his grandson.

After the meal, Shen Youyou played in the room with Chen Pingping. Knowing a child would be visiting, Chen Zhisen had prepared some new toys. They were all things Shen Youyou didn’t have, and he was thrilled, completely ignoring his parents.

Zuo Dan and Shen Yiming followed Chen Zhisen to the entry garden for tea. Watching the snowy scene through the window, all three fell silent. After a while, Chen Zhisen broke the quiet.

“Yiming, you studied economics. Do you plan to go into business or politics?”

Shen Yiming smiled. “I lean toward serving the people. But as for whether that’s achievable, I’ll leave it to fate.”

Chen Zhisen chuckled. “That’s what I used to think too. I studied economics back then as well—researching the differences between Eastern and Western systems, hoping to find a development path suited to our national conditions. But after many twists and turns, I ended up in business.”

“You managed the Chinese business association in America, and now you’re back participating in domestic development. In a way, you’ve reached the same destination by a different route,” Shen Yiming said.

Chen Zhisen nodded with a smile. “That’s one way to console myself. But it’s still a regret. I hope you can fulfill your dreams, and avoid the regrets we in the older generation carry. The country needs talents like you.”

He then looked at Zuo Dan and said, “Dandan, you studied education—was that influenced by your maternal grandfather’s family? Your grandfather was a very good teacher. I once studied under him and gained a lot.”

Zuo Dan looked up at him, knowing he was about to bring up the Li family again. “That was part of the reason. My grandfather suffered political persecution back then and didn’t teach for many years. My mother went to university, but she wasn’t able to graduate. Her wish was to carry on my grandfather’s career. After what happened to my grandfather’s family, she also suffered a lot. Now that life has finally improved, I also want to fulfill their dream and carry on the Li family’s educational legacy.”

Hearing her mention Li Hui, Chen Zhisen’s expression froze, and then he frowned. “Your mother suffered a lot over the years?”

“In that era, my grandfather’s family was persecuted—everyone suffered. But fortunately, the whole family stayed together. Even though life was hard, they endured it together. Things are better now. My mom has a job she enjoys and is very happy. The family is harmonious, and she doesn’t have any worries anymore. As the younger generation, we just want her to stay happy and not dwell on those past hardships.”

Chen Zhisen clenched his hands and sighed. “You’re right. She deserves to enjoy life now. You’re an outstanding person, and your child is adorable. She must be very happy.”

She had always been easily satisfied.

Zuo Dan said, “Mr. Chen, you’re a good man. Your character is worthy of respect. Shen Yiming and I admire your integrity and contributions. So we hope you can also live happily going forward. Don’t think about the past anymore—whether good or bad, it’s all in the past. Don’t get caught up in it. Focus on the future.”

She believed that peace for everyone was the best possible ending.

Chen Zhisen was silent for a moment. “Is that your mother’s thinking too?”

“She’s never brought up the past all these years. I only learned about it by accident—more precisely, when someone used it against her, that’s when I found out. I don’t want to blame you for anything, because back then, there were no easy choices. But you still made your decision to leave. Times have changed; there’s no going back. There’s no point clinging to the past. That only makes things painful for both of you.”

Hearing that Li Hui had been attacked over this matter, Chen Zhisen felt a sharp pain in his chest.

After a long silence, he said, “Actually, I had already given up on finding your mother. When I returned to the country, I ran into your grandparents. They told me about her current life and asked me not to disturb her. I respected their wishes and didn’t seek her out, but I was always somewhat uneasy. Now, seeing you protect her like this, I feel at ease. You’re right—things can never go back to how they were. What matters most is that she’s living well.”

Hearing his words, Zuo Dan and Shen Yiming exchanged glances, their expressions complex.

After finishing their talk about the past, the three of them had little else to say. Fortunately, Chen Pingping arrived with Shen Youyou, who clung to Chen Zhisen asking for food.

Chen Zhisen smiled and tried to educate him, “That kind of snack shouldn’t be eaten too much. Even though you’re young, you need to learn self-control.”

Shen Youyou looked utterly confused. He didn’t understand a word. He just wanted that sweet thing, even tastier than roasted sweet potatoes.

“Eat, eat…”

It was Chen Zhisen’s first time teaching a child, and the child didn’t understand a thing. He felt helpless and said, “Alright, alright, I’ll get you something to eat.”

He turned to Chen Pingping and said, “Get him something not too sweet.”

Chen Zhisen wanted to trick Shen Youyou, but when Chen Pingping brought it over, the boy took one bite and pushed it away in disgust.

“What a clever child. Can’t be fooled,” Chen Zhisen laughed.

Zuo Dan was just about to say that he was just a glutton when they heard the front door open—clearly someone had returned.

Then came the voice of Chen Sinan, “Where’s Dad? Are there guests at home today? Bro, it’s your fault for taking me out.”

Footsteps followed, and Chen Sinan appeared at the doorway. “Dad, do we have guests?”

When she saw Zuo Dan and Shen Yiming, she was surprised. “It’s you?”

“Sinan, that tone is rude,” Chen Zhisen said sternly.

Chen Nianjiang heard his father scolding Chen Sinan and quickly ran over. “It’s my fault for not teaching Sinan properly. I’ll make sure she learns. Sinan, come upstairs with me. Don’t disturb the guests.”

He reached out to pull Chen Sinan away.

Chen Sinan felt wronged. Her dad had scolded her in front of Zuo Dan and Shen Yiming—and she hadn’t even done anything! No wonder they’d sent her out today—it was to avoid seeing them.

“I’m not going! Why should I leave?” she cried.

“Sinan, listen!” Chen Nianjiang glanced nervously at Chen Zhisen, afraid he would be angry. But as his gaze swept over the others in the room, he suddenly froze.

That woman…

Zuo Dan felt it wasn’t appropriate to stay any longer. She tugged at Shen Yiming. He nodded and stood up. “Mr. Chen, we should head back. My grandmother is at home—we can’t leave her alone too long.”

Chen Zhisen knew things had been tense between them in the past, so he didn’t try to insist. He nodded. “I’ll have someone drive you home. Don’t refuse—it’s too cold out, and it’s not good for the child to freeze.”

Zuo Dan nodded. “Thank you.”

Shen Yiming picked up Shen Youyou, and the two of them started to leave. Chen Zhisen and Chen Pingping walked them out. As they were leaving, a housemaid came from the kitchen with a gift box.

“These are all sweets kids like. I noticed he really enjoys them. But it’s not good for him to eat too much at once. Take them home and give him a little at a time, just to satisfy his craving.”

Zuo Dan didn’t refuse and accepted the box. “Thank you for your hospitality today, and for the gifts. One day, Shen Yiming and I would like to treat you to a meal too.”

Reciprocation—no debts left between them.

Chen Zhisen smiled and nodded. “Alright, I’ll be waiting for your invitation.”

After they got in the car, Chen Pingping leaned close to the window and said to Zuo Dan, “So annoying—my uncle had arranged for them to be out, but who knew they’d come back so early?”

“It’s fine, we were going to leave anyway,” Zuo Dan replied with a smile. They’d said everything that needed to be said and met face to face. Staying longer would’ve been awkward.

Inside the house, Chen Sinan was still upset. “Brother, so Dad invited Zuo Dan and Shen Yiming over today, and that’s why he made us go out? Why? He knows I don’t get along with Zuo Dan, and still invited her. And made me go out in this freezing weather?”

Chen Nianjiang had calmed down by now. Hearing her complaints, he frowned. “Stop talking like that. Dad will get angry.”

“Am I not as good as that Zuo Dan?” Chen Sinan said indignantly.

“In Dad’s eyes, maybe you really aren’t,” Chen Nianjiang replied, looking at his sister with some helplessness. Zuo Dan looked too much like her…

Chen Sinan was about to ask why she couldn’t compare to Zuo Dan when she saw Chen Zhisen and Chen Pingping come back inside. Realizing her dad had personally seen them off, she felt even more hurt.

“Dad, your health isn’t good. Why did you see them off? It’s not like they’re some VIPs.”

As soon as Chen Zhisen entered and heard that, his face turned cold, and he struck the floor hard with his cane.

Then he turned to Chen Nianjiang and said, “You haven’t told her yet?”

“I haven’t had the chance…”

“Then celebrate this last New Year together,” Chen Zhisen said, then turned and went upstairs, clearly furious.

Chen Sinan stood there stunned. “What does Dad mean? We’re not celebrating New Year anymore?”

Chen Pingping came over. “It’s not that we’re not celebrating—just not with you. Xiao Qiu has already arranged your housing. From now on, you and our family are no longer connected.” 

When she’d heard this from Xiao Qiu, she’d been overjoyed.