RIRW – Chapter 168

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Chen Sinan looked completely unconvinced. “Impossible. How could Dad treat us like that? You’re lying, Chen Pingping! I know you’ve always excluded me and my brother. You don’t like us. But this kind of thing is not something you can just say out of spite. I’m going to tell Dad!”

“Who’s your dad? Your real parents haven’t even been found yet. My uncle already said a long time ago that he raised you because your parents once saved his life. Now that you’ve both grown up, do you really expect my uncle to support you for the rest of your lives?” Chen Pingping said angrily.

All these years, the elders of the Chen family had treated Chen Sinan and her brother well because their parents had once saved Pingping’s fifth uncle. Whenever the siblings made mistakes, they were never punished.

Chen Sinan relied on this and often tattled on the other cousins in front of the elders.

The Chen family was repaying a debt of gratitude — it wasn’t unconditional spoiling. But she still didn’t understand the situation and kept provoking her cousins. She even nitpicked who her older male cousin was dating.

Chen Sinan said emotionally, “I don’t believe it! How could Dad not want us?”

Chen Pingping glanced at Chen Nianjiang. “If you don’t believe me, ask your brother. Didn’t he take you to look at a house today? That house was prepared by my fifth uncle for you two. After your real parents are found, your family will reunite and live in that house together. Don’t feel wronged. Your parents saved my fifth uncle, but he also raised both of you, gave you a good education, and a good life. And now he’s even bought a house for you. That’s like giving you a second life. You should be grateful. Stop bothering my fifth uncle. He was in a good mood today, and you ruined it.”

With that, she didn’t spare another glance at the siblings and went straight upstairs.

Chen Sinan turned to her brother. “Brother, is what she said true? Does Dad really not want us anymore?”

Chen Nianjiang nodded. “Sinan, I’ve told you before — we were adopted. I told you not to make Dad angry… Dad has already prepared a house for us and taken care of our household registration. From now on, we’re no longer part of the Chen family. We’re not his children anymore.”

Chen Sinan’s eyes reddened with grievance. “How can this be? Brother, why? Why would Dad treat us like this?”

Chen Nianjiang lowered his head. “Because we’re just adopted.”

“But Dad doesn’t have biological children either!” Chen Sinan exclaimed.

“But the Chen family has many younger relatives. Dad doesn’t lack children. Sinan, stop making Dad angry. Don’t exhaust the last bit of affection he has left for us. Otherwise, he’ll never pay attention to us again.”

Chen Nianjiang advised earnestly.

Chen Sinan, filled with anger, said, “But Brother, how did I make Dad angry? I try to please him every day! It’s that Chen Pingping who keeps speaking ill of me. That’s why Dad hates me!”

Chen Nianjiang shook his head. “Just now, that Zuo Dan — stop targeting her. Don’t say bad things about her in front of Dad.”

Chen Sinan became even more aggrieved and plopped down on the sofa. “Why? Am I not as good as Chen Pingping? Am I even worse than some outsider?”

“Why won’t you just listen?” Chen Nianjiang sighed helplessly. He didn’t want Sinan doing something foolish that would anger Chen Zhisen again. He pulled her into the entryway garden.

“Brother, what are you doing?” Chen Sinan yanked her hand away.

“Listen to me. Don’t go against that Zuo Dan. Dad will definitely protect her. Think about it — wasn’t Dad also defending her just now?”

Chen Sinan looked at him. “Brother, why am I not even as good as some outsider?”

Chen Nianjiang said solemnly, “Because she looks a lot like Dad’s old lover. Remember that photo Dad treasures so much? When you were little, you once tried to sneak a look — that was the first and only time Dad punished you.”

Chen Sinan remembered. When she was little, Dad was always busy and never really cared about her. On the rare occasions he was free, he’d sit and look at a photo. She’d overheard others say the person in the photo was the most important to Dad, and she didn’t like that. She was his daughter — she should be the most important person to him. So, she secretly went to check the photo while he was napping.

She discovered it was a photo of Dad with another person.

Back then, she was a bit naïve and brought the photo to him, asking who the person was. Dad flew into a rage, smacked her palm with a ruler, and even threatened to send her away if she ever touched that photo again. She’d been terrified and never dared go near it again.

Now that she thought about it, Zuo Dan did look a lot like the woman in the photo. No wonder she felt a strange familiarity when she saw her.

“Dad hurt his leg while trying to find that woman. If it weren’t for that accident, our parents wouldn’t have ended up saving him. So Sinan, now you know how important that woman was to Dad. I don’t know if Zuo Dan is related to that woman, but since they look alike, Dad will definitely protect her. Don’t cross the line again.”

Chen Sinan bit her lip. Twenty years of feelings couldn’t compare to just a face…

At the end of the month, school let out for the holidays. Zuo Cong also came from school to stay at Zuo Dan’s place, getting ready to head to Nanjing with them. Zuo Dan and Shen Yiming had already packed up everything at home. The train tickets were bought.

This trip home for the New Year was mainly to transfer Shen Youyou’s household registration and to update the family on their situation. After this, they might not have time to return during the New Year again — especially since Grandma’s health couldn’t withstand much more traveling.

Before leaving, Shen Yiming planned to invite Zhang Yue over for a meal.

Usually, everyone was busy with school, and Zhang Yue rarely visited — they would only occasionally gather during holidays. But this time, it had been more than a month since Zhang Yue last came by. Shen Yiming was worried something might be going on with him.

He called Zhang Yue’s workplace, but was told Zhang hadn’t shown up. So Shen Yiming decided to go check in on Zhang’s place himself.

Zuo Dan prepared some fruit and meat as New Year’s gifts. After all, when they first arrived, Zhang Yue had helped them a lot.

They had never had the chance to properly thank them.

Shen Yiming had been to the Zhang family’s house before, so he knew the way. The two of them rode bicycles and headed out directly. Shen Youyou watched them leave and thought they were going to the house with the cake from the other day. He immediately pouted and started wailing, insisting on going too.

Zuo Cong had originally planned to read, but upon hearing his little nephew crying, he quickly picked up Shen Youyou and started coaxing him.

After a few cries, Shen Youyou realized his parents were long gone and instantly lost interest. He pointed at the sweet potatoes, babbling and demanding roasted sweet potatoes.

Grandma laughed and quickly tossed one into the stove. “Eat too many and your stomach will get bloated. Just have a little.”

Shen Youyou didn’t understand any of that. His eyes were glued to the stove.

Zuo Dan and Shen Yiming rode for more than half an hour before they were near the Zhang family’s home.

And that was considered close by local standards. Zuo Dan thought about how large the capital would be in the future—Shen Yiming would probably break his legs pedaling and still wouldn’t make it out of the city. She shivered at the thought.

Shen Yiming asked, “Cold? Put your hands inside my jacket.”

Zuo Dan leaned against his back. “Not cold, not cold. I was just thinking… maybe I should buy a bike too. It’s too tiring for you to carry me every time.”

Shen Yiming firmly refused. “No need. This is just right.” It felt steady and grounded.

Since he didn’t mind the effort, Zuo Dan wasn’t going to be polite about it either. She also liked sitting on the back seat of Shen Yiming’s bicycle—like the passenger seat of a car in the future, a spot that belonged solely to her.

When they reached the siheyuan courtyard where the Zhang family lived, Shen Yiming braked the bicycle and Zuo Dan jumped off the back. After he locked the bike, they carried their things and went in.

Just as they stepped into the courtyard, they ran into Zhang Yue, who was about to head out. The two parties came face-to-face. Zhang Yue was surprised. “Shen Yiming? What brings you two here?”

“It’s been a while. Thought we’d drop by and say hello,” Shen Yiming replied with a smile.

Zhang Yue quickly welcomed them inside. His parents were at home, and upon seeing guests, immediately got busy—one tending the stove, the other pouring tea.

Shen Yiming said with a smile, “Uncle, Auntie, no need to fuss. We just came to visit.”

“You still need a cup of hot water at least. It’s freezing out there. Must’ve been hard on you both,” Zhang Yue’s mother said, pouring hot water for them.

Then she turned to Zhang Yue, “Since your friends are here, don’t go to the hospital. Let your dad go instead. You stay home and entertain them. Take the chance to rest a bit too.”

Zhang Yue’s father added, “Yes, stay here and keep Yiming and the girl company. I’ll go check on your grandpa.”

Then he smiled at Shen Yiming and Zuo Dan, “I won’t chat with you today—gotta head out. Zhang Yue will sit with you. You’re staying for lunch, right? Don’t leave.”

Shen Yiming asked, “Grandpa Zhang is sick?”

“Yes, old folks’ health is always a bit fragile, but it’s nothing serious.” Zhang Yue’s father sighed, then turned and left the house.

Zhang Yue’s mother said, “I’ll get busy in the kitchen. Zhang Yue, take good care of them and make sure they stay for lunch.”

Zhang Yue nodded. “Don’t worry, Mom. I’ve got it.”

Once his mother had left, Shen Yiming asked, “You’ve been absent from work and out of touch for so long—was it because of your grandpa’s illness? What exactly is wrong with Grandpa Zhang? Is it serious? If needed, I can stop by the hospital later. You should’ve said something earlier.”

Zhang Yue replied, “He’s been ill for over a month now—on and off. Nothing much we can do. It’s a heart issue. Happened a few years back too. He recovered slowly then, but it came back recently.”

Zuo Dan suggested, “A heart problem needs a cure of the heart. Figure out what’s weighing on his mind and help him resolve it. Is he worried about you not getting married? Maybe find a good partner quickly.”

Zhang Yue shook his head, poured himself a cup of tea, and took a sip with a sigh on his face. “Forget it. He doesn’t care about that. It’s because of his old employer. Remember the big conference a while ago? About internal reforms and opening up to the world? A bunch of overseas Chinese came back. And, well, my grandpa’s old boss was one of them. He came to visit my grandpa. Grandpa was so emotional… I only know because my dad told me. He got sick right after that visit.”

Zuo Dan exclaimed in surprise, “He got so worked up just seeing his former employer that he fell ill?”

Zhang Yue sighed and said, “Of course, that’s not all. I actually only just heard it from my dad. Back then, my grandfather’s old employer’s whole family went abroad, leaving behind only a young master who was supposed to go pick up his fiancée. But on the way, he was targeted, jumped off the train, and was seriously injured. He obviously couldn’t go to meet her. So they asked my grandfather, the old servant, to go in his place, and even wrote a letter. Who would’ve thought that later someone came to investigate, and my grandfather actually swallowed the letter…”

Hearing about someone jumping off a train, Zuo Dan suddenly thought of Chen Zhisen—didn’t Chen Pingping say that he was injured from jumping off a train?

She glanced at Shen Yiming, who also looked back at her. The two shared a mutual understanding.

Zuo Dan pressed further, “Was your grandfather’s former employer surnamed Chen?”

“How did you know?” Zhang Yue asked in astonishment.

Zuo Dan froze for a moment and then replied, “Just a guess. So, what happened next?”

“My grandfather ended up writing a letter himself and sent it out. Probably, they noticed the handwriting wasn’t the original and didn’t believe it, so they didn’t follow the instructions in the letter to go to Guangzhou. They missed the timing. The people in Guangzhou didn’t dare linger and all went back to their hometowns. The meeting fell through. When my grandfather found out and went to find them, the woman had already gotten married. He couldn’t send his old employer’s fiancée to America. He felt terribly guilty, like he had failed in his duty. A while ago, someone came to visit—he could have found some peace then—but then he heard that his old employer had lived without children, and he fell ill that night. Wouldn’t you say this was all a big twist of fate? I was sweating just hearing it.”

A twist of fate indeed—such a cruel, tangled twist.

Zuo Dan never imagined that the story she once knew—of a man abandoning his wife and going abroad with his whole family—actually had so much more to it.

She hadn’t expected to come to the Zhang family and end up hearing something like this. It left her with a heavy heart, so much so that she had no appetite for lunch.

On the way back, sitting on the rear seat of the bicycle, she remained silent for a long time.

As the cold wind blew, she hunched her shoulders and said, “Shen Yiming, why is heaven so capricious? When people are meant to be together, it creates all these obstacles to separate them. And yet, if they were truly without fate, how could the Zhangs and Chens be so closely connected? It feels like some invisible hand still brought them back together.”

Shen Yiming also sighed deeply and stopped the bike. Zuo Dan dismounted and said with a bitter face, “Let’s just walk. My heart’s a mess right now.”

The two of them pushed their bicycles as they walked through the snow.

Zuo Dan said, “Shen Yiming, I used to think that Mr. Chen had abandoned my mom, that he let her suffer. So even if he had no choice, he had still made that decision and no one else could be blamed. But now I know he didn’t abandon her—it was fate playing a cruel joke that tore them apart. It feels really painful. Not just for him as a person, but for the whole situation. If this were someone else’s story, I’d just feel sad. But since it’s my own family, I feel torn and conflicted.”

Shen Yiming asked, “What do you plan to do?”

“I don’t know. But I feel like these things shouldn’t be hidden. He’s a good man—a man worthy of respect. He shouldn’t be treated unfairly. Heaven already played a joke on him. We can’t let him bear the burden alone.”

“You’re right… but your dad’s side…” Shen Yiming felt that if this came out, the older generation might not have peace again.

Zuo Dan said, “My dad is still my dad. He raised me, and treated me better than Zuo Cong, my biological brother. He saved my mom and accompanied her through the hardest times. What he’s done will never be forgotten. My mom and the Li family all remember his goodness. But Mr. Chen shouldn’t be seen as someone who abandoned his wife and child—he deserves the respect due to him.” She sighed, “I need to think about how to tell the truth without turning our home upside down.”

Shen Yiming gently rubbed her hat. “Let’s first talk to your grandparents on your mom’s side—hear what they think.”

Zuo Dan agreed—this did seem like the best way to ease into the matter, better than telling Zuo Dacheng and his wife directly.

Before they left, Chen Pingping came over with the driver.

“I knew you were leaving today, so I specially came to see you off. It’s so cold—you better not let my little prince freeze.” Chen Pingping cuddled Shen Youyou, cheek to cheek.

Shen Youyou beamed with joy.

Zuo Dan didn’t reject her kindness. With an elderly person and a child in the house, it was convenient to have someone send them off. She turned back and said, “Xiao Cong, load the luggage onto the car.”

Zuo Cong obediently placed the bags onto the car.

Only then did Chen Pingping notice another person. Seeing the innocent look on his face, she smiled and said, “Who’s this? Could this be your genius little brother from Hua’s physics department?”

“That’s him,” Zuo Dan laughed.

Hearing that they were talking about him, Zuo Cong blushed, his ears and face turning red. Chen Pingping found it adorable—growing up in America, she had never met such a pure young boy before. Too cute. “Little brother, don’t be shy. I’m your sister’s classmate. Just call me Sister Pingping.”

“Sister Pingping,” Zuo Cong said shyly.

Hearing him call her “sister,” Chen Pingping was delighted, as if she’d just teased a little boy.

After the family arrived at the train station, Chen Pingping took out some neatly wrapped gifts. “These are for the family. Don’t refuse. It’s our first New Year back in the country—let us share some festive joy.”

Zuo Dan smiled and accepted them. “Alright, thank you. And thank Mr. Chen for us too.”

Chen Pingping was quite pleased to have fulfilled her duty. “Of course! You all come back soon. Oh right, happy New Year in advance!”

Hearing those New Year’s wishes, both Zuo Dan and Shen Yiming looked a bit uncomfortable. Before Shen Yiming could respond, Zuo Dan quickly said, “Yes, happy New Year.” Shen Yiming’s wishes would have to be said privately.

After boarding the train, Zuo Dan waved to Chen Pingping through the window.

Shen Youyou sat on the sleeper bunk, happily munching on his dessert. He loved this pretty auntie—she smelled nice and brought him delicious treats.

When Zuo Dan turned around and saw her son eating so greedily, she laughed and pinched his little ear. “You little glutton.”

Seeing all the treats, Shen Youyou immediately picked up the whole plate and held it out to Zuo Dan. In a sweet voice, he said, “Mama, eat.”

“Oh? How rare!” Zuo Dan didn’t hesitate and swallowed it in one bite.

Shen Youyou was stunned. He looked at his now-empty hand, then at her mouth, and pouted—he looked like he was about to cry from grievance.

Zuo Dan hurriedly picked up another piece and stuffed it in his mouth.

Two days later, at the Nanjing provincial train station.

Li Hui stood on the platform anxiously waiting. When she saw the train arriving, she finally smiled in relief.

Zuo Dan and the others saw her even before getting off. After getting off the train, Zuo Dan hugged Shen Youyou and ran over. “Mom, mom—we’re back!”

Seeing her children return, Li Hui’s heart was filled with joy. She smiled with great warmth.