RIRW – Chapter 196

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As the precious darling of the entire family, Shen Zhuzhu’s one-month celebration was not held on a grand scale. Chen Zhisen had originally planned a lavish banquet, but considering that the baby was still too young and shouldn’t be exposed to too many strangers, he toned it down and only invited a few close friends over for a home-cooked meal.

When Zuo Dan came out carrying the baby to greet the guests, she was momentarily stunned upon seeing them. These were all major big shots.

Fortunately, she had a strong psychological foundation and didn’t embarrass her father. Shen Zhuzhu was also impressive—she slept soundly the entire time like a pig.

It was Shen Youyou who stole the show by acting cute and reciting portions of the Three Character Classic and Thousand Character Classic for the guests. Not even three years old, yet he recited them fluently and effortlessly. He even sang an English song as a bonus.

Zuo Dan felt a bit inadequate in comparison and carried Shen Zhuzhu back inside.

Shen Yiming followed her back to the room as well, not getting involved with Chen Zhisen and his circle of friends. At this stage of his life, it wasn’t the right time to meet too many people—it would only lead to people making the wrong assumptions about him.

Chen Zhisen didn’t try to keep him either. The two shared an unspoken understanding.

“I never expected it. My dad actually knows so many people. I always thought he was just a businessman. Who would’ve thought he’s involved in politics too.”

That night, after the guests left, the couple lay in bed watching Shen Zhuzhu and chatting.

For the Nth time, Shen Yiming touched his daughter’s little hand, eyes filled with love. Hearing Zuo Dan’s words, he said softly, “When capital reaches a certain level, it inevitably intertwines with politics. You probably haven’t calculated your father’s wealth. And his overseas network of connections is quite useful for domestic development. For patriotic businessmen like him, the government naturally pays more attention.”

Zuo Dan sighed, “It’s true. Poverty really does limit one’s imagination.” She was, after all, someone from the future of the 21st century—able to view the world through a computer—yet she still couldn’t fathom such things.

Shen Yiming chuckled, “It’s clearly because you haven’t read enough.”

Zuo Dan pinched him hard.

After Shen Zhuzhu’s one-month celebration, the second aunt of the Chen family returned to the U.S. The Chen family still needed her back there, and her mission in China had already been accomplished—there was no reason for her to stay.

Zuo Dan had just finished her postpartum confinement and wasn’t fit for long trips, so she asked Shen Yiming to see her off.

After the second aunt left, Zuo Dan asked Chen Zhisen, “Dad, will the Chen family ever come back to settle down here?”

Chen Zhisen smiled and shook his head. “Back then, it was hard to leave our homeland. But after more than twenty years away, they’ve long gotten used to life abroad. No matter how deep the longing, it’s hard to abandon their current lifestyle. However, your grandparents did leave word that when their time comes, they want to be brought back to be buried here, to return to their roots. But while alive, they don’t want to see the coast they fled from in such haste all those years ago.”

Zuo Dan knew that what had happened in the past had left an indelible mark on them.

“Dad, you seem more open-minded than they are.”

Chen Zhisen smiled, “It’s not the same.”

“How’s it different? You had it even worse back then.” Zuo Dan admired Chen Zhisen because despite all that he had been through, his love for his homeland remained unchanged.

Chen Zhisen didn’t explain, but silently thought to himself: “Because my heart has never left this land.”

Finally free from her postpartum confinement, Zuo Dan only rested one extra day at the request of Chen Zhisen and Shen Yiming. After that, she couldn’t wait to go clean up in the bathroom and make herself feel fresh and presentable.

The next day, she rode in Shen Yiming’s car and went to class.

Shen Zhuzhu, held in Chen Zhisen’s arms, showed no signs of missing her mother. Even Shen Youyou only waved and said clearly, “Mama, goodbye!” before her mother left.

“You two little heartless things.” Zuo Dan grumbled in the car. She remembered people saying that young children were usually very attached to their mothers and would cry their hearts out if separated. But her two kids? They acted like it was nothing. They probably couldn’t wait for her to leave so no one would discipline them.

She looked at Shen Yiming and said, “Comrade Yiming, you were right. No matter how many kids we have, it’s still just us two who can truly rely on each other.”

Shen Yiming chuckled, “Comrade Zuo Dan, your realization came a bit late, didn’t it?”

Zuo Dan winked at him, “That’s because I was blinded by love!”

Third-year university courses were even more intense. Especially since Zuo Dan had missed quite a few classes. To catch up, she had to work hard. But she was also concerned that overexertion might affect her milk supply, so she didn’t dare tire herself out too much.

The only comforting thing was that now she had help with the children, so she no longer had to worry about household matters.

Shen Yiming, on the other hand, was even busier.

Due to her pregnancy, Professor Gao had removed him from his original position and passed him on to Professor Zhang as an assistant. But now that the semester had begun and the scandal had died down, Professor Gao reinstated him.

He was now assisting both professors. Aside from regular lectures, he also had to participate in various off-campus events.

The couple were both spinning like tops, hardly having time to think about home.

After a month of this, they finally got a breather, and by then, Shen Zhuzhu had already grown noticeably.

The two of them held her and looked her over from all angles before reaching a conclusion: Shen Zhuzhu resembled her grandfather, Chen Zhisen.

“It must be because when I was pregnant, I saw my dad a lot,” Zuo Dan concluded.

Shen Yiming said, “But you saw me more often.”

Zuo Dan replied, “But you were all tanned back then. The baby must’ve selectively inherited genes. She didn’t choose you.”

“…”

Not long after Shen Zhuzhu’s full-month milestone, Li Hui called. She said she had made some clothes, shoes, and socks for the baby and mailed them over.

Unable to visit the child in person, she felt guilty as a grandmother and could only express her love by making things.

“Mom, the trip is too far. Just sending things is good enough. You’ll have plenty of chances to see her later. Right now, she won’t remember anyone anyway. She’s so lazy, she just ignores people and keeps sleeping after glancing at them.”

“A baby who eats and sleeps well is a blessing,” Li Hui said with a laugh. “She’s better behaved than you were. You couldn’t be apart from me. I had to carry you on my back even when going to work.”

“She’s really lazy, but the upside is she’s easy to care for,” Zuo Dan said, laughing.

Nearby, Chen Zhisen was rocking the baby, smiling as he listened. Shen Zhuzhu could now see clearly and kept staring at her grandpa. When she saw him smile, she tried to mimic it, barely curling her lips. Finding even that a chore, she yawned and closed her eyes again.

Chen Zhisen laughed, “She’s going to live a blessed life.”

Zuo Dan glanced at the two of them and continued chatting with Li Hui. It was already 1980, and with the arrival of the new decade, many things were changing. For example, more street vendors had appeared in the cities. Many educated youths were returning from the countryside, but with limited job openings, they had to fend for themselves.

“Mom, has Li Xue come back from the farm?” Zuo Dan hadn’t forgotten about her. She was worried that Li Xue would bully her mom in her absence.

“She came back a few days ago. She tried to come to the house, but your grandparents kicked her out. Somehow, she found out her mom went abroad. Now she’s going around trying to find out where her mother is and wants to write her a letter. She’s even ignoring your uncle, obsessed with finding her mother.”

Zuo Dan couldn’t help but laugh. Just as she expected.

She knew Li Xue—once she found out her mother was living it up abroad, she wouldn’t be content staying in China. Let alone investing her attention on someone like Li Wenchang.

Back in the provincial capital, Li Xue had already visited her uncle’s house several times, always receiving the same answer.

Her mother, Guo Caiping, had met a foreign lady by chance years ago. With her help, she went abroad to enjoy life.

As for why it was “enjoying life,” it was because Guo Caiping hadn’t taken much with her aside from some cash. And her eldest sister-in-law had heard her say that life abroad was better. In China, everything was restricted, while overseas you could buy whatever you wanted.

Abroad, people ate bread and drank coffee every morning. In China, even getting a steamed bun was hard.

She made life overseas sound like heaven, and even now, her sister-in-law still dreamed of that “heavenly” foreign land.

Li Xue was tempted. She felt that no matter what, she had to go abroad.

As for what life would be like after going abroad, she wasn’t worried. Her mother was already there—maybe even rich by now. All she had to do was go enjoy herself.

Perhaps, just as her aunt said, her mother had married a rich foreigner. Once she went abroad, she’d instantly become the daughter of a wealthy man. That was way better than living in a crammed dorm in China.

After running around for a while, she became obsessed with this idea. It consumed her.

Li Wenchang now pinned all his hopes on his daughter.

Guo Caiping had abandoned him and even caused him to be detained for three months, leaving a record. Even the jobs he previously looked down on wouldn’t hire him now. He was aging and couldn’t find work. He had to pawn his old watch and fountain pen for cash.

Even with frugal living, their household was struggling more and more.

He even considered doing manual labor for a transportation company just to earn a bit of money.

He had always wanted to provide a good life for his daughter through his own efforts, but ever since she returned from the countryside, she didn’t even speak to him.

Instead, she blamed him for being useless and driving her mother away.

Now, she only wanted to reunite with her mom.

This left Li Wenchang mentally and emotionally drained.

When Li Xue was heading out again to search for contacts, Li Wenchang finally couldn’t take it anymore. “Xiaoxue, if you still consider me your father, then stop trying to find your mother. She abandoned this family! She even got me locked up! Why would you still want to look for her?”

Looking at his sorry state, Li Xue couldn’t even be bothered to respond.

Her mind was filled with thoughts of the stepfather in America she had never met. She looked down on Li Wenchang completely.

“Why shouldn’t I look for my mom? Can you even support me? Ever since I got back, I haven’t had a decent meal. Other families are getting jobs arranged, and you can’t even take care of yourself. No wonder my mom left. She never had a single good day with you!”