Chapter 137

Qiqi waited until his father had left before standing up. He gave An An a little push, and the two of them squeezed together onto the same swing, swaying back and forth.

An An shifted over cooperatively and began calculating how many milk cakes he had left.

Half for Qiqi, one whole for himself. Half for Qiqi, one for him.

Qiqi had one piece in total. He had two.

Once he was sure the distribution was perfectly fair, An An contentedly stuffed the extra piece into his mouth and began chewing. His cheeks puffed out like a little hamster in the middle of a meal.

Ever since the young master of the Zhou Family overheard his son declaring he wanted to become the lackey of the person he hated most, he had spent every moment not with his wife but buried in account books.

Those old, messy ledgers were things he normally wouldn’t even glance at. But this time, he was determined to go through them from the very beginning.

By contrast, Young Master He was in a much calmer state of mind.

He had been raised by his grandmother, once the apple of her eye. The way she doted on him was no less than how An An was treated by his own mother.

So he could completely understand his son’s desire to latch onto someone powerful and live a life of ease.

What gave him a headache, though, was the choice of target. The idea wasn’t wrong, but the judgment seemed off.

Although both families lived in the East District and the Zhou and He families had once been close, everything changed after he insisted on being with Zhou Xiaoya and broke off his engagement with the Li Family. Since then, the relationship between the two families had plummeted.

The Li Family was still cordial, but the Zhou Family wouldn’t even say hello if they bumped into each other at a banquet.

If his son was hoping to cozy up to someone from the Zhou Family, the chances of success were close to zero.

Rather than pinning all his hopes on the young master of the Zhou Family, he might as well aim to become the head of the East District Chamber of Commerce himself.

All of these factors combined had made Young Master He busier than ever.

Once Yang Laonainai was sure he was truly committed to building up the family business, she handed everything over to him without hesitation. The skills she had once taught him had clearly taken root.

Yang Laonainai had never been power-hungry. If she hadn’t been forced into a corner back then, she wouldn’t have worked so hard all these years.

Now that her son had proven himself capable, she was more than happy to stay in the main residence, bask in the sun, tend to her flowers, and occasionally call her precious grandson over to keep her company.

Whenever Young Master He ran into a problem he didn’t quite know how to solve, he would bring the account book to his mother for advice.

This time, he was in luck. When he arrived, Yao Zu happened to be there too.

The flowers in the courtyard were in full bloom. Yang Laonainai sat in a grand armchair, enjoying the sun, while Yao Zu stood behind her on tiptoe, doing his best to massage her back.

His little fists were clenched as he gently pounded away.

He didn’t have much strength, but from the way Yang Laonainai squinted with a smile on her lips, it was clear she was thoroughly enjoying herself.

“Mother, I’ve run into something in business I don’t quite understand. Would you be willing to…”

The moment Yang Laonainai heard this, her expression changed. She dropped the relaxed demeanor and frowned at him. After a long pause, she waved her hand and said slowly,

“I can’t look at account books anymore. Take it away, take it away. Just looking at it gives me a headache.”

Yao Zu had no idea his grandmother was using this as an excuse to brush off his father.

He stared seriously at her face, then glanced at the account book his father was holding. The dense writing made even his own head spin, let alone his grandmother’s.

He quickly reached out and covered her eyes, muttering softly,

“Grandma’s not looking.”

Yang Laonainai looked at his earnest little face and smiled as she nodded seriously.

“Mm, Grandma’s not looking. Xiao Zhu, hurry and chase him out. Just seeing him gives me a headache.”

“Yes, Madam.”

Young Master He had barely spent any time in his mother’s courtyard before being kicked out again, not even managing to sip a cup of tea.

Even little Yao Zu, who usually took his side, stood silently by this time, looking helpless.

His status in the household was clearly sinking lower and lower.

Holding the account book, Young Master He walked along the corridor and shook his head with a sigh.

A while back, when there had been a mishap in his business, he suspected the feng shui of their courtyard was to blame. So he invited a renowned master to come and make adjustments.

Whether the feng shui had actually improved, Young Master He wasn’t entirely sure.

But compared to the gloomy atmosphere of the past, the place did feel noticeably brighter and warmer.

Back then, even Young Master He himself would feel uneasy returning home late at night.

Now, the residence was completely different. The red lacquered furniture and pillars, along with the various decorations in the garden, gave off the impression of a wealthy and well-established household.

In the blink of an eye, eight years had passed.

During those years, Zhou Xiaoya had continued to write letters home. In nearly every one, aside from describing her life and education abroad, she always asked how An An was doing.

Since Yang Laonainai had decided to send her overseas, she had made sure not to mistreat her. Everything had been arranged in advance, and silver were sent regularly each month so she wouldn’t struggle financially.

Every letter Zhou Xiaoya sent back was opened personally by Yang Laonainai. After reading them, she would occasionally write a few words in reply.

But after just three years, the frequency of Zhou Xiaoya’s letters dropped significantly. The few that did arrive later were clearly written in haste.

Worried that something might have happened to her abroad, Yang Laonainai asked around among other families with children studying overseas. She learned that Zhou Xiaoya had taken on too much at once, and the overwhelming pressure left her with little energy to write.

In Zhou Xiaoya’s fifth year abroad, Yang Laonainai informed her of the death of her brother, who had overdosed on opium.

She also told her that her parents, in order to earn money to feed her brother’s addiction, had tried to abduct a respectable young woman to sell into a brothel. They were beaten to death on the street by the girl’s father and brother.

Now, the only one left in the Zhou Family was Zhou Xiaoya.

Yang Laonainai had expected that after receiving this letter, Zhou Xiaoya would be extremely emotional. She even began thinking about how to persuade her if she wanted to come back.

But the reply she received contained only a simple sentence: she understood.

That day, the wind at the dock was strong. He Shian stood at the pier in a long robe, waiting with his grandmother to receive his mother.

Young Master He had used the excuse of checking accounts to travel out of town and wouldn’t return for at least three months.

Even after years, he still couldn’t let go of what had happened.

For Yao Zu’s sake, he was willing to stop holding it against her, but forgiveness was out of the question.

Before leaving, Young Master He had personally written a divorce letter and left it with his mother to pass on to Zhou Xiaoya.

He asked himself honestly: the He Family had already done everything they could for her.

The cost of Zhou Xiaoya’s eight years abroad had been entirely covered by the He Family, and they had never once expected anything in return.

If, after eight full years, Zhou Xiaoya was still the same fragile vine that would collapse at the slightest breeze, then he had no intention of offering any more help.

Even if Yao Zu couldn’t bear it, it wouldn’t change anything. He had already discussed with his mother that once Yao Zu turned sixteen, he too would be sent overseas to study.

At last, the large ship docked.

An An had been scanning the crowd, hoping to catch sight of his mother.

Before long, he saw a woman in a teal qipao carrying a suitcase stepping off the ship.

Eight years had passed, but time hadn’t left many marks on Zhou Xiaoya. It had only stripped away her former timidity and insecurity.

Now, she looked more like an orchid blooming in a secluded valley—graceful and poised, with a quiet strength all her own.

When Zhou Xiaoya came to a stop in front of Yang Laonainai, the old woman noticed a light in her eyes. It was clear that eight years abroad had changed her. A genuine smile slowly appeared at the corners of her lips.

“Have you been well all these years?”

“Everything’s been fine. Thank you for your concern, Laonainai.”

Zhou Xiaoya exchanged a few polite words with Yang Laonainai. After all, it had been eight years since they last saw each other, and there was still some unfamiliarity between them.

An An stood quietly by his grandmother’s side, his curious gaze fixed on the mother he hadn’t seen in eight years.

His stare was so blatant that Zhou Xiaoya couldn’t help but notice. She lifted her head calmly and met his eyes with a faint smile.

When she first went abroad, Zhou Xiaoya had been filled with confusion. She left with the hope of broadening her horizons, so that when she returned, she could have something in common with the young master and give her son something to be proud of. It was this hope that helped her survive those difficult early days.

But as she received more education, Zhou Xiaoya gradually began to awaken.

Looking back at her former self, she sometimes found it laughable.

She could hardly believe she had once been that kind of person.

When she was young, her father and brother were her entire world—figures she dared not defy.

After marriage, the young master became her everything, just as she had once feared and revered her father and brother.

Had she never gone abroad, she likely would have made Yao Zu her entire world once he grew up.

Most women in the Eastern City lived like that. No one dared break the rules. Zhou Xiaoya had once been one of them.

But after studying abroad, learning to read and write, she slowly came to understand how joyful it was to live for herself, even just once.

In a way, she had been truly free back then.

Zhou Xiaoya had always been grateful to the old madam for sending her overseas.

But one ordinary afternoon at the academy, while reading, she suddenly recalled the matter and began to realize that perhaps it hadn’t been the old madam’s idea at all.

If it had been up to the old madam, she would have simply sent Zhou Xiaoya to live out her days in a countryside estate or even a temple, never to appear before her again.

Sending her abroad cost too much. The old madam would never have made such an unprofitable decision.

After thinking it over, the only explanation that made sense was that it had something to do with the clever little Yao Zu at the time.

If anyone else had made the suggestion, the old madam would likely have scolded them harshly. But if it came from her beloved Yao Zu, the one she doted on like a precious jewel, she would have agreed even if she was reluctant.

No one would believe that such a young child could think of something like that. Even Zhou Xiaoya herself found it hard to believe the first time the thought crossed her mind.

But aside from that possibility, she couldn’t think of any other explanation.

“The weather’s getting chilly. Remember to wear an extra layer.”

When An An heard his long-absent mother say this, he bowed slightly and cupped his hands in reply.

“Yes. Thank you for your concern, Mother.”

Seeing this, Yang Laonainai called for them to get onto the family’s carriage. Whatever needed to be said could wait until they got home.

The current Zhou Xiaoya left Yang Laonainai very satisfied.

From the beginning, her expectations for Zhou Xiaoya had never been high. All she wanted was for her to truly care for Yao Zu and make him happy.

That night, Yang Laonainai handed Zhou Xiaoya the divorce papers personally written by her son. She had expected Zhou Xiaoya to be upset, but instead, she only curved her lips slightly and said,

“I understand, Laonainai. In the future… may I still visit Yao Zu?”

Under the warm yellow glow of the room’s lantern, the old madam took out a small box and pushed it toward Zhou Xiaoya.

“This is a deed for a small two-courtyard house in the Eastern City. I’ve set aside a room there for Yao Zu. If you miss him, he can stay over for a night.”

“Thank you, Laonainai.”

Though Zhou Xiaoya had returned from abroad appearing well-off, in truth, she had nothing to her name.

Inside the small box, aside from the property deed, were silver—enough to provide Zhou Xiaoya with a stable life.

“Also, about your parents and brother. I had them buried in a remote mountain outside the city. If you’d like to visit their graves, I’ll have one of my maids take you tomorrow.”

At first, Yang Laonainai had only expected that Zhou Xiaoya’s opium-addicted brother would die after her return. She hadn’t anticipated that her parents would do something so outrageous and end up beaten to death in the streets.

By the time she received the news, they were already gone.

This was the first time since her return that Zhou Xiaoya had heard anything about her parents.

After a long silence, she gently shook her head.

“Thank you for giving them a proper burial, Laonainai. But I won’t go see them.”

Zhou Xiaoya knew the old madam had traditional values, so she didn’t plan to say anything too harsh in front of her.

To her, her parents had only ever belittled and oppressed her.

As a child, she was a free maid working inside and outside the house. After marrying into the He Family, she became her brother’s purse.

Even Yang Laonainai, who had no blood ties to her and whom she had once hurt, had treated her better than her own family ever had.

Zhou Xiaoya admitted she couldn’t be magnanimous. She didn’t want to pay respects.

Since her parents had never treated her like a daughter, she had no obligation to be a filial one.

“Very well. If you don’t want to go, then don’t. You’er is out checking the accounts and won’t be back for at least two months. In the meantime, stay at the He residence and tell Yao Zu about your experiences abroad.”

“I’m thinking, once Yao Zu turns sixteen, I’ll send him overseas too, along with the Li Family’s grandson.”

After all, she was still Yao Zu’s birth mother. Something this important had to be shared with her.

“Alright.”

Zhou Xiaoya didn’t return to her old room. Yang Laonainai had already arranged a new courtyard for her. She lay on the soft bed, eyes wide open, unable to sleep.

It had been so many years, and Yao Zu had grown so much.

When she left, he had still been a wobbly little toddler. Now, he was already a graceful young man.

In another couple of years, he’d go abroad too. Who knew when they’d meet again?

After An An and Qiqi had learned everything their tutors could teach, they began following their fathers around, urging them to work hard so they could fulfill their dreams of having accomplished fathers.

In most households, such behavior would never be tolerated.

But these two families were different. Both fathers doted on their children immensely.

Though having a little tail following them around could be annoying, they still instructed their attendants to prepare the children’s favorite snacks and make arrangements for them.

Yang Laonainai had originally hoped that Yao Zu would stay by You’er’s side to learn properly, so that when he returned from studying abroad, he could take over the family business. That way, his father wouldn’t have the chance to produce another sibling for him.

Even though there was a significant age gap, Doctor Li had once said that as long as her son’s health held up, he could live into his seventies or eighties.

Until she saw the He Family’s business handed over to Yao Zu with her own eyes, Yang Laonainai couldn’t rest easy.

But every time Yao Zu visited, all he did was urge his father to work hard and make more money for him to spend. His intentions were practically written on his face.

Young Master He, however, indulged his only precious son without restraint. He still remembered that if not for little Yao Zu knocking on his courtyard door, he would have long since drowned himself in debauchery.

Doctor Li said that with proper care, he could easily live to eighty.

The silver he had saved over the years should be enough to support Yao Zu for a lifetime. If not, he could always take in a concubine maid and have another son to continue earning money for his little Yao Zu.

In some ways, Young Master He’s thinking was cold. Even if he had more children later, none of them would ever hold the same place in his heart as Yao Zu.

The only redeeming thing about him was that he was willing to teach and prepare Yao Zu well, so that when he grew old and could no longer protect him, Yao Zu would have a new shield.

After writing the divorce papers, Young Master He had mentioned this plan to his mother. This time, using the excuse of checking the accounts, he intended to find a suitable person.

He wouldn’t force anyone. He believed in mutual consent.

He had no desire to marry again. Even if he did remarry after the divorce, the new wife would still be a legitimate wife, and any children born thereafter would be legitimate heirs. It would be hard to prevent them from developing ambitions to compete with Yao Zu for the family estate.

After weighing all the possibilities, Young Master He finally made up his mind to proceed with the plan he had devised.

Everything else was manageable, but what worried him most was that Yao Zu, who had been a lazy child, had grown into a lazy adult. He feared that once his father passed away, Yao Zu would continue being a lazy old man.

Yang Laonainai hadn’t made any effort to hide this matter from Zhou Xiaoya. In the eastern city, such things were quite common. Which household’s backyard didn’t have three wives and four concubines?

Besides, Young Master He had only sought someone new after the divorce. No matter how you looked at it, Zhou Xiaoya had no grounds to object.

“What about Yao Zu…”

Zhou Xiaoya’s only concern was Yao Zu. When Yang Laonainai heard her mention him, she looked like a mother worried about her child. Her expression immediately softened, and she reached out with her bark-like hand to gently pat the back of Zhou Xiaoya’s hand.

“Don’t worry about that. I’m still here. As long as I’m alive, I won’t let Yao Zu suffer any wrong.”

“Yes. Thank you, Madam.”

When Old Master Li heard that An An’s mother, who had returned from studying abroad, was staying at the He residence, he made a special trip with his little grandson to pay a visit.

These days, it was very common for families in the eastern city to send their children abroad to study. Still, Old Master Li couldn’t help but worry, afraid his grandson might suffer while away from home.

So when he heard that Yao Zu’s mother had just returned from overseas, he was eager to bring his grandson over, hoping he could learn something by following her example.

After learning that Qiqi and Yao Zu were close friends, Zhou Xiaoya didn’t hold anything back. She shared everything she knew, especially the details one needed to pay attention to while studying abroad. She gave advice on every little thing, leaving nothing out.

If all went well, the two boys would likely end up in the same place.

In a foreign land, unfamiliar and far from home, having someone you know to look out for each other was a good thing.

When Zhou Xiaoya first went abroad, she had suffered plenty for not knowing such things.

She stayed in the He family’s large courtyard for a month and a half before leaving. In her memory, that mansion had once felt like a man-eating beast. But now, living there no longer gave her that feeling.

When it came time to leave, Zhou Xiaoya even felt a bit reluctant.

Holding Yao Zu’s hand, she reminded him that if he had time, he should visit her at the small house outside.

Walking through the streets, which had changed quite a bit, Zhou Xiaoya felt a strange mix of emotions.

The suitcase in her hand was heavy. Aside from the silver the old madam had given her, Yao Zu had secretly slipped in some more.

To ensure her safety, the old madam even sent someone to escort her.

In the eastern city, she had seen many girls with experiences similar to her own. Some were beaten to death by their mothers-in-law as soon as trouble arose. Others were locked in large mansions and tortured endlessly, living lives worse than death.

Some couldn’t even choose to die on their own terms.

By comparison, she was incredibly lucky. The old madam hadn’t tried to kill her over what had happened. The young master, though resentful, had only severed ties with her.

Now, she even had the chance to see her son every few days.

Zhou Xiaoya moved into the small house. It wasn’t large, but to her, it was a rare and precious refuge.

As long as she had a place to stay, she was content. It was better than any place she’d ever lived before.

To Zhou Xiaoya, her current life felt like a beautiful dream, too good to be real.

The person Yang Laonainai had sent to escort her even deliberately acted intimidating at the door, making it clear that the owner of this house was not someone to be trifled with. They also hid a plaque in a discreet spot beside the signboard.

This was someone under the protection of the He family. Anyone looking to cause trouble had better think twice.

Once she was settled, Zhou Xiaoya hired an elderly woman who had been cast out by her family to help with household chores.

After returning to the country, Zhou Xiaoya wasn’t entirely sure what she wanted to do. While staying with the He family, she had considered becoming a tutor for wealthy families who wanted to send their children abroad.

She had overseas experience, and surely many families would be willing to hire her.

Especially those with daughters, who would likely prefer a female tutor to explain the finer details.

But on her way back, Zhou Xiaoya saw a woman being beaten on the roadside. The reason? She had undercharged two silver coins for doing someone’s laundry.

The one beating her was a woman with half-white hair—perhaps her mother-in-law or her own mother—who only cared about the missing silver and didn’t even notice the girl’s hands were already red and raw from the cold.

It was a rainy day. Zhou Xiaoya sat in the courtyard, listening to the rain while reading a book.

When she felt tired, she set the book aside and rubbed her eyes.

Suddenly, she realized that compared to those wealthy girls preparing to go abroad, perhaps it was the women trapped in poverty, unable to fight back, who needed her help more.

The silver from the old madam and Yao Zu were enough to keep her financially secure for the next three years.

She could write and submit articles. She had made decent money doing that abroad, and picking it back up wouldn’t be difficult. Supporting herself wouldn’t be a problem.

Within her means, Zhou Xiaoya truly wanted to help women who were just like she once was.

The He family had shown her immense kindness, but she knew she had little to offer in return—nothing that would be of value to them.

If she could help more women escape their suffering, perhaps that would be a way of repaying the He family with good deeds.

During this time, An An had been kept at home by his grandmother. She had even hired a tutor who knew Western languages to teach both An An and Qiqi.

Back then, Yang Laonainai had been determined to make Zhou Xiaoya literate so she could study abroad. Due to time constraints, Zhou Xiaoya hadn’t learned much foreign language.

She had repeatedly told Yang Laonainai that if they truly wanted to send the children abroad, learning the language was essential.

So An An and Qiqi officially said goodbye to their lazy, carefree days. The family elders, who had always spoiled the two little troublemakers, were now united in their determination.

The more they loved them, the more they wanted them to learn.

After all, it was far better to learn the language at home and be able to communicate once abroad, rather than be forced to learn it under pressure in a foreign environment.

Fortunately, although An An and Qiqi had always seemed like idle layabouts, they were actually quick learners.

By the time they reached the age to study abroad, they were already fluent enough to communicate with others in a foreign language.

It had been planned since An An was very young, and it was Yang Laonainai who had first brought it up. But now, with Yao Zu about to turn sixteen, she was the one who couldn’t sleep at night from worry.

Little Yao Zu had grown up right under her care. She had raised him from a tiny child to the young man he was now.

Every time she saw Yao Zu, now taller than she was, standing before her, Yang Laonainai felt a deep sense of pride.

She knew very well that Yao Zu would definitely be going abroad. In the eastern city, there were hardly any wealthy families who didn’t send their children overseas.

In an era when everyone was sending their children to study abroad, not doing so would mean falling behind.

Since Yao Zu was little, Yang Laonainai had always wanted to give him the best of everything. She had even gone so far as to cover up his mother’s scandal, just to keep any stain off his name.

Naturally, she wouldn’t let her precious grandson fall behind others in this matter.

She understood all of this perfectly. Though she was old, her mind was as clear as a mirror.

Back when she had just given birth to You’er, the old madam had taken him away to raise, and she was only allowed to visit occasionally.

Because he had grown up with his grandmother, You’er had never been very close to her. After what happened later, the bond between mother and son became even more distant.

Yang Laonainai knew that You’er didn’t really care much for her. What he felt was more respect than affection.

She had lived a long life, but only Xiao An’an had truly grown up by her side. She had watched him grow, little by little, with her own eyes.

The bond between grandparent and grandchild was something no outsider could compare to.

Most people only knew that Yang Laonainai doted on her little grandson, but what they didn’t realize was that to her, Yao Zu was the very apple of her eye.

Now that the day of Yao Zu’s departure to study abroad was fast approaching, even though it would only be three to five years, Yang Laonainai still couldn’t bear to part with him.

These past few days, she had been asking Doctor Li, who was still staying at their residence, to check her pulse almost every day.

At her age, passing away at any time would be considered a peaceful end.

Yang Laonainai wasn’t even sure if she would still be alive by the time her little Yao Zu returned.

She didn’t dare to think that this farewell might be their last.

An An hadn’t sensed all the complicated emotions his grandmother was going through. After all, when he first became aware of the concept of life and death, he used to pester Doctor Li every day, asking if his grandmother could live to a hundred.

With Doctor Li personally overseeing her health, he was confident that, barring any accidents, his grandmother would definitely live a long life.

Now he was just going abroad for a few years. He was sure that by the time he returned, he and his grandmother would be happily reunited.

Brimming with confidence, An An never saw this as a big deal.

He looked just like a little bird about to fly out of the cage of the grand estate, his whole being radiating excitement.

Seeing An An so happy, Yang Laonainai didn’t say anything to dampen his spirits. She suppressed all her reluctance and sorrow.

The reason she loved An An so much was because he truly loved her in return.

In all her years, she had never met a child as considerate as little An An. If she showed too much sadness, Yao Zu might really not be able to leave, and that was the last thing Yang Laonainai wanted.

During the day, she had her maids help her mask her emotions so that Yao Zu wouldn’t notice anything was wrong.

To outsiders, it looked like Yang Laonainai was joyfully helping Yao Zu pack for his journey.

But at night, she would cry quietly, unable to bear the thought of him leaving, yet unwilling to clip his wings.

No matter how reluctant she was, the day of his departure eventually arrived.

Yang Laonainai personally escorted An An to the dock. Compared to how cold she had been when sending off Zhou Xiaoya, this time she hadn’t even reached the pier before her tears started falling.

“Yao Zu, my dear Yao Zu, once you get there, remember to write home often. If anything doesn’t go well, just come back. Don’t ever let yourself suffer, understand?”

“If the silver I gave you aren’t enough, write to me. I still have plenty more.”

To An An, this was a sweet burden. No matter how much he packed, in his grandmother’s eyes, it was never enough.

Besides what she gave him openly, she had secretly stuffed even more into his luggage. His father had done the same.

It was as if everyone was afraid he would suffer abroad. Even An An couldn’t help but wonder if he was going overseas to study or to suffer.

Qiqi wasn’t faring much better. His maternal grandparents, parents, and paternal grandparents had all come to see him off.

Though he was already carrying plenty, they still insisted on stuffing more into his bags.

The young master of the Zhou Family had never liked Young Master He. He still remembered the broken engagement between his wife and He, and though it had been to his own advantage, He had tried to back out, turning his wife into a laughingstock across East City.

Now his own son was determined to be Young Master He’s lackey, which made the Zhou Family young master even more displeased.

But there was no changing the fact that these two boys were the only ones in all of East City heading abroad to study. And the He Family’s boy’s mother had also studied overseas.

So despite his reluctance, the Zhou Family young master still came to ask An An to look after his son.

His son had never traveled so far from home in his life.

The Zhou Family young master was reserved by nature, not one to show strong emotions, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t deeply affected.

As he watched the ship slowly disappear from view, he even thought to himself that, since his son was so determined to cling to Young Master He, then hopefully that boy would take good care of his loyal follower.

Zhou Xiaoya stood at the dock for a long time. Even after the ship had vanished from sight, she kept staring in the direction it had gone.

Having studied abroad herself, she knew that no matter how much money you had, it was impossible not to suffer some grievances in a foreign land.

The saying “a region’s water and soil nurtures its people” held some truth. She had struggled terribly to adjust at first, suffering so much that she couldn’t even focus on her studies.

Even after she adapted, she still found their food culture clashed with hers.

But to survive, she had no choice but to force herself to eat.

If they had been in their own country, no matter how far they went, they could have brought the family cook along and suffered far less.

But in a foreign land, even if you brought the cook, the ingredients were different.

Zhou Xiaoya’s mind was a mess. As she worried about Yao Zu’s future, a light rain began to fall.

A gust of wind blew past, carrying the dampness of the rain, and she instinctively pulled her shawl tighter around her qipao.

Just as she turned to head back to her small courtyard, a paper umbrella appeared above her head.

Young Master He placed the umbrella on the ground in front of her and turned to leave. His mother had already gone back. She had fainted before even getting into the carriage, overwhelmed by the farewell.

All the servants who had come along had returned with the old madam, leaving only him behind to speak briefly with the Zhou Family young master.

That was when he saw Zhou Xiaoya still standing there, her frail figure looking even more delicate in the mist.

After some hesitation, Young Master He decided to bring her an umbrella. Back when Zhou Xiaoya had gone abroad, and the news came that her parents and brothers had all died, even Young Master He had secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

But now, knowing Yao Zu’s soft-hearted nature, he couldn’t bear the thought of the boy returning from overseas only to find his mother’s grave.

The two of them hadn’t exchanged a single proper word. After placing the umbrella on the ground, Young Master He turned and boarded the He Family carriage.

Zhou Xiaoya stood in silence for a long time before picking up the paper umbrella and opening it.

She was no longer the naive young girl she once was. She wouldn’t misinterpret such a simple gesture as lingering affection.

Rather than unresolved feelings between them, it was more likely that he was worried An An would be upset upon returning home.

Lately, Zhou Xiaoya had been mentally preoccupied, and her quality of life had declined. But just because of this one simple paper umbrella, she suddenly felt she should start taking better care of herself.

After all, her son would care.

Five years later, a ship docked at East City’s harbor. Two young men in Western suits stepped off a carriage.

From their demeanor and expressions, it was clear they came from well-off families.

An An carried a suitcase in his hand, breathing in the air of home, his entire being lighting up with joy.

Qiqi, stepping onto East City soil, nearly burst into tears.

“Alright, I’m heading home first. Let’s catch up another day if we have time.”

Qiqi took the initiative to say goodbye to An An. He missed home too much and didn’t want to waste a single word.

An An didn’t even bother to respond. He flagged down a rickshaw, gave the driver the He Family address, then knocked on the He Family’s gate, his voice tight with emotion but unable to hide the excitement within.

“Grandma, Dad, I’m back!!”