Taking another look at her son.
It’s said that sons are the foundation of the family, but their foundation was never at home, never to be seen all day, not coming back until mealtime.
Not to mention helping her with things, it’s already good if he doesn’t cause trouble.
Just as she was thinking of her son, Hu Xingwei came back from outside.
As he entered the house, he said, “Mom, why is there no one at Aunt Lin’s house next door? Hasn’t Aunt Lin been home every day lately? I saw her brother wandering at the door; it’s so hot, and there’s not even a tree at the door. Why not let him come over to our house for a while?”
Hu Yaping looked up upon hearing this, also glancing at Sister-in-law Fu.
Sister-in-law Fu was picking vegetables and didn’t lift her head, “There’s no tree at the door, is there nowhere else with a tree? It’s hot inside the house too, I think it’s cooler under the big tree outside.”
Hu Xingwei disagreed, “Isn’t there a fan in the house? Besides, if he comes to our house, he can have a drink of water.” Usually, their family had a good relationship with Aunt Lin’s family, so why was his mom acting like this?
Sister-in-law Fu sneered, “He won’t get thirsty not drinking water for a short while. You help me pick the beans instead of minding others’ business.”
Now Hu Xingwei and Hu Yaping both sensed something was up.
Their mom wasn’t usually like this.
“What’s going on?” Hu Xingwei asked.
Sister-in-law Fu couldn’t say much to the kids, only said, “Every family has problems of their own; you two don’t need to get involved. That’s Aunt Lin’s family business.”
“Oh,” Hu Xingwei responded, obediently squatting down to pick beans.
But Hu Yaping stood up directly and walked out.
Sister-in-law Fu called after her, “Where are you going?”
“I’m going to take a look.”
“What are you going to see?”
Hu Yaping ignored Sister-in-law Fu, walked out the door, and saw Lin Jiadong squatting at the neighboring gate.
It was nearly noon; the sun was blazing, and he was just squatting there under the sun, with his head down, letting the sun beat down on him.
“Are you trying to get heatstroke by exposing yourself to the sun like that?”
A woman’s calm voice came through, and Lin Jiadong finally noticed the pair of legs beside him.
Looking up along the legs, the glare of the sunlight pierced his eyes, but he saw the owner of those legs.
She was wearing a light-colored dress with a ponytail.
Lin Jiadong recognized her, Hu Yaping, the neighbor of his second sister.
“No.”
He just couldn’t figure some things out, even after so many days had passed, he still couldn’t understand why his mom did what she did.
That was his second sister’s biological mother, and his second sister never had a good day in their house; now her real mom came looking for her, how could they let them meet without recognition?
He also heard that the woman was sick and didn’t have long to live. She returned to the country this time just to find her daughter and fulfill her wish.
Were his mom and sister’s hearts made of stone?
Or did money matter more than anything else in their eyes?
These days, he couldn’t focus on his classes, couldn’t sleep, sometimes even regretted coming home that day.
If he hadn’t come home, he wouldn’t have overheard the conversation between his mom and eldest sister, wouldn’t know the truth, wouldn’t be so torn.
On one side was his mom and eldest sister, on the other was his second sister.
No matter what he did, there was a hurdle in his heart.
But he was also glad he went home that day. His second sister endured so much grievance in their house, and treated him so well; he should tell his second sister the truth.
In such torment, Lin Jiadong finally mustered up the courage to come to Yan City.
But seeing his second sister’s home tightly shut, he started to feel tormented again.
Hu Yaping saw he had something on his mind and said no more, turning back to go home.
Soon, she came out with a small bench.
“Here, there’s shade under the tree over there.”
Lin Jiadong took the small bench, “Thank you.”
After thanking her, Lin Jiadong looked at her again.
This girl didn’t say much, but every word was apt.
Just like when he was wrongfully accused in the capital.
At that time, the teacher was from the elite school they all were a bit intimidated by, no one dared to speak up for him.
Only Hu Yaping stepped forward to tell everyone that the watch was his own.
Thinking of this, Lin Jiadong asked, “I heard there will be a national math competition again this year; will you participate?”
Hu Yaping nodded, “Yes, I’ll participate, so see you in the exam room. I hope you won’t disappoint me, I’ll try to surpass you this time.”
After saying this, Hu Yaping went home.
Lin Jiadong looked at her back in a daze; the gloom in his eyes gradually filled with spirit, as if he had figured out something.
He realized he was too narrow-minded.
Every day he agonized between his eldest sister and mother’s actions.
He didn’t have to be like this.
Trouble and pain wouldn’t solve problems.
A jeep drove in from the road in the distance; his second sister was back.
Lin Chuxia also saw the person at the door from afar.
When the car stopped at the gate, Qin Yang got out first, and then helped Lin Chuxia out of the car.
“Second sister.”
For some reason, seeing his second sister this time, Lin Jiadong felt a lump in his chest.
“Why did you come over? Does school have a holiday today?”
Lin Jiadong nodded.
When Qin Yang opened the door, Lin Chuxia invited Lin Jiadong into the yard.
Lin Jiadong remembered something, took the bench over to return it next door.
When he came back, Lin Chuxia was already sitting inside, drinking a glass of water Qin Yang had poured for her.
Qin Yang also poured him a glass.
“Thanks, brother-in-law.”
Lin Jiadong sat across from Lin Chuxia, fumbling with the glass of water.
Seeing him like this, Qin Yang didn’t linger, told Lin Chuxia he’ll be in the kitchen cooking, leaving the siblings to talk.
After Qin Yang left, Lin Jiadong still stared at the water glass in his hand.
Lin Chuxia finished her glass of water, yet he sat like a statue, unmoving.
“Did you come to see me for something?”
Lin Jiadong looked up; it wasn’t that he didn’t want to talk to his second sister, he just didn’t know where to start.
He opened his mouth, took another gulp of water, and said nothing.
Lin Chuxia quietly waited for him, watching him place the glass on the table, and when he raised his head again, his eyes were faintly bloodshot.
“Second sister,” he called dryly.
Lin Chuxia nodded, “Go ahead, I’m listening.”
Lin Jiadong glanced at her swollen belly, “Then… no matter what I say, don’t get upset. I don’t know how to tell you about this, but if I don’t, I feel guilty. Second sister, I’m sorry…”
He knew his second sister was pregnant and shouldn’t be stressed, but if he didn’t say it he was afraid his mom and eldest sister might do something again.
Lin Chuxia smiled gently, “Go ahead, what could you have done? Why would you be sorry to me?”
Lin Jiadong lowered his head, covered his head with his hands, “I went home that day, and suddenly heard mom and eldest sister talking. Eldest sister said… she said Lin Chuxia is her biological daughter, and I am the fake one…”
Afraid Lin Chuxia wouldn’t understand what he was saying, he recounted his mom and Lin Jiayi’s conversation from that day to Lin Chuxia, exactly as it was.
