Qin Tian was stunned.
Being hugged like this, he could feel the warmth of the embrace, even in the middle of winter.
Qin Tian was smart, and his memory was sharp from an early age.
So, even though his parents had left when he was just over two years old, and even though nearly eight or nine years had passed since then, he still remembered their faces.
And now, standing before him—
were his parents.
Truthfully, ever since Sister Gu had brought him that letter, he had known that his parents might return soon.
At the time, Qin Tian had felt a little panicked.
He didn’t know how he should act around them when they came back.
He had longed for their return, but Qin Tian couldn’t deny that there was also resentment in his heart.
He knew his parents were working for the country.
He knew they were great, that they were heroes. He also knew that they cared about them, sending their salaries home every month.
But still… but still…
Now, wrapped in their arms, Qin Tian couldn’t stop the tears from pouring down his face.
“Why did you only come back now? Do you have any idea how Sister, Grandma, and I have been living all these years?”
“Grandma almost died from illness.”
“I was almost sold off.”
“The kids outside all mocked me and Sister, saying we were bad children, that’s why Mom and Dad abandoned us.”
Hearing these words, Du Lan’s heart ached unbearably, and tears streamed down her face as well.
Qin Zhihong’s eyes also reddened.
“They were all wrong. Our Tian Tian and Qing Qing are so good. At such a young age, you held up this family all by yourselves while we were away.”
“You’re so kind, so hardworking, so brave, so strong—how could you ever be bad children?”
“Tian Tian, Mom knows it’s our fault. We shouldn’t have left you for so long.”
“And we let those bad people take advantage of you.”
“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.”
“From now on, Mom and Dad will never leave you again.”
“Yes, Tian Tian. This time, when Mom and Dad came back, we’re never leaving you again.”
Truthfully, Qin Tian’s outburst wasn’t so much blame as it was the grievances of all these years finally finding a place to pour out.
What he wanted wasn’t much—just a promise from his parents.
Now, hearing that promise, Qin Tian could no longer hold back.
He wrapped his arms around his mother’s neck, buried his face against her shoulder, and sobbed uncontrollably.
Meanwhile, hearing her brother’s cries, Qing Qing came running out.
Then she saw her brother crying in the arms of a beautiful, gentle woman, while a tall man stood beside them.
When the man spotted her, his eyes softened, and he opened his arms.
“Qing Qing, I’m your dad… Dad’s back…”
Dad?
So… they were Mom and Dad?
No wonder her brother was crying.
Qin Qing knew she wasn’t as smart as her brother.
Even her memory wasn’t as good.
Like how, even though they were both just over two years old when their parents left, her brother could still remember their faces clearly, while she couldn’t recall them at all.
But now…
Even without memories…
Because they were connected by blood, she still felt a sense of familiarity and warmth upon seeing them.
Qin Qing had also longed for her parents’ return, and now—they were really back.
Even though Qin Qing, had no memory of them, she felt her eyes redden.
She slowly walked up to her father and looked up at him. “Dad, you and Mom are back? Does that mean… from now on, my brother and I will have parents who love us?”
Qin Zhihong’s heart ached at her words.
He immediately pulled Qin Qing into his arms. “Yes, from now on, Mom and Dad will love you and protect you.”
“Mm.” Qin Qing, who was usually reserved and shy, didn’t cry as hysterically as her brother. But nestled in her father’s embrace, silent tears still streamed down her face.
Meanwhile, inside the house, Grandma Qin heard her grandchildren’s cries.
Puzzled, she was about to get up and see what was happening.
But before she could stand, the visitors had already stepped inside.
One of them immediately knelt before her.
“Mom… your unfilial son, Zhihong, has returned.”
Zhihong?
Grandma Qin focused her gaze—wasn’t this her only son, Qin Zhihong, who had left home nine years ago?
And then…
She also saw her daughter-in-law, Du Lan, following behind.
“Mom…” Du Lan called out softly.
Tears welled up in Grandma Qin’s aged eyes as she smacked Qin Zhihong’s shoulder. “You’re finally back… you’re finally back…”
“Do you have any idea how many times I thought I’d close my eyes for the last time before you ever returned?”
“Mom, I’m sorry… I’m so sorry.”
“I’ve lived long enough, but I couldn’t bear the thought of leaving when you still hadn’t come home—what would happen to Tian Tian and Qing Qing then?”
“I was so worried… so worried that I forced myself to hold on.”
“Thank goodness Xiao Gu appeared when she did.”
Du Lan quickly nodded. “Yes, we really should thank Dr. Gu.”
“Mom, I’m sorry. I failed you and the kids.”
“Now that you’re back… will you leave again?”
Qin Zhihong hurriedly shook his head. “No, never again. We’ve completed our mission. From now on, our family will never be separated.”
Grandma Qin’s face finally relaxed into a relieved smile. “Good… that’s good… that’s really good.”
In the end, Grandma Qin and Qin Zhihong embraced, mother and son weeping together.
Qin Zhihong knew that all these years, whether it was his mother or his children, they had suffered hardships.
So no matter what they said, he and his wife accepted it all.
It took a long, long time before the family’s emotions finally settled.
Then, Grandma Qin asked how they had managed to return.
Qin Zhihong said they had completed their mission.
As for what exactly that mission was, they didn’t elaborate.
But because they had performed exceptionally well, the higher-ups had rewarded them.
For example, if they were willing, the entire family could relocate to the capital, Beijing, and obtain permanent residency there. They were also given a traditional courtyard house (siheyuan), and the couple had been transferred to work at a weapons research institute in Beijing.
“…Mom, we plan to move the household registration to Beijing and settle there permanently.”
“Beijing is the capital of our country. No matter what, it will always be at the forefront of development.”
“Plus, we can transfer our work units there. Tian Tian and Qing Qing can become Beijing locals, attend schools there, and receive education in the capital.”
Grandma Qin nodded in understanding. So that was the plan.
But…
“You should take Tian Tian and Qing Qing with you. There’s no need for an old woman like me to go.”
She would only be a burden.
Besides, she had spent her entire life in Qin Village. The thought of leaving for Beijing filled her with reluctance.
She knew Beijing was a good place—the best choice for her son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren. But for her… it was different.
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