Gu Jianing shook her head. “I don’t blame her.”
The love of parents for their children is universal. Lin Shu had lost her daughter and couldn’t withstand the grief, which was why she had ended up like this. As a mother herself, how could Gu Jianing possibly blame Lin Shu?
Auntie Zhao breathed a sigh of relief.
But Lin Shu was still stubbornly staring in Yueyue’s direction, continuously calling out “Tiantian.”
Each cry tugged at everyone’s heartstrings.
Yueyue looked at the disheveled woman who was clearly not in her right mind. Normally, she would have stayed away from someone like this—maybe even felt a little scared.
But now…
Yueyue looked up at Gu Jianing, seeking her opinion. “Mom, I want to talk to her.”
Gu Jianing was momentarily taken aback but then nodded.
“Thank you, Mom.” Yueyue gently squeezed Gu Jianing’s hand before walking toward Lin Shu.
“Tiantian, my Tiantian…”
As Yueyue approached, Lin Shu grew even more agitated. She struggled desperately, trying to get closer to Yueyue.
Though the villagers of Qianye Village knew that even in this state, Lin Shu wouldn’t harm anyone—especially not her “Tiantian”—they still restrained her, just to be safe.
By then, Yueyue had already reached Lin Shu. Without hesitation, she stepped forward and hugged her, gently patting her back.
“Tiantian…”
Under Yueyue’s soothing, Lin Shu seemed to gradually calm down, though her eyes remained fixed on Yueyue, unwilling to look away.
Noticing Lin Shu’s messy, tangled hair, Yueyue thought for a moment before taking off the hair clip from her own head.
She motioned for Lin Shu to bend down.
Lin Shu seemed to understand and lowered her head.
Yueyue stood on her tiptoes and clipped the hairpin into Lin Shu’s hair.
“This is my favorite hair clip. I’m giving it to you.”
“You’re a good mom, and a pretty mom.”
“But I’m not Tiantian—I’m Yueyue.”
Lin Shu froze, then cautiously touched the hair clip on her head. Staring at Yueyue, she tentatively repeated, “Yueyue?”
“Yes, I’m Yueyue.”
“I have to go now.”
“But I’ll come back to Qianye Village to see you again.”
With that, Yueyue hugged Lin Shu once more before returning to Gu Jianing’s side.
“Mom, let’s go home.”
Gu Jianing stroked her head. “Okay.”
Gu Jianing left with Xingxing, Yueyue, and the things she had bought.
Lin Shu seemed to want to follow them but stopped after a few steps. She just kept watching Yueyue’s small figure, alternating between calling out “Tiantian” and “Yueyue.”
Yueyue resisted the urge to look back.
“Do you like Auntie Lin Shu a lot?” Gu Jianing asked along the way.
Yueyue gazed at her mother. “Mom, Auntie Lin Shu is a good mom.”
“Yes, she is a good mom.”
“It would be nice if Tiantian were still here.”
Gu Jianing sighed. Yes, it would be wonderful if Tiantian were still alive.
But once someone is gone, how could they possibly come back?
As they walked, nearing the edge of Qianye Village, Gu Jianing felt Xingxing tug at her sleeve.
“Mom, someone’s watching us.”
Gu Jianing followed his gaze.
And saw two familiar faces.
Indeed, they were familiar—none other than Niu Cui and Zhang Qiumei, who had been expelled from the military compound.
Not far away, Zhang Qiumei was staring at Gu Jianing and her family with venomous eyes.
She hadn’t expected Gu Jianing to turn around and notice her.
Even though she quickly averted her gaze when Gu Jianing looked back, the malice in her eyes had already been caught.
Behind her, Niu Cui was also watching with a sinister glare.
Gu Jianing frowned. It seemed these two were still up to no good.
Auntie Zhao, who was helping Gu Jianing carry her purchases back to the military compound, also noticed Zhang Qiumei and Niu Cui.
“Those two rented a place in our village not long ago.”
“They’re not locals—a mother and daughter pair. But their tempers are terrible, always fighting with each other.”
The dislike in Auntie Zhao’s expression was obvious as she spoke about Niu Cui and Zhang Qiumei.
“But I heard that the woman’s son is a high-ranking officer.”
That was the main reason why some villagers had endured the mother and daughter’s bullying—they had indeed seen military officers visiting their house.
Gu Jianing gave a noncommittal “Hmm” and turned her attention away.
She already knew that Zhang Qiumei and Niu Cui had been expelled from the military compound. From other military wives, she had also learned that the two hadn’t returned to their hometown but had instead rented a place nearby.
She just hadn’t expected them to be living in Qianye Village.
And today, of all days, she had run into them.
Gu Jianing hadn’t forgotten the malice detector’s warning about Zhang Qiumei and Zhang Jianjun.
She would have to stay vigilant.
“Xingxing, Yueyue, let’s go home.”
“Okay~”
….
Not far away, Zhang Qiumei watched the retreating figures of Gu Jianing’s family, her eyes brimming with hatred.
Even Niu Cui, standing behind her, was startled by the intensity of her glare.
Did Zhang Qiumei hate Gu Jianing?
Yes—with every fiber of her being.
She believed that everything wrong in her life was because of Gu Jianing.
If Gu Jianing had just obediently given Sheng Zexi to her, none of this would have happened.
But Gu Jianing was despicable.
Not only did she refuse to yield Sheng Zexi, but she also had the military leadership punish Zhang Qiumei.
Because of that, Zhang Qiumei had lost her hard-earned university admission.
She had even been kicked out of the military compound.
And now, her own mother, who had always doted on her, had turned cold.
Living in Qianye Village, she was forced to work every single day.
Then there was her dear brother, Zhang Jianjun.
Perhaps because he no longer saw her as a future university student—and therefore useless—he had been arranging blind dates for her.
But what kind of men was he introducing her to?!
Either the mentally disabled son of some high-ranking officer or an old widower with children older than her!
Sure, marrying Sheng Zexi would have also meant being a stepmother.
But how could that compare to this?
Sheng Zexi was young, accomplished, and exactly her type.
The old man, on the other hand, had wrinkles all over his face, a lecherous expression, and reeked of old age.
The thought of being near him disgusted her—how could she ever agree to marry him?
But her “wonderful” brother had given her an ultimatum: if she didn’t choose someone to marry within a week, she would be sent back to their hometown.
And then, he would wash his hands of her completely.
That wasn’t what Zhang Qiumei wanted either.
Going back to the countryside and marrying some peasant farmer? That would be worse than death.
So, it was all Gu Jianing’s fault. That woman had ruined her life.
Gu Jianing, if I’m suffering, why should you get to be happy?
Watching Gu Jianing laughing and chatting with her children made Zhang Qiumei’s heart twist with resentment.
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