Chapter 504: Chapter 498: Mrs. Liang’s Suffering

If it wasn’t for Little Star blocking the view, perhaps today, when Liang Hongmei saw that green silhouette, she would have been stunned.

Lin Guozhi also didn’t see Liang Hongmei because of Little Star. He was in a hurry because of urgent matters, so he left quickly.

His memory was fragmented and blurry before, but occasionally in his mind, there was the face of Liang Hongmei when she was young.

To him, this face was that of his former wife because whenever he thought of that face, he could feel joy in his heart and recall some moments they shared together.

He was troubled by the fact that no matter how much he tried, he simply couldn’t remember where this face resided.

This time, Liang Hongmei let Du Guangjun enter the house; since he braved the heavy snow to bring her home, she felt it was inappropriate not to let him warm up by the fire before hastily sending him away.

“Why don’t you sit by the stove to warm up for a bit, I’ll settle the child in the room, heat the kang, and make you a cup of water to warm yourself up before you leave.”

Du Guangjun nodded with a smile.

With the snow falling heavily, Little Star’s hands were still warm, and she slept soundly, which reassured Liang Hongmei. She placed the child under the covers and got up to heat the kang, boiling a pot of hot water at the same time.

“Thanks to you today, come have a cup of tea. I don’t have any good tea leaves at home, I hope you don’t mind.”

“I don’t mind, I can drink anything,” Du Guangjun said with a smile and began to make tea himself, not letting Liang Hongmei do the work.

“Isn’t this the first time I’ve come to your place?” Du Guangjun warmed his hands with a teacup as he glanced around the room and nodded, “It’s different with a woman; the home is always clean, unlike me living alone, not knowing how to tidy up.”

Du Guangjun’s words made Liang Hongmei feel a bit awkward, she laughed lightly and said, “Sister Tang told me that someone introduced you to someone really nice recently, at our age, finding someone with compatible temperaments and without objection from the children is all it takes, no need to be so picky.”

Du Guangjun shook his head in self-deprecation, “Everyone is nice, but I just feel in sync with you.”

Du Guangjun’s words choked Liang Hongmei, and she put away her smile and stated, “I’ve made it clear to you; we’re not suitable, and I don’t intend to find anyone. I’m comfortable living alone; my life is set like this. You should stop fantasizing and don’t waste your energy on someone like me who’s not worth it.” After finishing, she glanced at the clock and politely ushered him out, “It’s getting late, I won’t keep you for dinner. I’ll treat you to a meal at the store another day.”

She stood up to escort Du Guangjun out.

Unexpectedly, Du Guangjun took advantage of a moment when Liang Hongmei wasn’t watching and hugged her from behind, “Hongmei, from the moment I saw you, my heart was possessed, it was all your shadow.”

Startled, Liang Hongmei let out a scream and quickly broke free from his embrace. Du Guangjun didn’t actually intend to do anything; he was just upset by Liang Hongmei’s straightforward words, feeling sad, wanting only to give her a hug to express his heart.

When Liang Hongmei broke free, he let go.

“Old Du, you’re already at this age, you have your reputation; don’t do disgraceful things that ruin your lifetime reputation. I’ll say it again; don’t come looking for me anymore, nor visit our store. If we meet again, let’s pretend not to know each other.”

“Hongmei, don’t be like this, you know I can’t forget you.” Du Guangjun was flustered by Liang Hongmei’s words, hurriedly trying to reach for her as she raised the freshly boiled kettle, “Leave now, hurry up, don’t make me sick.”

Du Guangjun realized his actions just now made Liang Hongmei develop disgust towards him.

He hadn’t considered Liang Hongmei’s feelings, and indeed must have frightened her, which he deeply regretted. He thought it was no longer their younger days and that they shouldn’t be so reserved.

However, decades of cultivation told him it was time to leave, not to do anything overbearing anymore.

“Hongmei, don’t be agitated, I’ll leave now, the fault today was mine. You take some time to calm down, I’ll be leaving first.”

He walked out of Liang Hongmei’s yard, looking back repeatedly.

Liang Hongmei watched him exit the gate, trembling as she held the kettle filled with hot water, locking the door with shaking steps.

No one knew how scared she was just now. Being the only one at home with the child, if Du Guangjun had been slightly unethical, she couldn’t even imagine the possible consequences.

She had survived a lifetime in such harsh village conditions; if her integrity was compromised today, she felt she wouldn’t want to live anymore.

Standing at the gate braving the snow, Liang Hongmei calmed her emotions, her trembling body also stabilized quite a bit, and she returned to the room in a daze.

Taking out the iron box she’d brought back from the old home.

Holding the photos inside, Liang Hongmei cried—this time, it was heart-wrenching sobs, crying for a long, long time.

Had her crying not woken Little Star, Liang Hongmei probably would have cried through to the evening.

Nothing was more important than her granddaughter to her, so Liang Hongmei composed herself, helped Little Star to the bathroom, and fed her some milk.

If the kids didn’t come home today, she’ll definitely be back tomorrow; she couldn’t let them worry. After tending to Little Star, Liang Hongmei quickly used hot water to soothe her eyes.

She tidied up her son’s room, took Little Star to her daughter’s home, lit the kang, and changed the sheets and pillowcases for the child.

…

The Lin Wan siblings returned home at around nine at night; they’d been traveling since the 4 AM train this morning, finally arriving now.

Initially, Liang Hongmei heard knocking at the door and thought it might be Du Guangjun again; she came out clutching a stick but was relieved when she heard her son’s voice and quickly put the stick aside to open the door.

“Why are you back so late? Didn’t you say you’d arrive in the afternoon?”

“It snowed over here, the train stopped for over an hour,” Lin Wan said, promptly stepping aside with Han Yi.

Seeing Mu Qing next to Lin Yinghui, Liang Hongmei was surprised, “Oh, Qingqing, why are you…?”

“Aunt, We met up with Ah Hui and the others in Capital City, I might be bothering you for a few days.”

Liang Hongmei smiled happily, “No need to stand on ceremony. From now on, when you come to our home, treat it as your own. You haven’t eaten yet, have you? Come in and warm up, I’ll make some food for you.”

“Mom, it’s cold outside; you should get on the kang, let us take care of the cooking,” Lin Wan said, leading them inside, eager to see her daughter.

Han Yi hadn’t seen her for six months and missed her terribly.

Liang Hongmei wouldn’t listen to them, she entered and put on a warm coat, “You’re all cold, go warm up by the stove before touching the child. She’s sleeping soundly; don’t wake her up.”

“Got it, Mom,” Lin Wan knew she was cold, didn’t dare touch, just stayed by the edge of the kang to have a look.

Seeing the child sleeping soundly, white and tender, with a scent of milk about her, Lin Wan’s heart melted completely.

Han Yi rubbed her hands upon entering the room, listened to Liang Hongmei, and went outside to warm up, feeling only then was warm enough to approach her daughter’s side, touching her little cheek.

Mu Qing intended to help Liang Hongmei cook but was sent back. Mu Qing hadn’t seen Lin Wan’s daughter, curious to let Lin Yinghui bring her in.

“Wow, Xiao Wan, your daughter is really cute, she’s really good-looking.”

“With good-looking parents, the child is bound to be good-looking.” Lin Wan wasn’t modest; her daughter was, indeed, beautiful.

Only Lin Wan would praise her own daughter like that, with Han Yi lovingly agreeing beside her.

Lin Yinghui touched his face next to them, glanced at his Qingqing, his heart skipped, thinking that their future daughter would surely be pretty as well.

Liang Hongmei made a big pot of noodle soup for the child. Hot soup and hot water that could warm them physically.

“I’ll prepare some good food for Qingqing tomorrow.”

“You don’t need to go to any trouble, Aunt, regular meals are fine.”

“It should be. It’s just right for our family to gather.”

Liang Hongmei’s words made Mu Qing blush; she lowered her head and concentrated on eating.

Even Lin Yinghui felt a bit uncomfortable in front of his mom.

After dinner, Han Yi did the dishes alone, while Lin Wan intended to bring the child to her room to sleep.

Liang Hongmei dismissed her, “The child is sleeping soundly, you’ll tire her out and she’ll fall ill if you mess with her in the middle of the night. Go, sleep your own sleep, and come tomorrow.”

“Mom, how about I sleep with you tonight? I want to cuddle my daughter.”

Liang Hongmei glanced at her, “Would Xiao Yi agree?”

Liang Hongmei’s words made Lin Wan choke, just as Han Yi walked in.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep