Chapter 651: Chapter 629: Deception

Regarding Aunt Jin and Uncle Jin’s situation, Lin Wan couldn’t help but sigh and say, “Xiao Gu, you probably don’t know, but Aunt Jin and Uncle Jin are quite pitiful. Their son died in the military before he got married. Initially, it wasn’t a big deal. But as they grow older, they always think about the blessings of having children and grandkids and wish for someone at home. Aunt Jin and Uncle Jin intended to adopt your brother-in-law, but Grandma didn’t agree. Still, over the years, they have treated Xiao Yi like a son. After all, your brother-in-law doesn’t often come home, and the old couple gets lonely.” Lin Wan paused and continued, “After that incident, after interacting with you, they thought you’re a good kid and always wanted to make you their godson. But they were afraid that you’d distance yourself from them if you refused, so they’ve kept it to themselves without saying anything. Yesterday Aunt Jin brought it up with me, and I thought I should tell you and hear your opinion.”

Xiao Gu looked at Lin Wan, and this suggestion was indeed a bit unexpected for him. Occasionally, during his free time, he would help the elderly couple with chores and meet Zhang Shuhua. Mainly because during the time he was injured, Uncle and Aunt spared no effort in taking care of him, always providing chicken soup and bone broth for nourishment, which he appreciated. But he never expected Aunt Jin and Uncle Jin to actually think this way.

Having never experienced familial affection since childhood, Xiao Gu also longed for family love. After considering it, Aunt Jin and Uncle Jin have always treated him well and are good people. Sometimes he feels parental love from them and occasionally fantasizes about them being his parents, how great that would be.

Xiao Gu hesitated for a long time before saying, “Sister Xiao Wan, I have no objections. By acknowledging Aunt Jin and Uncle Jin as my godparents, I’d have two more people who care for me, so of course, I’m willing. But… I just fear I might not do well enough and let Aunt Jin and Uncle Jin down.”

Lin Wan, hearing Xiao Gu’s willingness, instead smiled and said, “You’re already doing very well, just go with the flow, no need to be too deliberate. This way Aunt Jin and Uncle Jin will like you.”

Xiao Gu nodded and smiled.

“Since you agree, I’ll tell Aunt Jin and Uncle Jin later.”

“Sister Xiao Wan, thank you”

Lin Wan patted his shoulder, happy for him.

In the afternoon, Aunt Jin and Uncle Jin heard that Xiao Gu agreed with them. They were so excited they couldn’t wait to see Xiao Gu.

Lin Wan originally planned to visit them the next day, but unexpectedly, Dad called, sending Xiao Zhang to pick her up.

And he’s arriving today.

Lin Wan was afraid Xiao Zhang might not find her, so she didn’t dare go far and quickly fetched Little Star back from Grandma’s house.

She tidied up the house. When Xiao Zhang arrived in the afternoon, and since the night road wouldn’t be good to travel, Lin Wan and Xiao Zhang decided to set off early the next morning.

Before leaving, Xiao Wan gave Shi Lan the house keys.

The day Lin Wan left was also the day Ye Weijun was released from the detention center.

Coincidentally, it was snowing heavily, a freezing day. Ye Weijun was still wearing the clothes Yang Erni had given him.

With the money he initially had, Ye Weijun bribed the guards to give him two bottles of wine while in the detention center.

Now, besides having an address for the G City military unit, he had nothing else.

Ye Weijun could only wander aimlessly on the streets, not daring to go back to Lin Wan’s place.

Although he wandered aimlessly, he was actually lingering around the construction area’s vicinity, begging while hoping to encounter that woman, Qiu Hualan.

Before, Du Guangjun had suggested Qiu Hualan stay at a house he owned in the outskirts, but she didn’t agree. Since they had no relationship, she thought it inappropriate to stay at someone’s house with her child.

Therefore, she spent days in the courtyard, always on edge, not even daring to go out. Usually, she’d buy groceries very early, around five in the morning, and quickly return. Passing the main gate, she’d be extra cautious.

Qiu Hualan hadn’t been out for three or four days. Being from the south, she didn’t have the habit of storing vegetables for winter, so even when Du Guangjun suggested it, she didn’t store much. The occasional grocery trips were modest.

Early this morning, Qiu Hualan went out with money to buy some vegetables and meat while the child was still sleeping.

Who would’ve guessed that passing by the gate, she’d see a man with long, tangled hair who hadn’t had a haircut for who knows how long, shivering in the cold wind, squatting in a sheltered spot.

After years of living with Ye Weijun, Qiu Hualan knew him all too well. Even without seeing his face, she knew it was him.

This made Qiu Hualan panic. She hadn’t seen a trace of him in over half a month, and she had felt relieved thinking he had left.

Unexpectedly, he was still here. Judging by his appearance, he seemed out of money and probably hadn’t eaten for days.

Seeing people pass by, he held his hands together, praying for their help.

Some people gave him a few cents, probably enough for a couple of steamed buns.

Just when Qiu Hualan was in a daze, Du Guangjun suddenly greeted her from behind, startling her.

“Sister Qiu, what are you doing here?”

Seeing Qiu Hualan startled like that, Du Guangjun realized he had scared her and apologized with a sheepish smile.

“It’s Brother Du,” Qiu Hualan’s eyes twinkled, and a plan came to mind.

“Brother Du, I need your help with something.”

“What do you need help with?”

…

Around six o’clock, Du Guangjun walked up to Ye Weijun with two steamed buns filled with pickled vegetables in his hand.

“Brother, you’ve been here for quite a few days. Are you looking for someone?” Du Guangjun said as he crouched down and handed the buns to Ye Weijun.

Seeing the steaming buns in front of him, Ye Weijun, who hadn’t eaten for two days, immediately grabbed them without saying a word and started devouring them.

Du Guangjun, beside him, wasn’t annoyed and even handed him a pot of warm water when he started choking.

After eating nearly everything, Ye Weijun looked at Du Guangjun and quickly thanked him, “Thank you, kind-hearted man, thank you, kind-hearted man, you’re a great person. I haven’t eaten in two days, to be honest.”

“Oh, seeing you in this starving state, you must be in some trouble,” Du Guangjun’s eyes flickered as he smiled.

“Well, brother, can I ask you something? Is there a middle-aged woman named Qiu Hualan living around my neighborhood? She’s almost forty and probably has a child.” Ye Weijun wasn’t really without food for two days; he’d begged for a few cents occasionally, enough for a meal. Just infrequently, so he was really hungry. Seeing someone kindly give him food and willing to talk, he quickly asked.

Du Guangjun pretended to ponder for a moment, “I’ve lived here most of my life and know our neighbors well. I’m pretty familiar with this area. I’ve never heard of anyone named Qiu … what?”

“Qiu Hualan, Lan Hua, Lan Hua.”

“Oh… there’s no such person here. And no one with a child, either. Seeing you’re not from the area, are you here to find relatives? Can’t find anyone?”

Hearing someone who understood him, Ye Weijun immediately felt more favorable, “Brother, you wouldn’t believe it, my woman tricked me and ran away secretly. The address she gave was fake too. Later, I heard she moved here but didn’t know the specifics. I’ve been stuck here for over half a month, spent all my money, can’t go back, and can’t find her. Isn’t it a loss?”

Du Guangjun chuckled awkwardly, “I advise you to go back, brother. You know, you can’t rely on this address. If she were really here, you’ve been waiting at the gate for so long, you would’ve found her by now. Since you haven’t seen her, she’s probably not here. The New Year’s approaching, aren’t you planning to go back?”

“Sigh, I must have been fooled. I want to go back, but I don’t have the fare, I can’t even afford food now.” Ye Weijun was already scared after being out for so long and having spent half a month in jail.

The city isn’t easy to navigate, not everyone can make it. Liang Hongmei hit the jackpot, thriving in the city. He doesn’t have that luck.

This isn’t their village, where anyone can come as they wish, where stealing and cheating go unnoticed. Here, one mistake lands you in the police station.

“Seeing you’re a pitiable person, let me do this … I’ll take you to the station and get you a ticket home.”

“Thank you, brother, thank you, brother. Thank you so much,” hearing someone willing to be the scapegoat and pay his fare, of course, Ye Weijun was thrilled, raising his filthy hands to shake hands with Du Guangjun.

Du Guangjun was disgusted internally but showed nothing outwardly, discreetly removing his hand and standing up to say, “Let’s go, brother, I’ll take you to the station.”

“Thank you, thank you, brother, you’re truly a good person.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep