Chapter 238: Let My Mom Decide
"Deep in the Yun-Gui Plateau?" Yi Roujing was somewhat surprised, "Could it be that the hunter with the surname Qiu who bought my aunt back then wasn’t a real hunter, but a human trafficker?"
"Hmph, yes." Dai Zhenhua said resentfully, "Not only did her body suffer, but her heart was tormented even more. My mother was sold because her sister personally added drugs to the sugar water she offered."
"Fortunately, when my father was on a mission back then, he rescued my mother and took her away from that hellish place, but it still took several years for her to recover physically."
"All these years, whenever her family is mentioned, my mom becomes a bit abnormal. She’s been left with a psychological scar."
"Later she married my dad, and with him and my two older brothers by her side, she gradually got better. After having my brother and me, my mom finally came out of it. We absolutely don’t want her to recall those distressing past events, for fear she won’t be able to handle it again." Dai Zhenhua said earnestly.
Yi Roujing fell silent, thought for a moment, and hesitantly asked, "Did your mother ever mention my mother-in-law? I think your mom being so heartbroken might be due to deep love turning into deep hate. She probably has some lingering attachment to my mother-in-law."
"I once heard my parents-in-law talk about the past, that your mother wanted to escape with my mother-in-law. This deep sisterly bond surely can’t fade away easily."
"Back then, my mother-in-law was thirteen, just a child. She didn’t know there were drugs in the sugar water. She was too naive. When their parents said it was a misunderstanding and wouldn’t sell your mother, my mother-in-law kind of believed it and generously made the brown sugar water to nourish the body before serving it."
"Later, they lied to my mother-in-law that your mother escaped alone. It was only after she accidentally overheard their conversation and saw them counting money that she realized she had been sold."
"Since learning the truth, my mother-in-law never gave up looking. The guilt and sadness in her heart were not small. All these years, the first glance she mistook you for her shows she’s never forgotten for a moment."
"So I hope to give my mother-in-law a chance, to meet your mother. Whether they recognize each other or eventually become strangers is between the two sisters."
"Actually, this matter isn’t just a knot in my mother-in-law’s heart. It surely is in your mother’s heart too. Wouldn’t it be good for them to resolve it together?" Yi Roujing said earnestly.
Dai Zhenhua pursed her lips, "I’ve already talked to my dad about this. I’m going to investigate the matter clearly this time. If it’s true... we’ll tell my mom, but whether she wants to meet or not, we’ll listen to her."
Yi Roujing nodded, "Thank you for your trouble."
"My mother-in-law truly is a very kind person. If you ask around, you’ll know. In the end, it’s the Li Family who were ruthless, and their two daughters are the biggest victims." Yi Roujing said sincerely.
"Do you know my dad’s identity?" Dai Zhenhua slightly frowned as she looked at Yi Roujing and said.
Yi Roujing was momentarily stunned, then realized what she meant, and smiled wryly, "We don’t know. I’ve only met your grandmother, Mrs. Dai, once. She just mentioned the resemblance and never mentioned what your dad does."
"Oh, right, I forgot to tell you something. My husband Ding Ancheng is not my parents’ biological son." Yi Roujing said, "But even without a blood connection, family ties last forever."
Dai Zhenhua was a bit surprised. She saw Yi Roujing defending Li Hongying like this, not expecting them not to be real mother-in-law and daughter-in-law.
"My husband’s biological father’s surname is Xu, Xu Yanwu." Yi Roujing said, "The Xu Family in Jing City, you might not know, but if you ask your dad, he should know. We’re really not recognizing this kinship because of your dad’s identity."
Dai Zhenhua wasn’t very familiar with the families in Jing City, but from what Yi Roujing seemed to imply, they had some influence. She decided to investigate thoroughly whether the kinship was recognized because of these. "Alright, I trust you. I hope you won’t tell your mother-in-law about this matter yet and let my mom make the decision."
Yi Roujing thought for a moment and agreed.
"These days, I hope you won’t come looking for me." Dai Zhenhua said.
"Don’t worry, we’ll be going to Jing City for National Day."
When Yi Roujing returned home, Li Hongying had already made dinner and was often looking out the door. Seeing this, Yi Roujing felt a bit heartached, "Mom, I’m sorry, I met with Ailing and talked for a bit, so I’m late."
"It’s alright, it’s alright." Li Hongying felt relieved seeing her return, "Let’s eat, Mom made your favorite braised pork trotter."
"Okay."
After that, Yi Roujing kept an eye on Li Hongying’s mood. Having hidden things in her heart for so many years, it’s understandable that she masks well. Sigh, Yi Roujing only hopes that Dai Zhenhua can have news soon and that this trip to Jing City can change Li Hongying’s mood.
The one with a poor mood besides Li Hongying was Xia Xingchen.
This time, Xia Xingchen would be accompanying them during the National Day trip. She planned to bring back what her mother left behind.
Yi Roujing and Ding Anmin asked Xia Xingchen if she wanted her family to know. Xia Xingchen said it didn’t matter whether they knew or not. She was prepared to face them like a warrior, which shows her state of mind clearly.
The person responsible for buying tickets for the trip to Jing City was Ding Anguo. He used his workplace’s connections to buy sleeper tickets, and he already bought the tickets for seven people.
When it came to going to Jing City, Ding Anmin was a bit excited, so much so that she didn’t notice any unusual signs from Li Hongying. Yi Roujing didn’t plan to tell Ding Anmin and the others about this matter—fewer worried people, the better.
On October 1st, as the nation celebrated, Yi Roujing’s whole family set off early. Everyone except her carried a lot of stuff.
When they arrived at the train station, Huang Xiaobao was already there, waving at them excitedly while bouncing. Beside him were two big woven bags and an additional mesh bag, quite a lot of luggage.
"Uncle, Aunt, Anmin, over here, over here." Huang Xiaobao greeted warmly when he saw them, "Have you eaten? I brought boiled eggs, baozi, and fried dough sticks."
"We ate, let’s take the luggage inside. Our train is at 6:15, it should be starting to check tickets soon." Ding Anguo said.
"Anguo, I have a lot of stuff, can you help me carry some?" Huang Xiaobao didn’t mind calling someone younger than him "big bro."
Ding Anguo sighed and reached out to help with one of the woven bags, "Why do you have so much, how did you get here just now?"
"My dad brought me."
"I really feel you’re dating my sister, but why am I the one exhausted?" Ding Anguo muttered, though not loudly, but loud enough for those around to hear.
Li Hongying laughed out loud. Seeing this, Yi Roujing felt at ease, sharing a glance with Ding Weihuo. Indeed, bringing Huang Xiaobao along to Jing City was proving to be a good decision.
"Auntie, let me, let me."
"Anmin, I’ll go fetch some water, you girls just sit, Auntie, you too, young ladies, don’t move, don’t move."
Once the train started, Huang Xiaobao kept chatting, keeping everyone in high spirits.