Back To The 80s-Chapter 207: Desperate Love (Seeking Monthly Tickets)_1
After Zhuang Shuxian took Xuerong to the outskirts of the city, Xuerong suddenly turned around, tears streaming down her face, and knelt down to give Zhuang Shuxian three kowtows.
The next day, someone found Xuerong’s shoes by the downstream banks of the Yellow River. It was presumed that she had committed suicide by throwing herself into the river.
When Jin Jiadong returned from the army and heard the news, he broke down in great sorrow and knelt by the river for three days and nights, swearing never to marry.
Only then did Zhuang Shuxian realize the child in Xuerong’s womb was from the Jin Family. She regretted learning this too late, otherwise she would have fought tooth and nail to protect both Xuerong and her unborn child.
Zhuang Shuxian wept as she recounted the story. After a pause, she said, "Later, I came to understand that Xuerong was pretending all along. She was afraid that someone would poison the food she was given, thus harming the child. That’s why she wouldn’t eat anything given by anyone else. She was risking her life to protect my child from the Jin Family."
"The shoes found downstream of the Yellow River, she must have left them there deliberately. She was afraid to implicate me, so she pretended to have committed suicide out of shame." As Zhuang Shuxian finished speaking, she hugged Jiujiu and began to sob once more.
Zhuang Shuxian had blamed herself for all these years. As life got better and better, she began to wonder, if she hadn’t let Xuerong escape that night, would Xuerong still be alive today?
Gu Xiaobei and Qin Li were also in tears. This tragic love story was too poignant for words.
Gu Xiaobei felt a piercing pain in his heart just from listening to the story.
The group was so upset that they skipped lunch. Jiujiu vaguely understood that she was not a child of the Chen Family, and felt an indescribable sadness.
Lu Zhanguo came back in the afternoon and was somewhat surprised to see three adults and one child with red, swollen eyes from crying. However, he didn’t ask any questions.
Gu Xiaobei suddenly realized it was getting late and hurriedly washed his face before starting to prepare dinner.
After dinner, they took Zhuang Shuxian to the guest house to rest. Zhuang Shuxian clung to Jiujiu and wouldn’t let go. Gu Xiaobei reassured her, "Auntie, Jiujiu is here. She will not run away. Please go take a rest and you can see her again tomorrow."
Reluctantly, Zhuang Shuxian left with Qin Li to the guest house.
Gu Xiaobei asked Lu Zhanguo to go inside, then she sat down on the small bed with Jiujiu. She had noticed that Jiujiu was upset all afternoon.
"Jiujiu, did you understand what Granny said today?" Gu Xiaobei asked.
Jiujiu nodded silently, fiddling with her fingers.
"Jiujiu, if you really are Granny’s granddaughter, what do you think?" Gu Xiaobei asked.
"Then why did my real mother abandon me?" Jiujiu was confused.
"Jiujiu, when you grow up, you will understand that there are many things beyond our control. If Jin Jiadong truly is your father, your father was a great hero. Your mother was also a very courageous woman, abandoning you must have been the last thing she wanted." Gu Xiaobei wasn’t sure whether Xuerong was still alive.
"Jiujiu, don’t overthink things now. Let’s wait until we understand the whole picture before we start thinking about it. Okay?" Gu Xiaobei felt that the biggest mistake she made today was saying too much in front of Jiujiu.
Jiujiu nodded obediently and climbed into bed after changing out of her clothes.
Inside, Lu Zhanguo sat on the bed, his expression unreadable. He had overheard some of Gu Xiaobei and Jiujiu’s conversation.
Learning that Jiujiu was Jin Jiadong’s child, his eyes warmed. Perhaps heaven had finally shown mercy and left an heir for the Jin Family.
Gu Xiaobei came over, nestled herself in Lu Zhanguo’s arms, and said with a sigh, "To think that the truth would turn out this way. Once we get confirmation from Chenjiaping, it will all be clear. I do hope that Sister Xuerong is still alive." She buried her face in Lu Zhanguo’s neck as she spoke.
Lu Zhanguo gently stroked her back, "Do you want me to accompany you?"
"Isn’t it unnecessary? I think if we ask, they’ll definitely tell us the truth," Gu Xiaobei thought the Chen family wouldn’t be evil people.
"I think I should go with you to find out the truth about that year as soon as possible, so your Aunt and Jiujiu can be together in peace." Lu Zhanguo was worried that if the women alone faced any sudden situation, they couldn’t handle, he would feel safer if he was with them.
The next morning, before dawn, Zhuang Shuxian came over to make breakfast for Jiujiu. She had tossed and turned all night, thinking about Jiadong, Xuerong, feeling waves of sadness, then bursts of joy when she thought of Jiujiu. She couldn’t wait to go back and tell Jin Xueping about this.
With the morning star still high in the sky, Zhuang Shuxian got up, prepared to make breakfast for Jiujiu herself, then hurry back to the city to bring Xueping the good news.
Zhuang Shuxian wished she could hold Jiujiu in her arms forever, now that she knew Jiujiu could possibly be her own granddaughter, her affection for Jiujiu was completely different from the initial liking due to her resembleance.
Gu Xiaobei understood Zhuang Shuxian’s feelings, so she let her make breakfast.
"Xiaobei, I’m going to fry two eggs for Jiujiu, I’ll pay you back later," said Zhuang Shuxian a bit shyly.
"Aunt, you’re just being a stranger. Jiujiu is my niece, after all," Gu Xiaobei said with a smile.
"Yes Xiaobei, you are now the benefactor of our Jin family. Without you, I’m afraid I wouldn’t have met my sweet granddaughter before my death," she said as she began to cry.
"Aunt, don’t say it like that. It’s all fate, and we shouldn’t keep crying in front of Jiujiu. It would make her uncomfortable," Gu Xiaobei looked at Jiujiu, who was quietly sitting next to the table, and spoke softly to Zhuang Shuxian.
Zhuang Shuxian quickly dried her tears, she also noticed that Jiujiu’s mood was clearly off. Jiujiu, being a nine-year-old child, was already understanding, even more so, she was precocious and sensitive for her age.
During breakfast, Jiujiu remained silent. Any of Zhuang Shuxian’s inquiries were met with polite answers, but Jiujiu lacked her usual spirit.
Gu Xiaobei was a bit worried, children are simple-minded; such a huge change may be hard for her to process.
As they finished eating, Jiujiu looked at Zhuang Shuxian and said, "Granny, if you are my real granny, would I have to go with you?"
Zhuang Shuxian was taken aback, but she nodded and said, "Yes, you can go back with grandma to study in the city."
"Then, could I still see my mom, my sixth brother, and my aunt?" Jiujiu asked worriedly.
"Of course, we can always come back to visit them," Zhuang Shuxian was a bit happy thinking that Jiujiu had agreed.
Jiujiu remained silent with a somber mood and Gu Xiaobei indicated to an eager Zhuang Shuxian with a head shake, that she needs to take it slow.
After breakfast, Gu Xiaobei had Jiujiu go to school with Dadong and Xiaodong while she escorted Zhuang Shuxian to her car.
"Aunt, Jiujiu might have a hard time accepting the truth that Chen is not her biological mother. Plus, she has had a tough couple of years. So, it might take her a while to understand the situation. Take it slow, don’t rush," Gu Xiaobei comforted Zhuang Shuxian.
Zhuang Shuxian gritted her teeth and said, "When I see Li Xianglan again, I will skin her alive."
Gu Xiaobei looked at the gnashing Zhuang Shuxian and thought if she saw the scar on Jiujiu’s chest, she’d probably want to reduce Li Xianglan to ashes.
"Xiaobei, I’m going to tell your Uncle Jin as soon as I get back. We’ll come over in a day or two. Let’s hurry to Chenjiaping. As long as this matter is not clear, I’ll be uneasy, fearing it might just be a false happiness." Zhuang Shuxian spoke anxiously to Gu Xiaobei.
"Okay, let’s see if we can find a local farmer who can rent us a donkey cart," Gu Xiaobei also hoped the matter would be settled soon.
