Over there, there is an apartment, and it’s her own on both sides. She’s not that old now and can still work. She’s looking to see if there’s any cleaning work to do over there to earn some money for her own expenses.

As for Ah Qing, her own father said Ah Qing called a few months ago, saying she was in the Capital City, but she didn’t mention the exact location.

All they know is she’s at her mother-in-law’s house in the Capital City. Qiu Hualan doesn’t know exactly where Mei Langchi’s family lives, so she might not be able to find them even if she goes there.

In recent years, Ye Qing has been in touch with family, only saying she’s working and following her husband in the military. She hasn’t talked about her situation in recent years or her factory. So, they only know Ah Qing has been in the military in Z City these years, but they don’t know which unit specifically.

It’s not that the family didn’t ask, but every time they did, Ye Qing always found various excuses to change the topic. As a result, up till now, the family doesn’t know her specific location.

Even the phone number she left can’t be reached. They don’t know if she’s really busy or if something has happened, which is worrying. Even if they are worried, they can’t do anything if they can’t contact her, but they remain anxious.

Qiu Hualan knows her daughter is capable and should be fine. No matter what the situation is, she’s waiting for her daughter in S City.

When she gets there and installs the phone, she’ll contact the family. When Ah Qing contacts the family again, they’ll be able to get in touch.

The village’s gossip can drown a person, and she doesn’t want to stay there any longer than necessary.

The day Qiu Hualan left, no one except the Qiu family knew. Just like that, Qiu Hualan came to S City again after several years.

The moment she arrived at the entrance of the community, Qiu Hualan felt uneasy inside. She didn’t care what the nearby neighbors thought of her, but she was most worried about Du Guangjun.

A couple of years ago, Du Guangjun still occasionally came to visit her, bringing her some things, not food but things to use and wear. He said that no matter how hard it was inside, he wouldn’t starve, and as long as he didn’t get sick or cold, it was good, that four years would fly by. He also said he’d wait for himself.

But two years later, there was suddenly no more news from Du Guangjun. She felt anxious but couldn’t inquire about outside matters.

Later on, that worry and anticipation gradually faded; she thought Du Guangjun couldn’t wait that long. She gave up.

Giving up is good, they’re both old, and she no longer has the time to wait for someone who’s not worth it, she thought to herself.

In her life, being able to shake off Ye Weijun was her greatest fortune. If Du Guangjun were to accompany her, it would be a blessing from heaven. If not, she wouldn’t wish for more.

It’s enough; compared to before, she is already very happy. In the future, she wants to live the life she wants for herself.

Qiu Hualan took a deep breath and started tidying up the house.

She thought that after not living here for a few years, her yard would be overgrown with weeds, but it was unexpectedly neat and clean.

Once inside the yard, it was spotlessly clean, clearly indicating that someone had been frequently coming over to clean.

Something flashed through Qiu Hualan’s mind, but she was afraid it was just her wishful thinking. She didn’t dare think any further.

Qiu Hualan energized herself and tidied up the house, went outside to buy some daily necessities, pots, and pans. Since it’s summer, there’s no urgency to make thick quilts, she’ll take it one step at a time. She originally had a few hundred yuan, and now with this small ten thousand yuan from her son, if she spends conservatively, it could last her ten years, but she doesn’t plan on spending conservatively. Once she’s settled, she’ll re-install the phone and then buy a sewing machine. She hasn’t touched a sewing machine in her life. After some time, she’ll look for some money-making job she can do herself.

Now she’s got food and drink, her son is gone, her daughter doesn’t need her to worry about, it’s just herself to enjoy life, spending however she wants, doing whatever she wants. She no longer has to live a life of fear and anxiety. She’s now full of expectation for life.

Du Guangjun came back from his daughter’s place today, and instead of going straight home, he turned around in the market. He hadn’t been home for half a month, and there wasn’t much food at home.

His daughter felt uneasy about him living alone at his age and wanted him to move in with her, but he was reluctant because living alone offered freedom, and he had a house to manage. Weighing the time, Lan Hua should be getting out this summer, and he was pondering about visiting her. He didn’t know if she had come out yet.

Carrying the groceries he had bought, Du Guangjun was thinking about this when he returned home, only to find the door of Qiu Hualan’s house opposite his open. He was puzzled and suspected a break-in.

Which nearby neighbor didn’t know he was keeping an eye on it? Normally, no one dared to enter. Maybe it was some unruly kids from the community who pried the door open while he wasn’t home.

Thinking it was like that, Du Guangjun frowned and looked inside, only to see the figure of Qiu Hualan in the yard.

Qiu Hualan was doing laundry in the yard at that moment. When she suddenly saw someone entering the yard, and then realized it was Du Guangjun, she froze there instantly with tears welling up, as she hadn’t expected to see the person she yearned for so soon.

"Lan Hua, you’re back?"

"...Ah... just... just arrived," Qiu Hualan quickly lowered her head, blinked away the tears in her eyes, stood up, and forced a stiff smile, "You... doing okay?"

"Good, good..." After waiting for four years, suddenly meeting again, Du Guangjun nearly teared up.

All the things he wanted to say were now forgotten upon meeting, and for a moment, they simply stared at each other before regaining their composure.

Du Guangjun didn’t wait these four years in vain; at least Qiu Hualan had returned to S City and met him.

He always knew in his heart that Qiu Hualan wouldn’t kill anyone. He didn’t know what happened back then, but he knew Qiu Hualan had no choice. Since she wouldn’t speak, he wouldn’t ask. After all, it’s all in the past now.

He decided that if Qiu Hualan agreed, he would immediately get a marriage certificate with her, no matter what others thought.

"I thought... you wouldn’t wait anymore." After sitting down in the room, Qiu Hualan laughed self-deprecatingly, "Someone like me really isn’t worth it."

"No, Lan Hua, in the past two years, I couldn’t come because I had some health issues. I had surgery, and the recovery was slow. My daughter was strict and didn’t allow me to travel, so I never went over. You... you’re wonderful, so I stayed here watching over this home, waiting for your return all these years."

"..." Du Guangjun’s words left Qiu Hualan momentarily speechless. She didn’t understand why she was worth Du Guangjun’s dedication.

Feeling guilty, she asked, "You... you were ill? What kind of illness was it? Was it so serious that you needed surgery? Are you okay now?"

Seeing Qiu Hualan worried about him, Du Guangjun smiled, "It’s all over now. There was a tumor in my stomach; luckily, it was found in time and was benign. Now, everything is fine... Lan Hua, would you think differently because of my health..."

Before Du Guangjun could finish, Qiu Hualan shook her head quickly, eyes red, "No, I won’t."

...

After Qiu Hualan arrived in S City, she had a brand-new life. She and Du Guangjun were inseparable, like a couple married for decades, shopping for groceries and strolling together. Du Guangjun even introduced Qiu Hualan to his daughter and son-in-law, and Qiu Hualan got along well with his daughter.

Seeing his daughter’s satisfaction, Du Guangjun immediately proposed to Qiu Hualan after returning home. Qiu Hualan had been waiting for this moment and, of course, agreed without hesitation. Now, Qiu Hualan was ready to obtain a marriage certificate with Du Guangjun.

The people here didn’t know Qiu Hualan had been imprisoned for killing someone, including Du Guangjun’s daughter. Du Guangjun’s daughter was willing for her father to find a companion, hoping he would have support in his old age. As long as her father was happy, she felt relaxed as his child.

Du Guangjun’s family agreed, and Qiu Hualan’s family was even more willing for her to marry Du Guangjun. They’ve met Du Guangjun several times, and they recognized that someone who could wait for Qiu Hualan for so many years was rare and reliable.

Qiu Hualan decided not to invite guests to her wedding with Du Guangjun; a simple family meal would suffice.

Qiu Hualan wanted her daughter to come, but unfortunately, she couldn’t contact her at the moment. They decided to wait a bit longer.

Qiu Hualan knew her daughter was in the Capital City but didn’t know where Mei Langchi’s family lived.

Du Guangjun used his connections to inquire about Mei Langchi in the military.

Before they found anything, an unexpected encounter occurred; in the afternoon, as they went out shopping, they saw a child on the road. Qiu Hualan couldn’t help but feel the child looked like her grandson, Hua Hua.

"Speaking of which, Hua Hua should be around the same age, but he should be with his parents. You must be imagining things," Du Guangjun laughed.

"How could that be? My eyes are fine." Qiu Hualan felt more convinced the child resembled Hua Hua, especially with a small, shallow scar on his temple. Her Hua Hua had the same scar, in the exact same spot. Could there really be such a coincidence?

"Hua Hua, Hua Hua?" Qiu Hualan tried calling out, seeing if it really was him.

Surprised, the child turned around, "Grandma, are you calling me?"

Qiu Hualan was surprised, pointing at Hua Hua, and said to Du Guangjun, "Look, this child is also called Hua Hua. Du Guangjun, could it be that Ah Qing lost the child?"

Du Guangjun frowned, examining this Hua Hua closely, and indeed, he did resemble young Hua Hua greatly.

Qiu Hualan quickly took Li Qinghua’s hand, saying, "Child, what’s your name? Do you remember your mother? Does your father know you’re here?"

When Hua Hua left, he was only a bit over one year old and had no memories. Being suddenly held like this made him feel baffled.

"My name is..." Hua Hua began to reply, but was interrupted by Li Liang’s mother, who had rushed over, "Hua Hua, be good, go with grandma quickly. You shouldn’t talk to strangers. Understand?"