Chen Zi Hui surveyed the room: "Teacher Yu, congratulations on your safe return. Believe it or not, I'm genuinely happy for you and also relieved. But there's one thing I must come to remind you about—please keep your daughter under control. She shouldn't cling to my son every time something happens."
Yu Jia was both shocked and furious: "What do you mean by that?"
"Has your daughter not told you? After you went missing, my son Gao Xiang has been accompanying her since yesterday and spent the night at your place. Your daughter might not care about her reputation anymore, throwing caution to the wind, but she's still a minor. Any man involved with her would be in trouble. My only younger brother already lost his life early because of her. I can't stand by and watch my son meet the same fate."
Yu Jia struggled to remain calm: "How dare you say such shameless things? My daughter would never pester anyone."
Chen Zi Hui sneered: "My son and his girlfriend were in a good relationship, dating for nearly four years and already discussing marriage. Your daughter caused them to break up yesterday, and you have the nerve to say that to me?"
"Your son is an adult and should fully understand his actions. You might as well go back and ask him if he can tolerate your behavior. If you barge into my home again spouting nonsense, don't blame me for being impolite. Get out now."
"Tsk, tsk, do you think I want to come to your house? I'm giving you face by coming to warn you. If you don't rein in your daughter and let her endlessly harass my son, ruining his good name, I won't be polite either."
"Get out!"
After Chen Zi Hui left, Yu Jia slammed the door shut with force and sat on the sofa, pressing her hand firmly against her throbbing temple. After a while, she calmed down slightly and looked up to see Zuo Si'an standing before her, while Liu Guanchao stood farther away, both children wearing expressions of fear. She lowered her hand and tried to soften her voice: "Xiao Chao, I'm sorry, but I won't be keeping you for dinner today. Please head back to school. I need to talk with Xiao An."
Liu Guanchao nodded, gathered his schoolbag, and paused at the door: "Auntie Yu, it really isn't Xiao An's fault. That Gao Xiang came on his own. He even went to school before to pick up Xiao An, and later she deliberately took the side gate and transferred buses to avoid him."
"I know, Xiao Chao. Thank you. Hurry back for dinner."
After Liu Guanchao left, Yu Jia said softly: "Xiao An, come sit down."
Zuo Si'an sat beside her, her face pale, hands clenched into fists on her lap.
"Xiao An, I know this isn't your fault. You were scared when I was out of contact—that's natural." She remained silent. "I told you not to have any further contact with Gao Xiang precisely to avoid scenes like today. Of course, Gao Xiang is a decent person, trustworthy and genuinely cares about you, but he is, after all, related to that person we agreed upon, and he has a shrewish mother who is too unreasonable and destructive. You've just returned to a normal life, and I can't let her ruin everything. Do you understand what I mean? Do you understand?"
She stared straight ahead and nodded silently.
"I'll call Gao Xiang right away and ask him to disappear from your life."Zuo Si'an turned her head, her eyes filled with sorrow and pain. Yu Jia was startled, nearly blurting out, "Do you really like him?" but she forcefully held back. Instinctively, she felt that once certain things were laid bare, they might become irreparable—better to intervene while everything remained ambiguous. She grasped her daughter's hand, but Zuo Si'an had already lowered her gaze, refusing to meet her eyes. Yu Jia had no choice but to force a light tone and say, "Don't worry, I won't stoop to his mother's level. I'll speak to him as politely as possible. I've always told you, all you need to do is forget what happened in the past. Only then can you truly start your own life. Right now, your task is to focus on your studies and strive to get into the high school affiliated with Normal University. Don't dwell on anything else. From now on, I'll try to turn down business trips and take good care of you."
"Mom, from the airport to home, you haven't told me about your experiences these past few days."
Yu Jia was taken aback, unsure how the topic had shifted so abruptly. Frowning slightly, she thought for a moment and replied, "There's nothing much to tell. Landslides are always hard to predict in advance. It happened suddenly, and we couldn't tell which direction was safe. We just followed the local villagers, running desperately to another hilltop, then waited for rescue in the rain, hungry and cold."
Zuo Si'an thought to herself that her mother had described such a thrilling experience so casually—of course, she wouldn't feel the need to understand what kind of torment she had endured at home these past few days or what Gao Xiang's companionship had meant to her.
"After facing such danger, do you still like your job?"
"The danger was just an accident. Landslides are rare occurrences and won't affect how I view my profession."
"I'll do everything else as you say, but please don't give up your job for me. I'll study hard and don't need any special care."
Zuo Si'an withdrew her hand and stood up. Yu Jia looked up blankly at her daughter. Over the past year, she had grown considerably taller and was now unmistakably a young woman. The childishness of the past seemed to have vanished without a trace, replaced by a quiet demeanor that always held something unsettling, though Yu Jia couldn't pinpoint what it was.
She could accurately analyze complex terrains and assess the environmental impact of massive infrastructure projects, yet deciphering her daughter's thoughts had become an impossible task, leaving her feeling defeated.
4_
When Gao Xiang received Yu Jia's call, he hadn't even had the chance to congratulate her on her safe return before she told him about his mother's sudden visit to the Zuo family. The shock was immense. Without needing to ask for details, he immediately apologized, but Yu Jia showed no intention of accepting his apology.
"Xiao Gao, neither my daughter nor I want to endure such stimulation and humiliation again."
"I'll go back and talk to my mother to ensure this doesn't happen again.""Forgive my bluntness, Xiao Gao, but your mother's domineering behavior is probably something you can hardly restrain." Yu Jia said clearly, "I am also a mother, and when necessary, I will do anything to protect my daughter. Before calling you, I just spoke with Secretary Hu of Qinggang County Committee. He worked with my husband for over a year and they had a very harmonious relationship. After Xuejun went to Tibet, they maintained contact. When he came to the provincial capital for a meeting at the end of last year, he specifically visited me. He deeply sympathized with what my daughter and I have been through and promised to immediately summon your grandfather and father, asking them to ensure your mother no longer disturbs our lives."
Gao Xiang was somewhat surprised by Yu Jia's clear thinking and ability to take action. He could only say, "Teacher Yu, I truly have nothing to say. Please do what you think is right, and I will also do my best."
"You're very reasonable, Xiao Gao. Xiao An has already promised me she won't contact you anymore, but she's still just a child after all. So I hope even more to get your assurance that you won't appear in Xiao An's life again."
Gao Xiang was stunned, only hearing Yu Jia continue, "I know you care about Xiao An, and you should understand her situation clearly. She's at a sensitive age and desperately needs a peaceful, undisturbed environment to grow up and live as a normal girl again. I believe you can understand and accept this request of mine. Goodbye."
After hanging up the phone, Gao Xiang was beyond angry. He endured until work was finished and returned home, packing his clothes into a travel bag. As he carried it downstairs, Wang Yujiao quickly asked, "Going on another business trip? Have dinner before you leave."
Chen Zi Hui came out holding Bao Bao, who had already learned to say a few simple words. Seeing him, Bao Bao cheered excitedly: "Daddy."
No matter how furious he was, he couldn't resist the child's call. He reached out and took Bao Bao: "What's this smeared around your mouth like a beard?"
"Beard, beard." Bao Bao repeated happily. As Gao Xiang wiped his mouth, the child squirmed left and right, eventually getting it all over his shirt.
He laughed and scolded, "You little rascal, do you feel like something's missing if you don't dirty my clothes every day?"
Bao Bao still grinned with his few tiny teeth showing, his fuzzy little head resting on Gao Xiang's shoulder. Looking down at his slightly curved, laughter-filled eyes, Gao Xiang felt as if grabbed by an invisible hand. He suddenly realized this child had eyes almost identical to Zuo Si'an's. When Chen Zi Hui commented on Bao Bao's appearance, she only repeatedly said his nose and mouth resembled the Chen family. Gao Xiang had also subconsciously avoided making such connections, but now he couldn't help feeling overwhelmed with mixed emotions. He handed Bao Bao to Wang Yujiao, signaling her to take him back to the room.
Chen Zi Hui asked him, "Where are you going this time? How many days?"
He said coldly, "I'm moving back to my apartment. If anything happens with Bao Bao, call me."
Chen Zi Hui was taken aback: "What are you doing?"
"Mom, I've told you clearly before - don't interfere with my life. If you can't manage that, then it's better for us to keep some distance."
"You broke up with Ruodi for that girl, and now you want to cut ties with me too? What evil has possessed you?""You actually went and caused a scene at someone else's house for the second time without any regard. You never consider others, do you?"
"Oh, so she came running to complain to you already. Do you think I wanted to go to her house? I wish I could stay as far away from her place as possible. That girl is nothing but trouble—she caused Ziyu's early death, and now she's ruining you..."
"Enough, I don't want to hear this. You're my mother, and I shouldn't casually judge your actions, but sometimes I find you utterly unreasonable to the point of being inexplicable."
"You still remember I'm your mother, yet you dare speak to me like this." Chen Zi Hui trembled with anger, "Are you trying to anger me to death?"
Just then, the doorbell rang. Gao Xiang went to answer it, and his grandfather Chen Li Guo and father Gao Ming walked in together. Gao Ming looked at the travel bag in his hand: "Where are you going?"
He mumbled, "I'm going out for a bit."
"Sit down. Your grandfather has something to say."
Chen Zi Hui remained unaware: "Dad, Gao Ming, why did you come over so suddenly without any notice? I'll have the housekeeper prepare a fresh meal right away."
"You sit down too." Chen Li Guo's expression was grim, "Zi Hui, how can you keep causing scenes at other people's houses with such self-righteousness? Is this how I taught you to behave?"
Chen Zi Hui froze, then shot Gao Xiang a sharp look: "Well done. Just how much do you hate me? Arguing with me isn't enough—you had to go complain to your grandfather."
Gao Ming said irritably: "Xiao Xiang didn't tell us anything. Dad and I were summoned by County Party Secretary Hu and received quite the lecture. We're practically too ashamed to show our faces."
Chen Zi Hui was stunned: "What's the big deal that requires Secretary Hu's involvement? Besides, you've always had a good relationship with Secretary Hu. Zuo Xuejun has already gone to Tibet—how could he still get the secretary to stand up for him?"
"You're almost fifty years old, Zi Hui. Can't you use your head?" Chen Li Guo was genuinely distressed, "Secretary Hu has a good relationship with Gao Ming and has always treated me with respect. But don't forget—he's also County Chief Zuo's colleague and quite close with him. Back then, he consistently supported County Chief Zuo and persuaded us to stop you from filing complaints everywhere. You didn't listen to us, insisted on threatening to expose County Chief Zuo's daughter's pregnancy, and forced County Chief Zuo into an untenable position until he applied for Aid Tibet. Now you're in the provincial capital and still causing trouble, threatening his wife and child. If this gets out, who would condone such behavior? You need to understand that Zuo Xuejun volunteered for Aid Tibet to serve the country—it's not a punishment or exile. Even if Secretary Hu didn't intervene, the provincial government would look after his childhood friend. If you keep threatening people at their homes, and they decide to make this public and call the police immediately, do you think the police wouldn't arrest you?"
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