Appearing on a Marriage Show Before Getting Divorced - Chapter 37

In the end, Ruan Youran did not kiss Chu Nian, but she extended her arms and pulled both Chu Nian and the child into her embrace.

The golden sunlight spilled over them, writing a story of romance and tenderness, warming their hearts along with the air.

Chu Nian leaned against Ruan Youran, breathing in her familiar scent. With the soft weight of Zhengzhi in her arms, her long-suffering, bleeding heart finally allowed a sliver of sunlight to penetrate its cracks.

This scene was not unfamiliar. It was a vision she had dreamed of, longed for, and prayed for a thousand times in her mind. Now, it was finally a reality.

A smile touched Chu Nian’s lips, her amber eyes shimmering with a faint light. Zhengzhi looked at her mother in surprise; even to a child, she looked breathtakingly beautiful. She then looked up at Mamma-Youran and, as expected, Mamma-Youran was looking at Mamma too, her gaze incredibly gentle.

After flying the kite, Zhengzhi wanted to eat barbecue. Having Ruan Youran around made her particularly bold; she brought up all the requests she had never dared to make before, leaving Chu Nian helpless and speechless.

Ruan Youran had already set up the grill. She ran a lap around the yard with Zhengzhi on her shoulders, and then the “big and small” pair went off to prepare the skewers.

At noon, the “senior group” came over to join the meal. Ruan Qiu wrinkled her nose, sniffing the aroma of the skewers intensely. She looked a bit annoyed: “Knowing I’m on a diet, you still make such a feast. Are you trying to bully me?”

At the last awards ceremony, a magazine reporter had stared at her stomach and asked, “Is President Ruan preparing for a second child?” Ruan Qiu had nearly gone crazy. Chu Qing had tried to comfort her many times to no avail and eventually just ignored her.

Ruan Youran raised an eyebrow, teaching Zhengzhi how to thread the meat hand-in-hand: “People say health is wealth, and a bit of weight in old age is a blessing. Just eat more; my Mom doesn’t mind. If you get a bit chubbier, your wrinkles will show less, right?”

Ruan Qiu exploded: “You little brat, who are you calling old?” She stood up abruptly. “Ask that little one in your arms—who did she think I was when we first met?”

Youran looked down at Zhengzhi. Threading a skewer, the child smiled: “Mamma says we shouldn’t bully children. I’m still just a baby.”

Ruan Qiu: “…” Ruan Youran: “…” This ‘baby’ is practically a little fox.

Just as the food was nearly ready, the doorbell rang. Ruan Youran didn’t think much of it, assuming it was another friend. When she opened the door, she froze: “Mom…”

A light breeze brushed past. Chu Nian’s mother looked at her with a faint smile, holding a gift: “Youran, I’ve come to see Nian Nian and Zhengzhi.”

“Ah—” Youran was a bit stunned. She instinctively turned to look at Chu Nian, who was also a bit startled before lowering her head.

Normally, if a child had been through such a major illness, endured such pressure, and nearly failed to survive, a mother would have stayed by her side. But Chu Nian’s mother hadn’t.

Chu Qing remained composed, but Ruan Qiu looked at Chu Nian’s mother with surprise: “Oh, look who it is! Isn’t this our in-law? Haven’t seen you in a while; you’re looking more and more like a big boss. I almost didn’t recognize you.”

Chu Nian’s mother naturally felt the sarcasm and bitterness in Ruan Qiu’s words. She smiled slightly: “President Ruan, you flatter me.”

Chu Nian’s mother had also started her career at Yifeng. Later, once she had accumulated enough connections and resources across various industries, she hopped to a multinational corporation. They hadn’t seen each other in three years.

The bedroom door opened. Chu Nian walked in, followed by her mother, who glanced back at Zhengzhi—who was peeking at her—and offered a slight smile.

Chu Nian sat on the bed. To be honest, even now, she didn’t know what to say to her biological mother.

“Your complexion looks better,” her mother said, observing her. Most importantly, her eyes had regained their luster. Her face and aura were very similar to Chu Nian’s, but due to her career, she had an added air of dominance and sharpness.

Chu Nian remained silent. Her mother didn’t mind her coldness. “I bought some supplements for you.”

Chu Nian stayed silent. According to their usual routine, after saying these things, her mother would leave.

But this time, she didn’t. After staring at Chu Nian for a moment, she pulled an envelope from her bag: “Nian Nian, this is all of my assets. It contains four properties, stocks, and savings. The breakdown is in the front. I’ve already gone to the notary to write my will; all of this belongs to you.”

Chu Nian frowned, her voice sharp: “What is the meaning of this?”

To come and say this immediately? It was rare to see her daughter react like this.

Her mother was slightly surprised. She tilted her head, studied her daughter for a long time, and asked, “Did she forgive you?”

Chu Nian pursed her lips tightly, her hands clenched into fists.

Her mother mused for a moment and nodded: “Youran loves you more than I imagined. Such devotion is truly rare.” Her tone was as if she were discussing a stranger.

Chu Nian found it repulsive: “What is this really about?”

Over the years, the number of times they had met was far too few. Even on the day of her surgery, her mother had merely signed the papers, caught a glimpse of her coming off the operating table, and left in a hurry. When Zhengzhi was born, she came once during the first month to give a red envelope and then left just as quickly.

She came and went in a flash. She hadn’t even held Zhengzhi. Not a single warm word or a comforting look.

Her mother ignored her temper and looked at her: “You may think I’m cold, but you know that back then, I loved your father beyond help. You saw the result—it was a fate worse than death. Nian Nian, I told you, deep passion doesn’t last; it’s the same for any emotion. If there hadn’t been such deep feelings from the start, you wouldn’t have suffered so much during those three years in America.”

Chu Nian took a deep breath. Her mother stood up and opened the window for her, letting fresh air fill the room. “In my life, I haven’t owed anyone anything, except for you. I failed to provide the care a mother should.”

“What is wrong with you?” Chu Nian felt her mother was acting very strange. She had never spoken to her like this before.

Her mother turned back to look at her. She raised her hand and removed a wig from her head. She looked at Chu Nian steadily, her eyes filled with the weariness of time and sorrow.

Chu Nian’s eyes widened, and her body instinctively took a step back.

Her mother wasn’t sad; she even gave a shallow smile: “Nian Nian, I’m sick. Very sick. I have a few months left to live. I came this time because I wanted to see you.”

Chu Nian stared blankly at her mother, tears sliding from the corners of her eyes. Her mother walked over and held her in a gentle embrace. It was a hug that had been missing for a very long time.

Chu Nian trembled in her arms. Since the divorce, her mother’s emotions had become detached—not just toward Chu Nian, but toward everyone. She had always felt that deep affection was the most useless thing in the world. Later, she decided that if she kept everyone—even her closest kin—at a distance, then whether it was life or death, there would be no agonizing entanglement.

“There, now, child.” Her mother gently patted Chu Nian’s back. “You are luckier than I was. My life was spent on the wrong person, but you found someone who would give everything to love you. You must live well.”

Chu Nian curled into a ball, letting out a sobbing wail. Her mother was still smiling, though tears fell from her eyes as well. “I have to leave now.”

“Where are you going?” Chu Nian grabbed her. In this condition, where could she go?

Her mother looked deeply at her, wiping the tears from her daughter’s face: “My final affairs, everything is already arranged. Over the years, besides money and material things, I haven’t given you anything. I didn’t raise you, so when I die, you naturally don’t need to do anything for me.”

Chu Nian bit her lip, her eyes shimmering with tears: “Mom, do you have to be this cruel?”

“Silly child.” Her mother looked at her. “This isn’t cruelty; it’s liberation.” She murmured while looking out the window, “In all these years, I’ve never told anyone—actually, from the moment I divorced your father, I felt there was no meaning left for my existence in this world. But you were still small… Later, when you grew up and found someone who loved you, I was happy, yet I felt lost again.”

Tears finally fell from her eyes. “Thinking back on this life… everything I did was just to prove a point to him. Now, that breath is finally out. Seeing you and Zhengzhi gradually getting better, I can finally rest.”

Chu Nian’s mother was a person so decisive and resolute that she was almost heartless. When she said she didn’t want Chu Nian involved, it meant that even if Chu Nian used every resource available, she wouldn’t be able to find a trace of her.

When they emerged from the room, Ruan Qiu and Chu Qing were still a bit annoyed, but they froze when they saw the mother and daughter’s tear-stained faces.

What… was going on?

“Youran, would you see Mom out?” Chu Nian’s mother smiled at Youran. Youran stayed silent for a moment, glanced at Chu Nian, and nodded.

The afternoon wind was a bit strong, making their steps unsteady. Ruan Youran followed Chu Nian’s mother downstairs in silence. At the stairwell, she stopped and looked at Youran. Looking at her, Youran even wondered if this was how Chu Nian would look when she was older.

Her mother’s gaze was distant and light. She raised her hand and, as she had done before, stroked Youran’s hair: “Child, I’m sorry for what I put you through.”

Youran’s nose stung, and she turned her head away. Knowing she was still angry, the mother looked at her: “I entrust Nian Nian to you. I wasn’t a responsible mother, but you are an excellent wife.”

Youran looked at her with confusion—why did those words sound like a final farewell?

Her mother gave a faint smile: “Nian Nian is luckier than me, ha…”

“Mom, have you just been too busy lately?” Youran asked. She knew that her mother-in-law’s business had grown larger and more successful; she had overheard Ruan Qiu and Chu Qing talking about it, but hadn’t asked.

“Actually, Youran,” her mother said, looking at her, “In all these years, Nian Nian had nothing. She only had your love.”

Having said that, she spoke no more, turned, and left. Youran stood there, staring after her blankly. What on earth was happening?

When she returned home, the bedroom door was closed. Chu Qing and Ruan Qiu were sitting cautiously on the sofa, and Zhengzhi was playing quietly with her toys. the family atmosphere that had just begun to thaw was now gone.

Youran thought for a moment: “Mom, you two head back for now. Zhengzhi, Mamma-Youran will wash your face, and then you go to sleep.”

Ruan Qiu and Chu Qing wanted to say something, but seeing Youran’s firm expression, they relented. The child had truly grown up; the past three years had given her not just pain, but a rapid transformation into maturity. Now, there was an unquestionable authority in her every movement.

After seeing the mothers off, Youran bathed Zhengzhi and tucked her in. As she turned to check on Chu Nian, Zhengzhi’s small hand reached out and grabbed her clothes.

“What is it?” Youran asked softly.

Zhengzhi’s dark eyes held a hint of trepidation and fear. She stared at Youran, her little mouth pressed tightly shut. Youran’s heart ached; she turned back, hugged Zhengzhi, and kissed her forehead. Sometimes, the warmth of physical contact is better than any verbal comfort.

After being kissed and comforted, Zhengzhi finally spoke, snuggling into Youran’s arms: “Mamma-Youran, was that pretty lady earlier my Grandma?”

Youran’s heart throbbed with pain. She nodded, “Yes.”

Zhengzhi tilted her head. “Why haven’t I ever seen her?”

Youran suppressed her sorrow, stroking the girl’s soft hair: “When you were very small, Grandma came to see you. You were too little to remember. Later, as you grew up, Grandma had to work hard to earn money to create a good life for you.”

“Oh,” Zhengzhi said, appearing to understand.

Youran kissed her forehead again: “Zhengzhi, you must remember—even if the way she shows it is different, your Grandma loves you just as much as your other grandmas do.”

Zhengzhi finally smiled and snuggled into the blankets contentedly: “I understand, Mamma-Youran. Go and comfort Mamma now.”

Youran looked at the little girl with a mix of helplessness and amusement at how “grown-up” she acted.

“Mamma looked like she was very sad and heartbroken,” Zhengzhi said with worry.

“That’s not for little babies to worry about,” Youran said, tucking her in.

“Mhm!” Zhengzhi nodded vigorously, looking at Youran expectantly: “Mamma-Youran will make Mamma feel better, right?”

Facing those eyes full of hope, Youran’s heart melted. She let out a soft sigh and nodded. Zhengzhi was truly happy then; she lay down obediently and waved her hand: “Go on then, Mamma-Youran. Zhengzhi will sleep well.”

Youran nodded. As she reached for the light, Zhengzhi asked: “Will you also kiss Mamma in secret?”

“What?” Youran froze, turning back to look at her.

“Whenever Mamma-Youran is asleep, I always see Mamma kissing you in secret,” Zhengzhi said, holding the teddy bear Ruan Qiu had bought her. “Mamma looks so, so happy then.”

Youran closed the door, her face feeling slightly hot as she thought about Zhengzhi’s words.

She walked to the bedroom. The door was slightly ajar, the curtains were drawn, and the room was in darkness, filled with Chu Nian’s scent.

Youran pushed the door open. Chu Nian occupied only a small corner of the bed. They had been sleeping in separate rooms lately; Youran hadn’t brought it up, and Chu Nian didn’t dare to ask, despite her longing.

On the large double bed, Chu Nian was curled into a ball under the quilt from head to toe, like a silkworm. Youran felt a pang of heartache. She walked over and sat on the edge of the bed.

Chu Nian was weeping silently, her body trembling slightly. She didn’t understand. Why… Why was God so unfair to her?

As a child, she wanted a happy family and parents’ love, but she didn’t have it. As she grew up, she wanted her mother to speak to her more, but it didn’t happen. As an adult, she wanted to grow old with Ruan Youran, but she couldn’t. What did she do wrong?

Even if her mother had never hugged or kissed her, never given her even a spark of parental warmth, she still didn’t want her to die. She wanted her to live well. Blood is thicker than water. She loved her mother. She hadn’t even said she loved her before she left.

How many more of these unannounced departures did she have to experience in her life?

Youran gently pulled the quilt back, revealing Chu Nian’s tear-stained face. She hesitated, not knowing how to comfort her, but Chu Nian suddenly turned and pulled Youran into a fierce embrace. She held her with all her strength, her body trembling as she whispered into her ear: “I love you, Ruan Youran. I love you!”

Scalding, heartbroken tears fell along with the confession. Chu Nian held Youran tightly, wailing: “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry! I didn’t want to leave, I didn’t want to leave… Don’t leave me… Don’t give up on me…”