BXBX NOVEL Chapter 714: Mother and Daughter Reunited
The man collecting the gift money led Yang Zhen, the daughter of Aunt Yang, through the bustling banquet tables. They stopped at the corner of the venue, in the food preparation area, and pointed towards a large pot. Beside the pot stood a woman, busily working. “Aunt Yang is over there,” he said, “Go find her quickly. She will be so happy to see you!”
Yang Zhen’s gaze fell upon the busy figure. She quickened her pace towards her, her lips trembling as she approached. “Mother, I’m back,” she called out, “Mom!”
In the last few steps, Yang Zhen broke into a run. Aunt Yang, hearing the familiar voice she had longed for day and night, thought she was hallucinating. Still, she instinctively turned around.
In the next moment, Yang Zhen threw herself into her mother’s arms. As Aunt Yang recognized her daughter’s face, her eyes blurred with tears and her shoulders shook uncontrollably. She reached out to touch her daughter’s cheek, finding it hard to believe. “Zhen, is that really you? You’re back.”
Overwhelmed with emotion, Yang Zhen couldn’t hold back her tears. After their embrace, she knelt before Aunt Yang. “Mother, I’m sorry. I’m sorry it took me so long to return to you. I’ve caused you so much suffering. I’m sorry, Mom…”
Yang Zhen was educated and knew the importance of filial piety. She was not without basic moral principles, but she had been forced to leave due to her brother and sister-in-law’s schemes.
She later attended university, but because she was financially supported by others, she had signed a three-year work contract. After graduation, she stayed to teach at the primary school run by her benefactor.
At the end of last year, her contract finally ended. Now, she had finally returned to Guangcheng. Thinking of the seven years she had been separated from her mother, she felt deeply unfilial and sorry for the kindness her mother had shown her in raising her.
Now that she had seen her mother, her guilt had lessened somewhat. From now on, she didn’t want to leave her mother again. She had some ability now, no longer needing to worry about being manipulated by others. She could ensure her mother’s later years were worry-free.
Aunt Yang felt uncomfortable seeing her daughter blame herself. These years had not been easy for her, but it was her choice. She had never blamed her daughter for leaving, for not facing the hardships with her.
She quickly helped her daughter up and wiped away her tears. “You silly girl, I havev never blamed you. I still believe what I believed back then. You should live for yourself first, find your own footing, and not be tied down because of me.
“Now that you’re back, that’s all that matters. We’re reunited, and that’s enough. Looking at you now, you must be doing well, right? Have you found work? I have a stable job now and can support myself. I don’t have to rely on others. Today, I came to help out. The meat is ready, let’s go and join the banquet. Today is indeed a good day!”
Yang Zhen wiped her own tears, holding onto her mother’s hand tightly. She couldn’t cry anymore, afraid it would upset her mother. “I won’t cry anymore. I forgot, this is a celebration. We shouldn’t be crying here.”
Aunt Yang nodded repeatedly, leading her daughter away. As they passed by people, she introduced them to her daughter, Yang Zhen. The pride and joy on her face moved Yang Zhen even more. Her mother didn’t even ask what she was doing now. Just because she had returned, her mother was happy and eager to announce it to the world. Yang Zhen was choked up again.
Aunt Yang led her daughter around, saying, “Let me introduce you to some people. I owe my independence to these kind-hearted people.”
Aunt Yang and her daughter first found Li Hua and Lin Cheng. They had just heard that Aunt Yang’s daughter had arrived and were happy for her. Now, seeing Aunt Yang introducing her daughter, they were even more delighted. Li Hua said, “Aunt Yang, you’ve finally got what you’ve been waiting for. Your good fortune is still to come!”
Yang Zhen approached them, sincerely thanking Li Hua. She bowed to her, saying, “Sister Hua, thank you for taking care of my mother. I came in a hurry this time, but I will definitely visit you to express my gratitude next time.”
After chatting with Li Hua for a while, Aunt Yang and her daughter moved on to the table where Gu Zi and the others were sitting. Su Li, with his sharp eyes, immediately recognized the young woman beside Aunt Yang. Wasn’t she his new Chinese teacher?
Surprised, Su Li stood up and greeted her, “Hello, Teacher Yang. What brings you here?”
Of course, Su Bing also noticed, but his reaction was not as big. He was just waiting, curious to see what was going on.