Chapter 103: Or You Could Go to Father and Leave the Son Behind

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Seeing her like that, Jiang Zao laughed and gently ruffled her hair. “Alright now—no need to look at me like that, as if I’ve done something terribly wrong.”

Zhou Jiayan shrugged off her hand and said, “Of course you’ve gone too far! You’re actually Han Lu! So why did you even bother going to such a small art exhibition, just to support your teacher’s son?”

Jiang Zao shrugged indifferently. “It doesn’t really matter. That teacher gave me a chance when no one else would, and without her, I wouldn’t be who I am today. It’s just an art exhibition. I didn’t even use my alias, so it’s no big deal.”

Zhou Jiayan looked at Jiang Zao oddly. “There’s something I need to tell you, but you’re not allowed to get mad.”

Jiang Zao smiled and nodded. “I won’t get mad, just say it.”

Zhou Jiayan pulled Jiang Zao to sit together on the swing. “At first, I always thought you weren’t good enough for my brother. You couldn’t do anything, and you were so delicate. But then you started to improve—your painting, handling household matters—you got more capable. I figured, well, it’s his life; as long as he’s happy, that’s what matters. You’re kind-hearted and pretty; you don’t need to be too capable.”

Jiang Zao burst out laughing. “And now?”

Zhou Jiayan waved a hand dismissively, a hint of disdain in her tone. “Now he’s not good enough for you. He’s just a love-struck old man who either works or works overtime. What’s so great about that? You’re a top-tier artist; you can have a brilliant life without him. And you’re still going to have his child?”

Jiang Zao put her hand on her belly jokingly. “I think you’re right. Otherwise, the kid can take my surname, Jiang. Not Zhou. I can raise the child myself anyway.”

Zhou Jiayan covered her mouth, stifling a laugh. “Hehe, I like that. Let’s just play a little game of ‘father leaves, son stays’!”

Suddenly, a stumbling sound came from behind them. They turned to see Zhou Lichuan holding two boxes of juice. It seemed he had overheard Zhou Jiayan’s words about ‘father leaves, son stays’ and nearly tripped on the spot.

Zhou Lichuan said, “Du Bin needs a clay pot for his soup. Go help him find one.”

Zhou Jiayan and Jiang Zao exchanged a glance, then snatched a box of peach juice from Zhou Lichuan’s hand and darted downstairs with straws inserted.

Jiang Zao sat where she was, looking at the remaining box of grape juice in his hand.

Zhou Lichuan inserted a straw into the box and handed it to Jiang Zao. “I remember you like citrus fruits. I’ll get you some orange juice tomorrow.”

Jiang Zao took the juice and sipped it quietly, swinging gently on the swing without saying a word.

Seeing this, Zhou Lichuan strode over and sat beside her. “I heard Zhou Jiayan teaching you ‘father leaves, son stays.’”

“Yeah. I think it’s a good idea.”

Jiang Zao kept drinking her juice.

Zhou Lichuan looked deflated and lowered his head in silence.

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Suddenly, the swing bore the weight of two people. Jiang Zao pushed hard but couldn’t make it swing as leisurely as before.

She stretched out her foot and kicked Zhou Lichuan. “Go push the swing for me.”

Zhou Lichuan obediently stood up, walked behind her, and gently swayed the swing.

“If you like, I could...”

He wanted to say he’d install a swing at home someday, but remembering Jiang Zao’s earlier words, he lost confidence.

What if she really doesn’t want him anymore?

The sky darkened gradually, and fine snowflakes began to drift down.

“Zhou Lichuan, it’s snowing.”

He followed her gaze outside. “Yeah, I heard this is the last snowfall of spring this year. After this, the weather will start warming up.”

Jiang Zao turned to look at him. “Yes, winter is almost over.”

“Zaozao.”

“Hm?”

“This winter was too cold. I’m sorry you had to go through it.”

Jiang Zao continued sipping her juice without responding.

She knew well that Zhou Lichuan’s words weren’t just about the season but also about the tangled grievances between them throughout the winter. Honestly, after leaving Jingzhou for Changzhou, she hadn’t felt particularly sad.

The truly painful days were all connected to Zhou Lichuan.

Jiang Zao sat up and asked, “How much of my conversation with Zhou Jiayan did you hear?”

“A little. Just the last few sentences.”

Jiang Zao nodded and pointed to a painting hanging on the wall. “That painting is mine. Do you remember?”

Zhou Lichuan nodded. “Yes. Back then, I couldn’t see it yet, but you talked about it with Shen Mushi.”

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Jiang Zao sat back down and continued swinging gently with Zhou Lichuan’s push.

“I have an alias, ‘Han Lu.’ In college, I sold paintings to make ends meet. My professor then took my paintings to sell, taking half the proceeds, and the rest was mine.”

Zhou Lichuan listened as she spoke, continuing to push the swing lightly.

Jiang Zao went on, “When I graduated, she said the name ‘Han Lu’ was her idea, and the sales went well because she vouched for me. So she hoped I wouldn’t use that name in the art world anymore.”

“What’s that professor’s name?”

Jiang Zao shrugged. “It doesn’t matter, Zhou Lichuan. Later, she asked me to attend an exhibition using my real name, to support her son with two paintings that hadn’t been sold under ‘Han Lu.’ I agreed immediately. Since then, we owe each other nothing and are unrelated. I don’t need that alias, and she doesn’t lack a student who can make money for her.”

Zhou Lichuan seemed to understand what Jiang Zao was implying and gradually stopped pushing the swing.

Jiang Zao looked out at the falling snow and softly said, “I believe I owe you nothing. If there are grievances, it’s you who owe me. But I’ve never asked you for anything, and I even kept this child.”

Zhou Lichuan’s hands began to tremble. Overwhelmed with emotion, he could hardly believe what he just heard.

“So... President Zhou, do you realize your mistake?”

Zhou Lichuan quickly stepped in front of Jiang Zao, dropped to one knee, and with trembling fingers, touched her hands holding the juice. His eyes were red-rimmed. “I was wrong, Zaozao. I was terribly wrong. I know you have the strength to protect yourself, and you’re not afraid of whatever might happen. I shouldn’t have made decisions without consulting you. Just because I didn’t want you to get hurt, I used extreme methods to hurt you instead, driving you away. It was my foolish arrogance that caused your pain. I’m sorry.”

Jiang Zao looked into his eyes, her own filled with emotions that sparkled like stars in the light.

“Hmm. Finally, you said something worth hearing.”

Then she kicked the leg he was kneeling on with her calf. “Keep pushing, don’t stop.”

Zhou Lichuan happily stood up, joyfully returned to his place, and gently pushed the swing.

“I’ll install two swings at Ting Mountain Villa, and also find someone to put one up at Qingjiang Yunding.”

Jiang Zao said indifferently, “We’ll talk about that later. Zhou Jiayan’s place is pretty comfortable, convenient, and well laid out. I’m not ready to leave yet.”

Zhou Lichuan bent down and whispered softly, “Then I’ll buy you a house just like hers in this neighborhood.”

Jiang Zao glanced at him, puzzled, but finally sat back down. “Whatever.”