Chapter 115: Visiting the Ancestral Home

Zhou Lichuan had never imagined that there would come a day when he would humble himself so completely to beg for someone to stay.

Looking at him, Jiang Zao’s voice was slightly hoarse as she spoke: "It’s not that I don’t love you. It’s just that we can never go back to how things were before everything happened. There is still so much to do in this life. Zhou Lichuan, let’s take things slowly. Don’t be so eager to demand a promise from me, okay?"

Zhou Lichuan rested his forehead gently against her rounded belly, his eyes growing moist.

"Okay."

That night, Zhou Lichuan held Jiang Zao tightly in his arms. He knew there was no way he could ever fully make up for the grievances she held against him. Having reached this point, there was little left for him to do. He only hoped that, one day, his sincerity might move her.

***

As various pieces of information coalesced in her mind, Jiang Zao felt a strange sense of respect for Lin Rui.

A hellish start, followed by a precise revenge.

For someone like him, there were many ways to make those who had framed him pay the price, yet Lin Rui had chosen a path that crossed the line of the law. Had he ever truly intended to walk away unscathed? If Zhou Kuan’s actions against the Zhou Group were merely an act of venting anger, then what of Lin Rui? After his grand revenge was complete, had he ever considered how his own life should continue?

Sitting in the car on the way to the old family estate, Jiang Zao’s mind was filled with her few brief encounters with Lin Rui. Were his feelings for Zhou Lichuan born of a twisted affection or an instinctive possessiveness? And how did Zhou Lichuan view Lin Rui? Twenty years of companionship had made their relationship far closer than that of ordinary people. Even if he did not share those same feelings, could he truly stand by and watch his friend sink into the abyss without flinching?

Jiang Zao did not know, and she dared not think too deeply about it.

At the old estate, Shen Xiaonan had been meticulously preparing meals since early morning, waiting for Jiang Zao and Zhou Lichuan to return. Zhou Huai had also set aside all his business, joining Shen Xiaonan in preparing for the reunion. Although they had communicated via phone and video calls since Jiang Zao left the estate, and occasionally sent packages to Changzhou to express their care, this was their first time meeting in person.

Every time they received news about the baby’s development, the elderly couple’s eyes would crinkle with joy. Thinking that they would soon see her with their own eyes, they felt an indescribable excitement.

As the car arrived at the gates, Zhou Huai and Shen Xiaonan hurried out, rushing toward Jiang Zao. Zhou Lichuan was still helping her out of the car when he looked up to see his parents approaching with beaming faces.

"Dad, Mom."

The two elders seemed not to hear him, their eyes fixed intently on Jiang Zao’s protruding belly.

Once she was steady on her feet with Zhou Lichuan’s support, Jiang Zao wore a bright smile. "Uncle, Auntie, it’s been a long time."

Shen Xiaonan hurried over, taking Jiang Zao’s other arm. "It really has been a long time. You’ve been gone for over four months, and your uncle and I were worried sick. Come inside quickly."

The group entered and settled in the living room. Zhou Huai made no effort to hide his smile as he asked, "You look well. Is your body holding up?"

Jiang Zao nodded. "The baby is doing very well and is healthy. The prenatal checkups have all gone smoothly without any complications."

Zhou Huai murmured with satisfaction, "That’s wonderful, truly wonderful. I never expected to become a grandfather so soon."

Shen Xiaonan sat beside her. "I’ve brewed some old duck soup, the one you like best. Have plenty at dinner. It’s been so tough for you out there these past few months, but seeing you like this, I’m finally at ease."

Zhou Lichuan sat nearby, rubbing his nose. He had lost count of how many times his parents had nagged him to bring Jiang Zao back; he had barely survived the New Year because of it. Now that he had brought her back, they were finally happy.

Shen Xiaonan looked toward the door and asked, "I thought you were bringing Yanyan back with you, and Xiao Du as well. Did something delay them?"

Zhou Lichuan met his mother’s gaze. "Zhou Jiayan said she’s going on a date with Du Bin. She complained that they haven't been able to go shopping or on dates since they started working, so she asked me to apologize for her and said she’d come visit you at the estate when she has time."

Zhou Huai interrupted Shen Xiaonan’s further questioning. "Yanyan is a good girl, and her boyfriend seems decent too. They are out making their way in the world; you should look after them when you have the chance."

Zhou Lichuan nodded in agreement.

A servant came to announce that dinner was ready, and the family sat down together in harmony. Jiang Zao sat beside Zhou Lichuan, accepting a bowl of soup from Shen Xiaonan.

"Thank you, Auntie. I’ve been craving this for months while I was away."

Shen Xiaonan was overjoyed. "If you like it, have more. I’ll make it often and send it to you. Since you’re back, you shouldn't leave again. It would be better for us if you give birth here in Jingzhou."

Jiang Zao set down her bowl after a sip, glanced at the slightly nervous Zhou Lichuan, and replied, "I won't leave. For now, I’m staying at Zhou Jiayan’s place. Once everything regarding Qiao Yuan is settled, I’ll consider moving elsewhere."

Zhou Huai looked puzzled. "What? Is the matter with the Meng family still unresolved?"

Jiang Zao explained, "There are still some loose ends. We discovered that this recent incident has some connection to Lin Rui. Since human lives are involved, it’s best to be cautious."

Zhou Huai nodded slowly. "Lin Rui... sigh, if I had known that adopting him would lead to all this, I never should have..."

"That’s enough, say no more," Shen Xiaonan cut him off. "What’s done is done; there’s no use regretting the past. Finding a solution is what matters." She turned back to Jiang Zao. "Since you’re back, why not stay at Xiao Chuan’s villa? Is there something you don’t like about it? Or you could stay here at the old estate; it would be easier for me to take care of you."

Jiang Zao shook her head. "Not now, Auntie. Things are too busy these days. Let’s wait until Qiao Yuan is discharged from the hospital."

Zhou Lichuan gave his mother a wink, signaling her to keep trying. Before coming here, he had spoken with his parents on the phone; he wanted to bring Jiang Zao back to the Tingshan Villa. He knew if he asked himself, she would certainly reject him, leading to endless friction. It would be easier for her to accept if the elders brought it up.

Shen Xiaonan continued, "If you don’t want to stay at the old estate, then go back to Tingshan. It’s closer, and it will be easier for your uncle and me to visit you."

Jiang Zao, busy eating, looked at Zhou Lichuan beside her and instantly realized he was the one who had sent these lobbyists. She kicked him discreetly under the table and said casually, "Living anywhere is the same. The Tingshan Villa is spacious, so it won’t feel too crowded once the baby is born in a few months."

Shen Xiaonan beamed with satisfaction. "That’s wonderful! When do you want to move? I’ll help you arrange it. No one has lived in that villa for a long time, so it must be missing a lot of things."

Zhou Lichuan suddenly interjected, "Mom, Zaozao likes the swing at Zhou Jiayan’s place. Why don’t you have someone install a few swings in the room? And in the garden, too. The villa’s garden is so large, and there’s the backyard—I want to tidy it up properly and plant some flowers and greenery. It will make Zaozao happy."

Zhou Huai put down his chopsticks and thought for a moment. "I remember there’s another property behind your villa that was up for sale before the New Year. If it’s suitable, let’s buy that one too. We can open up the two yards to make it even more spacious. It will give the child plenty of room to run around when they grow up."

Jiang Zao’s eyes widened, too stunned by this display of unadulterated wealth to react.

The pregnancy had barely reached the halfway mark, and they were already planning for when the child grew up.