Chapter 21 - Nainai, What Is Going On?
This middle-aged woman was Zhuang Meiting, Zhuang Nainai’s mother.
The mother and daughter were very close.
At that moment, the little girl was locked in Mother Zhuang’s embrace and was crying in terror.
The little girl’s mother stood not far off with anxiety written all over her face. She dared not to approach nor go far away. “Please release her! Quickly! Don’t hurt my daughter Xiaomei, or I will never let you off!”
Lin Xi’er was anxiously persuading Mother Zhuang at her side. “Auntie, this is not Nainai, I’ve just called her and she will be back soon. Please release Xiaomei now, alright?”
Mother Zhuang shook her head nonstop. “That’s a lie! You are lying! This is my Nainai! Don’t cry, Nainai, don’t be scared, Mother will take you home.”
She spoke gently to the girl. Even with her advancing age and crippling illness, her speech and movements were still unrushed and elegant.
She was an idol to Zhuang Nainai.
But now…
Zhuang Nainai felt her throat tighten and was overcame by a sense of sadness.
She calmed herself and was about to approach when she heard Xiaomei’s mother’s rebuke.
“Your Nainai? You brought such misery to Nainai! She was the daughter of a rich family, but because of you, she became a pitiful poor girl who had to work during her holidays to pay her school fees! Up so early every single day, leading such a hard life! Nainai is now in her rightful place, and she can finally be away from you! Are you trying to steal someone else’s daughter now? Give my daughter back!”
Zhuang Nainai’s heart clenched upon these words.
The onlookers murmured amongst themselves even more excitedly after Xiaomei’s mother’s tirade. Mother Zhuang had no idea what they were discussing about. She only continued to coo at the girl in her arms.
Looking at her mother in this state, Zhuang Nainai felt her heart leap out to her.
She parted the crowd, fought her way through, and yelled, “Mother!”
Mother Zhuang paused and turned to look at Zhuang Nainai. Her eyes brightened and she released Xiaomei. She walked up to Nainai and held her hands tightly, as if afraid she would leave and disappear. “Nainai, you are back!”
Xiaomei, on the other hand, rushed into her mother’s embrace and wailed loudly.
Zhuang Nainai calmed Mother Zhuang and approached Xiaomei’s mother to apologize. They were all neighbors, this incident would blow over in no time.
Zhuang Nainai led her mother back to the dingy little house they lived in under the scrutiny and gossips of the onlookers.
The house was just as it was before, small but warm and cozy.
Mother Zhuang was in full composure now. She was a gentle and quiet lady who exuded grace and rich intellect.
All these years, she might be sick but she never brought trouble to anyone.
Zhuang Nainai helped her mother to the bed and watched her sleep, feeling the sting of tears in her eyes.
Lin Xi’er stood by her side, watching Mother Zhuang, debating on whether to ask the question. She could hold it no longer and finally inquired, “Nainai, what is going on? Why did your father take you away but left Auntie here?”
Zhuang Nainai’s fists tightened.
The scenes from three days ago flashed in her mind.
Three days ago, she was still a poor girl, working her ass off to make a living.
That day, she got off work as usual only to find a fleet of black luxurious cars parked in front of her street. A few bodyguards clad in black suits stood at attention with serious faces.