Chapter 41 - You’re Not Worthy
Zhao Youlin was stunned. Little had she expected this to be Joy’s reason.
Zhao Youlin looked at Joy. He was like a newborn pup peeking at her timidly, seemingly afraid of being abandoned and rejected by her. She felt a sting in her heart and it resulted in an inexplicable heartache. Mixed feelings swelled in her heart.
Zhao Youlin reached out to pinch Joy’s small face. She smiled gently and said, “Joy, you can’t find a place that sells puppies in a shopping mall. Tomorrow, I’ll bring you to the pet shop and buy one, okay?”
When Joy heard this, he raised his head and asked excitedly, “Can we really?”
“When have I ever lied to you, Joy?” Zhao Youlin patted Joy’s head and smiled as she said, “Now, let’s pay for the goods first. Then, we’ll go back and tidy our home. Tomorrow, I’ll bring you to pick a puppy as cute as you, okay?”
Joy’s eyes sparkled. He nodded and followed Zhao Youlin obediently as they pushed the shopping cart loaded with a lot of things to check out.
During the weekend, the shopping mall was quite crowded. Many ladies could not help but show their motherly affection the moment they saw someone as adorable and obedient as Joy. They took the initiative to chat with Zhao Youlin. Even the cashier who happened to be a young lady, also said to her, “Miss, your child is really cute.”
Zhao Youlin returned all these compliments with a gentle smile and offered her sincere gratitude to everyone. Her heart burst with pride, knowing that her son was able to charm everyone.
The mother and son had a cheerful talk while they were on the way back. However, their jolly moods were soon ruined when she spotted a black sedan parked in front of the neighborhood.
Initially, Zhao Youlin found the car to be very familiar. When she saw the two people get out of the car, she came to realize that the car was more than just familiar.
The people who got out of the car were actually Li Hongyu and Zhao Shuncheng. One of them was Youlin’s biological father, while the other was her stepmother.
“Youlin, you’re back!” Li Hongyu wrapped her arms around Zhao Youlin’s elbow and cast a glance at the bags that she was carrying. Li Hongyu pretentiously cried out, “Oh, did you guys just come back from shopping?! Why did you carry so many things? Why didn’t you ask someone to help you? Uncle Fu, come over and help the eldest lady.”
After Li Hongyu finished speaking, a middle-aged man zipped past Zhao Shuncheng and Li Hongyu from behind. However, he was swiftly avoided by Zhao Youlin.
Uncle Fu missed his aim. His hand froze in mid air. He looked at Zhao Youlin in puzzlement, and said, “Miss…”
Zhao Youlin ignored him. She turned her head and looked at the duo who were leaning close to each other. She asked in a low voice, “What are you two doing here?”
Zhao Shuncheng had been holding back his anger. The moment he heard Zhao Youlin speak to him like this, he immediately burst out in anger. He dashed over to Zhao Youlin and furiously rebuked her, “What do you mean by this?! We’re your elders, what’s wrong with coming over to visit you? Is this the way you speak to your elders?!”
“Shuncheng, don’t be mad,” When Li Hongyu saw he was angry, she hurriedly patted his chest and comforted him, “Youlin didn’t mean that. She didn’t expect us to come over and visit her. She was simply bewildered. Youlin, explain it to your father now. Don’t make him angry.”