Chapter 409: Chapter 409: Stop Kowtowing_1 Chapter 409: Chapter 409: Stop Kowtowing_1 Just as Nan Fei had predicted, He Jinlan returned from the hospital that night and moved into the Huo Family’s home.
After receiving some fluids and minor treatment at the town clinic, her bruised face accompanied Huo Linong back home. She was carried to the clinic by Huo Linong, and brought back by Yuan Xueshan on a bicycle.
Standing at the door of the Huo family, He Jinlan hung her head and refused to come in.
It was late at night, and there was little light outside. Seeing her alone in the shadows, Yuan Xueshan felt a pang of heartache.
“What’s wrong, Jinlan?” she asked softly, “Why won’t you come in?”
“Mum!” He Jinlan suddenly knelt on the ground, startling Yuan Xueshan.
Huo Linong stood expressionlessly to the side, his thoughts unclear.
“What are you doing?” A bit flustered, Yuan Xueshan wanted to help her up, but was reminded that He Jinlan was Jing Tong’s daughter, and Jing Tong was her husband’s first love. The thought made her feel uneasy.
She was torn between helping her up and staying put.
Kneeling on the ground, a look of surprise flitted across He Jinlan’s downcast face. This was not what she had anticipated. In the past, Yuan Xueshan loved her unconditionally, heeding her every word like a mindless follower.
She was almost always obedient to her.
She had anticipated that Yuan Xueshan would take her into her arms, moved by her pitiful, miserable state, and scold others to comfort her.
But why was the scene unfolding differently?
She had found it strange when they were at the town clinic, but hadn’t paid it much mind.
But now, even after she had knelt, Yuan Xueshan didn’t rush to help her up?
“Mum, I was wrong! I was wrong!” Despite her surprise, He Jinlan was even more determined. If everyone was going to betray her, then she would fight to regain everything that was hers.
She apologized, knelt and bowed her head, her forehead touching the ground with a soft thud.
The sound snapped Yuan Xueshan out of her thoughts. She hurriedly stepped forward, gripping He Jinlan’s arm, “Get up! What are you doing kneeling on the ground?”
“Mum, if you and dad don’t forgive me, I’ll kneel for the rest of my life.” She wrested free from Yuan Xueshan’s grip, continued to kowtow and apologize.
“I was unfilial, I was vile, everything was my fault. Dad and mum raised me, but I failed to repay your kindness and committed so many wrongs. I know I was wrong. Please, please give me a chance to amend my ways.”
As she kowtowed, she started to cry. Her face, already red and swollen from Qiao Jingxuan’s slap, was now bloody from the repeated bowing. She looked even more pitiful and wretched.
Yuan Xueshan also started to cry, “Linong, what are you standing there for? Help Jinlan up!”
Huo Linong sighed silently. He recalled how Jing Tong had pleaded with him in the past, her image overlapping with the present Jinlan’s. Regardless, they couldn’t let the girl continue to kneel.
As a teacher, he couldn’t stand to see his foster daughter kneel on the ground and not help her up.
“Get up! Stop kowtowing.”
Huo Linong was tall and strong. He helped He Jinlan up, not allowing her to struggle. And since all of this was a performance, she put a lot of effort into it only to gain sympathy, so she was waiting for Huo Linong to assist her up.