"From now on, no one will dare bully you again." Wanru felt even more heartbroken seeing her cry so sorrowfully.
Nianhua tilted her head slightly, looking at her loving expression, and blurted out, "Mom."
Wanru, who was tidying her daughter’s disheveled hair from crying, was suddenly struck by her words, as if hit by lightning. Stunned, she stood still, gazing at Nianhua in disbelief and tremblingly asked, "Wh-what did you call me?"
"Mom." Nianhua cleared her throat and called out again.
"Yes."
Responding with a choked voice, Wanru, eyes reddened, tightly embraced Nianhua, unable to speak from the overwhelming emotion.
The mother and daughter hugged tightly and cried their hearts out. Jinrong said nothing, simply wrapped them both in his arms. His heart ached, he felt guilty; if not for his oversight, they wouldn’t have been separated from their child for twenty-two years!
This scene deeply touched Nian’an, who watched it unfold.
Since last spring, after the Gu Family reached out, little sister hadn’t changed her form of address. However, after confirming her identity as a member of the Su Family, she did change it.
The Gu Family approached with an agenda, having abandoned little sister when she was young. Now, in times of need, they’ve reached out with grand lies, lacking any sincerity.
The Su Family was different. They were sufferers in this event too. Over the years, the Su Family believed the child had passed away young, but never forgot her, even doing many good deeds hoping she would reincarnate into a good life someday.
Nian’an initially just found the Su Family deeply sentimental. Now, he felt happy for little sister; even without knowing of her existence, they kept her in their hearts.
"No more crying, you need to go to school later. Puffy eyes are not good." Jinrong, not good at comforting daughters, only tried to coax them as he did with his wife, saying, "Wanru, school’s starting soon, if your eyes are swollen, others might think you’ve been bullied."
"We should be happy, heaven has returned our daughter to us." Jinrong held on to his daughter and wife, feeling as if he had gained the world.
"Yes, we should be happy."
Wanru wiped her tears away, joyfully asking, "Nianhua, could you call me that one more time?"
Wanru, with tear-stained eyes, looked at her full of anticipation.
"Mom." Nianhua found it increasingly natural after speaking once.
"Yes."
"Mom." Nianhua called out once again.
"Yes." Despite the tears hanging in her eyes, Wanru’s face was full of smiles. Though time had left traces on her face, it couldn’t conceal her grace. Through the years, her demeanor had become elegant and intellectual, even the wrinkles on her face were beautiful.
"Nianhua." Jinrong eagerly looked at Nianhua. Though he didn’t say it out loud, his sparkling eyes were filled with: Call me Dad, call me Dad, remember I’m here too!
Jinrong’s appearance and expression made Nianhua feel a sense of closeness. Sometimes, when Qinghe got jealous, he looked exactly like Jinrong.
"Dad."
With one word from Nianhua, ’Dad,’ Jinrong’s eyes reddened slightly. He responded joyfully, "Yes, good girl."
Jinrong wanted to reach out and ruffle her hair, but realized that his good girl was already a graceful young woman. His hand hovered awkwardly in the air.
"Dad, I tied my ponytail just this morning, you can’t mess it up, otherwise I’ll be embarrassed in front of my classmates." Nianhua said playfully, leaning her head forward and mischievously blinking her eyes, "But, if you don’t mind, you can lightly touch it."