Chapter 652: Actually, She Is Not To Be Blame
Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
As noon approached, the couple, Gu Shan and his wife, arrived at the entrance of the First Prison. They had come straight from Daqing Village, and Gu Shan, glancing at the time, led his wife inside. “Thank goodness, we almost missed the morning visiting hours. Let’s hurry.”
Zhang Mei followed her husband, quickening her pace. It had been a long time since she had seen her daughter, and her heart was filled with trepidation. After all, they were the ones who had lost their daughter for over a decade and had prioritized their interests over her. They owed Lin Miao an apology. Although Lin Miao had agreed to meet them, Zhang Mei was uncertain if their daughter would truly forgive them for their failings as parents.
Throughout this period, Zhang Mei had been contemplating. Lin Miao’s mistakes were not entirely her fault. Lin Miao had grown up in a rural area without a conducive environment or a proper education. Now that she was back with them, her actions naturally couldn’t compare to Gu Zi’s thoughtfulness, and her understanding was incomplete. In a situation where there was an imbalance in their mental states, it was understandable that she made some mistakes.
Zhang Mei had not enjoyed the New Year at all. She had gone to great lengths to provide benefits to the prison in hopes of making amends to Lin Miao. She hoped that her daughter could have a better life in prison. However, it was still a prison, and despite the benefits, suffering was inevitable. Zhang Mei was anxious to see her daughter, yet she was also terrified.
Gu Shan and Zhang Mei had been married for decades. Seeing his wife’s guilt-ridden expression, he knew how remorseful she was. He halted and said with conviction, “What are you afraid of? Ultimately, she made the mistakes herself. Even if she is in prison, it’s her own doing. Have you ever thought about whether we could have saved her from the things she did?
“At first, when we neglected her, she was young and couldn’t understand. It was normal for her to blame us and not want to see us. But it’s been a long time now. She should have grown up and understood right from wrong. If she still blames us, I, Gu Shan, don’t need such a daughter.”
Upon hearing Gu Shan’s words, Zhang Mei’s heart skipped a beat. In her haste, she disregarded her image and grabbed her husband’s arm. “What’s the rush? Where am I showing fear? Do you have so little faith in our Miao Miao?
“She made mistakes, but they’re not unforgivable. If she changes, it’s all good. Why say such harsh words? If you don’t want Miao Miao, our Gu family will have no successors.
“Look at Gu Zi now, no matter how good she is, wasn’t she also raised by our Gu family? Without us, could she be so outstanding? When Miao Miao gets out, we’ll re-educate her. Husband, you can’t favor Gu Zi.”
Gu Shan’s face was stern, his gaze warning her. “Look at yourself, going around in circles. Did I say I wouldn’t care about Lin Miao? If I didn’t care, why would I come to see her?”
After Gu Shan finished speaking, Zhang Mei let go of his arm, a weight lifting from her heart. It was a relief. Her Miao Miao was already in prison. If her father also abandoned her, it would be too pitiful.
The couple glanced around cautiously. Fortunately, everyone was busy with their own affairs and hadn’t noticed them. They quickened their pace and soon arrived at the designated visiting room. The couple sat side by side on the high wooden bench, waiting for Lin Miao to appear behind the glass.
The next moment, Lin Miao, dressed in a prison uniform, appeared in the visiting room. The prison guard instructed her to sit down and handcuffed her to the iron railing before standing straight at the back, like a pine tree. However, Gu Shan and his wife had no mind to notice anything else. Their eyes were fixed on Lin Miao, and they were stunned for a long time.
The person in front of them was thin, the prison uniform hanging loosely on her body, making her look like a wooden puppet. She was bald, her face pale, her lips cracked, and her eyes dull.
The couple could hardly believe that this was their daughter, Lin Miao. How had she become ?
Hadn’t they provided benefits to the prison? Oh God, Zhang Mei was the first to choke up, crying out, “Miao Miao, you’ve suffered. It’s all my fault, I’m sorry!”
Gu Shan had initially wanted to be stern and lecture Lin Miao, but seeing her in this state, he was also shocked. His daughter had been tormented to such an extent, and he couldn’t help but feel heartbroken. After all, she was his flesh and blood. His eyes reddened, “Our poor daughter, we’ve come to see you.”