The weather gradually warmed up, a thin layer of fog enveloping Zizhu Community in the early morning.
Bare tree trunks along the road sprouted fresh green, and Zhang Ying wore a light red silk scarf around her neck, which made her look particularly gentle in the springtime.
Zhang Ying adjusted the knot of her scarf, which drew Yue Jiandong’s sarcastic teasing.
"Anything from the daughter is a treasure, huh? Why do you always stash away the things I give you at the bottom of the chest?"
The scarf was a New Year’s gift from Yue Qingqing to Zhang Ying, bought with her scholarship money.
The price wasn’t considered expensive for the couple at present, but it represented their daughter’s heartfelt effort.
Even the people at the company had noticed.
These past few days, whenever someone complimented the boss’s wife on how nice her scarf looked, Zhang Ying’s smile was extraordinarily radiant.
Zhang Ying couldn’t help but touch the scarf again, and reproached, "Qingqing knows how to choose colors. How beautiful this scarf is! Unlike what you give, all those bright reds and pinks. How can I wear those at my age?"
Yue Jiandong muttered under his breath, "I think they all look pretty much the same, they’re all red anyway. Who can tell? You just favor the daughter."
Zhang Ying laughed, "You have the nerve to say that about me. I don’t know who it is that got so happy with the belt our daughter gave, and yet hesitates to use it, fearing it’ll be ruined by his beer belly."
"Hey, hey, Comrade Zhang Ying, let’s stick to the facts without personal attacks, huh?"
Yue Jiandong touched his stomach, feeling that he was still in his prime. Although the muscles on his belly had merged into one, he wasn’t that paunchy.
The two chatted as they waited for the driver to arrive, but then they saw someone walking towards them.
Zhang Ying thought the person was a neighbor and was about to greet her.
Only when she came closer did she realize it was a woman she didn’t quite like from her memory.
Although she had only met Zhuang Rouhui once, Zhang Ying would never forget the woman who wrongfully accused her daughter of being a thief, and she immediately gave Yue Jiandong a meaningful look.
Yue Jiandong wondered if she was a new neighbor? He turned his head as if he had seen nothing.
However, Zhuang Rouhui kept getting closer.
"I’ve finally found you." Zhuang Rouhui stood in front of them, her gaze uncomfortably probing, "We’ve met before."
Zhang Ying said coldly, "What is it?"
"I’m here to thank you," Zhuang Rouhui smiled at them, "for raising my daughter all these years."
Zhuang Rouhui’s sudden declaration struck like lightning, causing Zhang Ying’s pupils to constrict and she involuntarily grabbed Yue Jiandong’s arm.
Yue Jiandong, having weathered many storms, quickly regained his composure after the initial shock.
"I remember your surname is Zhuang, Ms. Zhuang. I don’t understand why you would suddenly say such a thing?"
Zhuang Rouhui smirked, "Stop pretending. Yue Qingqing is the daughter you adopted, right? You took her from People’s Hospital when she was a baby."
Zhang Ying’s body swayed, nearly unable to stand, and she leaned heavily on Yue Jiandong to steady herself.
Countless nights, Zhang Ying had dreamt of a blurry-faced woman taking Qingqing away from her.
The child she had lovingly raised for so many years would be forever separated from her, never to meet again.
This was her most feared nightmare, now unfolding into reality.
Seeing Zhang Ying’s expression, there was nothing Zhuang Rouhui didn’t understand.
A wave of triumphant joy surged through her.
"So she really was adopted by you? Yue Qingqing indeed is my child, I knew it must be her!"
Yue Jiannan, hearing Zhuang Rouhui’s words, immediately realized the other party was probing, and his attitude grew colder than before.
"Even if Yue Qingqing was adopted by us, it doesn’t mean that she is your child. What do you want from us?"
"I’m here to take my daughter back!" Zhuang Rouhui looked down on Zhang Ying from a superior angle, "You’ve stolen my daughter for so many years. It’s time to give her back to me."