Xian Zihao smiled and moved his slender fingers into her hair, "Company things are endless, especially between these directors. When I was injured and in the recovery process, the responsibility was not on me, but once I'm back, I still have to manage a few things in detail. I initially planned to keep a low profile and come back to accompany you, but at the same time, I have to solve problems in the company as well."
As he spoke, his hand lightly stroked her forehead. With a bit of comfort in his eyes, he said, "Don't worry, just leave this matter to me. Don't think too much, hmm?"
"If you're not going back to Imperial City, why don't you open a branch in Province C? They are not far from H City."
"I can take care of this myself. Don't worry, I won't let you and our children leave me. I also won't go to other provinces and cities. Leave everything to me." His gaze was calm, without a hint of worry or anything else. It seemed like Xian Zihao had already made up his mind and had already planned for the future.
Jiang Ruolan sighed in relief, "How many days are you going to Beijing? I'll help you prepare your clothes and luggage."
As she spoke, she turned around and was about to go to the closet to pack his things.
As soon as she turned around, Xian Zihao gently pulled her back into his arms. "What's the rush? I haven't finished talking."
"Do you have anything else to say?" Jiang Ruolan was startled as she looked back at him.
The corner of Xian Zihao's mouth curved slightly. "This trip to Beijing will take at least half a month. I just got home and the kids are just starting to accept me as their father. If I stay too long, I'm afraid they will forget about me."
"Yeah, they're only three years old and easily get attached to someone. However, if they don't see that person for a few days, they will quickly forget about them." Jiang Ruolan sighed softly.
Seeing that Xian Zihao was smiling, a thought crossed her mind. Jiang Ruolan looked at him in surprise. "You don't plan to take the children and me with you, do you?"
Xian Zihao's eyebrows raised slightly. "You don't want to go?"
"Of course I want to go! How could I not want to go!" Jiang Ruolan burst into laughter. The worry on her face instantly disappeared as she wrapped her hands around his neck, saying happily, "Hubby, you are the best. I knew you couldn't bear to leave me, that's why you remember to bring the children and me."
***
A week later, Beijing…
As soon as Jiang Ruolan returned to the hotel, she heard from Xian Zihao's assistant that another company director had asked them to accompany him to the musical theater that night.
Jiang Ruolan took advantage of the fact that her two children were asleep, running to the hotel's study room to read a few books and complete the work that her company had sent to her.
When she opened the door to study, she was a little surprised. On the spacious table was an oil painting of a family of three, which once she saw on another hotel's walls before.
Later on, she had questioned the staff about the painting and confirmed that it was from her mother. This year, Zhou Qingling had lived in the house that the Jiang Family used to leave and became the real mistress there.
The sudden sight of this painting stunned her.
Jiang Ruolan walked over and picked up the frame. Seeing the man painted on it and the women and children on the swing, she frowned. She was thinking about Jiang Guanyu and Zhan Lian's situation, how they were doing after their house was sold.
Jiang Ruolan had heard that Zhan Lian fell ill and had turned to the Xian Family, while Zhan An, as a sister, gave only a small amount of money to them. She didn't mean to take care of them completely.
Jiang Ruolan focused her attention back on the painting. She then saw the signature underneath the oil painting. It was rare for Chinese words to appear on a painting. It wasn't a person's name but instead, word.
Upon closer inspection, the word was "Read".
Read?
What should she read? All these years, when Zhou Qingling painted this painting, what was she thinking? Did she think about the child in the painting, or did she still thinking about Jiang Guanyu?
It's been a year, and there were times where Jiang Ruolan didn't know how to deal with her mother. She thought that her mother was just killing herself because she was weak in love, that's why she never hated her. However, two years ago, she found out that her mother was still alive and when Xian Zihao was in a critical state, her mother shouted that it was the Xian Family's retribution.
On one side was her mother, who was still alive. On the other side was her husband, who used his life to protect her.
This year, while waiting for Xian Zihao's return, Jiang Ruolan will occasionally return to G City to show her filial piety. However, each time, she would only accompany Zhou Qingling to eat and let her play with her grandchildren. Never once Jiang Ruolan called her 'mother'.
Zhou Qingling clearly knew that Jiang Ruolan couldn't let go of the fact that she had lied to her, so she didn't try to force her to do anything.
The days went by, and Zhou Qingling finally got happier. There were also several servants in the house. After being gently treated, her legs were now free from the wheelchair.
And although Jiang Ruolan would sometimes return to accompany her, she was always polite.
Thinking about it, it seemed like it had been a long time since she went back to the G City to visit Zhou Qingling.
Jiang Ruolan sighed as she placed the painting in the corner of the room. Seeing the pile of kraft paper on the cupboard, she decided to wrap the painting with it and put it away.
However, while Jiang Ruolan was busy, she heard footsteps behind her. Before she could turn around to take a look, she was suddenly hugged by someone from behind.
Jiang Ruolan was greatly alarmed, but at the same time, she heard a soft sigh from behind, "It's me. Don't be afraid."
Hearing Xian Zihao's voice, Jiang Ruolan, who was frightened, sighed in relief. She obediently leaned into his arms, feeling the warmth of his embrace.
Then, her chin was gently lifted by a hand, and her lips were deeply imprinted. Inwardly, she was restless as she turned around and kissed him back seriously until she was out of breath. Then, she wrapped her arms around his neck, put her head against his neck, and said in a low voice, "Zihao, do you blame my mother?"
Xian Zihao patted her shoulder and said softly, "Idiot, I never blamed anyone else in this matter, neither I blamed you. The incident that had happened had traumatized you. I knew why you did all of this and I understand it. You can't face the Xian Family and at the same time, you didn't want to hurt me. I understand it, wife. I really do and that's also why I don't hate your mother. You want to know why? Because she gave you to me."
Jiang Ruolan's face was buried in his neck as she choked in a dry sob.
"And as for you, you really don't hate your mother, it's just that you were stuck in the middle and didn't know what to do. You can understand the pain she is going through, but you don't know what to do with it. However, the current you no longer need to choose. Just accept it, Ruolan. Just accept the love she wanted to give to you. You can't force yourself to avoid it any longer. You have to face everything bravely. You are my little hedgehog and in your heart, you already know what to do."
