Although the house was newly constructed, she had clearly seen the Zhai family’s name on the gate. She was not illiterate and could still recognize her surname.
The problem was that she did not remember having such a person in her family. And that person even addressed her affectionately as ‘Sister Zhai Hua’! Zhai Hua might have retired from the military, but her martial arts skills were not so poor to the point that she was unable to get out of Qiao Nan’s grip. It was just that Zhai Hua did not feel that the other party harbored any ill intentions. Her warm welcome was genuine and sincere, so there was no need to try to get away.
There was suddenly someone in the Zhai family whom she had never met in her life yet was being so friendly toward her. Did this not mean that her parents still cared very much about her as a daughter, and Zhai Sheng about his sister? That was why the hired help in the family recognized her!
“Mom, auntie, wait for me!” Wei Jiajia smiled. Her mom was right! Her grandma’s family was indeed nice and welcoming toward her mom. It was a pity that her grandma’s family did not recognize her. Otherwise, they would treat her no differently.
“Mom?” Qiao Nan was momentarily stunned. She stopped in her tracks and looked back at the young lady who bore some resemblance to the rest of the Zhai family. “Is that Jiajia?”
“Yes, auntie. I’m Jiajia. Hello, happy new year.” Jiajia smiled. She had yet to introduce herself, but the auntie already knew her name! Her grandma’s family was truly amazing!
“Wow, Jiajia! You’re all grown up. You’re just as beautiful as your mom! I’m sorry for not recognizing you earlier. I didn’t even dare to call you earlier because you’re as beautiful as a flower!” Seeing Zhai Hua’s daughter, Jiajia, who should have been a son, Xiao Bao, Qiao Nan was in a frenzy and her words showed.
She had never met Jiajia, and neither did she have much understanding of Jiajia. But her words had created a pleasant misunderstanding with Zhai Hua and Jiajia.
Wei Jiajia had only interacted with her relatives from her paternal side, but she had few relatives on that side, and even then, they favored Wei Wei. Only Wei Wei would be treated in this manner. Today, Wei Jiajia was overjoyed that she was finally being treated in this manner. “Auntie, you’re joking with me. You’re the beautiful one.”
Why hadn’t her mom told her that there was such a beautiful auntie in her grandma’s house? Right, who was she?
In the face of her daughter’s curious gaze, Zhai Hua felt exceptionally awkward. She could not possibly tell her daughter that she had never had much contact with her family all these years. As such, she had no answer as to who this woman who gave off a good feeling was and what relationship she had with the Zhai family.
“Brother Zhai, Sister Zhai Hua has come with Jiajia!” The sight of Zhai Hua had truly excited Qiao Nan so much so that she had forgotten that she had wanted to leave, and instead, shouted at Zhai Sheng to come out.
Qiao Nan had indeed never met Jiajia, but she had heard Zhai Sheng mention that Zhai Hua had a daughter named Jiajia.
Upon hearing that Zhai Hua and Jiajia had arrived, Zhai Sheng’s reaction was rather normal, but Miao Jing was exceptionally excited. She left her husband behind and rushed straight out of the door. “Where’s grandma’s Jiajia?” Seeing the young lady standing by her daughter’s side, Miao Jing burst into tears. “Jiajia, you’re really Jiajia. You look so much prettier than you are in the photos!”
Miao Jing could not resist hugging Jiajia in her arms. Seeing that Jiajia was almost as tall as she was, Miao Jing’s tears fell uncontrollably. “You’re all grown up…” She had not even gotten the chance to carry Jiajia when she was young and had yet to learn to walk. Now that she had finally met Jiajia, she did not have the strength to carry Jiajia anymore.
Zhai Hua saw the regret in Miao Jing’s eyes clearly. At this moment, Zhai Hua could not help but blame herself. Wei De had been afraid that Jiajia would have deep feelings for the Zhai couple if she were to grow up under their watch and that she might reject Wei Wei. That was why she had listened to him when he coaxed her by saying that Jiajia was still young and would only be a burden to her parents.
At that time, she should not have stubbornly held a grudge against her parents because of their disapproval of her marriage to Wei De. She should never have stopped her parents from visiting Jiajia or letting them hold her. She had been too selfish.
“Grandma.” Feeling that Miao Jing’s feelings toward her were completely different from those of her paternal grandma, Jiajia could feel tears welling up in her eyes. “Grandma, grandma.”
“Jiajia, grandma’s precious Jiajia. You must spend more time with grandma this time. I’ve missed you all these years. Of course, now that you’re all grown up, I won’t be able to carry you even if I want to. Jiajia, do you resent me for never having carried you?”
“Grandma, I like you very much.” She had grown up with her paternal grandma. She had always seen her grandma carry Wei Wei, but her grandma had never once carried her.
Even though both of them had never hugged her, Jiajia knew that her maternal grandma was different from her paternal grandma. Her maternal grandma had simply been unwilling to carry her. On the other hand, her maternal grandma had wanted to do so but had never had the chance. Jiajia knew that it was her paternal grandma who had prevented her from getting close to her maternal grandma. Her paternal grandma would always ask her parents to bring Wei Wei along to meet her maternal grandma’s family instead of bringing her along.
As such, Jiajia did not blame her maternal grandma’s family at all. She knew that her paternal grandma was the one who was to be blamed.
“Old Zhai, come take a look at how well our Jiajia has grown up. She’s grown up better than her mom!” Miao Jing was elated that she had finally met her granddaughter, but she had not forgotten about Zhai Yaohui’s existence.
What else could Zhai Yaohui, who had been abandoned, say? At least, Miao Miao had not entirely forgotten about him. “Are you Jiajia? You’ve grown up well indeed. You look like a sensible girl. Better than your mom.”
She was a sensible girl because she had suffered throughout her life.
Zhai Hua had been spoiled and pampered from a young age and had never suffered as much. That was why she had been insensible and willful even after growing up. In the end, not only had she suffered from that, but she had also dragged Jiajia down with her.
“…” Her parents were always putting her down and comparing her daughter to her while praising her daughter. Zhai Hua wondered if she should be happy because her daughter was being praised, or whether she should be upset because she was being criticized. “Dad, Mom, shouldn’t you at least try to paint a good picture of me in front of Jiajia?”
Zhai Yaohui harrumphed and remained silent, but his stance was clear. One had to earn and deserve his own dignity. It was not simply given. When Zhai Hua was younger, he had never thought that he had a son and a daughter. Instead, he had always thought that he had two sons.
It was only when Zhai Hua got together with Wei De that he realized the difference between his son and his daughter. At least, Zhai Hua had not performed up to his expectations in this matter regarding Wei De. Someone like that had managed to charm Zhai Hua so much so that he had suspected that Zhai Hua had been possessed.
“Grandma, grandpa, happy new year.” Wei Jiajia was a witty child. Upon seeing Zhai Yaohui upset, she hurried over to Zhai Yaohui’s side and tried to cajole him.
