Chapter 501 Aunt Tao Tao, Ah Hang, Chenchen, We Are Here!

Chapter 501: Tao Tao, Ah Hang, Chenchen - We've Arrived!

Zhong's mother and Zhong Dingbang, carrying An Zai, walked unsteadily, their legs like jelly, to the neighboring courtyard and entered the room, still in a stunned daze.

Knowing that her son and daughter-in-law hadn’t had a proper conversation since their reunion, Zhong's mother, sensing the situation, tactfully took her grandson back to the neighboring courtyard, giving the long-separated couple some time to talk.

Facing his familiar yet unfamiliar college-educated wife, Zhong Dingbang felt utterly inadequate and stood frozen, unable to take another step.

Peng Yan, her eyes rimmed red, suddenly opened her arms to him.

Instinctively, Zhong Dingbang pulled her into his embrace, just as he had done countless nights when she was tormented by nightmares. He gently patted her back, murmuring softly as if comforting a child:

"Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid… I’m here, I’m here…"

Peng Yan’s tears finally burst their banks, bit by bit dampening Zhong Dingbang’s patched, threadbare shirt.

Zhong Dingbang wasn’t good with words. His heart ached fiercely, and he felt somewhat at a loss, so he could only tighten his arms slightly:

"Don’t cry… Did someone bully you?"

A man who had toiled in the fields for years, every inch of him was solid muscle and strength, just like in countless long nights when nightmares plagued her, giving her a deep sense of security.

In this glittering, fast-paced city, she had gained mentors, classmates, roommates, and good friends… Yet only when she threw herself into the arms of this rugged mountain man, who stood out like a sore thumb in the bustling city, did that gnawing emptiness vanish without a trace.

She clung to Zhong Dingbang and cried for a long while before finally regaining her composure. Letting go, she looked up at him:

"Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?"

Zhong Dingbang didn’t dare meet Peng Yan’s eyes, but he couldn’t bear to let go either, so he stood frozen in place.

He didn’t dare say that he had thought she wanted a divorce, or that his mother, refusing to let things end without a word, had brought them here to demand a clear answer.

"I’m sorry," Peng Yan repeated.

Zhong Dingbang panicked, shaking his head repeatedly. "No, no… You’ve done nothing wrong. Whatever you do is right. There’s nothing to apologize for… You don’t need to say sorry…"

Peng Yan smiled for the first time since seeing them. "Silly man…"

The nightmares that had haunted her since her time in the countryside only gradually stopped after she married Zhong Dingbang and gave birth to An Zai.

Later, when she got into university and escaped that place, she finally felt truly free.

Often, she couldn’t help but think of them—father and son—but she also didn’t dare to.

She hadn’t deliberately abandoned them there. She just didn’t dare—or want—to go back, nor did she have the means to bring them with her.

Unlike Su Taotao, who enjoyed generous benefits as a top scorer, Peng Yan had barely made the cutoff for Tsinghua and survived on a paltry stipend.

Instinctively, she played the ostrich, burying her head in the sand, avoiding contact with them.

She hadn’t planned to return during the summer break either, still running away. Besides, she had unfinished business to settle with her own family and had intended to visit them instead.

But the moment she saw Zhong Dingbang and their child standing before her, Peng Yan had never been more certain—this man was the one for her, for life.

Zhong Dingbang grinned widely, revealing a set of gleaming white teeth, looking like a fool. After a moment, he added bashfully:

"Dear wife, someone like me… Am I a disgrace to you?"

Zhong Dingbang wasn’t an insecure man, but when it came to Peng Yan, he felt utterly wanting in every way.

If it weren't for that incident that happened to her, someone as radiant as her would be someone he wouldn't even dare to dream of.

Besides, she was now a student at Tsinghua, and a rough-handed laborer like him was even more unworthy.

Peng Yan shook her head: "No, my roommates are all wonderful people."

Zhong Dingbang kept nodding—Yu Xuemei, who never looked at them with strange eyes; Jiang Leilei, who lent them her bicycle without hesitation; Su Taotao and her family, who had always offered them help; and Mr. Du, who adamantly refused to take their rent...

They were like angels heaven-sent to make up for the misfortunes of Peng Yan's past.

His wife deserved friends like these, and he would spend the rest of his life repaying these good people who had helped them, even if it meant working his fingers to the bone.

"It's best for An Zai to grow up by our side. You can stay without worries, pitch in at Tao Tao’s store during the day, and take good care of An Zai.

This time, we really owe it all to Tao Tao. Before, I didn’t have the ability—I couldn’t even imagine it. Now, we’ll take things as they come. Tao Tao is capable and well-connected—following her lead can’t go wrong. Once I graduate, things are bound to improve.

What we owe Tao Tao, we can’t repay right now, but we’ll find a way in the future. And we shouldn’t stand on ceremony with her—from now on, her family and Mr. Du’s matters are our matters too. We must treat them like family."

Zhong Dingbang kept nodding: "I know, honey, don’t fret."

Thinking of An Zai, Peng Yan grew wistful: "It’s only been a month of school, and An Zai already acts shy around me."

Zhong Dingbang followed Peng Yan like an overgrown puppy, anticipating her every need—even bringing water to her lips.

He shook his head: "No, I show him your photo every day and tell him about you. He’ll come around in a couple of days.

But he’s a little shy now—he won’t let anyone but us hold him. Though he really likes Chenchen."

Peng Yan smiled: "No one dislikes Chenchen. He’s amazing. If An Zai can learn even a tenth of what Chenchen knows, we should be counting our blessings."

Zhong Dingbang patted Peng Yan’s head: "My wife is a good person, so she meets good people wherever she goes."

Peng Yan’s eyes grew warm again as she hugged him: "It’s you who’s good. After meeting you, everyone I’ve met has been good."

...

After settling Peng Yan, Su Taotao borrowed a car from Old Man Hu to pick up Mumu and the others.

When Old Man Hu learned that Su Taotao could drive—and even had a license—he was nearly stunned.

He exclaimed that modern women are something else.

Su Taotao wasn’t familiar with the roads in the capital, so she didn’t dare drive too fast.

But with so few cars on the road, the drive was smooth and pleasant, making her desire for a four-wheel drive grow even stronger.

The train arrived on time.

Mumu and Kang Zi corralled the kids like ducklings—holding small flags, one in front and one behind, sandwiching the two little ones, who wore straw hats and held hands, afraid that they might lose one if they looked away.

Su Taotao watched them, equal parts moved and amused.

Chenchen cupped his hands like a megaphone and shouted: "Uncle Mumu! Uncle Kang Zi! Dongdong! Pangpang! Over here!"

Chenchen was clueless about his volume—his shout seemed to have everyone turning in the entire train station.

Mumu was no better—he jumped up and down, waving vigorously:

"Aunt Taozi! Ah Hang! Chenchen! We’re here!"

The two little ones started bouncing and yelling too.

Now, not just the train station, but even people outside on the street were staring.

Su Taotao and Fu Yuanhang: "..." They shared a look, simultaneously facepalming and dropping their heads in embarrassment.

...