Chapter 366: Loosening the Soil in Front of Her

Chapter 366: Tilling the Soil Before Her Eyes

Zai Zai, Niu Niu, and Chen Waner were all in the living room. Seeing Ji Liangchuan suddenly start crying, they were all startled.

Niu Niu quickly rushed to Ji Liangchuan’s side, reached out to stroke his head, and said, "Chuan, don’t cry~"

"That’s my good girl, Niu Niu," Ms. Zhou said with a tender smile as she looked at Niu Niu.

"Grandma, I don’t want to leave you," Ji Liangchuan finally spoke the words he had been holding in for so long.

Ever since Ms. Zhou mentioned that someone would be coming to take him back, Ji Liangchuan had remained silent; he didn't beg to stay, though he wanted to. But now, with all his dear friends around him, he finally voiced what he had long wanted to say.

"Chuan, Grandma has no choice," Ms. Zhou said with a heavy heart.

The Zhou family, though now established in Wencheng, was nothing in the eyes of the Ji family. The Ji family in the capital held great power. Whether out of consideration for status or family obligations, Ms. Zhou dared not defy her son-in-law and daughter by keeping her grandson.

In the end, Ji Liangchuan’s wishes couldn’t come before the Zhou family’s needs.

And what if, after keeping Chuan with her for too long, he failed to meet the Ji family’s expectations in the future? What if her daughter and son-in-law resented her for it?

There were too many things to consider. Though Ms. Zhou felt deeply guilty toward her grandson, she truly had no choice.

Hearing his grandmother’s refusal, Ji Liangchuan finally gave up hope.

"Okay, I understand, Grandma. Can I come visit you during holidays in the future?" Ji Liangchuan asked again.

His words even pulled at Su He’s heartstrings, for she sensed a hint of sadness in this little child.

"Of course. Whenever you’re on break, come straight to Grandma’s house to play, alright?" Ms. Zhou smiled gently, stroking Ji Liangchuan’s head.

Niu Niu also couldn’t bear to see Ji Liangchuan go. She was about to plead with Ms. Zhou not to send Brother Chuan away when Su He suddenly scooped her up.

Niu Niu looked at her mother in confusion, only to see Su He give a slight shake of her head.

Su He could tell that Ms. Zhou also wanted Ji Liangchuan to stay but lacked the power to make it happen. If Niu Niu begged, it would only make things harder for Ms. Zhou.

Meanwhile, Zai Zai, who had been watching the whole scene, seemed deep in thought, watching quietly.

Before Ji Liangchuan left for the station, Su He made him homemade malt candy one last time.

Since she stopped selling malt candy, Su He rarely made it for the children. But when she asked Ji Liangchuan what he wanted to eat before leaving, he said he missed her malt candy the most.

So she made some on the spot and packed some for his journey to take on the train as a treat.

"Auntie Su, I wish my mom was like you," Ji Liangchuan couldn’t help saying as Su He handed him the packed malt candy.

"Oh, sweetheart, once you’re back in the capital, be a good boy for your parents, alright? All parents love their children dearly—they just show it differently," Su He comforted him.

Ji Liangchuan had always trusted Auntie Su’s words. He believed his parents must love him too, even if their way of showing it wasn’t the same as Auntie Su’s.

"Alright, Chuan, come on, sweetheart, it’s time to go," Ms. Zhou urged gently as Ji Liangchuan gave Niu Niu one last longing look.

"Okay," Ji Liangchuan replied. Then, turning to Niu Niu, he said, "Niu Niu, they say the only way a boy and girl can stay together forever is by getting married. Promise you’ll wait for me? I’ll never forget you. I promise I’ll marry you someday."

Su He: What?

What the heck are you saying, you little brat!

Su He was this close to cursing out loud. She had painstakingly raised her daughter to be chubby, rosy-cheeked, and adorable, and now this little punk Ji Liangchuan had the nerve to try and steal her away.

Well, just a second ago, she was sympathizing with Liangchuan, but now she wanted to smack him.

But then again, kids say the darndest things.

Zai Zai and Niu Niu’s future wouldn’t play out like it did in the book, and whether they’d even see Liangchuan again was uncertain.

Besides, Niu Niu was forgetful—she probably wouldn’t remember such words anyway.

Ms. Zhou, who’d been in a gloomy mood, couldn’t help but laugh at her grandson’s comment.

She gave Su He an apologetic look, as if to say, "Kids, am I right?"

Su He nodded understandingly at Ms. Zhou, signaling she wasn’t offended.

Niu Niu didn’t quite get it, not really understanding what "Brother Chuan" was saying.

But since he was leaving, she just nodded along to make him feel better.

Mom always said not to live with regrets.

If Su He knew her daughter had applied her life lessons this way, she’d flip out.

"Okay, got it, Brother Chuan!" Niu Niu replied with a nod.

Seeing Niu Niu actually agree, Liangchuan’s sadness about leaving faded a little.

"Promise you’ll wait for me?" Liangchuan emphasized again.

"Mhm, I’ll wait for you," Niu Niu nodded once more.

Zai Zai, watching this, had enough and rolled his eyes.

His clueless little sister would probably thank the person who scammed her.

But he didn’t intervene in their conversation.

Ms. Zhou, checking the time, urged Liangchuan to hurry up.

You had to get to the station an hour early these days, as the boarding window was only five minutes, and with so many people getting on and off, they might miss it otherwise.

Liangchuan gave Niu Niu one last look before suddenly yanking her into a hug, then ran back to Ms. Zhou’s side.

He’d be back for Niu Niu, no doubt about it, and since she’d promised to wait, he had no regrets.

When he was older, he’d really be part of Aunt Su’s family.

Everyone saw Liangchuan and Ms. Zhou off to the car and only headed back inside once the car was out of sight.

"Mom, will I never see Brother Chuan again?" The moment they stepped inside, Niu Niu started bawling.

Su He sighed softly and comforted her, "When Liangchuan’s on summer or winter break, you’ll see each other again."

"W-what’s... summer break... and winter break?" Niu Niu asked between sobs.

"Those are the breaks you get once you start school."

"When can I start school then?" Niu Niu asked again.

Su He: ...Did we just jump topics that fast?

"Soon. After the New Year, you and your brother will go to school together."

......

Meanwhile, Ji Liangchuan, who had traveled far to the capital, held the box of malt candy Su He had given him close to his chest, and he suddenly felt a rush of excitement.

Now that he was on his way home, he suddenly began to miss his parents.

He wanted to tell them all about the fun he’d had at his grandma’s. Maybe, just as Aunt Su had said, his parents truly loved him—just in a different way?

But what he never could have imagined was that the malt candy he had treasured so much on the journey, he hadn’t even taken a single bite, would be snatched from his hands when he eagerly offered it to his mother—then thrown to the ground like trash.