Chapter 22 Arrival in Rongcheng

Chapter 22: Arrival in Rongcheng

Mrs. Jiang was overjoyed that Lu Jingtang had actually agreed to spend the Chinese New Year in Rongcheng. Early that morning, she eagerly sent her son, Jiang Cheng, to the airport to pick her up, while she stayed home preparing a feast.

As Lu Jingtang emerged from the arrival gate, pulling her luggage, she spotted Jiang Cheng in a gray overcoat. She recognized him from photos on Mrs. Jiang's social media.

She was almost upon him, yet Jiang Cheng was still craning his neck toward the gate. He waved her off, saying, "No thanks, I'm not interested in a card."

Lu Jingtang: "..."

She pulled down her scarf, revealing her full face, and softly called out, "Little Uncle, it's me."

"Youyou." Only then did Jiang Cheng turn his gaze to her, looking her up and down. The young lady had grown increasingly beautiful, her eyes an exact replica of his late sister's.

Lu Jingtang nodded, her eyes crinkling into a smile. Jiang Cheng took her suitcase, his eyes filled with concern. "Are you cold? Here, let me take that for you."

"Not too bad. It's colder in the capital," Lu Jingtang replied.

Jiang Cheng's car was parked nearby. Once inside, Lu Jingtang posted a message in the Fu family group chat: "I've arrived."

Fu Shengzhou, who happened to be on his phone, instantly shot back, "Like anyone asked."

Strangely, this time Lu Jingtang didn't argue. Instead, she replied, "Got it."

Then she added, "My apologies for wasting Uncle, Aunt, and my brothers' time. I won't post such messages again." The message reeked of feigned innocence, conveying deep grievance through text alone.

Five minutes later, Fu Shengzhou heard Fu Xiaqing roar from the study, "Fu Shengzhou, are you that bored?!"

Fu Shengzhou grumbled resentfully, "She's cunning! So cunning!"

Fu Nanyu glanced at the chat, heard the commotion downstairs, and let out a quiet snort. *Quite clever.*

Fu Xiaqing @Youyou: "Did your uncle pick you up?"

Lu Jingtang: "Yes, I'm in the car now."

After replying, seeing no further activity in the group, she was about to put her phone away when she remembered that Fu Nanyu had driven her to the airport that morning. Since he hadn't spoken in the group, she decided to message him privately. She typed, "Eldest Brother, I've arrived. Did you see the message in the group?"

Fu Nanyu's reply was swift: "Saw it. Have fun. Fu Shengzhou has been dealt with."

Lu Jingtang couldn't help but laugh aloud. She hadn't expected her eldest brother, as cool and aloof as a mountain snow lotus, to crack a joke.

Jiang Cheng, noticing her constant phone use, asked, "What are you doing?"

"Just letting Uncle Xiaqing and everyone know I've arrived safely." Feeling it was impolite to keep using her phone, Lu Jingtang put it away.

Truthfully, Jiang Cheng had been somewhat suspicious about why Lu Jingtang had so readily agreed to come to Rongcheng for the New Year, wondering if she had been mistreated at the Fu household. But now, it didn't seem that way. Perhaps... she had genuinely had a change of heart.

The Jiang family home was nestled in a small alley—a two-story house with white exterior walls. A small courtyard adorned the front of the first floor, its walls covered with delicate pale purple flowers, creating a very cozy atmosphere.

Hearing the car, Mrs. Jiang eagerly dried her hands and stepped outside. Lu Jingtang stood by the car, turned at the sound of footsteps, and saw a kind-faced, silver-haired old lady.

"Grandma," she called out.

Mrs. Jiang's eyes welled up. Her warm, wrinkled hand gently caressed Lu Jingtang's face. The resemblance was striking—Youyou looked exactly like her daughter. She had almost lost count of how many years had passed since her daughter left.

Seeing the old lady on the verge of tears, Jiang Cheng worried that, given her age, she might get chilled if she wept outside. He gently reminded her, "Mom, let's go inside. Even if you're not cold, Youyou might be."

Only then did Mrs. Jiang lead her inside. Much of the furniture in the house was made of wood, and Lu Jingtang, appreciating the decor, looked around with interest.

"Youyou, shall Grandma take you to your room for tonight?" Mrs. Jiang asked.

Lu Jingtang nodded and helped the old lady upstairs. Mrs. Jiang pushed open a door on the second floor and said, "This was your mother's room. Grandma has always kept it tidy."

Even though no one had lived in it for a long time, the room was spotless and carried a faint, warm fragrance. It was clear the old lady had put a great deal of effort into preparing for her arrival.

By the small window in the room stood a desk. Pushing the window open, one could see the pear tree in the yard. On the desk was a photo of a couple: Jiang Yue, in a white dress, her eyes curved in a smile, her slightly rounded belly showing as she gazed happily at her loved one; the man, in military uniform, had sharp eyebrows, a tall nose, and thin lips that made him seem somewhat unapproachable. Though his features were stern, his entire demeanor softened when he looked at his beloved.

As her fingertips brushed over the people in the photo, Lu Jingtang felt a strange sensation—as if she were reuniting with old friends, as if it had been a long time since they last met. She thought perhaps it was a deep, instinctive pull from within this body.

Mrs. Jiang explained, "This was taken a year after your mother married your father. You were only five months along in her belly at the time."

Lu Jingtang placed the photo back in its spot. "Mom was so beautiful."

Mrs. Jiang smiled. "Youyou takes after your mother. You're very beautiful too."

As the two were talking in the room, a boisterous middle-aged man’s voice came from downstairs. "Where's Youyou? I thought she was picked up already?"

Mrs. Jiang said, "That's your eldest uncle. Let's go downstairs."

Lu Jingtang helped her down. The living room was bustling with people, including three children around five or six years old playing. The middle-aged couple were likely the eldest uncle and his wife.