“No matter how this turns out in the end, I’m still me, the children are still our children. We won’t change. We’ll always be there for you as long as you need us.”
As long as she needed them.
Su Sanlang kept the unspoken words to himself.
If Madam Zhao did not need them, their family would still be here for her. They might not disturb Madam Zhao’s life, but they would definitely stand up for her when she needed it.
No matter what happened in the end, he treated Madam Zhao as his wife. He could do anything for her.
And the children would treat her respectfully and be filial to her.
“Sanlang, my heart is in a mess. I don’t know what decision I should make. I really want to know, but I’m also afraid. Our lives now did not come by easily. We’re very happy and I cherish it. I’m afraid I’ll lose them.”
Madam Zhao choked.
She wanted to know who she really was, but she was afraid that once she knew, everything she had now would leave her.
“We won’t. We won’t. You won’t lose us. The children and I will always be here. We’ll never leave you as long as you want us. I love you.”
Su Sanlang could not help but hug Madam Zhao tightly.
There was not a good start between them. However, after more than 23 years of companionship, thousands of days and nights, hardships and days of mutual support, he had long fallen in love with her.
In this life, he only loved her and only acknowledged her.
As long as she didn’t despise him, as long as she needed him, he would always be there and never leave.
“Boohoo…”
Madam Zhao choked and cried. She turned around and hugged Su Sanlang back. She said, “I’m not leaving. How can I bear to leave?”
“You and the children are my roots. How can I leave you?”
She could not remember the past. Perhaps there was an illicit and dirty scheme behind this. No matter how much she blamed them, she could not blame Su Sanlang and the children.
Su Sanlang had no choice but to marry her.
She was just a miserable person.
Even if she knew the reason and the truth behind it, she would never abandon Su Sanlang and the children.
“Don’t cry.”
Su Sanlang wiped Madam Zhao’s tears.
Madam Zhao’s eyes were red. She nodded and gradually stopped crying. She always liked to cry. When she was happy or sad, tears would flow.
She had a weak personality and had always been like this.
“Darling, if you still don’t want to, let’s meet that Qi Xingzhi first. What do you think?”
Su Sanlang asked gently.
Qi Xinyu was Qi Xingzhi’s grandaunt. He could tell that Su Chong, Su Hua, and Yan Mian were somewhat similar, so when he saw Madam Zhao, he should be able to tell if she looked like Qi Xinyu.
1
If they were similar, then he could confirm it further.
“Okay, I’m willing to see him.”
Su Sanlang was considerate. Madam Zhao nodded and agreed.
With Su Sanlang’s unwavering company, she didn’t seem so afraid and uncertain. Her background was a knot in her heart. Now that she had a chance, she should muster the courage to find out.
Madam Zhao agreed, and Su Sanlang felt relieved.
No matter what the future held, they could still face it together. This was really good, very good.
The next day, Su Sanlang told Su Hua about this decision.
Su Hua looked at Madam Zhao.
Madam Zhao smiled gently and said, “This is a decision I made after discussing it with your father. Perhaps it was really a mistake. In the beginning, it’s better not to publicize it openly and let everyone know. If that Qi Xingzhi agrees, we’ll arrange to meet in private. Let him come here and meet me. If he’s unwilling, then forget it.”
After a night, Madam Zhao’s emotions calmed down.
Next, she would try her best to treat this matter calmly.
She had asked Qi Xingzhi to come here because this was their current home. Madam Zhao would be much more relaxed here. She also wanted to ask Qi Xingzhi how much he knew about her.
If Qi Xingzhi was unwilling to come, then forget it. She would pretend that nothing had happened, and she would not probe further.
Su Hua nodded. “Alright, I’ll talk to Qi Xingzhi.”
Qi Xingzhi had also told him that he was welcome to visit the Qi family anytime.
Seeing that Su Hua had agreed, Madam Zhao smiled and did not say anything else.
After breakfast, Su Hua went out alone.
According to the address given by Qi Xingzhi, Su Hua arrived outside the general’s residence. The manservant came out and asked Su Hua who he was looking for.
Su Hua politely said that he had been invited by Qi Xingzhi.
The manservant told him to wait a moment before entering the residence.
Not long after, the manservant and Qi Xingzhi came out.
Qi Xingzhi was obviously very happy to see Su Hua. He smiled and said, “Brother Su, you’re here. Please come in.”
Qi Xingzhi was originally worried about Su Hua’s answer. He thought that he would have to wait a few more days, but he did not expect Su Hua to come today.
After inviting Su Hua into the house, Qi Xingzhi brought Su Hua to his courtyard. When they arrived at his courtyard, Qi Xingzhi couldn’t wait to ask Su Hua, “Brother Su, are you here to bring me a reply?”
Su Hua nodded. “I’ve already told my mother about that. She asked me to bring you a message.”
“What did Aunt say?”
Qi Xingzhi asked with a smile.
Su Hua looked at Qi Xingzhi. He didn’t expect Qi Xingzhi to call her aunt. Was he so sure?
Qi Xingzhi smiled calmly and said, “Brother Su, I won’t hide it from you. I am almost certain that your mother is Yan Mian. She is my aunt’s daughter and my aunt. You might think that I am too arbitrary, but don’t be anxious. You will know if you follow me.”
Qi Xingzhi brought Su Hua to his study. When Su Hua saw it, he naturally knew why he was so certain.
“Brother Su, quickly tell me what my aunt said.”
Qi Xingzhi asked as he walked.
Su Hua said slowly, “My mother said that she wants to see you first. Perhaps all of this is just a misunderstanding.”
Qi Xingzhi smiled and shook his head. He let Su Hua see something first. He led Su Hua to his desk and let him see the portrait he had drawn.
Even the calm Su Hua was shocked. He looked at the portrait. “This, are you…”
Follow us? Su Hua stopped himself in time. He looked at Qi Xingzhi, waiting for an explanation.
Qi Xingzhi’s expression was calm. He smiled and said, “Brother Su, look. This is a portrait of my great-aunt. This is my great-uncle. They gave birth to my aunt, which is your mother. This should be what she will look like. I might not draw a very similar portrait, but it must be 90% correct. I also used you and my aunt to draw a portrait of your father. I have never seen your father, so this might only be 60% similar. Through these two portraits, I drew what the girl would look like if my aunt gave birth to a daughter. Your reaction when you look at these portraits now makes me even more certain that my deduction is not wrong. Your mother is my great-aunt’s lost daughter, Yan Mian. She is my aunt.”
Qi Xingzhi drew almost everyone in the Su family by calculating the portraits. Even Su Xiaolu and Su Xiaoling were 90% similar to the portrait.